San Ignacio

When you hear the incredible commotion made by black grackles in the town square's trees, and see the Hawksworth Bridge, the only public suspension bridge in Belize, you'll know you've arrived at San Ignacio, the hub of the Cayo district. San Ignacio is an excellent base for exploring western Belize. Nearby are three Mayan ruins, as well as national parks and a cluster of butterfly farms.

With its well-preserved wooden structures, dusty little San Ignacio is a Belizean town where you might want to linger. Evenings are cool and mosquito-free, and the colonial-era streets are lined with funky bars and restaurants. It's worth coming at sunset to listen to the eerily beautiful sounds of these iridescent grackles.