For a small nation, the amount of land the Belize government has allocated to parks is unprecedented, and about 50-percent of Belize is protected by one environmental law or another. We’ve chosen just 10 of the best. Each offers a unique experience you may not find elsewhere in Belize.
- Hol Chan Marine Reserve: Once a community-based project, this “little channel” remains a hospitable place for indigenous marine life. Hol Chan is Belize’s oldest reserve and it has gotten the attention of societies dedicated to the preservation of animal life around the globe.
- Cockscomb Basin: While other species of exotic cats hang out in this park, the kings (and queens) of Cockscomb are endangered Jaguars. A wildlife sanctuary since 1984, you’ll trek through jungle in search of elusive creatures. Bring a camera just in case you are lucky enough spot one
- St. Herman’s Cave and the Inland Blue Hole. You don’t have to be saintly to visit St. Herman’s Cave, but you may wish to say a prayer if jumping into the site’s iconic, 25-foot-deep Blue Hole scares you. This popular recreation spot is tucked into the jungle adjacent to an underwater cave. You want to see that too, right?
- Guanacaste National Park: A tree is a tree is a tree—unless it’s the Guanacaste variety. Why name a park after a tree? Because this 50-acre forest in the Cayo District hosts 100+ bird species and nicely-marked trails give visitors room to spot lots of them. Come for the tree. Stay for the birds! Binoculars are mandatory.
- Half Moon Caye Natural Monument: The beauty of this crescent-shaped caye is breathtaking enough to qualify as a movie set. Dedicated in 1982, this 45-square-acre paradise is a lush mix of endangered forest, beach and enough palm trees to convince you that you’ve arrived in paradise. For birders: red-footed boobies hang out here, too.
- Great Blue Hole: How lucky is Belize to have two Blue Holes? This world-class Caribbean diving epicenter is so popular, divers of all skill levels come to Belize to do nothing but dive into this perfectly-formed, 410-foot natural wonder. Come just once and you’ll understand why Jacques Cousteau couldn’t get enough of this spot.
- Community Baboon Sanctuary: You will hear the noise before you meet the locals at this sanctuary situated along the Belize River. This habitat is also home to Black Howler Monkeys. Primate watchers flock here to see why the Zoological Society of Milwaukee County and World Wildlife Fund help promote this community-initiated project.
- Laughing Bird Caye: This World Heritage site is 11 miles off the Placencia coast, the southern-most island in the Belize Barrier Reef chain. An ideal location to study coral habitats and marine life, you won’t find laughing birds here because they’ve migrated to new homes, but feel free to laugh on their behalf during your visit.
- Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve: You may smell the pines before you see them—perhaps all the way from San Ignacio Town, a portal to this 300-mile preserve founded under the 1924 Forests Act. Explore the reserve, but don’t miss the Hidden Valley waterfall, Rio on Pools and Rio Frio Cave. Bring a bathing suit.
- Shark Ray Alley: Tell friends that you swam with sharks and they’ll be impressed. You don’t have to mention that they were harmless nurse sharks and equally harmless rays. Trained to respond to human visitors after years of being fed by fisherman, these sharks and rays have come to depend upon human interactions, so join the party.
We know what you’re asking: How do I arrange to get to all 10 of these sites during my limited time in Belize? The answer is
Belizing.com. This Belize resource is in the business of sorting out tours, transfers, transport and logistics for travelers just like you.
In addition to feeling confident knowing that all arrangements are handled by one resource, it's good to know that Belizing.com contributes to community programs that help keep these beautiful parks in protective care in perpetuity, which means that every time you work with Belizing.com, you help too!