Top Things to do in Cayo
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10 Things to do for Honeymoon in Cayo That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Cayo, Belize including The Maya Ruins of Caracol, Xunantunich, River Rat Belize, Explore Inland Tours, Actun Tunichil Muknal, Belize Magnificent Mayan Tours, Upside Down Tours, Calico Jack's Belize Jungle Canopy and Zip Lining, ATM Cave Tour, Hanna Stables.
Restaurants in Cayo
1. The Maya Ruins of Caracol
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 614 reviews
This 30-acre complex is the largest Mayan ruin in Belize.
Reviewed By Sandi-and-Tim - New Castle, United States
Despite having a rental car, my husband, son, and I opted to hire a tour guide (and HIS vehicle) for this trip, in part because of the 52 miles of rough dirt road. Don't be scared off by the "you must join the police escort" warnings. The ruins are close to the Belize-Guatemala border, and the escort was started due to a single incident a few years ago...but there haven't been any reported incidents since then. Caracol has the highest Mayan temple in Belize. In fact, we couldn't see the top from the ground. According to our guide, LIDAR Radar readings taken in the last few years show that there are around 36,000 Mayan buildings in the surrounding jungle that have not been excavated, and they estimate that there were approximately 1.5 million inhabitants at one point. One of the thing that's so amazing about that is that there is no water source nearby. What they did find, though, was over 200 retention ponds. This is a destination that is not as well traveled as some of the other Mayan ruins in Belize due to the poor access, but it is well worth the effort to get there. If you do go without a guide, make sure you sign in at the police checkpoint. Past that point the road is narrow and mostly one way in in the morning and out in the afternoons. Oh, if you do use a guide, make sure he lets you eat some minty-tasting termites. :-)
2. Xunantunich
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,467 reviews
Reviewed By galencampbell - Calgary, Canada
The ruins are excellent and will be workout climbing up and down, with fantastic views from the highest points. We picked up a guide before crossing the ferry. Elfego had A LOT of knowledge, which makes sense since he must have been at least 70 and had been giving tours and working with archaeologists at Xunantunich for decades. The visitor center is good, with enough information to educate you, but not so much as to be excessive. I still recommend a guide though for better explanations of what you are seeing when you are actually looking at it. We also got lucky and saw two troops of howler monkeys howling at each other in trees just up the hill from the ferry (so keep your windows down and your ears listening as you drive in).
3. River Rat Belize
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 167 reviews
We are a small tour operator with a team of highly motivated outdoor enthusiasts focused in the prehistoric and historic landscapes, people and cultures of Belize. Join us to the playgrounds below the earth at ATM Cave, cave tubing,Chechem ha, Barton Creek Caracol of if hiking into the jungle is what you want, then warm up gears and off you go into the rain forest at Vaca Outpost.
4. Explore Inland Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 289 reviews
Let us at Destiny Tours help guide you through the amazing Mayan world. Let our professional and certified guides help you walk in the foot of the Maya and learn their culture, religion and much more. Our aim is to give our guests the best and most comfortable experience in Belize.
5. Actun Tunichil Muknal
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 874 reviews
This remote cave is filled with relics left over from the Mayans.
Reviewed By 143trishc
My family and I visited Actun Tunichil Muknal June of 2019. This is not like a cave in the US where tourists visit. YOu must hike, cross rivers, swim across the pool at the entrance of the cave, wade up streams, squeeze through tight passages, climb rocks in you socks and up a ladder to reach the crystal maiden. Worth every second! It is so beautiful, amazing and tragic too. I am grateful for the experience, it was truly a trip of a lifetime.
6. Belize Magnificent Mayan Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 295 reviews
"Let us at BzmTours start your Belize Adventure" is the motto of our company. We strive to do our best and our friendly service is top-notch. Helping you full-fill your Belize Adventure Dream! Come along for the adventure of a life-time! Our knowledge is your learning!
7. Upside Down Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 142 reviews
Day tour to the St. Herman caves and crystal cave at Belize Inland Blue Hole National Part.
8. Calico Jack's Belize Jungle Canopy and Zip Lining
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 354 reviews
Calico Jack’s is a full service resort offering lovely and affordable accommodations, relatively inexpensive and delicious meals --specializing in local, vegetarian and keto cuisine . Calico Jack's is perhaps best known for our exciting tours including 5 zip line tour options in over 3,000 feet of zip lining, rappelling, a cable walk, rope ladder challenge and Belize’s only jungle swing—for only the most adventurous. If you enjoy nature and trails, explore our extensive hiking trails leading to dry caves used by the Maya for their sacred rituals or to our natural creek and swimming hole. We are also a magical paradise for jungle exploration. If you want a more laid back day, lounge by the pool and sip delightful local beverages against the background sounds of nature and local rhythms. Or join us in self-discovery through meditation, tai chi, yoga and EFT. I Contact us in Belize at 501-832-2478
9. ATM Cave Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,048 reviews
Actun Tunichil Muknal “Cave of the Stone Sepulcher” or ATM Cave as it is locally known is located in the heart of the Belizean Rainforest. A 45 minutes hike to the cave, You will cross the Roaring River on three occasions and the return hike on that same trail. This cave offers a unique, eerie experience as it was once use by the Ancient Maya. It hosts a variety of skeletons, the most famous is the Crystal Maiden, ceramics and stone tools. This cave offers a unique, eerie experience as it was once use by the Ancient Maya. You will learn the history of this cave and the rituals that were conducted in the cave. From bloodletting to human sacrifice, and other rituals that occurred in the cave over one thousand years ago.
10. Hanna Stables
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 297 reviews
Hanna Stables offers horseback riding, adventure tourism and eco-farm stay for travelers of all ages and abilities in the San Ignacio, Belize area. One of the country's oldest horseback riding establishments, Hanna Stables is currently operated by Santiago Juan.Located not far from Hanna Stables is Nabitunich (The Stone Cottages), a 400 acre spread of land which has been in the Juan family for four generations. Nabitunich has 20 rooms available for accommodations for travelers in Belize and is open to eco-farm stays as well.
Reviewed By k8boom - Washington DC, United States
My family and I did the Xunantunich + San Lorenzo Farm Horseback Ride with Hanna Stables and it was THE highlight of our entire trip. We arrived to find a beautiful setting and the horses well cared for and tacked. Santiago assessed us on the spot and determined the best horse for each rider, and off we went. The trail through the farm was well cleared and the horses were very well trained. We rode past fields, in the woods, along a rushing river, and then found ourselves along the road and across the hand crank ferry that would take us to Xunantunich. We dismounted to cross the river then hopped back on to make our way up the road to the temple. Once we arrived at the temple, tied up the horses (men were there to take care of them while we explored), had some water, and were introduced to Francisco, an incredible guide who was full of respect for and information about the temple. We climbed, hiked, learned, and thoroughly enjoyed our experience. He also took incredible pictures of us throughout the tour. After we completed our exploration (2 hours + on site, not at all rushed) we got back on the horses and made our way back to the farm for an incredible meal cooked on site. I would HIGHLY recommend Hanna Stables, and this ride specifically, if you are looking for a day filled with education, delicious food, adventure, and well cared for horses. Every person in our group (of varying horse experience) was comfortable during the ride, the conversation we had with Santiago throughout the day was referenced many times over the remainder of our trip, and at the end of our 10 day Belize stay (which included a cave tour, howler monkeys off our back porch, snorkeling, shark swimming, island life, and more) this horseback ride was STILL the peak of everyone's experience.
