Belize's Rainforest: A Vast Natural Paradise

The Belize rainforest is undoubtedly one of the world's most pristine and least exploited areas. Tropical rainforests cover only about 7% of the Earth's surface, yet they harbour over 50% of the world's species and are considered the oldest intact ecosystems. Belize is no exception, with more than half of its mainland consisting of dense tropical rainforests. The country prioritises the preservation of its rainforests, with over 50% to 75% of the rainforest under government protection in the form of national parks, animal sanctuaries, or wilderness areas. The Belize rainforest is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including big cats like jaguars, monkeys, armadillos, crocodiles, and a vast array of exotic birds and plant species.

Ecotourism

Belize's rainforests are known for their biodiversity, housing thousands of species of exotic birds, wildlife, and flowers. The country's national flower, the black orchid, can be found here, along with more than 700 tree species and 500 species of birds. The rainforests also provide a habitat for endangered species, including jaguars, armadillos, coatis, and tapirs.

For those seeking an immersive rainforest experience, Belize offers a range of ecotourism options. The country boasts numerous eco lodges and jungle resorts that cater to diverse traveller types, from single adventurers to families and honeymooners. These accommodations are often located within protected areas, such as national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, providing easy access to nature-based activities.

One notable ecotourism destination is the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, the world's only jaguar reserve. Here, visitors can explore undisturbed rainforests, spot wildlife and birdlife, and hike along well-marked trails. The Mayflower Bocawina National Park is another popular choice, known for its pristine lowland broadleaf forest and adjacent Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Reserve.

In addition to wildlife viewing, Belize's rainforests offer a range of adventure activities. Visitors can go ziplining, kayaking, horseback riding, and cave tubing. For a cultural experience, travellers can visit the Mayan village of Red Bank, where they can observe Scarlet Macaws and learn from local guides.

Belize's commitment to ecotourism extends beyond its rainforests. The country has taken significant steps to protect its marine environment, including banning single-use plastic utensils and offshore oil drilling. As a result of these efforts, the Belize Barrier Reef, a World Heritage Site, was removed from the danger list by UNESCO.

Wildlife

The rainforests of Belize are home to a diverse array of wildlife, including mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects, and birds. Tropical rainforests, which cover only about 7% of the Earth's surface, are estimated to harbour over 50% of the world's species, and Belize's rainforests are no exception.

Belize's rainforests are known for their vibrant birdlife, with over 500 species of birds recorded, including keel-billed toucans, harpy eagles, hawks, woodpeckers, colourful parrots, tiny hummingbirds, warblers, jabiru storks, yellow-headed parrots, band-tailed barbthroats, northern shovelers, scarlet tanagers, and spectacled owls. The Mayflower Bocawina National Park, located in the Deep South, is a prime location for birdwatching, with more than 290 species of birds identified in the area.

In addition to birds, the rainforests of Belize are home to several mammal species. The black howler monkey is a notable resident of these forests, with their distinctive calls echoing through the canopy. Other mammals include the elusive jaguar, ocelot, Baird's tapir (Belize's national animal), armadillos, coati, and even deer. The Sarstoon-Temash National Park, located in the Toledo District, offers some of the best wildlife viewing in Belize, where rarely seen animals such as the scarlet macaw and the white-faced capuchin monkey have been spotted.

The rainforests also support a variety of reptiles, amphibians, and fish. The Monkey River Village and the Moho River in the Wild South are teeming with wildlife, including giant iguanas, crocodiles, kinkajous, and snakes. The Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, near the town of San Ignacio, is another prime location for wildlife viewing, where visitors may spot tapirs, jaguars, ocelots, and crocodiles.

Belize's rainforests provide a vital habitat for these species and many more, contributing to the country's rich biodiversity. The government has recognised the importance of these ecosystems, placing over 50% of the rainforest under protection, ensuring that this natural treasure can be enjoyed by future generations.

Flora

The flora of Belize is highly diverse, with the country's small geographical extent and location on the Caribbean coast of northern Central America contributing to its unique vegetation. The nation's history is closely tied to its flora, with British timber extraction activities dating back to the 17th century, initially targeting logwood (Haematoxylum campechianum) and later mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla), also known as "red gold" due to its high value among European aristocrats.

Belize is home to a wide variety of plant life, including:

• Over 700 tree species, including Simarouba glauca, Calophyllum brasiliense, Terminalia amazonia, and Pterocarpus officinalis.
• More than 250 varieties of orchids, including the black orchid (Encyclia cochleata var. cochleata), the country's national flower.
• Lowland pine forests or pine savannas, featuring Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis and shrubs like the rough-leaved "sandpaper tree" (Curatella americana).
• Submontane pine forests with Pinus ayacahuite, Pinus oocarpa, Pinus rudis, and some broad-leaved species.
• Lowland broad-leaved forests, now reduced by agricultural land clearance, with species like Calophyllum brasiliense and Terminalia amazonia.
• Submontane broad-leaved forests in the Maya Mountain massif above 500 meters, including Swietenia macrophylla, Terminalia amazonia, and the palm Astrocaryum mexicanum.
• Mangrove and littoral forests along the coastal cayes, with red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle), black mangrove (Avicennia germinans), and white mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa) species.
• Seagrass beds in sandy bays, including turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum) and manatee seagrass (Syringodium filiforme).
• Lowland savanna in northern Belize, with trees like Acoelorraphe wrightii, Quercus oleoides, and madre de cacao Gliricidia sepium.
• Riparian shrubland along watercourses, featuring Schizolobium and Ceiba pentandra, which has faced threats from dam construction.

Belize's diverse flora is a result of the "Great American Interchange," where South American elements migrated north after the geological closure of the Isthmus of Panama. The country's vegetation has been surveyed and protected through initiatives like the National Parks System Act of 1981, and partnerships with organizations like the Belize Audubon Society (BAS) to manage forest reserves and promote nature conservation.

Ancient Maya cities

Belize was once the heartland of the ancient Maya Empire. The land that is now Belize was home to a population of over one million during the Maya Classic Period (250 to 900 AD). The ancient Maya civilisation was a patchwork of ever-shifting kingdoms and principalities that formed alliances or went to war with one another.

The ancient Maya built large cities that housed hundreds of thousands of people. They used the Belize River as a "super highway" to transport goods and connect with the big city-states in Guatemala. The powerful city-states of Belize traded with settlements further inland, such as Tikal.

Belize has the highest concentration of Maya temples, and its rainforests have remarkably preserved the sites. Here are some of the ancient Maya cities in Belize:

Caracol

Located in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve in western Belize, near the border with Guatemala, Caracol is the largest Maya archaeological site in Belize. The city was the centre of one of the largest Maya kingdoms and contains the remains of thousands of structures. Caracol was an important player in the Classic period political struggles of the southern Maya lowlands and is known for defeating and subjugating Tikal. The city's largest pyramid, Canaa or Sky Place, towers at 140 feet. The site was first rediscovered in 1938, but excavations did not begin in earnest until the mid-1980s.

Lamanai

Lamanai is located on the New River in Orange Walk District and is known for being the longest continually occupied site in Mesoamerica. The initial settlement of Lamanai occurred during the Early Preclassic and was continuously occupied until the Spanish conquest of Yucatán. There are three Mayan temples in the Lamanai archaeological reserve: Mask Temple, High Temple, and Temple of the Jaguar, along with ball courts. Lamanai is also one of the few sites to have retained its traditional Yucatec Maya name, translating to "Submerged Crocodile".

Cahal Pech

Cahal Pech, meaning "'Place of Ticks', is located in San Ignacio, Cayo, and is the oldest-known Maya site in Western Belize. It was a palatial, hilltop home and the royal acropolis-palace of an elite Mayan ruling family during the Classic period. The site consists of seven plazas and over 30 structures, including temples, residential buildings, ball courts, an altar, and a sweat house, all situated on just 2 acres. Cahal Pech is surrounded by thick jungle foliage, making it an urban jungle retreat.

Altun Ha

Altun Ha, known as "Water of the Rock" in Maya, is located near Belize City and is one of Belize's most visited sites. It was a major trading centre during the Classic Period and an important trading centre. The city covered three square miles and had a population of 8,000 to 10,000 people at its peak. The largest Maya-carved jade object discovered to date, the famous Jade Head, was found here.

Xunantunich

Xunantunich, meaning "Stone Woman", is located near San Ignacio and is one of the most accessible and well-excavated Maya sites in Belize. The site has the second-largest pyramid in Belize and features several intricate stelae that are now protected in the site's museum. Visitors can access Xunantunich by crossing the Mopan River via a hand-cranked ferry.

El Pilar

El Pilar is a 100-acre Maya site situated 12 miles northwest of San Ignacio. The site features at least 25 plazas connected by limestone causeways, and hundreds of buildings have been identified through selective excavation. El Pilar is thought to have been an administrative centre with a peak population of 20,000.

La Milpa

La Milpa, located in the far northwest of Belize, is thought to be the third largest ancient city in what is now Belize. The site occupies a high limestone ridge in the Rio Bravo Conservation Area and features several plazas, two ball courts, and dozens of tombs. However, the site is still in the early stages of excavation.

Adventure activities

Belize's rainforest offers a plethora of adventure activities for travellers seeking an adrenaline rush. Here are some thrilling experiences to consider:

Hiking

Hiking is an excellent way to explore the diverse landscapes of Belize's rainforest. Trails range from easy walks to challenging treks, offering stunning views of mountains, waterfalls, and unique formations like the Rio Frio Cave. The Mayflower Bocawina National Park, with its miles of trails and natural waterfalls, is a hiker's paradise.

ATV Expedition

For an extra thrill, embark on an ATV expedition through the rugged trails of the rainforest. Navigate through leafy isles and muddy puddles, and discover hidden waterfalls where you can take a refreshing dip.

Horseback Riding

Horseback riding is a peaceful and captivating way to connect with nature. Ride through the lush forest to riverbanks or ancient Maya temples for a unique perspective on these historic sites.

Ziplining

For a bird's-eye view, ziplining is the go-to activity. Soar through the treetops, gliding over rivers and through caves, for an adrenaline-pumping experience. Night ziplining offers a unique perspective as the rainforest comes alive with nocturnal creatures.

Cave Tubing

Belize is known for its vast cave systems, and cave tubing is a signature activity. Float through underground cave systems on an inflatable tube, combining adventure with the discovery of ancient Maya artefacts.

Spelunking

For the daring, spelunking (cave exploration) is a must. Squeeze through tight crevices to discover untouched caves with ancient pottery, stalactites, and even Maya skeletons.

Waterfall Rappelling

Waterfall rappelling is a challenging but rewarding activity. Conquer your fears by rappelling down towering waterfalls, with the highest being 250 feet. The adrenaline rush and bragging rights are well worth it!

Kayaking and Canoeing

Kayaking and canoeing on rivers like the Macal offer a peaceful yet adventurous experience. Spot exotic birds, iguanas, and even bats hiding in caves along the way.

With its dense and diverse rainforest, Belize is a haven for nature lovers and thrill-seekers alike. These activities provide unforgettable memories and a deep connection to the vibrant ecosystem of this Central American gem.

Frequently asked questions