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Destination: Cayo
In a country known for white sand beaches and warm Caribbean waters, the Cayo District is a largely undiscovered jewel of Belize. Located in the western part of the country, the Cayo District is the perfect place to experience Belize’s raw mountainous country, local Mayan history or provide an ideal gateway for travel into Guatemala. Cayo is relatively close to the famed ruins of Tikal.
The Cayo District is best known for its Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve. This beautiful reserve gets its name from the seemingly unusual thick pine forest residing in this small corner of Central America. The Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve covers 800 square km of beautiful, unspoiled mountain terrain. Beautiful flora and fauna cover the reserve, while being interwoven with wild rivers, spectacular waterfalls and dramatic caves. The lush valley between the impressive Macal and Mopan rivers is as picturesque as anywhere else in amazingly beautiful Belize.
Although the roads through Cayo District are sometimes impassible in the wet season and challenging in the dry season, the difficulty in getting to the area has kept unspoiled. However, inaccessibility helps keep this beautiful land unspoiled and natural for visitors willing to see it on horseback, by foot or kayak and canoe. Cayo District easily deserves spending anywhere from 3 to 10 days there.
The must see Cayo District activities are anything having to do with the natural beauty of Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve, outdoor adventures such as white water rafting, mountain biking, etc., Mayan historical sites and Cayo District towns. There is a wide range of Belize hotels and lodging. Everything from great Belize mountain lodges to quaint Belizean Inns are available. There are lodging options to suit all tastes, budgets and interests. The scenic backdrop the Cayo District makes just about any of the lodging choices irresistible. Many of the Cayo District lodging options provide transfers and ground transportation, but a rental car will offer the most flexibility and best means for exploring the area. Keep in mind, that all of the Mountain Pine Reserve roads are dirt, so a 4WD vehicle is preferable.
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More On Cayo
The Cayo District of Belize has a multitude of attractions to offer visitors. For those interested in the area’s flora, the Belize Botanic Gardens makes a fascinating stop with around 300 tree species and is close to DuPlooy's Jungle Lodge. For those interested in the local fauna, try the Butterfly Breeding Center at Chaa Creek, to view the amazing blue morpho butterflies. Another great place to see the colorful butterflies of Belize is at the Green Hills Butterfly House and Botanical Collection on mile 8 of Mountain Pine Ridge Road. Often overshadowed by the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve, the Chiquibul Forest Reserve represents a worthwhile excursion. This government protected area in the south has a wide array of wildlife and scenic natural beauty. In addition to the beautiful forest itself, one may see scarlet macaws, keel-billed motmots, tapirs and wild pigs.
Cayo District’s Mountain Pine Ridge makes a great destination for Belize visitors seeking a little outdoor adventure or just a chance to get away. Above all, the Mountain Pine Ridge reserve is a great place to see wildlife and natural beauty unique to this part of Central America. With a large number of trails, spectacular vistas and sense of solitude it is an ideal place to enjoy horseback riding, hiking and even mountain biking. One of the perennial hiking trail favorites is the Rainforest Medicinal Trail.
The many rivers, waterfalls and river caves allow Belize visitors the opportunity for a variety of fresh water adventures. For visitors who like get their feet wet, the many rivers that run through Cayo are great for canoeing and kayaking Belize. For the truly adventurous, white water rafting on the upper Macal River is an unforgettable experience. You may even get to raft close to the Vaca Falls, which is a great way to punctuate this wild Belize adventure.
With all of the rivers running through Cayo, the district is naturally home to a number of impressive waterfalls. The highest waterfall in Central America, is located in Belize’s Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve. The Hidden Valley Falls, is a spectacular cascade of water which drops almost 500 meters into a misty valley below. Close by, Butterfly Falls, provides an interesting backdrop for bird watching. As this Belize waterfall is known to attract rare birds such as the king vulture, toucan, and orange-breasted falcon among others. Five Sisters Falls and Big Rock Falls are also located within a very short distance of one another. Both of these waterfalls allow visitors the opportunity for a refreshing swim. A favorite swimming hole at Five Sisters Falls is the large pool into which 5 smaller waterfalls cascade. Big Rock Falls doesn’t quite the same drama, but is offers a chance for more privacy and solitude as it is the most off the beaten path. Clarissa Falls also offer a chance to get up close and personal with another spectacular Belizean waterfall.
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Belize
Beaches
Diving
Fishing
Getting Around
Lodging
Mayan Tours
Weather
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Destination: BELIZE
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Additional Info: Cayo
Cayo District’s rivers also lead to an interesting collection of caves. The Waterhole Cavern, also known as the Bat Cave is an impressive cave with lake and colossal formations. Keep in mind that this requires a strenuous 45 minute hike to access the cave entrance. One of the most popular river caves in Belize is the Rio Frio Cave. This must see cave is located within walking distance of the entrance to the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve. Rio Frio Cave offers a grand welcome with an arching 65 foot tall entryway. From the entrance of the cave to its end a quarter mile later, visitors are treated to numerous pools, falls, and stalactites. A second cave, Cuevas Gemelas is nearby and easily accessible via a nature trail. A short distance away is the Rio on Pools, which is a fun place for swimming. Rio on Pools is made up of a number of small waterfalls and pools. Barton Creek Cave is a cave that was originally used by the Mayas, but can now be toured by using canoes and spot lights. Some of the caves, still house interesting Mayan artifacts and archileaogical significance. Chechem Ha Cave, which housed Mayan pottery, can be reached by a short, albeit difficult 30 minute climb.
Cayo District is not limited to rugged, natural beauty alone. Cayo also provides Belize visitors an opportunity to see a different aspect of Belize’s diverse culture and history. Cayo has an assortment of great Mayan ruins, Mayan artifacts and interesting towns. Visitors will enjoy the Latin influenced border town of Benque Viejo, Mennonite settlements of Spanish Lookout and the frontier like towns of Santa Elena and San Ignacio. San Ignacio is easily accessible, just 70 miles west of Belize City on the Western Highway. Most of the historic Mayan sites are close to Cayo Ditrict towns making for easy excursions to view them. Cahal Pech Mayan ruin, close to San Ignacio Hotel offers a great chance to view Mayan history. Don’t miss the Caracol Mayan ruin with tallest man-made pyramid in Belize. 12 miles north of San Ignacio, visitors will find the El Pilar Mayan ruins. Pacbitun with its 25 temples and major ceremonial site is in San Ignacio Village and is easily accessed by foot or by horse. The Xunantunich Mayan ruins, near the Guatemala border is reached by a simple ferry ride. While the Yalbac Mayan site in the Yalbac Hills, northeast of San Ignacio, can be reached by hiking. Flour Camp Cave offers visitors the chance to see Maya pottery, stone tools, and burial chambers. Tanah Mayan Art Museum in San Ignacio Village offers an insightful collection of Mayan artifacts, art and carvings. In addition, the famed Tikal Mayan ruins in Guatemala are just 80 miles from the Belize and Guatemala border.
Visitors who come to Belize and only see the tropical beaches and Caribbean culture are missing out. Cayo offers those willing to make the short journey a rare glimpse of something natural, something unspolied and something well worth seeing. It has raw, natural beauty, impressive Mayan history and opportunities for adventure that are not easily found anywhere else.
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