For the longest time, Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker have reigned supreme in the solo travel and backpacker community. The island pair have nailed down the safe and hassle-free way of getting to know Belize down to a T. There’s one inland district, however, that’s becoming a hot contender for solo travel, especially for women: Cayo.
For friends you haven’t yet met
Image courtesy Roeming Belize
Traipsing amidst the stalls at San Ignacio Town’s farmer’s market, a medley of smells envelops the air. From the region-defining barbecue to the fresh scent of organic produce, the market on Saturday mornings is ideal for some casual strolling and light grocery shopping. Here, you’ll come across people from all walks of life making their livelihoods at cultural hotspots such as these. The hospitality radiating from Cayo locals is unparalleled, making you feel right at home.
-
- San Ignacio Market Photo courtesy of ROEming Belize
-
- About to dig into the best meal at Ko-Ox Han-Nah [Photo Courtesy- Jess Campbell]
You’ll find a friend in almost every person. Friends you might end up sharing a drink with at nearby Guava Limb, having breakfast with at Ko-Ox Han-Nah or joining at a local nightclub for some late-night dancing. Experiences like these put a strain on the term solo travel, for it rarely ever feels that way when exploring the twin towns of Santa Elena and San Ignacio.
Top all-inclusive resorts
Yoga on deck. Image courtesy Ka’ana Resort
Traveling alone as a woman to a completely new country can be intimidating, but Cayo is chock-full of luxury resorts where you won’t even need to leave your comfort bubble. Top-tier resorts such as San Ignacio Resort Hotel and Ka’ana Resort are boutique hotels specializing in intimacy and luxury, without sacrificing adventurous needs. If for some reason, you get tired of private pool villas and farm-to-table cuisine, you can book tours directly from these resorts.
Kick back and relax in Belize with a Belikin. Photo courtesy San Ignacio Resort Hotel
As the eco-tourism center of the country, Cayo boasts a plethora of adventure activities. Join your hotel’s cave tubing tour and meet other like-minded travelers, or make the trek to Mountain Pine Ridge and inhale the crisp air.
-
- Photo by Ka’ana Resort
-
- Butterfly Falls. Image via @jasmeannnn on Instagram
With resorts cutting the work out for you by booking all the tours and guides, you can travel easily knowing you’re in good hands.
You’ll never get bored
As mentioned, Cayo is a vast district offering more than meets the eye. Hiking trails are a stone’s throw away from most major resorts. Tours like Maya cooking classes, chocolate making, and wine tasting were made for solo travelers hoping to diversify their palate. Spend half your vacation relaxing and re-energizing by a pool. Then, spend the next half becoming familiar with Cayo’s many underground cave systems.
Let’s go caving in Belize! Photo Courtesy – Jess Campbell
Header image courtesy San Ignacio Resort Hotel / Monica Gallardo Photography. This article was published in June 2021.
