Nature and Wildlife

Belize is renowned for its abundant nature and wildlife, featuring diverse ecosystems like rainforests, wetlands, and vibrant coral reefs that support a wide array of species. Its marine life is equally rich with sharks, rays, and sea turtles, alongside colorful reef fish such as parrotfish and angelfish, and much more.

Rainforest
Belize is home to extensive rainforests, including a large portion of the Maya Forest. Key areas for exploration include Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, the world's first jaguar preserve, and Mayflower Bocawina National Park, known for its waterfalls and hiking trails. You will find a wide array of wildlife like the Baird's tapir, black howler monkeys, and the keel-billed toucan.

Reefs
The Belize Barrier Reef is the second largest reef in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site.  It includes seven protected marine reserves, three atolls (Turneffe Atoll, Lighthouse Reef, and Glover's Reef), and over 400 cayes. The reefs are a major draw for snorkeling and diving and are crucial for protecting the coastline from storms. Belize is also home to the Great Blue Hole, the world’s largest sink hole (300 meters in diameter and 124 meters deep).

Caves & Caverns
Belize has a magnificent network of underground caves and caverns that range from adventurous activities like cave tubing at the Barton Creek Cave to historical tours such as the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) cave, a sacred Maya site.

Rivers
Belize is blessed with rivers that offer visitors adventure activities like tubing, canoeing, and rafting. The country is home to around 35 major rivers that historically served as crucial transport routes for the Mayans. Among them: the Macal River, known for its scenic beauty; the Mopan River offering canoeing and tubing opportunities amidst waterfalls and striking rock formations, and finally, the Monkey River,  in south Belize, known for its rich wildlife, including howler monkeys, iguanas, crocodiles, and tropical birds.

Trails & Hiking
Belize offers diverse hiking, from challenging trails in Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and Mayflower Bocawina National Park to easy walks around Mayan ruins like Xunantunich and Caracol. Popular hikes include Antelope Falls in the Mayflower Bocawina National Park and Tiger Fern trails in the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

Bird Watching
Half of Belize is covered by rainforest which makes it a perfect home for different species of birds. The Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary is the best place for birdwatching due to its rich wetlands. Other locations are Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and Lamanai Archaeological Reserve. There are over 600 bird species in Belize, including the Keel-billed Toucan, the national bird.