The Jungle - March 13 - 17, 2008

Ceiba Tree

I stayed in San Ignacio during my time in the jungle of Belize. Well, what I refer to as the jungle. I arrived in San Ignacio about 2-3 hours after my plane touched down in Belize City via a connection from San Salvador. I cleared customs and collected my luggage and headed for the door - Delia had arranged my transfer to San Ignacio but I hadn't a clue who or what or how this was going to occur. But all was well - there was a driver with a sign outside the airport with my name on it. How special was that!

David, I believe his name is/was, drove me west on the Western Highway. We passed by Belmopan, the capital city (it is not exactly on the highway) as well as the Zoo and the aforementioned prison.

I made it to Martha's Guesthouse by lunch. In all the guidebooks, Marthas is written up very highly. It is a very nice place and very central to the downtown.

Downtown San Ignacio is a really happening place. The streets are paved (a plus!) but barely wide enough for two cars. Nearby is a river with 2 bridges - you enter the city from the east on one bridge and leave the city going east on another. The incoming bridge barely clears the water while the other towers over the river. I seem to recall there was some sort of refurbishing or some such thing happening with the bridges while I was there.

A couple of other things I recall about San Ignacio and the jungle - it was hot! And humid! Probably not as bad as some places are but it was absolutely foreign (no pun intended) weather for someone from San Diego. We don't get that hot and humid here. And the mosquitos! If you ever visit Belize (or anywhere in Central America), take plenty of insect repellent. I came back from Belize with 50 or so bites that took a couple of months to properly heal. If you visit Central America, be prepared to not be allowed to donate blood for a year or so either.

Delia had suggested that I contact a local tour operator in San Ignacio for the activities I wanted to do/see, and Martha (yes, she does exist) suggested one - Pacz. I took all 3 tours through that company and they did not let me down. And I got to do everything(!) on my list for Western Belize.

Downtown San Ignacio, Belize

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