BELIZE

This unique sanctuary in southern Belize

Covers an area of about 150 square miles of tropical forest, and is the world’s only Jaguar Preserve. Declared a Forest Preserve in 1984 and finally a Jaguar Preserve in 1986, the park is the culmination of many years of work and perseverance by individuals and national and international organizations. (An excellent account of the work done on the study of Jaguars prior to the inception of the park is to be found in the book.

The park area is rich in beauty, wildlife and even Maya culture; a well concealed minor Maya ceremonial site known as Chucil Baluum is typical of the Classic Period. The Cockscomb Mountain Range towers over the basin to the north.

The highest mountain in Belize, Victoria Peak at 3,675 feet presides over the range and offers, in its largely unexplored reaches, chances for unrivaled exploration and adventure. The fine and abundant stands of mahogany and cedar have historically been in demand throughout this area and logging here provided a staple of Belize’s economy for many years.

The Jaguar (Panthera onca) is the third largest member of the cat family and endangered in most of its range. Here at Cockscomb, the Jaguar is doing quite well and is by no means the only beneficiary of the safety of the preserve. These wonderful animals are masters of stealth and their very existence is based on their seeing, but not being seen. Other cats such as the Puma, Ocelot, Jaguarundi and Margay, as well as Peccary, Paca, Brocket Deer, Tayra, Otter and Coatimundi, enjoy a population density difficult to achieve in most locations.

Bocawina National Park is 11 square miles of pristine mountains, jungles, swimming holes and unexcavated Mayan ruins

While the mystifying flora and fauna of the region certainly holds a level of enchantment over visitors to the park, it’s the unbridled excitement lying within that truly calls out to tourists. Once within this beautiful park, you can choose to either take on Belize’s longest (2,300 feet) zip line with its triple safety, 12 platforms and 8 runs or rappel off down the 100 foot Bocawina Falls to the pool below.

Glide like a bird through the pristine Rain Forest Canopy on the longest zip line in Belize with 12 platforms, 8 different runs and a rappel. The complete course is 2.5 miles long with the longest single run being 2,300 feet. Our zip line has triple safety.

This Belize river tour takes you to the South of Placencia to Monkey River, a birdwatcher's paradise

Much of Monkey River has been declared a Special Conservation Area , with howler monkeys and toucans in the forest, and manatees at the mouth of the river. We’ll take you up the Monkey River by boat. You’ll be able to hike over newly cut trails in the rainforest and get a close-up view of the many animals that call this fascinating river home.

Lunch at a local restaurant in Monkey River Town is an extra treat. Glide up the Monkey River by boat and hike over newly cut trails in the rainforest to get a close-up view of the Howler Monkeys, rare birds, crocodiles, and iguanas who call this fascinating river home.

Scuba Diving off Belize's magnificent Barrier Reef

The second largest in the world. Our PADI 5 Star Dive Center will take you on a two-tank dive in one of our dive boats that you’ll never forget.

A picnic lunch or barbeque on an island, will give you time to relax between dives.

After a quick 10-minute flight into Belize City, your adventure begins.

With a scenic drive up the Western Highway to the Cayo (pronounced Ky-o) District. Xunantunich (Maya for “Maiden of the Rock”) sits just inside the Western border of Belize. Before reaching the entrance of this ancient city, your party will board a 19th century hand-cranked ferry which takes you across the Mopan River. The ruins are actually located on one of the highest plateaus in the area and it is possible to climb to the top of “El Castillo”, the largest of the temples at this site. From this vantage point, one gains a panoramic view of the Cayo District and nearby Guatemala.

Next, we continue to Barton Creek Cave in Amish territory. Equipped with canoes and high-powered lights we gently paddle into Xibalba (she-bal-ba). As you glide through the cave system you will be dazzled by the glistening crystalline rock formations and awed by the Mayan artifacts secretly tucked away in overhead alcoves.

We'll whisk you away to Belize's Barrier Reef (the second largest in the world)

And the many beautiful cayes nearby, such as Laughing bird Caye National Park. We’ll stop for a picnic lunch at Robert’s Caye, our very own white sandy island where the only inhabitants- a family of osprey – will greet you. There may even be time for fishing on your Belize snorkeling trip.

Our licensed guides will show you the wonders of the reef and the many beautiful cayes that dot the Caribbean waters off our white, sandy beach.

You will first visit Xunantunich Mayan ruin, also known as the "Maiden of the Rock".

It stands 130 feet high, the second tallest Mayan ruin in Belize , and gives a panoramic view of the Cayo District, Guatemala and the Mopan River.

The site has been largely excavated and has a great on site museum. After lunch in San Ignacio, the Mayan ruin tour proceeds to Cahal Pech meaning “Place of the Ticks”. Cahal Pech Mayan ruin is located 15 minutes on the outskirts of San Ignacio, and was home to a Mayan Royal Family.

Whale sharks are the biggest fish in the ocean

Growing up to lengths of 60 feet (18 meters) and are gentle filter feeders that eat minute plankton and spawn . Scuba Divers and snorkelers get a rare opportunity to swim along with these magnificent creatures when they book on a whale shark excursion with Splash Dive Center, and we follow special guidelines and procedures to ensure safety and to limit any harm that may be caused to the whale sharks. Snorkeling is done on the surface in open water following the bubbles of scuba divers which resemble spawn and draw the whale sharks in.

Gladden Spit is the only place in the world where timing for whale shark visits is reasonably predictable and Placencia is the best departure point in the whole of Belize to enjoy these trips. They will there during the time of the full moon during March to June but may arrive earlier or later during that predictable time frame.

This is a wonderful excursion, particularly if you have kids.

They will love every minute of it. You can start your trip by flying from San Pedro to the mainland or you can take a water taxi. 

At the mainland, an air-conditioned car or van will pick you up, and toget…

Experience Belize horseback riding through the magnificent rainforest

Robert’s Grove offers the only Horseback Riding tour available in southern Belize at Little Bill Hill Ranch. Located in San Roman Village.

Little Bill Hill is an 1800 acre Ranch with 10 miles of riding trails through untouched rainforest and open fields. Ranch hands lead riders on ranch horses over pristine trails while our experienced tour guides point out the varied flora and fauna that exist in this extraordinary jungle setting.