This full-day tour includes an authentic Belizean lunch, Rio Frio Cave and Rio on pools. Get ready to explore this once very powerful site where great Mayan royals ruled, lived, died and now lay buried. Let the surrounding jungle whisper its secrets of past and present civilizations. Walk and explore places where only royals were allowed. Peak into their living quarters and let your imagination take you back in time and marvel at what was left behind. (October - February be prepared for some rainy days and off road driving- muddy)
Schedule & prices
Runs
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, and Sat
Start times
7:00 AM
Next available
Wed, Oct 7
Adult (ages 17–65)
$140
Youth (ages 10–16)
$100
Child (ages 4–9)
$65
Larger groups pay less per person.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 6.
Tour Options
Small group Caracol Tour from San Ignacio
Pickup included
Itinerary
St. Leonard's Tours
Pass by
Our guide will meet you at your hotel and drive to the great maya city of Caracol. Bring along comfortable footwear and clothing to comfort you in the full day's adventure ahead of you. Climb the great Caana, be marveled by such a powerful city in the middle of the jungle, how they conquered and built such an enigmatic society. Let the jungle give you a look at the hundreds of ancient structures as you walk the trails in search of answers to quench your curiosity.
The Maya Ruins of Caracol
Admission included180 min
This mysterious and mighty maya city of Caracol has some of the most fascinating history and architectural work that never stops to amazing visitors. Its location and great power to subdue its enemy is still captivating. Come explore and be marvelled with such ancient structures.
Rio Frio Cave
30 min
Explore this unique cave surrounded by jungle in the Mountain Pine Ridge area.(this cave may be affected by bad weather/heavy rains)
Rio On Pools
60 min
After a day for driving and exploring the big mayan city of Caracol you will be more than happy to leave your vehicle for a refreshing dip in the waters of the Rio on Pools.
What's included
Included
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Bottled water
Rio Frio Cave and Rio on Pools
Lunch
Local, professional driver/guide
Transport by private, air conditioned vehicle
Not included
The listed price does not include a departure tax per person, payable at the time of tour check-in. The departure tax is required by our local supplier and/or the local transit or governing authority and is not within our control
Gratuities
Any hotel outside San Ignacio Town, Cayo District may incur a small additional fee
Pickup Locations & Times
SMALL group tours of 4- 8ppl
(NB: any groups of 6 - 15people or more can also be accommodated and will be given a PRIVATE tour for their group)
All AIRBnBs: please provide us with your location & local contact number for airbnb
EXTRA FEE: for any pickup & drop off OUTSIDE San Ignacio Town. Fee is based on location and payable cash to local provider at pickup time on day of tour. call/email to confirm availability.
EXTRA fee for: Sweet Songs, Black Rock, Macaw Bank, Mahogany Hall, Aliana Villas, or any other accommodation close to the above mentioned names.
NO PICKUP & DROP OFFS to: Belize City, Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, Hopkins, Placencia. Guests from Belize city, Hopkins, Placencia are approx 2 hours away from our location and are advised to use own transport or arrange shuttle from within their location; this tour is NOT AVAILABLE for Ambergris caye & Caye Caulker
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
5.0
12 reviews
5
12
4
0
3
0
2
0
1
0
How it compares in San Ignacio
Starting price $140 is 15% below the typical $165 for tours of similar length in San Ignacio
Excurgo comparison of 152 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Service animals allowed
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Children must be accompanied by an adult
A minimum of 4 people per booking is required
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Small group Caracol Tour from San Ignacio take?
Small group Caracol Tour from San Ignacio lasts about 9–11 hours. The itinerary has 4 stops.
How much does Small group Caracol Tour from San Ignacio cost?
Prices start at $140 per person for this San Ignacio experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Small group Caracol Tour from San Ignacio run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, starting at 7:00 AM.
How much does Small group Caracol Tour from San Ignacio cost for children?
Children aged 4–9 pay from $65, adults from $140.
Can I cancel Small group Caracol Tour from San Ignacio for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. SMALL group tours of 4- 8ppl
(NB: any groups of 6 - 15people or more can also be accommodated and will be given a PRIVATE tour for their group)
All AIRBnBs: please provide us with your location & local contact number for airbnb
EXTRA FEE: for any pickup & drop off OUTSIDE San Ignacio Town. Fee is based on location and payable cash to local provider at pickup time on day of tour. call/email to confirm availability.
EXTRA fee for: Sweet Songs, Black Rock, Macaw Bank, Mahogany Hall, Aliana Villas, or any other accommodation close to the above mentioned names.
NO PICKUP & DROP OFFS to: Belize City, Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, Hopkins, Placencia. Guests from Belize city, Hopkins, Placencia are approx 2 hours away from our location and are advised to use own transport or arrange shuttle from within their location; this tour is NOT AVAILABLE for Ambergris caye & Caye Caulker Pickup points include The Lodge at Chaa Creek, Cassia Hill Resort Belize.
What languages is Small group Caracol Tour from San Ignacio offered in?
The experience is available in EN, EN, ES, ES.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 15 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Specialized infant seats are available Children must be accompanied by an adult
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Small group Caracol Tour from San Ignacio worth it?
Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 12 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by St Leonard's Tours.
Reviews(12)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
D
davidpV4665EP
December 23, 2023 · via Tripadvisor
A trip highlight - a great family adventure
Our trip to Caracol was a true highlight of our visit to Belize. Elio was the kindest, most knowledgable guide you could ever wish for. He was amazing with our 9 year-old, knew so much about local history, plants, and animals, and went above and beyond to make sure we had a great time.
Caracol was amazing. There were so few people there, it felt like we had the place to ourselves. Climbing and exploring was fun for everyone. We learned so much history and saw such a wide variety of birds and other wildlife. We highly recommend this trip - the road is definitely rough, but the rewards are worth it. If you are lucky enough to be able to go with Elio, you will be in such good hands.
Operator response
Thank you for taking time to write a review.
What an incredible adventure you had at Caracol!
It's great to hear that Elio made your trip so special with his kindness, knowledge, and attention to detail, especially in making sure your 9-year-old had an amazing time. Caracol's serene atmosphere and the chance to explore with so much freedom must have been truly magical. The rich history, diverse wildlife, and the sense of exclusivity at the site sound like an experience of a lifetime. Thank you for recommending this trip and highlighting the rugged road as a small trade-off for such remarkable rewards. It's fantastic to hear that Elio's guidance made the journey even more extraordinary!
G
Gregory_Z
February 15, 2022 · via Viator
Fantastic tour of Caracol
We had a lovely tour with Elio at Caracol. The ride to the park was long and bumpy as the road is under construction, but the benefit was that we had nearly the whole park to ourselves. The views and history are remarkable, the food was delicious, and elio is full of knowledge about Mayan and Belizean history and culture
Operator response
Thank you for taking time to write a review.
At St Leonard's we are very happy you had a wonderful day enjoying the amazing Caracol with Elio. You were indeed fortunate to have the site almost to yourself as this is not always the case!!! Hopefully not even the odd mosquito disturbed the serenity of the location.
U
Utsala
January 20, 2022 · via Tripadvisor
Don't miss this tour!
I have traveled extensively and taken tours around the world (including 6 other Mayan sites) and this was one of the best tours and companies I have used! Caracol is a little out of the way for most tourist but as the largest Mayan site in Belize, it’s a must see. It's a 2 and half hour drive from San Ignacio down mostly ruff dirt/muddy roads. You technically can drive it yourself if you have a 4-wheel drive but don't unless you are used to driving in adverse conditions. While there are few turn offs, there are even fewer directional signs. For this reason, we booked this tour. We decided to leave the driving to an expert. Don't let the road scare you away from this once in a lifetime trip, it's worth every moment.
Before the trip, I did my research and read the reviews. St Leonard's had the best review I could find. I emailed and Carla quickly responded, answering all my questions. As the trip got closer, I emailed with other travel/Covid concerns and Carla again eased my mind and was very helpful.
Once in country, I called Carla and hammered out the details. Early the next morning, Elio picked us up at the hotel and off we went into the jungle. He was a fantastic and knowledgeable guide. He not only knew his Mayan history but also knew the flora and fauna. He truly made our day exciting and educational. We made many wonderful memories that day that will last a lifetime.
After a wonderful homemade picnic lunch, we started the long trek back. Along the way we stopped at Rio Frio Cave and Rio On Pools. Both spots were impossibly gorgeous and a great side trip. Just FYI, there are changing facilities at the Rio On Pools so you don't have to ride back in your wet bathing suit.
You spend a lot of money getting the San Ignacio and have traveled many miles, so don't miss out on this amazing world wonder. Book a guide to make the most out of your travels. I can honestly say that St Leonard's Tours has been one of my best travel experiences. I WILL l travel with them again. At this point, I would take any trip they offered. They treated us friends and not another tourist.
We took 2 tours with St Leonard’s - Caracol and the combined tour of Xunantunich & Cahal Pech (see separate review). I highly recommend both.
Operator response
Thank you for your great review. We are very happy you enjoyed your tours with us and that our guide gave you a great experience. As a small company we try our best to share with all our guests what we love: horse riding, maya sites & caves and to make every experience unique to your interests. Thank you for choosing us. We'd love to have you again.
T
toreb496
June 20, 2021 · via Tripadvisor
A must do!!
Such a fun activity!! We rode horses around the property and along the river for 1.5 hours and heard all kinds of history and information from our guide (Kendall was with us). The horses had quite the personality but I never felt intimated or unsafe on top of the horse. Beautiful views, great conversation, and a relaxing ride - this should be on your list of things to do while visiting. Also - Carol, who owns the business, is so full of energy, passion, and love for what she does.
Operator response
Thank you for riding with us. It's great to hear you had a fun and enjoyable experience with us. Your safety and comfort are our priority, your unforgettable experience is our bonus and what makes us - St Leonard's and it's team, GREAT. Thank you.
G
galencampbell
February 16, 2019 · via Tripadvisor
Definitely do you tour with St. Leonard's
I would recommend St. Leonard's to anyone, particularly for Caracol. Corresponding with them was easy and our guide was excellent.
I definitely recommend including Rio Frio Cave and Rio On Pools as part of your trip.
Operator response
Thank you for choosing us.
We are proud to have a hard working team - guides and behind the scene personnel who take time in planning and executing small group personalized tours. Your feedback keeps us growing as guides and as a company. Thank you.
M
MaryElizabeth_F
March 21, 2018 · via Viator
The drive to Caracol is not...
<p>The drive to Caracol is not easy........there is only one road filled with lots of holes.<br/>
Be prepared for a long day.</p>
<p>Our guide from St Leonards Tours, Carla was fantastic!<br/>
She was aware that the tour time was very early so picked up breakfast at a local restaurant in San Ignacio.<br/>
Best flour tortillas we have ever had!<br/>
Carla is most knowledgeable about the history of the Mayas and eager to share the information.<br/>
Had a wonderful picnic lunch experiencing some of the local flavors.<br/>
Most impressed by the concerns locals have about their environment.</p>
C
Clayton K
October 31, 2017 · via Viator
Very good tour company and tour. I felt...
<p>Very good tour company and tour. I felt like guide's friend.</p>
S
Samantha F
May 19, 2017 · via Viator
The tour was awesome. Carla was our...
<p>The tour was awesome. Carla was our guide and she was great! She was very knowledgeable and made us feel like she had known us for years. She also gave us great advice on another outing we were taking on our own the next day.</p>
J
Jennifer P
February 18, 2017 · via Viator
Our tour guide, Peter, was very...
<p>Our tour guide, Peter, was very knowledgeable. This tour included a home cooked lunch which was amazing and really helped to make the day wonderful! The road is bumpy and long but the car was comfortable and air conditioned.</p>
A
Amber H
December 27, 2016 · via Viator
Carla with St Leonard's Tours is...
<p>Carla with St Leonard's Tours is fantastic! Be ready for an adventure! The drive is long and rocky, so be prepared for a long day. Caracol site is worth the trip. On the way back, the gorgeous water falls stole my heart! Carla was professional and very accommodating! Worth every penny!</p>
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