Belize's August Adventures

August is a great month to visit Belize. With fewer crowds and lots of advantageous discounts on tours and lodging, you can enjoy the country's balmy weather and sunshine. It's the perfect time to take advantage of off-season rates and indulge in the country's rich natural beauty and cultural experiences. Here are some of the top things to do during your August trip to Belize.

Explore the Belize Zoo

August is a great month to visit Belize, with balmy weather, sunshine, fewer crowds, and discounts on tours and lodging. One attraction to visit is the Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center, a non-profit organisation and wildlife rescue and rehabilitation facility. The zoo is home to over 150 animals, including Belize's national animal, the Baird's tapir, and the five wild cat species found in Belize: jaguar, puma, ocelot, margay, and jaguarundi. The zoo also features several species of parrots, owls, and raptors, as well as a wetland aviary.

The Belize Zoo is located 47 kilometres west of Belize City on the Western Highway and is set in 12 hectares of land. It was founded in 1983 by Sharon Matola, who had been caring for a handful of wild animals that had been used in a natural history documentary. When filming ended, she decided to start a zoo with these animals. Today, the zoo is a world-renowned wildlife education centre, with immersive educational experiences for visitors. The habitats designed for the animals reflect their natural settings.

The zoo offers a traditional daytime tour, as well as night tours, to see the activity of crepuscular and nocturnal animals such as tapirs, jaguars, margays, kinkajous, crocodiles, peccaries, and howler monkeys. Visitors can also book private tours that leave daily at 9:00 or 9:30 AM (advance booking is required). The zoo is open Monday to Saturday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, and on Sundays from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

The Belize Zoo is an excellent introduction to the country's fauna and flora and is a must-visit for those interested in seeing Belize's wildlife in a natural habitat. It is also accessible to persons with physical disabilities, making it an inclusive destination for all.

Snorkel Hol Chan Marine Reserve

The Hol Chan Marine Reserve is a beautiful nature reserve known for its excellent diving and snorkelling opportunities. Located just 4 miles (6.4 km) south of the shores of Ambergris Caye, it is the most-visited snorkelling and diving area in Belize. The reserve covers about 3 square miles (7.7 square km) and is divided into different zones based on marine habitat.

The Hol Chan channel is a natural cut in the Belize Barrier Reef, just a few miles offshore from Ambergris Caye, where marine life flourishes. It is an ideal spot for scuba diving and snorkelling, with protected waters that are home to sea turtles, anemones, rays, sharks, and hundreds of species of fish. The reserve is also known for its vibrant coral formations and the opportunity to see other marine life such as eels, lobsters, and southern stingrays.

There are various tour options available for visiting the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, with many tours also including a stop at Shark Ray Alley, located just 3 minutes from the reserve. This is a great place to swim with nurse sharks and southern stingrays, as well as schools of fish. Tours typically last between 4 and 8 hours and often include additional stops at nearby islands or other snorkelling sites.

The Hol Chan Marine Reserve is a great place to visit for both experienced and beginner snorkelers and divers. The water is not too deep, and most tour providers offer life jackets and other amenities to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. The reserve is also a great option for those looking to avoid the crowds, as it is located a short distance from the popular tourist destinations of Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker.

Visit the ATM Cave

The Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave is a must-see for anyone visiting Belize in August. This ancient cave system, located in the heart of the Belizean rainforest, offers a unique and eerie experience as it was once used by the Ancient Maya for rituals and human sacrifices. With fewer crowds in August, you can take advantage of discounted tour prices and explore this incredible site undisturbed.

To get to the ATM Cave, you'll first need to hike through the rainforest for about 45 minutes. The hike is relatively easy, and you'll cross the Roaring River on three occasions. Once you reach the cave entrance, you'll need to swim across a crystal-clear pool of spring-fed water to enter. Inside, the cave system goes on for miles, with inky depths that hide a multitude of secrets.

The ATM Cave is filled with relics left over from the Mayans, including skeletons, ceramics, and stone tools. The most famous skeleton is the Crystal Maiden. You'll also learn about the rituals that took place in the cave over a thousand years ago, including bloodletting and human sacrifices. It's like stepping back in time to the turbulent years of the Mayan empire.

When visiting the ATM Cave, it's important to wear appropriate clothing and footwear. You'll be swimming, climbing, and wading through water, so quick-dry clothes, water shoes, and socks are recommended. It's also prohibited to bring cameras or phones inside the cave to protect the artifacts and remains from damage. Instead, focus on immersing yourself in the experience and appreciating the rich history and culture of the Maya civilization.

The ATM Cave is a challenging but rewarding adventure. It involves basic climbing, swimming, and squeezing through tight spaces. It's not suitable for those who are claustrophobic or unfit, but for those who are up for the challenge, it promises to be a magical and unforgettable experience.

Attend the International Costa Maya Festival

If you're in Belize in August, one event you won't want to miss is the International Costa Maya Festival. This is the biggest festival of the year in the country, and it's a great opportunity to immerse yourself in Belize's culture.

The festival is held in San Pedro on the island of Ambergris Caye, and it usually lasts three days. It was originally designed to showcase Maya heritage, but it now also includes a beauty pageant, street parades, games, and live music from some of the top artists in the region. The festival attracts musical groups, artists, and beauty queens from neighbouring countries such as Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, and Costa Rica.

The International Costa Maya Festival is a fantastic celebration of ancient Mayan culture, with dancing, music, and parades. It's one of the biggest festivals in Belize and usually takes place over a week.

In the past, the festival has been headlined by stars such as Becky G and Ivy Queen.

Visit the ancient Maya site, Caracol

Caracol is an ancient Maya archaeological site located in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve in the Cayo District of Belize. It is situated about 40 kilometres (25 miles) south of the town of San Ignacio and the site of Xunantunich, and 15 kilometres (9.3 miles) from the Macal River. The site rests on the Vaca Plateau, at an elevation of 500 metres (1,600 feet) above sea level, in the foothills of the Maya Mountains.

Caracol was once the largest Maya centre in Belize, with a population of over 100,000 people, covering an area of approximately 200 square kilometres (77 square miles) – larger than present-day Belize City. The site includes three plaza groups surrounding a central acropolis and two ball courts, along with smaller structures.

The largest temple at Caracol is Caana, or "Sky Place", which rises over 140 feet (43 metres) above the jungle floor, making it the tallest manmade structure in Belize. Caana contains four palaces and three temples, with rooms originally coated with white stucco and decorated with red paint. Over 100 tombs have been found on the site, as well as a rich array of hieroglyphic inscriptions.

Caracol was a major player in the geopolitics of the Maya civilisation. It was an ally of Calakmul in Campeche, Mexico, and engaged in wars with neighbouring polities, such as Tikal, Naranjo, and Ucanal in Guatemala.

The site was first reported by a native logger, Rosa Mai, in 1937, and later visited by the archaeological commissioner, A. Hamilton Anderson, in 1938. The name "Caracol" is a modern name from the Spanish word for "snail" or "shell", referring to the winding access road that led to the site.

Today, Caracol is one of the most pristine and well-kept Maya sites in Belize, offering visitors a glimpse into the history and complexity of this ancient civilisation.

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