If you're looking for a fun and educational day trip from Hopkins or Placencia, a visit to the Belize Zoo is a must! This zoo is home to over 170 animals and is a great way to get up close and personal with some of Belize's most iconic wildlife.
The Belize Zoo was founded in 1983 as a sanctuary for animals that had been orphaned, rescued, or donated from other zoos. Unlike many traditional zoos, the animals at the Belize Zoo are all native to Belize, and the focus is on conservation and education rather than entertainment.
One of the highlights of the Belize Zoo is the opportunity to see Belize's big cats up close. The zoo is home to jaguars, ocelots, and pumas, and visitors can watch them lounging in the shade or prowling around their enclosures. There are also plenty of birds to see, including colorful toucans, parrots, and macaws. But the Belize Zoo isn't just about big cats and birds. You can also see monkeys, tapirs, crocodiles, and even a few snakes. One of the most popular exhibits is the harpy eagle, one of the largest and most powerful birds of prey in the world. The Belize Zoo is home to a breeding pair of these magnificent birds, and visitors can watch them swooping through the trees and perching on their branches.
After lunch, we will head to the Blue Hole National Park for a refreshing swim in the Blue Hole cenote or take pictures of the amazing scenery. Blue Hole Cenote was formed by the collapse of an underground limestone cave. The Blue Hole is located 45 minutes' drive from the Belize Zoo.
Your guide/driver will also give you the option to stop at Country Barn Ice-cream on the Hummingbird Highway.