Hi - we are in San Ignacio right now. Best tour companies with best prices are Mayawalk and Pacz. Both have websites with their prices. Save the cost of the tour for cave tubing at Jaguar Paw, hire a taxi (cheaper than hotel transportation) and have the taxi take you to Jaguar Paw. The rental place for the tubes are right there and they will tell you how to get to the caves. Short, non-stressful walk. Awesome experience. Barton Creek Cave canoeing isn't very good. Wasn't impressed. Book the tours once you are here, otherwise, they ask for a deposit in advance. We are here during the exceptionally busy spring break time and we didn't have a problem booking at the last minute. There are plenty of guides. April is a slow month here, there is no need to stress about pre-booking the tours. As for going to town, we were there once and that was plenty. It's disgusting, dirty and dangerous with the way the locals drive. Think Tijuana Mexico on a bad day. Don't waste too much time worrying about going to town. There aren't any shops for shopping here. There is better quality at Wal-mart - seriously.

P.S. If you want a beautiful ride in the jungle via horseback, contact Mountain Equestrian Trails via their website. Awesome place and people who run it. Very knowledgeable about Belize.

I like the town of San Ignacio, although I haven't spent much time there. It has sort of a 'cowboy' feel to it, even people getting around on horseback.

I love sitting in front of Eva's with a cold drink and watching the cars/buses/people go by. The Saturday morning market is wonderful. Everything from fish to furniture. And some really, really good food prepared right there.

It's not a tourist city, it's a busy, small city in Central America. Next trip we'll probably stay right in town, rather than on the outskirts.