The Cayo District of Belize
Cayo Geography. The Cayo District in the west of Belize is the largest and most temperate of Belize's districts.
Belmopan, the national capital of Belize, is located in the Cayo district. Some of the other towns and villages of Cayo include Cayo's capital, San Ignacio; San Ignacio's twin town of Santa Elena; the charming town of Benque Viejo del Carmen; the pleasant village of Bullet Tree Falls; the delightfully named Teakettle Village and Crooked Tree Village; the quiet, friendly village of Calla Creek; the local Mennonite community of Spanish Lookout and Barton Creek; the village of San Jose Succotz, close to the Xuanantunich Maya ruins; the exclusive area of Floral Park; and the villages of San Antonio Cayo, Valley of Peace, St. Margaret's, Roaring Creek, Armenia; Arenal, Buena Vista;, Esperanza, Cristo Rey, Georgeville, Unitedville, Blackman Eddy, Ontario; Camalote, Los Tambos and More Tomorrow. Cayo District is also home to the Pre-Columbian Maya ruins of Xunantunich, Cahal Pech, Chaa Creek and Caracol.
Major rivers in the Cayo District include the Macal River and the Mopan River which connect to feed the Belize River (longest river in Belize).
Importance and Beauty of Cayo. Considered by most Belizeans to be the best area of Belize in which to live, Cayo also attracts a lot of foreign retirees. Its beautiful hills, peaceful river valleys, flora, fauna and Mayan ruins provide a fascinating and relaxing place to call home. The Cayo people are friendly and helpful. Although Spanish is widely spoken in this area of Belize, English is still the official language.
The Cayo District in Belize Spells Excitement and Adventure. Most of the Cayo District is rainforest ascending into the foothills of the Mayan Mountains. Breathe in the fresh pine-scented air of the only true pine forest in Central America! Snaking through the towering pine trees, tropical forests and Mayan Mountains are unspoiled rivers, majestic waterfalls, a labyrinth of caves and a network of hiking trails.
Observe the Wonderful Wildlife of Cayo. All of these pristine areas are prime locations for observing the variety of animals and birds including the ever-popular howler monkeys, toucans, tapirs, and the ever-elusive jaguars. Kayaking, canoeing, hiking, zip lining and river-rafting are all part of the adventure!
The Magic and Mystery of Belize's Mayan Ruins. Major Mayan archeological sites in Cayo include Cahal Pech, Caracol, haunting and beautiful Xunantunich, El Pilar and a few other sites that are still mostly unexcavated.
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