Cayo District Accommodations
The Cayo District is where nature, culture, and wildlife meet and your Belize adventure begins. This is where birds and butterflies glide through the resort gardens, where the gleaming hard-wood verandas of lodge dining rooms look out over majestic river gorges, and where a chorus of howler monkeys provide the soundtrack to your evening meal.
Western Belize is best known for its spectacular Maya sites, its abundant adventure activities, its prolific wildlife, and for its lush tropical forests. It has also become famous for its premier nature lodges and inns, which provide guests with a range of comforts and direct access to the area's spectacular attractions. Many of the Cayo District's accommodations are truly destinations in themselves with extensive properties that offer myriad onsite activities to their guests. Whether you prefer a cozy inn, a remote jungle lodge, a fun hotel in town, or a luxurious resort, the Cayo District truly has it all.
Click here to view SabreWing Travel's Top Picks for Adventures & Activities in the Cayo District>
Penthouse Mountain View Suite at the Sleeping Giant
Sleeping Giant Rainforest Lodge
The Sleeping Giant Rainforest Lodge is a luxury nature resort nestled in the foothills of the Maya Mountains along the banks of the Sibun River, just off the Hummingbird Highway. The large grounds are beautifully landscaped and a small limestone stream weaves its way through gardens and past the reception, restaurants, pool, and Creekside Cottages. This medium-sized resort offers many different rooms types ranging from the comfortable River View rooms to the luxurious and commanding Mountain View Suites. The Grove House restaurant serves delicious and inspired variations on traditional Central American cuisine, while Don Tonito’s open-air garden restaurant serves excellent wood-fired pizza. Meanwhile, the bar at the Bamboo Room offers creative cocktails doctored up with their very own home-made rum infusions and tapas! Onsite activities include kayaking on the Sibune River, hiking through the towering rainforest to a breathtaking lookout gazebo or the hanging Jungle bridges, horse-riding, cliff rappelling, and some onsite caving adventures. A swimming pool and hot tub are set in the center of the resort, tucked among the gardens. A wide arrange of Spa Treatments are currently available in-room and dedicated spa building and wellness center is in the works. WiFi is available in the restaurants and common areas. For those who require Air Conditioning, this resort is a great choice as it is on the grid! The Sleeping Giant is centrally located less than two hours from the international airport and less than one hour from the beach so travel here is easy. This is adventure country and resort offers excellent access to the most exceptional caving excursions in Belize’s Cayo District – The ATM Cave, Cave Kayaking, and Cave Tubing are all easy day tours from here and exploring the unique Ceremonial Cave onsite is also highly recommended! Visiting Maya sites, like the Xunantunich Temples, is also easy as a day trip from here.
Recommended Activities from the Sleeping Giant Rainforest Lodge: The onsite Ceremonial Cave, Cave Kayaking at Five Blues Lakes N.P., ATM Cave, Cave Tubing in St. Herman’s Cave, Xunantunich Maya Site, Maya Hearth Cooking Experience, Hiking, River Kayaking, Horse-riding and Bird Watching onsite.
Macal River Suite at Chaa Creek
the Lodge at Chaa Creek
“Wildly civilized” is the motto at Chaa Creek, which is set along the banks of the Macal River in the foothills of the Maya Mountains a in the western portion the Cayo District. This is one the region’s original jungle lodges, and since its inception in 1981, it has grown and expanded into the area’s premier full-service resort offering an exquisite blend of natural beauty and man-made comforts. All amenities are decidedly upscale with intricate furnishings and added design touches that create an atmosphere of pampered luxury within a lovely tropical garden setting. The grounds are beautifully landscaped – mature trees and palms shade the gardens that surround the rooms and verdant lawns extend from the large infinity pool to meet the forest that surrounds the resort. Chaa Creek boasts a full-service spa, La Mariposa Restaurant, Bar/lounge, and natural history center with Blue Morpho Butterfly enclosure, and all are attended by competent, well-trained staff who will cater to your every need. They have an excellent adventure tour company providing day journeys to the most unique attractions and offer an abundance of onsite activities including guided and unguided nature hikes, bird-watching, horse-riding, ATV Rides, a Maya Medicine Trail, canoeing and inner tubing to name a few! Cooling off by the large infinity pool with a cool tropical drink is a great way to unwind from the day’s adventures! Chaa Creek is located 20 minutes from San Ignacio Town in Belize’s Cayo District along the banks of the Macal River where you can swim and Canoe. The location is excellent for exploring the Maya Sites in western Belize and for experiencing a variety of unique caving adventures and there are also abundant onsite activities, and many of them are complimentary.
Recommended Activities at Chaa Creek: Tikal Maya Site in Guatemala, Xunantunich Maya Site, ATM Cave, Cave Tubing & Zip-line Combination Tour, Caracol Maya Site & the Mountain Pine Ridge, Barton Creek Cave & Green Hills Butterfly Farm, Tour of the Natural History Center, Horse Riding, Birding, and Canoeing onsite.
Mystic River Resort
Mystic River Resort is an intimate nature lodge offering well-appointed suites crafted with touches that deliver just the right amount of luxury while accentuating the splendid jungle environment. All rooms are detached units set among the beautiful gardens to offer privacy and space. Each Suite has its own fireplace, sitting areas and verandah providing fabulous vistas of the forest and the Macal River valley. This owner-operated resort prioritizes customer service and the guest experience. Mystic River’s onsite restaurant, La Ranita offers an assortment of delicious farm-to-table meals which are prepared with ingredients from the onsite farming operation (including fresh eggs, organic vegetables, and goat cheese made by the owner, Nadege), and are served in the open air dining room. The bar/lounge is located near the restaurant and offers excellent views of the Macal River. Their brand new pool is the perfect place to cool off after enjoying the hiking, swimming, inner tubing, and canoeing, which are all available as complimentary onsite activities. Their onsite tour company – Bush Dog Adventures – offers excursions to all the main attractions in the Cayo District and specialty tours with their Polaris 4-wheel drive vehicle to water-falls and caves that are not available anywhere else! Mystic River located on a steep bank overlooking the Macal River, 7 miles (1/2 hour drive) from San Ignacio town in the western Cayo District. It is an ideal destination to enjoy nature in a remote setting while also providing easy access the area's main archaeological, cultural, caving, and natural attractions including the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve.
Recommended Adventures and Activities at Mystic River Resort: Blancaneaux Cave & Sapodilla Falls, Caracol Maya Site & the Mountain Pine Ridge, Tikal Maya Site in Guatemala, ATM Cave, Barton Creek Cave & Green Hills Butterfly Farm, Xunantunich Maya Site, Hiking, Bird Watching, Inner Tubing, and Canoeing onsite.
Blancaneaux Lodge
Francis Ford Coppola’s “dramatic hideaway in a rainforest wonderland” – is a gorgeous boutique nature lodge offering luxurious accommodations in a truly breathtaking setting. Twenty free-standing rooms are tucked among lush tropical foliage overlooking the turquoise pools of Privassion Creek in the remote Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. Nestled within beautifully manicured gardens, the comfortable Garden View Cabañas feature a large screened-in porch with hammock, and will transport you to an exotic, tropical paradise. Riverfront Cabañas feature an expansive deck overlooking Privassion Creek and Luxury Cabañas offer a secluded setting and feature their own private plunge pools and a second outdoor shower. Spacious Two Bedroom Villas and the Family Cabana offer the ideal set-up for families and friends traveling together. Blancaneaux offers a truly pampered experience in an intimate and wild setting. The Montagna Ristorante offers classic Italian meals while the poolside Guatemaltecqua specializes in the cooking of Guatemala. Both restaurants feature herbs and vegetables grown in the thriving three-acre Organic Garden, which is located right at the lodge. Other onsite amenities include the Jaguar Bar, the Waterfall Spa, which specializes in the art of Thai massage and offers a variety of other treatments, wraps, and massages, the onsite horse stables, a fresh water infinity pool, and an adults only hot pool adjacent to the spa and overlooking the creek. All rooms showcase Guatemalan decor and antiques, have hand-painted tile bathrooms and feature the luxury in-room amenities. Blancaneaux is located in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve on the northern end of the Maya Mountains in Belize’s central Cayo District, very well situated to explore the Caracol Maya Site – which is the largest in Belize – the Barton Creek Cave, Big Rock Falls, the Rio On Pools, and the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve.
Recommended Activities at Blancaneaux Lodge: Caracol Maya Site & the Mountain Pine Ridge, Hiking to Big Rock Falls, Bird Watching, Barton Creek Cave & Green Hills Butterfly Farm, Horse Riding, Farm to Fork Culinary Experience, Relaxing and Indulging in a treatment at the Waterfall Spa.
Cave’s Branch Lodge
The Tree Houses and jungle bungalows at Ian Anderson’s Cave’s Branch Lodge provide the ultimate jungle immersion experience with luxurious touches. The ten spacious tree houses at the lodge are truly one-of-a-kind in Belize: they are perched on a hillside above the Cave’s Branch River and include spacious living rooms with floor to ceiling screens providing direct views of the mature forest that surrounds the rooms. But despite being right in the jungle, these rooms are anything but rustic and are appointed with exquisite hardwood furniture pieces, local artwork, spacious marble bathrooms with his and her sinks and hot water, lights, fans, and AC units above the beds, and good screens that keep the jungle critters out but let the jungle sounds in and offer panoramic views of the forest. Several Jungle Bungalows and Cabanas are set among the forest and gardens and offer a more traditional forest-cabana experience, but again, in comfort. The entire grounds of the lodge itself are beautifully landscaped with a seamless blend of cultivated and jungle plants co-mingled to form their extensive onsite botanical gardens. A multi-level pool and hot-tub are perched on a cliff overlooking the Cave’s Branch River next the open-air restaurant, which serves delicious meals family style in a casual atmosphere. Cave’s Branch pioneered adventure tourism in Belize and the lodge’s excellent in-house tour company offers some of the most unique and exciting adventure tours in the country, many of which are exclusively available on their own property! In room massages are available as refreshing tropical drinks from there bar, offering everything you need to unwind and relax after a day of adventures! Cave’s Branch Lodge is centrally located in Belize in the south-eastern portion of Cayo District along the banks of the Cave’s Branch River just off the beautiful Hummingbird Highway in the limestone foothills of the Maya Mountains. This is adventure country, and the lodge offers excellent access to the most exceptional caving excursions in Belize! The ATM Cave, Cave Kayaking, Cave Tubing, Crystal Cave, Waterfall Cave, and the Black Hole Drop are all easy day tours from here! Likewise, you can visit our Maya sites from here and the resort is only an hour and a half from the international airport and the beach communities along the Mainland Central Coast.
Recommended Activities at Cave's Branch Lodge: The Black Hole Drop Rappelling Tour, River of Caves Tubing, Waterfall Cave Expedition, Hiking and Bird Watching at the Blue Hole National Park, River Cave Expedition
Table Rock Lodge
Table Rock Lodge combines the natural beauty and sustainable practices of a forest eco-lodge with guest services more typical of an upscale resort to create an intimate experience in a beautiful environment offering comfortable lodgings, gourmet dining, and attentive personal service. Owners Allan and Colleen live onsite and oversee all aspects of the lodge to ensure that guests receive the excellent service that Table Rock has become famous for offering. Table Rock’s ten free standing rooms are spread throughout the forest around the main lodge to offer guests privacy while the rooms' large screened windows allow the sounds and sights of the forest in so you can feel the jungle location. An open-air onsite restaurant serves delicious creations with fresh ingredients and a local twist, and you can whet your whistle and relax at the small informal bar adjacent to a jungle view terrace with fire pit. An infinity swimming pool and hang-out area was added in 2018 providing the perfect place to cool off after exploring the jungle and farm on the walking trails or river canoeing on the Macal River. Located on a 104-acre property that borders the Macal River, Table Rock offers a relaxing nature retreat that is just 15 minutes from San Ignacio town, allowing guests full access to the Cayo District’s main attractions while staying in a forest location.
Recommended Activities at Table Rock: Xunantunich and Cahal Pech Maya Sites, ATM Cave, Barton Creek Cave & Green Hills Butterfly Farm, Tikal and Yaxha Maya Site day tours in Guatemala, Caracol Maya Site & the Mountain Pine Ridge, Canoeing on the Macal River
THE Intimate and luxurious one bedroom VillaS at Ka’ana
Ka’Ana Resort
Ka’Ana is a gorgeous boutique resort in western Belize – “an oasis of style, culture, personalized service, and modern amenities for well-seasoned adventurers and tastemakers alike.” This small property combines nature and luxury seamlessly, offering thoughtfully designed suites and villas that pair clean lines and contemporary amenities harmoniously with Belizean textures and textiles to meet your every comfort while maintaining a sense of place. All the suites offer sitting areas with pretty garden views adjacent to the bedrooms – while some have private gardens with outdoor showers, soaker tubs, or plunge pools. Meanwhile, the spacious one and two-bedroom villas offer private garden atriums that open off the bedrooms with their own pools offering the perfect respite after a day of adventuring. The feeling of indulgence provided by the rooms is further accented by the harmonious dining experience offered at the onsite restaurant and the inspired atmosphere at The Wallace Bar. La Ceiba Restaurant is celebrated for its farmhouse design and chef-driven menu with local and international cuisine, featuring seasonal ingredients, some of which are grown at the on-site organic garden. The Wallace, offers “a jungle-casual atmosphere with an artisanal twist” and inventive cocktails as well as refreshing variations on the classics. A central pool provides a welcome place to cool off after a day of exploring while the spa “offers guests the opportunity to experience the mystic energy of Belize through traditional spa services as well as holistic Reiki healing and local specialty treatments like Maya Abdominal Massage”. Ka’ana is conveniently located in the western part of the Cayo District near San Ignacio town, close to all the main attractions of Western Belize – Maya sites, caving adventures, nature excursions and unique cultural activities are all at your fingertips here.
Recommended Activities from Ka’ana: Xunantunich and Cahal Pech Maya Sites, ATM Cave, Barton Creek Cave & Green Hills Butterfly Farm, Tikal and Yaxha Maya Site day tours in Guatemala, Caracol Maya Site & the Mountain Pine Ridge, Canoeing on the Macal River
Black Rock Lodge
This unique eco-lodge nestled in forest overlooking the Macal River in the Maya Mountains of Belize offers stunning rainforest surroundings and abundant opportunities for nature and adventure activities. Whether canoeing down the Macal River, hiking the various trails on the property, or simply looking out over the forest from the lodge dining room, the abundant diversity of the local flora and fauna is evident everywhere at Black Rock. This 242 acre property is a premier destination for nature enthusiasts of all sorts and bird watchers may be rewarded by over 300 species of resident and migratory birds that inhabit the area. The lodge's airy one-room cabins boast stunning views of Black Rock Canyon, the Macal River, and the surrounding forest and are built to take advantage of the fresh mountain breezes and the stunning jungle location. Black Rock Lodge prides itself on its excellent customer service and top notch guides, as well as and its commitment to environmental stewardship - All of the lodge’s electricity is supplied by a custom hybrid system consisting of micro-hydro and solar power and the delicious meals at the restaurant are prepared with fresh ingredients from the onsite organic garden.
Recommended Activities at Black Rock Lodge: Tikal and Yaxha Maya Site day tours in Guatemala, Xunantunich, El Pilar and Cahal Pech Maya Sites in Belize, Bird Watching, Hiking, Inner Tubing, and Conoeing onsite, and doing Yoga on the stunning yoga platform overlooking the river
GAÏA Riverlodge
Perched atop the magnificent Five-Sisters Waterfalls in Belize’s secluded Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, GAÏA Riverlodge is a remote oasis where you can get away from the cares of the modern world and immerse in nature in a spectacular setting. From here, you can spend your days dipping into adventure on day trips to explore wonderous caves and ancient Maya cities, or relaxing in the serene atmosphere of the lodge, where the only sounds that interrupt the soothing whispers of the waterfall are the calls of the birds. Guests of Gaia can recharge in their private and spacious cabanas – Waterfall and Mountain View units alike are charming wooden structures with traditional Maya thatch roofs where rustic elements of natural design are paired with luxury to ensure your comfort and create a feeling of simple indulgence. All rooms feature king beds, ensuite bathrooms, and sitting area with views of the natural surroundings. Private and sustainable by design, the lodge is proudly a Green Globe Award certified hotel. The Five Sister’s waterfall, which is a completely natural feature, steals the show at GAÏA as the main attraction – comfortable loungers are set-up near the gazebo at the base of the waterfall so you can relax in between your swims, and more adventurous types will love climbing on the massive granite outcrops surrounding the falls. The lodge’s open-air restaurant and cocktail lounge offer breathtaking scenic views of the Belizean rainforest and excellent Belizean and international cuisine reflecting the various influences in local tropical fruits, vegetables, and spices, with a twist of fusion and international flavours. A central firepit is a nice spot to gather in the evening and swap stories with other guests. Spa treatments and massage are conducted at the base of the waterfall for ultimate relaxation. Accompanied Children 10 and over are welcome!
Recommended Adventures and Activities from GAÏA Riverlodge: Caracol Maya Site & the Mountain Pine Ridge, Barton Creek Cave & Green Hills Butterfly Farm, Onsite Hiking and Bouldering up the Privassion River, Relaxing and Indulging in a Treatment at the Waterfall Spa.
Hidden Valley Wilderness Lodge
Hidden Valley Wilderness Lodge is located in a private wilderness reserve spread along the escarpment of the Mountain Pine Ridge area of the Cayo District, arguably one of Belize's most pictureque settings. The 7,290 acre Hidden Valley reserve offers exclusive access to some of the country’s best hiking with miles of trails that lead through verdant ravines, crisscross crystal clear creeks, lead to majestic waterfalls, and provide breathtaking vistas. Over 80 species of wild orchids cling to the walls of rocks that line aqua-blue jungle pools at the foot of spectacular waterfalls that are accessible only to Hidden Valley guests. Exploring the property on your own is easy and the inn provides radios, maps and even catered picnics. Experienced guides are also available for guided hikes and bird watching, to share their holistic knowledge of the area, and to take guests on a wide range of day tours. Hidden Valley Inn’s main house emulates Victorian plantation style in its decor, and is elegantly designed with airy ceilings and fireplace lounges for cooler mountain nights. Twelve cottages are scattered throughout the gardens and are appointed with comforts and amenities that indulge guests and highlight the beauty of the setting. Stone hearths, polished mahogany furnishings, plush leather chairs, a pool terrace set amid flourishing gardens, spa services, and a gourmet dining experience create an atmosphere of rustic luxury at Hidden Valley Inn that caters to the every comfort of guests.
Recommended Activities at Hidden Valley Inn: Caracol Maya Site & the Mountain Pine Ridge, Hiking through ravines to hidden waterfalls on miles of trails, Bird Watching, Barton Creek Cave & Green Hills Butterfly Farm, Maya Cutural Tours, Relaxing and Indulging at the Inn
The San Ignacio Resort Hotel
The San Ignacio Resort Hotel is a full-service Belize resort located in San Ignacio town and offering classic resort amenities that include a pool, spa, tennis courts, and full restaurant and bar. Though it is right in town, the hotel is perched above a strip of forest overlooking the Macal River which provides a lovely setting with views of the trees and a quiet retreat from the bustle of San Ignacio. Meanwhile, this location offers the visitor the opportunity to explore and enjoy one of Belize’s most vibrant communities. The San Ignacio market, the Cahal Pech Maya Site, and an assortment of local restaurants and shops are all accessible by foot from the hotel, which is also perfectly located to visit many of the area’s top attractions. The resort is one of the longest running of the area’s accommodations and has been recently renovated. All rooms offer updated amenities and classic Belizean charm – our favorites are the spacious Deluxe rooms and Suites. The resort staff provide excellent service 24 hours a day and exemplify the warmth of Belize’s people. A stay here is the perfect choice for those seeking to enjoy a tropical resort setting with quick access to town and many adventures.
