The Cayo

When the first jungle lodges opened in the early 1980s in the Cayo, Belize's largest district, not many people thought this wild area would become a tourist magnet. The mountainous region on the country's western border was too remote. Today, more than half of those touring Belize visit the Cayo during their trip, making this the country's second most popular destination after Ambergris Caye.

El Cayo is Spanish for "the caye" or key. Local residents still call San Ignacio Town "El Cayo," or just "Cayo," which can potentially create some confusion for outsiders. The name is thought to have originally referred to the small island formed where the Macal and Mopan rivers meet at San Ignacio.

You'll know when you've entered the Cayo a few miles east of Belmopan, Belize's capital. Running along the Belize River for miles, the road winds out of the valley and heads into a series of sharp bends. In a few minutes you'll see cattle grazing on steep hillsides and horses flicking their tails.

Other things change as you enter the Cayo. The Creole people who live along the coast give way to Maya and Mestizos; English is replaced by Spanish as the predominant language; and off the main roads four-wheel-drive vehicles become a necessity. The lost world of the Maya comes alive through majestic, haunting ruins. And the Indiana Jones in you can hike through the jungle, ride horseback, canoe down the Macal or Mopan River, and explore incredible caves.

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