Vella's Vacation Rentals

San Ignacio, Belize

Belize Gem Casita San Ignacio, Belize

We’re pleased to offer you the following resources and recommendations when staying at our house in San Ignacio, Belize.

Car Rental

If you’re planing to rent a car we highly recommend you rent a 4-Wheel Drive, or at the very least an All-Wheel Drive, vehicle due to the treacherous terrain and hill you must drive up to reach our casita.

We recommend using Crystal Auto Rental — they are very professional and have two convenient locations, one at the Belize International Airport and the other less than a 10-minute taxi ride away.

Contact Information

  • Email: [email protected]
  • Reservation Phone Information:
    U.S. Phone #: (936)-307-1325 – U.S. Fax: 1-866-698-3053
  • Belize City Local Numbers:
    Main Office Phone#: (501) 223-1600 Main Office Fax#: (501) 223-1900

Shuttle Service

If you prefer to use a shuttle service, we can offer two recommendations:

Sidewalk Sage Cycle Rentals
Bobby Greig at Sidewalk Sage charges $110USD one way. He will be at the airport awaiting your arrival. He will also take you to a grocery store before he takes you up to the casita.
Tel. 011-501-605-2719
Email: [email protected]

Roam Belize Shuttles, Tours & Car Rentals
Tel. +501-670-7870 or +501-522-2328
Email: [email protected]

Motorcycles, Dirt Bikes, and Scooters

If you are a bit more adventurous and love the feeling of the wind in your face, then we have the place for you to rent motorcycles, dirt bikes, and scooters just a short drive form our little casita. Sidewalk Sage Cycle Rentals is owned by David and Marilyn Greig, who is our lovely property manager, and their son Bobby. It’s located on Old Benque Viejo Road in San Ignacio town. The cost is $90BZ for a day rental from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. They give guided tours as well. They are extremely easy & flexible, so please check them out.

Facebook page
Tel. US to 011-501-633-7269 or 011-501-665-6605
Email: [email protected]

Mention that you’re a guest at the Belize Gem and they will surely give you a discount.

Cahal Pech Village Resort

Cahal Pech Village Resort is just a short mile from our casita and offers a day-use pass for $10BZ. They have two pools with pool side service, a full bar, and restaurant. If you just want to have a lay-by-the-pool kind of day, this is the spot!

Cave Tubing

If you are interested in cave tubing we highly recommend Hector Mar SR. He charges $80USD to our guest. This includes door-to-door transportation, lunch and tube, life vest, head lamp, and his guided tour. Great adventure! He is an amazing man and good friend to us. Hector also provides a shuttle service pick up or drop off to/from the airport for $100USD.

Tel. (501) 665-2508
Email: [email protected]

Green Iguana Conservation Project

The Green Iguana Conservation Project at the San Ignacio Hotel is very cool and close by. The cost is $18BZ per person and they give tours every hour on the hour from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, seven days a week. You will pass this on the way to our home. Inquire inside the hotel and they will direct you to the project.

San Ignacio Farmers Market

There is a must-see big farmers market in town on Saturday. This is an all day event.

Xunantunich Mayan Ruins

The Xunantunich Mayan ruins are just a short drive from our home. Make left on main road and follow the road about 10 miles until you see the sign for the ruins. There will be an outside area along the river where the locals sell their wares. The cost is $10BZ per person, and they are open till 4:00 pm. It’s also a good place to see some Holler Monkeys.

Green Hills Butterfly Ranch

Green Hills Butterfly Ranch is the premier Live Butterfly Exibit in Belize. Green Hills literally has thousands of live butterflies on display in a 4,000 square feet walk-in flight area. See the full metamorphosis from egg to adult butterfly. The photo opportunities are unlimited. The tour of the butterfly flight area and the Caterpillar Center takes about an hour. The facilities are surrounded by a botanical garden with more than 150 plants, shrubs and trees. There is a hummingbird viewing and photographic area where the average visitor can easily see a multitude of species. During the visit you are welcome to take advantage of the covered picnic area and clean restrooms.

Day-Long Adventures

There are wonderful canoe trips into Barton Creek Cave or you can do your own adventure by continuing on Mountain Pine Ridge and going to big rock waterfalls, Rio pools and Thousand Foot Falls. If you want to do a full-day trip you can drive on the same road and go to Coracol Mayan Ruins. Its an all-day trip and the roads are not paved so the ride is a bit bumpy and slow, but it’s a beautiful ride. It is about a 2-1/2 hour drive from San Ignacio.