San Ignacio sits just a few minutes from the Guatemala border and only a few hours' drive from Tikal, which is close enough to lure most travelers who have the time and the money.

There are three ways to do it: on your own, with a shuttle service, or on a guided tour.

If you want to visit Tikal on your own (by far the best option), you'll need a rental car that can cross the border. The only rental company in Belize that permits this currently is Crystal Rental (http://www.crystal-belize.com/). A little Spanish will help, as the border crossing can be confusing. The vehicle must be sprayed with insecticide ($10), and you'll pay around $30 for an importation tax, in addition to your own immigration charges into Guatemala, an exit tax of $17.50 from Belize, and a $5 bridge crossing fee just beyond the border.

Make sure you have a good map, and resist the temptation to turn right into the main area of Melchor de Mencos, the first town in Guatemala. The road to Tikal (currently unpaved at this section) goes straight ahead up the hill, even though it looks like an alley.

I suggest that you try to arrive at Tikal (an hour and a half or more once you cross the border) after 3pm. Your $15 admission ticket will be stamped for the next day, so you get 2 days' admission for the price of one.

The hike into the site takes about 45 minutes at a relaxed pace from the parking lot. Many local guides will offer their (expensive) services, and you'll get more out of your trip with a guide if you can afford one.

Poke around the Great Plaza for a bit, then watch the sunset from the Great Pyramid in the Mundo Perdido (Lost World). Make sure you have a flashlight for the long, dark hike back to the car.

Spend the night in Flores, a 1-hour drive from Tikal. It's an enchanting little village on an island in the middle of Lago Peten Itza. Expect to pay around $10 to $15 for a nice room--the Hospedaje Dona Goya II is recommended.

Spend the next day back in Tikal visiting the outer ruins, the Central Acropolis, and the Bat Palace. Leave early enough to drive back to the border in daylight so you don't hit any people or animals on the road (a real danger)! Some people sleep in the road, and I'm not joking!

The Guatemala border crossing closes at 9pm!

A shuttle service from San Ignacio provides transport to Tikal, then to Flores, back to Tikal the next day, and back to San Ignacio. You'll pay around $75 to $100 for transportation alone.

A fully guided tour to Tikal from San Ignacio can run $300, all expenses included.

Santa Clara
Past
Nuns from Puebla, Mexico came to Antigua to found the Santa Clara church and convent in 1699. The 1717 earthquake seriously damaged the construction and it took almost twenty years to rebuild. It was inaugurated again in 1734 and was housing forty-six nuns. It was abandoned after the 1773 quake. It was later used as housing until the roof fell in during the 1874 quake. In 1944, when the city was declared a national monument, the site was cleaned up and reconditioned, making it safe to open to the public. In 1976, during another earthquake, there was more damage but the place has now been restored to its 1976 state, sort of.
Present
The convent has a beautiful facade, covered in archangels and saints. It is located on the corner of 6 Calle Ote and 2 Avenida Sur, open daily from 8am to 5pm, and admission is 30Q (US$3.75) for foreigners.

Iglesia de San Francisco
Past
The first temple was built in 1579 but was soon destroyed. Its ruins are next to the San Francisco ruins. The present church was built throughout the 17th century. It started small but was enlarged in 1684, damaged by earthquake in 1689, and built bigger and better. By 1702, it covered four blocks and contained the church, a convent, a school and a hospital. There was severe damage during the 1717 quake and even more in 1751. In 1773, it was almost completely ruined. Reconstruction began in 1960 to much criticism. Many thought it was being made too whole, being turned into a "new" ruin. The facade was also restored; its figures are from the 20th century.
Present
It is located on 7 Calle Ote and 1 Avenida Sur and is open Tuesday through Sunday from 8am to 6pm. Inside is a museum, El Museo del Santo Hermano Pedro, which displays the religious belongings of Saint Hermano Pedro, still in remarkably good condition. Other religious objects, mostly paintings, are also displayed. It is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9am to 5pm. Admission is Q3 (US$.37).

La Concepcion
Past
Built in the late 16th century, La Concepcion was one of the largest and the most luxurious of Antigua's convents. It covered five blocks and the nuns lived in grand style, surrounded by beautiful objects and creature comforts. It was seriously damaged in the 1717 quake and was damaged some more in 1751 and 1773. It was abandoned in 1774.
Present
Little remains of this huge construction and much of what is left is buried. The front, built in 1694 remains, as do the cloisters. These ruins are on private property and not open to the public but are definitely worth a stop-and-peek from the street. They are located on 4 Calle Ote, east of 1 Avenida.