Cayo

Cayo is the largest district in Belize, it is situated on the western part of the country and is the only district with three municipalities: Belmopan, The twin town of San Ignacio & Santa Elena and Benque Viejo del Carmen.

Do you know how Cayo got its name?

Cayo was once known as El Cayo and when translated to English means caye ( caye means island) Early explorers found several areas surrounded or almost surrounded by water especially when the rivers and creek are flooded, the main river which intertwined formed areas of land called caye. This area includes Benque Viejo, Succotz, Arenal and San Igncacio they are bounded by the Macal and Mopan Rivers, which meet at the Branch Mouth Village and in the Chiquibul Forest. The name was changed to Cayo in 1992 when the El Cayo town board was resolved.

Cayo a land rich in history, where the ancient Mayan once had flourishing cities their pyramid  are a testament to this once great civilization. Old colonial settlements, abandon railways and the rich history of past settlers and their culture.

Its is also full of mountains, valley, caves, rainforest, pineridge , it's a land of rivers and creek, waterfalls, spring and cenote(blueholes)

The forest is rich in flora such as a variety of wild orchids, bromeliads, airplants, waterlilies a variety in abundance fruit trees, palms and vegetation poisonous and medicinal value. Also in its garden stands the great Mahogany Tree on which the foundation of Belize stands, the Sapodilla Tree from which the chicle gum was extracted, the zericote tree from which beautiful carvings are made and many more like Cedar, Balsam wood, cotton Tree just to name a few that are used to make furnitures and the building industry.

Lurking in the shadows of the rain forest, live the wild side of nature the King of the forest the Jaguar, Mountain Lion, Tapir( our National animal) Deer Antelope, Peccary, Sloth, Nite Walker just to name a few. 

Cayo a bird watchers paradise. There over 500 species of birds that can be spotted in Cayo like the Redfoot booby, Keel Billed Toucan, The Scarlet Macaw, the Yellow head Parrot, Lion Hawk, The Snail Kite, Scarlet rump Tanager and so much more. Come, check it out on your visit to Belize!