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Mexico Rock is a range of 10 to 12 foot rocks in Ambergris Caye. It is filled with starfish, elkhorn and staghorn coral, as well as lobster, eel and various species of colorful juveniles. ... moreThe area is perfectly visible and is slightly flat, making it perfect for beginners snorkelers. For those who are curious about diving, you can trek SNUBA or sea. Mexico Rocks is difficult, so make a tour or just ask a local. You will be more than happy to show you this “secret” place.
Type of Attraction: Aquatic Wonder, Barrier Reef, Marine Reserve
District/Region: Near Ambergris Caye
Shark Ray Alley is located just one mile south of the Hol Chan cut and is listed as “Zone D” of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Once a place where fishermen would clean their catches, ... morethis 1,280-acre protected region has evolved into a top snorkeling location!
Shark Ray Alley offers you the rare opportunity to snorkel beside stingrays, nurse sharks, and turtles. These gentle giants are accustomed to humans, so you can get up close and personal with them. Just be sure you keep your distance and don't touch them.
The best time to visit Shark Ray Alley is during the high tide when the water is clear and the animals are more active. Be sure to bring your camera, as this is a photo op you'll definitely want to take.
Type of Attraction: Barrier Reef, Marine Reserve
District/Region: Near Ambergris Caye
Marco Gonzalez Maya Site is a fascinating ancient ruin located in Ambergris Caye, Belize. The site was once a Maya trading post with 20,000 inhabitants. The site is now open to the ... morepublic for exploration, and visitors can see many Maya fishing artifacts.
The site is located on a small peninsula that juts out into the Caribbean Sea. The site is surrounded by mangroves, and the water is a beautiful turquoise color. the site is also home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, fish, and crocodiles.
The site is a great place to learn about the history and culture of the Maya people. Visitors can see the ruins of the temples and pyramids, and they can also learn about the Maya way of life.
Type of Attraction: Archaeological Site
District/Region: Ambergris Caye
Off the southern tip of Ambergris Caye is Belize's oldest marine reserve,the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Hol Chan is Mayan for "little channel." The entire reserve focuses on a cut through ... morethe reef (called a quebrada) which is little more than 25 yards (23 m) wide and 30 feet (9 m) deep about 4 miles southeast of San Pedro.
The reserve was formed primarily as a community-based initiative due to concern over the high level of uncontrolled, often destructive fishing and diving activities in the area. Reserve status was also called for by international organizations such as the New York Zoological Society (NYZS) and Peace Corps, due to the unique formation of the channel, the abundant fishery resources (including conch and lobster) and the feasibility of including an interlinked system of coral reef, seagrass and mangrove habitats in this area.
The entire reserve covers approximately three square miles (7.8 sq km)
As translated in Maya as “Little Channel,” the Hol Chan Marine Reserve refers to the deep cut or “quebrada” in the barrier reef off Ambergris Caye. This protected zone encompasses a total of 13,632 acres of marine waters, which includes four (4) zones:
– Zone A: Coral Reef (640 acres)
– Zone B: Sea Grass Beds (5,376)
– Zone C: Mangroves (6,336)
– Zone D: Shark Ray Alley (1,280)
Located approximately four (4) miles south of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, this top snorkeling zone is Belize’s first marine reserve legislated in July 1987.
Its popularity has been primarily centered on the schools of friendly docile nurse sharks, silver and colorful fishes. This snorkeler haven is also home to a few endangered species of marine life, such as: Loggerhead Turtle, Green Turtle, Nassau Grouper, Star Coral, Staghorn Coral and Elkhorn Coral.
Type of Attraction: Aquatic Wonder, Marine Reserve, Nature Reserve
District/Region: Near Ambergris Caye
The Actun Tunichil Muknal, also known as the ATM cave, is an ancient Maya archaeological site that is one of the most popular Mayan burial sites in Western Belize. The ATM cave is ... morenestled in Belize's lush rainforest in the Cayo District. Visit the ATM cave and learn the history of this magnificent cave and the mysteries of the Mayan underworld.
You can't afford to miss this Indiana Jones style adventure. Tours usually leave early in the morning, before 8am. The hike from the starting point to the cave entrance is intense, with three stream crossings and passes through the Tapir Mountain Nature reserve. The hike through the lower part of the caves lasts about 45 minutes. Take note that in the upper chambers of the cave, visitors are required to take off their shoes to prevent damage to the artifacts, plus you’ll need to swim through deep water to enter the cave and wade through more water both in side and outside of the cave. You’ll get to see the crystal maiden skeleton, pottery, and other ancient artifacts. No photography is allowed by order of the Department of Archaeology, but the mental movies will be incredibly worth it.
Type of Attraction: Archaeological Site, Cave
Located in the highlands of the southern zone of western Belize, the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve offers cool temperatures and reveals splendid natural monuments. Within its ... more300,000 acres of protected pine forests, you will find sites including Thousand Foot Falls, the largest fall of Belize and the Central American region, as well as the cave Rio Frio, a quarter-mile cave, to name a few.
Expeditions can be carried out by mountain bike, on foot, or on horseback (horses for hire on site). Venture among the pines to examine the colorful vegetation, various bird species, and other animal life such as tapir, cougar, jaguar, and ocelot. Pine Ridge is the region par excellence to reconnect with nature, so enjoy!
Type of Attraction: Nature Reserve
A haven for the endangered jaguar, Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary covers 128,000 acres of rainforest in the Cockscomb Range of the Maya Mountains. With the neighboring Bladen Nature ... moreReserve to the south, jaguars have a combined 250,000 acres to roam free of worry from poachers. This haven makes Belize the most jaguar-populated country in the world.
Want to get a glimpse of a jaguar? The best way for a chance to see one is by going on an evening guided tour. If night hiking and giant predators are not for you, there are plenty of animals to see during the day, including pumas, margays, ocelots, kajous, deer, peccaries, and tapirs. Not to mention birds, Cockscomb has over 300 different species at any given time, including Keel-Billed Toucan, King Vulture, several hawk species, and scarlet macaws. As a side note, Cockscomb is also home to several bugs and insects, so be sure to bring bug spray and long clothing.
Type of Attraction: Nature Reserve, Wildlife Sanctuary
Features: Camping, Parking
District/Region: Stann Creek
The Belize Zoo is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to the conservation of wildlife through environmental education and rehabilitation. The zoo is located in the Belize District ... moreand is home to over 175 species of animals, including jaguars, ocelots, tapirs, and monkeys.
The zoo was founded in 1983 by Sharon Matola, who was inspired by her work with orphaned and injured animals. The zoo is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for its animals, and it also works to educate the public about the importance of conservation.
It's the first nature destination in Belize that is fully accessible to handicapped visitors.
The Belize Zoo is a great place to learn about wildlife conservation and to see some of the amazing animals that call Belize home. The zoo is open to the public year-round and offers a variety of educational programs and activities.
Did You Know?
The Belize Zoo is a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA). WAZA is a global organization that promotes the highest standards of animal care and conservation.
Type of Attraction: Nature Reserve, Wildlife Sanctuary
Features: Phone Service, Restaurants, Parking
Boat up the New River from Orange Walk to the Lamanai Maya temples. On your boat ride, in addition to some amazing scenery, you’ll see wildlife like snail kites, jacana, morelet’s ... morecrocodile and iguanas.
Lamanai was occupied for more than 3,000 years, up until European contact. The Archaeological Reserve not only contains a museum with ancient Maya artifacts, but visitors can also see the remnants of two (2) 16th century Spanish churches and a colonial sugar mill established in 1860.
A major attraction of Lamanai is the well-preserved mask of a Maya ruler emerging from a crocodile headdress.
Lamanai, one of Belize’s largest Maya sites, sits on the bank of the 30-mile-long New River Lagoon in the Orange Walk District. It features monumental architecture of temples and palaces dating from the Classic and Pre-Classic Periods. Set in tropical forest and providing amazing views from several of its large temples, Lamanai provides you a unique glimpse into the culture of the Maya and the biological diversity of the tropical rainforest.
Lamanai is the community with the longest history of human habitation in Belize. It was settled around 900 B.C and was still occupied two and a half thousand years later, when Spanish missionaries arrived to the site in 1544. During their almost century- long domination, the Spanish built two “Ramada” Churches that were used in their efforts to Christianize the site’s inhabitants. Eventually, in 1640 the Maya in several frontier towns rebelled against churches and villages throughout Belize. By the 1800’s, investors began a sugar operation at Lamanai. A dramatic fall in world sugar prices, and outbreakes of malaria among the workers resulted in failure of the enterprise, and the mill and farm were abandoned, just a few years after its establishment.
Did-You-Know?
Liquid mercury was discovered in an offering that was placed below the ballcourt marker at this site! This represents one (1) of only two (2) examples of mercury found in the Maya world (the other was at Caracol, also in Belize).
Type of Attraction: Archaeological Site, Landmark
District/Region: Orange Walk
Caracol is one of the largest site in the Maya world and is the largest known Mayan Ruins in Belize. Climb the magnificent temples that the ancient Maya built around 1200 BCE. Caracol ... moreis located in the Cayo District and is nested within lush Belizean forests.
In AD 650, the urban area of Caracol had a radius of approximately 177 square kilometers. It boasts the tallest man-made structure in the country of Belize event today and the city covered an area much larger than present-day Belize City (the largest metropolitan area in the country of Belize).
Type of Attraction: Archaeological Site, Landmark
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