San José de Succotz

About 6.5 miles from San Ignacio [1], you’ll find this hillside village on your left, above the Mopan River, right where the ferry to Xunantunich [2] is located. In Succotz, the first language is Spanish, and the most colorful time to visit is during one of their fiestas: March 19 (feast day of St. Joseph) and May 3 (feast day of the Holy Cross).

A stroll through the rough village streets is enjoyable if you’re into observing village life.

Magana’s Art Center (Western Hwy. across from the Xunantunich ferry) is the workshop of David Magana who works with the youth of the area, encouraging them to continue the arts and crafts of their ancestors. You’ll find the results inside in the form of local wood carvings, baskets, jewelry, and stone (slate) carvings unique to Belize.

There are a few taco stands in town, including the popular local eatery, Benny’s Kitchen (Western Hwy. across from the Xunantunich ferry), where one can get a substantial breakfast and a restaurant called the Red Jaguarother tasty items for low prices. Cold draft Belikin is served in frosty mugs, a nice touch.

Just before entering the roadside village of San José de Succotz, look on your left for the Trek Stop (tel. 501/823-2265, www.thetrekstop.com [3], US$15–38), a backpacker classic offering 10 cabins set in lush gardens on 22 acres of second-growth tropical forest. You can hear the highway, but you can also hear howler monkeys, birds, and the inspired conversation of your hosts and fellow travelers. There are camping facilities (US$5 pp, access to composting toilets and solar showers), a patio restaurant with inexpensive Belizean dishes, and walking access to the Xunantunich ruins.

Simple wood cabins have twin or double beds, electricity, porches, and shared bath; a larger, more private cabin with private bath is available.

Even if you’re not spending the night here, come visit the Tropical Wings Nature Center, one of the best and most diverse butterfly ranches in the country.

Be sure to leave time for a round on Belize’s only disc golf course, a nine-basket Frisbee golf game through the jungle, discs available (US$3 per person). The course is a par 31 with narrow and challenging fairways that leave little room for error (wear long pants and closed footwear to retrieve those errant drives). There is a nice view (and sometimes breeze) from the Maya ruins atop hole 6.