[4] In the past a creek ran between the Macal and the Mopan rivers one mile outside of San Ignacio going toward Benque Viejo.

This creek then fulfilled the definition of an area of land completely surrounded by water and thus the name Cayo, "island".

[citation needed] The demise of the creek, however, took away the distinction for the classification of a 'cayo' from the venerable western town of 'El Cayo' and returned it to a regular land mass.

San Ignacio also boasts a fairly large Chinese population, most of whom emigrated from Guangzhou in waves in the mid-20th century.

Galen University was founded in 2003 and is located at Central Farm, a couple of minutes east of San Ignacio.

It also has various clinics, doctors and pharmacies scattered around town, and "the only official medical electives program run by Belizians.

Nearby attractions include the ancient Maya ruins of Caracol, Xunantunich, Cahal Pech, and El Pilar.

A day trip to Mountain Pine Ridge allows visitors to go on several hikes and visit waterfalls, caves, and Maya ruins.