Cahal Pech
A Maya noble palace complex on a hilltop above San Ignacio, reachable on foot, and one of the oldest settlements in Cayo District.
Cahal Pech means 'place of ticks' in Maya. Founded around 1200 BC, it is one of Belize's earliest Maya settlements. Its seven plazas are surrounded by 34 preserved buildings, and you can wander through maze-like palace rooms and courtyards. It is small and uncrowded, with a small museum at the entrance. Admission is about US$10; the walk uphill from the city center takes about 20 minutes.
Opening hours
08:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Green Iguana Conservation Project
- San Ignacio Market
- Belize Botanic Gardens
- Xunantunich
- El Pilar
- Big Rock Falls
- Barton Creek Cave
- Rio Frio Cave