Car Travel

Other than the two-lane George Price Highway most roads in the Cayo are unpaved and dusty in the dry season, muddy in the rainy season. To get to the Cayo, simply follow the Price Highway west from Belize City. Watch out for "sleeping policemen" (speed bumps) near villages along the route. Be especially careful when driving the Price Highway. Most of the road lacks shoulders, and the surface can be extremely slick when wet. Horrific auto accidents occur frequently on this highway, which is long overdue for major upgrading. If you didn’t rent a car in Belize City, you can rent one in San Ignacio.

In August 2016, Hurricane Earl flooded much of the low-lying areas of San Ignacio. The lower bridge over the Macal River, which was the route for all traffic coming from the east into San Ignacio and points west, was seriously damaged. It is currently still closed, and it's expected to remain closed until a new bridge, presently under construction, is completed nearby, likely in 2017. Until then, the one-lane Hawksworth Bridge over the Macal is used for traffic going east and west, with flagpersons alternating traffic over the bridge. This results in some traffic delays in both directions.

Rental Information

Cayo Auto Rentals. 81 Benque Viejo Rd., aka George Price Hwy., San Ignacio, Cayo. 824/2222; www.cayoautorentals.com.

Matus Car Rental. 18 Benque Viejo Rd., George Price Hwy., San Ignacio, Cayo. 824/2005; www.matuscarrental.com.