Active Pursuits

Horseback Riding -- If you enjoy horseback riding, there's some wonderful terrain in this area. Rides can be combined with visits to jungle waterfalls and swimming holes, as well as nearby Mayan ruins. Easy Rider (tel. 824-3734; easyrider@btl.net) offers jungle, valley, and ruins trips for around BZ$80 (US$40) per person per day, or BZ$50 (US$25) for a half-day. Call them for free pickup in San Ignacio.

Alternatively, you can contact the folks at Mountain Equestrian Trails (tel. 820-4041; www.metbelize.com), who have one of the better stables and horse riding operations in the Cayo District. Also, keep in mind that most lodges in the area offer horseback riding, so ask at your hotel or lodge first.

The Rainforest Medicine Trail -- Located directly between the Chaa Creek and the Macal River Jungle Camp, this is the former Ix Chel Farm, which was set up by Drs. Rosita Arvigo and Greg Shropshire. Rosita studied traditional herbal medicine with Don Elijio Panti, a local Mayan medicine man and a folk hero in Belize. Panti died in February 1996 at the estimated age of 104. Here on the farm, they built a trail through the forest to share with visitors the fascinating medicinal values of many of the tropical forest's plants.

The farm boasts a small gift shop that features local crafts, T-shirts, and several relevant books. You'll also find Ix Chel's line of herbal concentrates, salves, and teas called Rainforest Remedies.

Self-guided visits to the Medicine Trail, along with a tour of Chaa Creek's Natural History Museum cost BZ$18 (US$9). For an extra BZ$11 (US$5.50) you can also visit their Blue Morpho Butterfly Breeding project. You can easily spend 3 hours visiting all three attractions. Call tel. 824-2037 for reservations.

Mountain Biking -- If your preferred activity is mountain biking, you can go on an organized tour or rent bikes in San Ignacio. From San Ignacio, a great ride is out to El Pilar ruins. You can also ride out to Xunantunich; however, that ride is mostly on the main highway. Mountain bikes are available for rent at various hotels and tour agencies around San Ignacio and should cost around BZ$4 to BZ$6 (US$2-US$3) per hour, or BZ$30 to BZ$50 (US$15-US$25) per day.

Be careful, the hills here are steep, and the heat and humidity can be overwhelming. Take (and drink) lots of water, and try to avoid pedaling during the middle of the day.

A Spa -- If you want some serious pampering, or a soothing massage after some hard-core adventure, head to the Spa at Chaa Creek (tel. 824-2037; www.chaacreek.com). A wide range of treatments is offered, including a hydrating manicure (BZ$56/US$28), a full body polish (BZ$130/US$65), and a 90-minute aromatherapy massage (BZ$210/US$105). Multiday spa packages are also available. The spa itself is quite lovely, set on a high hill above the Chaa Creek hotel, and the equipment and facilities are top-notch.