Belize's Natural Wonders

Belize is a small country with a lot to offer. From ancient Mayan ruins to tropical jungles and stunning beaches, there's something for everyone.

Belize is home to the world's second-largest barrier reef, making it a popular destination for scuba diving and snorkelling. The country also boasts lush rainforests, cascading waterfalls, and mysterious cave systems.

For those interested in history and culture, Belize has a diverse range of archaeological sites and vibrant villages. The Maya ruins of Caracol, Xunantunich, and Altun Ha are impressive reminders of the country's rich Mayan heritage. Belize is also known for its friendly and welcoming locals, with a unique blend of English, Spanish, Creole, and Mayan cultures.

Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or a touch of both, Belize is sure to offer a memorable experience.

The Hol Chan Marine Reserve is Belize's oldest reserve, with crystal-clear waters and abundant sea life

The Hol Chan Marine Reserve is Belize's oldest reserve, established in 1987. It is located off the coast of Belize, close to Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. Covering approximately 18 square kilometres, it is a densely populated aquatic zone, home to an abundance of sea life, including stingrays, eels, nurse sharks, turtles, lobsters, moray eels, and sea anemones. The reserve is divided into four zones: the mangroves, the reef, the sea-grass beds, and Shark Ray Alley, which was added in 1999.

The Hol Chan Cut is a natural break in the reef, approximately 23 metres wide and 9 metres deep, and is rich in marine life. The reserve's crystal-clear waters make it a prime spot for snorkelling and diving. Over 160 species of fish have been recorded, along with forty types of coral, five species of sponge, two sea grasses, three species of sea turtle, and three marine mammals.

The mangrove forests act as nurseries for many fish species, and among the mangroves, you may find adult blue-striped grunts, French grunts, white grunts, grey snappers, French angelfish, and grey angelfish. The sea-grass beds are home to parrotfish, hogfish, and occasional turtles. Manatees are rare visitors, and Shark Ray Alley is known for its nurse sharks and rays.

The Hol Chan Marine Reserve is a popular attraction, with around 74,387 visitors in 2014, an 8% increase from the previous year. It is a must-see for those interested in excellent diving and snorkelling, and for witnessing the rich marine life and biodiversity of the area.

The Great Blue Hole is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's most distinguished scuba sites

Belize is a small country packed with incredible nature, wildlife, and vibrant villages. One of its most famous attractions is The Great Blue Hole, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's most renowned scuba sites. This giant marine sinkhole is located near the centre of Lighthouse Reef Atoll, a small atoll off the coast of Belize, in the easternmost part of its barrier reef. With a depth of approximately 400 feet and a width of about 1,000 feet, it is so big that it can be seen from space.

The Great Blue Hole was formed thousands of years ago when a limestone cave flooded and collapsed due to rising ocean levels. Today, it offers a unique diving experience. The dive begins with a descent to a sandy limestone shelf that surrounds the hole. Divers then veer off towards the cavern, where they can observe stalactites and, occasionally, sharks. The Blue Hole is not a beginner's dive site as it is dark and deep, but it is a bucket list item for many experienced divers.

The reef surrounding the Blue Hole is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to a diverse range of marine life, including colourful fish, shrimp, groupers, and other Caribbean species. The nearby Half Moon Caye National Monument is known for its population of Red-footed Boobies and Frigate birds.

Belize offers a range of other attractions as well. Ambergris Caye, the top place to go for visitors, features the vibrant town of San Pedro, excellent restaurants, and popular activities like snorkelling and sailing. Caye Caulker, a sun-soaked island just north of Belize City, offers superb diving and snorkelling spots and a relaxed tropical ambiance. For those interested in exploring ancient Mayan sites, Caracol, Xunantunich, and Lamanai are impressive ruins with pyramids, plazas, and temples. Belize also boasts beautiful nature reserves, including the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, a popular spot for snorkelling and diving, and the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, home to jaguars, cougars, and other wildlife.

The Belize Zoo is home to over 40 species of wildlife and feels more like a wildlife preserve than a commercial zoo

The Belize Zoo is a non-profit wildlife education centre and rescue facility, home to over 40 species of wildlife native to Belize. The zoo was founded in 1983 by Sharon Matola, who initially started caring for a handful of wild animals that had been used in a natural history documentary. When the filming was completed, Matola was left with these animals and decided to start a zoo.

The zoo's 30-acre facility is located roughly halfway between Belmopan and Belize City and is accessible to persons with physical disabilities. The zoo features gravel trails through dense, natural vegetation, with enclosures that reflect the animals' natural settings.

The zoo is home to Belize's national animal, the Baird's tapir, as well as the five wildcat species found in Belize: jaguar, puma, ocelot, margay, and jaguarundi. Other mammals include white-tailed deer, red brocket deer, collared peccaries, white-lipped peccaries, Yucatan spider monkeys, black howler monkeys, Central American agoutis, lowland paca, gray foxes, neotropical otters, coatimundi, kinkajous, and tayras.

The zoo also features several species of parrots, owls, and raptors, as well as a wetland aviary. Birds at the zoo include scarlet macaws, red-lored amazons, yellow-headed amazons, keel-billed toucans, jabiru, harpy eagles, king vultures, great black hawks, ornate hawk-eagles, barn owls, mottled owls, crested guans, and great curassows.

Reptiles at the zoo include American crocodiles, Morelet's crocodiles, boa constrictors, fer-de-lance, green iguanas, and black spiny-tailed iguanas.

The Belize Zoo offers a unique opportunity to see Belize's diverse wildlife up close and to learn about the country's natural heritage. It is an excellent introduction to the animals and ecosystems of Belize, making it a worthwhile stop for visitors interested in wildlife and conservation.

The ancient Mayan site of Caracol is the tallest human-made structure in Belize

Caracol is one of the most interesting and well-preserved ancient Mayan sites in Belize. The site was once known as Uxwitza ("Three Water Hill") to the ancient Maya but was renamed in 1938 by the local British head archaeologist, who dubbed it Caracol ("Snail Shell") due to the curving access road that leads to the site.

Caracol is a large ancient Mayan archaeological site that covers an area of approximately 25,000 acres or 77 square miles. It is one of the most pristine and well-kept Mayan sites in Belize. The site includes three plazas, an acropolis, two ball courts, and several smaller structures. The largest temple at Caracol is the Caana or "Sky Palace", which rises over 140 feet above the jungle floor. Caana contains four palaces and three temples, and the palace rooms were originally coated with white stucco and decorated with red paint.

Caracol is believed to have been inhabited from around 1200 BC to AD 900-1050. It was a major regional political centre and one of the most important ancient Mayan centres in the Maya Lowlands during the Classic Period. At its peak, Caracol had a population of over 100,000 people, possibly up to 180,000, and was larger in population and area than present-day Belize City. Caracol was a dominant power in the ancient Mayan geopolitical world and had alliances and conflicts with other city-states, including Naranjo and Tikal.

Caracol has revealed a rich array of archaeological findings, including over 100 tombs, 53 carved stone monuments, and an advanced astronomical observatory. A 2009 aerial survey and LiDAR technology were used to create a 3D map of the site, which revealed the presence of additional causeways, terraces, and residential groups.

San Ignacio is a hub for adventure and activity, with nearby Maya ruins and the famous ATM cave

San Ignacio, located in western Belize, is a hub of adventure and activity. The area boasts cascading waterfalls, pristine rivers, and incredible exotic wildlife. It is also known for its ancient Mayan ruins and ceremonial caves. Here are some of the highlights:

Mayan Ruins

San Ignacio is home to several impressive Mayan ruins, including temples, plazas, and dwellings. These ruins have provided archaeologists with valuable insights into the history and past civilizations of the region. Here are some of the notable sites:

• Xunantunich Mayan Ruins: Considered the most prestigious Mayan ruin in Belize, Xunantunich is located just west of Cahal Pech. Its main temple, El Castillo, rises 39 meters over the plaza, offering panoramic views of the surrounding jungle and the Guatemalan town of Melchor.
• Cahal Pech Mayan Ruins: Located near Xunantunich, Cahal Pech is one of the oldest ruins in Belize, dating back to 1500 B.C. It features stunning temples, plazas, and other ancient structures.
• El Pilar Mayan Ruins: El Pilar is one of the most extensive Mayan ruins in Belize, spanning over 100 acres with 25 separate plazas. It was believed to be a central hydration point for the Mayans.
• Caracol: Caracol is a beautifully preserved Mayan site with a temple that rises above the jungle canopy. Visitors can climb to the top of the temple and explore the onsite museum, which showcases archaeological finds.

Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave

The Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave is an archaeological site and former Mayan ceremonial centre. Visitors can embark on a guided tour to explore the cave, which contains well-preserved pottery, stoneware, and human remains from over a millennium ago. The cave is located within the Tapir Nature Reserve and can be reached via a 45-minute hike through the jungle. The tour involves swimming, climbing, and squeezing through tight crevices, offering a challenging yet rewarding experience.

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