The Mayan Ruins of San Ignacio

San Ignacio is an interesting place to visit in Belize. In this town you will find the Mayan Ruins of Xunantunich, which is a must-see. Its name means “Maiden of the Rock” and it rises 130 ft above the Mopan River. The pyramids and plazas of the ancient Mayan city were occupied from around 1000 BC until the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century. I compared Xunantunich with Tikal. They look similar in terms of architecture, but have some differences in terms of history and location. The views are stunning from top of El Castillo, which is the largest pyramid on the site. From the west side of it, you can see the Guatemalan Mountains and Belize River Valley. From the east side you can see Caribbean Sea and miles of jungle. Another interesting place in San Ignacio is the Belize Botanic Gardens, which are located on the banks of the Macal River. Here you can find over 90 species of palms and many other plants that are native to Belize and its neighbors. I also took some time to learn about agriculture in the area from local farmers and I was impressed with their sustainable practices.