Belize's Tropical Trio: Discovering Natural, Cultural, And Historical Treasures

Belize is a country in Central America with a diverse landscape that includes tropical islands, coral reefs, mountains, rainforests, waterfalls, and ancient Mayan ruins. Here are three tourist attractions in Belize:

1. Actun Tunichil Muknal: A sacred cave in the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve, Actun Tunichil Muknal was used by the ancient Mayans for religious ceremonies and rituals. It contains rare bloodletting altars, sacrificial human remains, and over 1400 artefacts.

2. Hol Chan Marine Reserve: This nature reserve is known for its excellent diving and snorkelling. Visitors can explore pristine coral gardens and swim with marine life such as sea turtles, nurse sharks, and stingrays.

3. Xunantunich: An ancient Mayan site located near San Ignacio, Xunantunich features a range of structures of different sizes and ages. The second tallest structure in Belize, El Castillo, offers spectacular views of the surrounding area.

The Belize Zoo

The zoo was founded in 1983 by Sharon Matola, who had been caring for a handful of wild animals that were used in a natural history documentary. When filming ended, Matola was left with these animals and decided to start a zoo. The animals were kept in enclosures that replicated their natural environment, and the zoo became a way to educate people about the wildlife of Belize.

Today, the zoo is home to over 160 animals, representing 43 native species, including Belize's national animal, the Baird's tapir, and the five wildcat species found in Belize: jaguars, pumas, ocelots, margays, and jaguarundis. Other animals at the zoo include various species of monkeys, deer, peccaries, otters, coatis, and foxes, as well as several species of parrots, owls, and raptors.

In addition to its focus on wildlife conservation and education, the zoo also has a gift shop, a restaurant, and a cafe, making it a great place to spend a few hours or even the whole day. The zoo is typically open from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, with last admission at 4:00 PM, and on Sundays, it is open from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, with last admission at 3:30 PM.

Actun Tunichil Muknal

The cave was discovered in the early 1990s and has since become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Belize. It is believed that the Mayans used this cave for religious ceremonies and rituals, including human sacrifices. The cave contains the remains of 14 sacrificial victims, as well as stoneware ceramics, ancient artefacts, and rare bloodletting altars. One of the most notable sets of remains is "The Crystal Maiden", believed to be a 17-year-old boy whose skeleton has been calcified with a sparkling, crystallised appearance.

The ceramics found at the site are significant as they are marked with "kill holes", indicating they were used for ceremonial purposes. Many of the artefacts and remains are completely calcified to the cave floor. One such artefact is the "Monkey Pot", one of only four of its type found in Central America. The Mayans also modified the cave formations, creating altars, silhouettes of faces and animals, and shadow projections.

The cave is home to a diverse range of animal life, including bats, large freshwater crabs, crayfish, catfish, large invertebrates, and various tropical fish. Agouti and otters may also be present.

To visit the cave, tourists must join a guided tour. The journey begins with a 40-45 minute hike through the jungle to reach the cave entrance, which involves crossing three streams. The cave can only be entered by swimming through 12 feet of water, and the site is government-administered to ensure that only experienced and licensed guides are permitted to take visitors into the cave. The entire tour takes around 7.5 hours, including the hike, and it is recommended to start early in the morning when it is still cool.

The ATM Cave has been featured in documentaries by National Geographic, the Discovery Channel, and the History Channel, and it was ranked as one of the Top Ten Caves Of The World by the National Geographic Society.

Hol Chan Marine Reserve

The Hol Chan Marine Reserve is a protected marine area in Belize, established in 1987 under the Fisheries Act. Covering approximately 18 square kilometres (4,448 acres) of coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests, it is a popular tourist destination for snorkelling and diving. The name "Hol Chan" is Mayan for "little channel", referring to the natural break in the reef that is rich in marine life.

The reserve is located near the city of San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, and it offers visitors a chance to explore a diverse range of sea life. It is divided into four zones, each with specific regulations to ensure sustainable fishing practices and conservation. Zone A includes the inside and outside of the reef, where no fishing is allowed but snorkelling and diving are permitted for a fee. Zone B covers the seagrass beds inside the reef, where both commercial and sport fishing are permitted with a license. Zone C encompasses the mangrove swamps of southern Ambergris Caye, where no commercial fishing is allowed, but sport fishing is permitted under license. Zone D, added in 1999, is the adjoining area of Shark Ray Alley, a charged snorkelling area that attracts sharks and stingrays due to the local tour guides feeding them.

The Hol Chan Cut, a narrow channel in Zone A, is a natural break in the reef that allows marine creatures to travel between the inner and outer reef. This area is particularly diverse, with over 160 species of fish, forty types of coral, five species of sponge, and various sea turtles and marine mammals. The mangrove forests and seagrass beds in Zones B and C also provide habitats for a range of fish and turtles, and occasionally manatees.

The Hol Chan Marine Reserve is an important conservation area, not only for the diverse marine life it supports but also for the genetic resources it helps to preserve. It is managed by the Hol Chan Marine Reserve Trust Fund Committee, which works to balance recreational and tourist activities with the need to maintain the area's ecological integrity. The majority of the funds for the reserve's upkeep is generated from the fees charged to visitors for access to Zones A and D.

The reserve offers a range of tours, including snorkelling and diving excursions that showcase the vibrant marine life and coral reefs. Visitors can expect to see sea turtles, nurse sharks, stingrays, eagle rays, southern stingrays, lobsters, moray eels, and a variety of colourful corals. The reserve is also a popular spot for fishing, with both commercial and sport fishing permitted in certain zones.

Xunantunich

One of the most notable structures at Xunantunich is the pyramid known as "El Castillo", which is the second tallest structure in Belize at approximately 130 feet (40 m) tall. El Castillo is believed to be the “axis mundi” of the site, or the intersection of the two cardinal lines. It is decorated with stucco friezes that depict astronomical symbols, the sun god, the moon, and Venus. Visitors are allowed to climb to the top of El Castillo, where they can enjoy impressive views of the nearby valley and Guatemalan mountains.

Today, Xunantunich is a popular tourist attraction in Belize. Visitors can explore the ruins, take guided tours, and learn about the ancient Maya civilisation. The site is accessible via a hand-cranked ferry that carries visitors across the Mopan River. The actual reserve covers 0.25 square hectares and offers restrooms, picnic areas, and gift shops.

San Ignacio

Mayan Ruins and Temples

Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave

Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) is a sacred Maya cave in the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve, located near San Ignacio. It was used by the ancient Maya for religious ceremonies and rituals, and contains rare artefacts, sacrificial human remains, and bloodletting altars. Visitors can explore this impressive cave system with a knowledgeable guide, learning about the history and culture of the ancient Maya.

Barton Creek Cave

Barton Creek Cave, located in the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve, is considered one of the most fascinating wet caves in Belize. Visitors can explore the cave by canoe, navigating through smooth waters illuminated only by headlamps. The cave holds cultural significance, as Mayan artefacts, pottery, jewellery, and human remains have been discovered within its walls, suggesting its use for rituals.

Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve

The Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve is a nature lover's paradise, offering breathtaking views of rolling hills, thick forests, and cascading waterfalls. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities such as hiking, swimming, birdwatching, and canoeing. It is easily accessible, located just an hour and a half drive from Belize City.

Green Iguana Conservation Project

The Green Iguana Conservation Project in San Ignacio focuses on preserving the endangered Green Iguana species. The centre includes a breeding programme and a sanctuary for rescued and injured iguanas. Visitors can take a guided tour to learn about the region's wildlife and the surrounding jungle habitat of the iguanas.

Chaa Creek Nature Reserve

The Chaa Creek Nature Reserve, located near San Ignacio, is a 400-acre protected area offering extensive facilities and eco-tours. It is set along the banks of the Macal River and provides opportunities for activities such as hiking, canoeing, and exploring ancient Maya ruins.

Frequently asked questions