San Ignacio Belize

Oops.........not sure if this ever got posted.

The four of us were off early to another town in Belize. Hokey Pokey Water Taxi at 6:45 am, then an Express Shuttle to Belmopan, and a quick change to a school bus to San Ignacio. Total travel time was about 5 ½ hours, arriving in San Ignacio about noon. We were once again approached by hawkers on where to stay. We darted into a new Italian Restaurant, Amore Mio owned by a Brit named Nigel. He was very kind and gave us lots of advice on where to stay and suggested a tour company to use for a day trip. He even let us store our luggage in the restaurant until we could find a hotel room. If Nigel can get a handle on his menu and great food, it will become a gold mine for San Ignacio. The info and camaraderie was great, but the frozen pizza was not up to par.
We looked at several hotels and decided on Park Plaza, getting 2-rooms. One with a/c the other without. It was a strange set-up and we paid $75 Belize Dollars for the a/c room. Pricey for what we got. It was a real hotel, but you walked through the owner’s living room to get to the hotel rooms. They monitored our comings and goings throughout our stay which was really starting to annoy me when they said we had to come home together in the evenings. The lady owner asked me 5x times if I turned off the a/c for which she charged $10 a night extra to use. I know….electricity is expensive, but I really only needed to be reminded just once.
We managed to book two different day tours for the next day. Me and the Brit opted for the full day of Cave Tubing at Jaguar Paw through Mayawalk Tours. (right across from the bus terminal) They were very professional and I wholeheartedly recommend them. The river was low and at times our guide had to tow us. Our inner tubes were huge and we had to paddle at times. I did the back stroke to get some speed going. Otherwise my arms weren’t long enough to reach the water. I had a blast, and felt like a little kid again. Feeling loved and nurtured on the river. TIP: Make sure to ask what day the Cruise Lines take the day trips here from Belize City. When they do, there can be up to a 1000 people on the river at one time! They arrive 3x a week. The river/cave trip cost $55 USD, taking 1.5 hours drive to get there each way. We stayed cool on the river and in the caves, and a picnic lunch after we finished. Our friends had an equally good time using the same tour company. They took a canoe trip and a guided tour of the Botanic Gardens
Happy hours consisted of Panty Rippers (rum & pineapple juice) at a bar across from the bus terminal. Dinner was divine at the busiest place in town.
Ko-ox Han-nah
#5 Burns Ave.
824-3014
M-Sat 6a-9p
Ko-ox Han-nah is centrally located and offers a large diverse menu, catering also to vegetarians. They serve traditional Belizean food, spicy Asian dishes, as well as American/English food.