Rent a Car in San Ignacio Belize
San Ignacio is often considered the capital of the west, the beautiful, pristine area of Belize that is home to misty mountains, roaring waterfalls, lush rainforest, and exotic birds, flowers, and animals. And one of the best ways to enjoy seeing all the sights and sounds of San Ignacio and the surrounding areas is with your own rental vehicle.
In Belize, anyone with a valid driver’s license in their home country can rent and drive a vehicle. Barefoot Rentals and Services, based in the Placencia, delivers rental vehicles to every location in the country, including Belize City, the international airport, and San Ignacio. Barefoot has a complete line of modern, well-maintained vehicles that are perfect for exploring the highways and byways of Belize.
For many visitors, their first stop in San Ignacio is the lively open-air market. Located right on the banks of the Macal River, the market is where farmers, artisans, and craftsmen from all across the region meet to catch up on local gossip, sell fresh produce and cheese, and display their artwork and homemade medicinal compounds. Strolling through the market is one of the best ways to see and experience Belizean culture at its finest, relishing the sounds of chatter in different languages while picking up exquisite souvenirs for friends and family back home.
After leaving San Ignacio, it’s just a short drive to visit amazing ancient Maya sites like Xunantunich, where the largest royal tomb ever discovered was unearthed in 2016, and Cahal Pech, a cliffside residence built for the Maya elite. Other popular nearby attractions include the vast Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, home to the tallest waterfalls in all of Central America, the Iguana Conservation Project, and the beautiful Macal River, a pristine waterway ideal for canoeing.
Helpful Information
San Ignacio and its twin city of Santa Elena (connected by the beautiful Hawksworth Bridge) are the second-largest urban area in the country after Belize City. The George Price Highway (commonly called the Western Highway) runs right through the center of San Ignacio. This makes it easy to head west to reach sights like San Jose Succotz (and the entrance to Xunantunich) and the border town of Benque Viejo. Heading east, you can easily reach Belmopan and then either continue north towards Belize City or head south towards Dangriga and the southeastern coast.
If you’d like to rent a vehicle while in San Ignacio, simply call Barefoot Services, and they will arrange both drop-off and pick-up of the vehicle with you.