Cayo District Overview

The Western Highway bisects Belize horizontally, cutting across the Cayo District and offering an avenue to rugged jungle adventure for those tired of the sandy beaches. Far from the sea and the grassy savannas of northern Belize, and nestled within the lush greenery of the Maya Mountains, the Cayo District is Belize’s only highland region. Along the Western Highway, Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary and Guanacaste National Park tease travelers with hints of the tropical forests to come. From Mennonite farmland to the Maya village of San José Sucotz, this may be Belize’s most culturally diverse district. Cayo is a mecca for outdoor adventure tourists, and San Ignacio makes a good base from which to explore the ruins, caves, and rivers of the region. Highlights include the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve, with caves, waterfalls, refreshingly cool temperatures, and Caracol, the largest Mayan site in Belize.

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