Damon Mcknight
Belize is a small Central American country known for its beaches, islands, atolls, and barrier reef in the Caribbean Sea. It is home to a wide variety of seashells, including the Queen Conch, which is native to the Belize Barrier Reef. The Queen Conch is a large sea snail with a beautiful shell and tasty meat, making it a delicacy and icon of Belize's coastal culture. While it is possible to find shells in Belize, it is important to note that collecting and removing shells from the beach is illegal in some countries.
What You'll Learn
San Pedro Lagoon
On your first day, you may want to try patting every perturbation, fanning every spot in the sand, checking every rocky cavity, and threading your hand through the mossy grass in search of the Vokesimurex messorius. If you don't find it, don't be discouraged! There are plenty of other shells to be found, such as the fine live Melongena melongena (West-Indian Crown Conch) and the gorgeous multi-coloured and sized Fasciolaria tulipa (True Tulip).
On subsequent trips to the lagoon, you may find the Vokesimurex messorius on top of the sand. This is because the sand in some areas is deeper before the rocky substrate is reached, so the shell can't bury itself as far. While shelling, keep an eye out for the Messorius Murex laying eggs in a communal clump—a special treat!
In addition to the shells mentioned, you may also find the following:
- Cerithium litteratum (Stocky Cerith)
- Lampanella minima (West Indian False Cerith)
- Scapharca brasiliana (Incongrous Ark)
- Chione cancellata (Cross-barred Venus)
- Serratina aequistriata (Striate Tellin)
- Laevicardium mortoni (Yellow Eggcockle)
- Anomia simplex d’Orbigny (Common Jingle)
- Pinctada imbricata imbricata Rding (Atlantic Pearl-oyster)
So, if you're a shell enthusiast, be sure to add San Pedro Lagoon to your list of places to visit!
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Mayan ruins
Belize was once the heartland of the ancient Maya Empire. The country is home to the largest number of ancient Maya ruins in Central America. Here are some of the Mayan ruins in Belize:
Caracol
Caracol is the largest Maya archaeological site in Belize. It is located in the Cayo District and was once one of the most powerful cities in the Maya world. It is home to the tallest man-made building in Belize, the Caana pyramid. The site features majestic temples that visitors can climb to enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding Chiquibul forest reserve. The site is still an active archaeological dig, and much work is needed to uncover all its secrets.
Lamanai
Lamanai is one of the oldest continuously occupied Maya sites in Belize. It is located 24 miles south of Orange Walk Town and is prized for its ruins and its spectacular jungle setting near the New River Lagoon. The name Lamanai means "submerged crocodile" in Maya.
Xunantunich
Xunantunich was the first Maya ruin to be opened to visitors in 1950. It is located near the village of San Jose and features Belize's second-tallest ruin, sun god bas-relief masks on building walls, six plazas, and remnants of over 25 palaces and temples. Visitors can take a free ferry from San Jose Succotz village across the Mopan River to reach the site.
Cahal Pech
Cahal Pech is a smaller Maya site located just outside of San Ignacio in the Belize River Valley. The complex was originally built for the wealthy and consists of several pyramids, residence buildings, and seven courtyards. 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 two acres.
El Pilar
El Pilar is a 100-acre Maya site situated 12 miles northwest of San Ignacio in the Village of Bullet Tree Falls. The site features a causeway that extends from the eastern part of the ruins across the border into Guatemala. So far, 12 pyramids and 25 plazas have been found at El Pilar. The site was occupied between 500 BC and 1000 AD.
Altun Ha
Altun Ha is the closest ruin to Belize City and is very easy to walk around, with no steep hills. The site features two large central plazas and pyramids. It is so beloved by Belizeans that it can be found on the national currency and beer bottles.
Lubaantun
Lubaantun is the largest Mayan site in southern Belize, featuring 11 limestone pyramids, five plazas, and three ball courts. Unlike other ruins in Belize, Lubaantun was built entirely without mortar.
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Belize Zoo
The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center, located 29 miles west of Belize City, is a non-profit organisation and the oldest wildlife rescue and rehabilitation facility in Belize. It was founded in 1983 by Sharon Matola, who initially cared for a handful of wild animals that had been part of a natural history documentary. When filming ended, Matola was left with 17 animals, including an ocelot, a puma, a jaguar, and several exotic birds. She started a makeshift zoo to generate funding for their care, and it has since become a world-renowned wildlife education centre.
The zoo is set across 29 acres of natural, dense vegetation, with gravel trails winding through the forest. It is home to over 150 animals, representing 43 native species, and employs over 45 Belizeans. The habitats designed for the animals reflect their natural settings, providing an immersive educational experience for visitors. The zoo is accessible to persons with physical disabilities and welcomes over 43,000 visitors annually.
The Belize Zoo offers a unique opportunity to see Belize's wildlife up close, including the country's five wildcat species: jaguars, pumas, ocelots, margays, and jaguarundis. Other mammals include the national animal, the Baird's tapir, as well as monkeys, deer, peccaries, otters, coatis, and more.
The zoo also features a variety of birds, such as parrots, owls, raptors, and a wetland aviary with scarlet macaws, toucans, and jabiru. Reptile enthusiasts can observe American crocodiles, boa constrictors, iguanas, and venomous fer-de-lance snakes.
In addition to the daytime tour, the zoo offers night tours that showcase the activity of crepuscular and nocturnal animals, including tapirs, jaguars, and howler monkeys. The zoo's focus on conservation and education aims to instill a sense of pride and a desire to protect Belize's natural resources in both locals and visitors.
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New River
The New River in northern Belize is the longest river that is entirely confined within the country. It is an essential natural habitat and trade route that has been used by humans for over three millennia. The river is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including numerous types of fish, birds, and crocodiles. It is also a popular destination for tourists interested in Belize's natural beauty and ancient history.
The river played a crucial role in the country's initial industry, supplying British settlers with logs for shipbuilding. It was also a major artery for trade when the desired crop changed from lumber to molasses and sugar. Today, the river remains an important source of drinking water and domestic water use for the populations living along its banks.
The New River forms the New River Lagoon, the largest body of freshwater in Belize, just east of the Maya temples of Lamanai. Boat tours are available from several sources, and the river is often used as transportation to reach the Lamanai ruins. The river also provides access to other Mayan archaeological sites, such as Xunantunich, Chaa Creek, and Cahal Pech.
The New River Lagoon is a great place to spot a variety of avian species, including great black hawks, snail kites, night herons, squirrel cuckoos, and parrots. Crocodiles and turtles can also be spotted hanging out by the banks. The river is surrounded by a broadleaf rainforest, and nature enthusiasts can admire the many orchids, water lilies, and fruit trees that thrive in the area.
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Ambergris Caye
One Tripadvisor user recommends heading south from San Pedro Town (south of the airstrip) in a rented golf cart. From there, you'll come across several wide areas where they're currently dredging to make land from mangrove swamps. The dredge spills are said to be loaded with great shells.
Another recommendation is to take a boat ride to the stretch of beach from Robles Point to Rocky Point. This area is also meant to be good for shelling.
If you're staying in a hotel, it might be worth asking the staff if they know of any good shelling spots. Some hotels even have trays of shells on display that were found on local beaches.
It's important to note that while shell collecting may not be illegal in Belize, it is illegal in some countries. It's also important to leave any live shells you find, such as conch shells, alone.
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Frequently asked questions
Shells can be found on beaches in Belize, especially inside the barrier reef, where there is a wide range of species and varied habitats.
The most common shell is the Queen Conch, which is also a delicacy in Belize. Other common shells include the Milk Conch, the Horse Conch, the Fighting Conch, and the Helmet Shell.
It is generally discouraged to take shells from beaches in Belize, as they provide "housing" for many small creatures. However, some people argue that taking a small number of shells will not make a significant impact on the population.
There are mixed reports of people being able to take shells through the airport in Belize. Some say you are limited to two conch shells, while others say that no shells are allowed. It is recommended to get a certificate to export conch shells from the Fisheries Department if you plan to take any.
Yes, conch shells are protected under the Fisheries Regulations in Belize. There are restrictions on the size of the shell and the amount of meat, and there is an open season for harvesting conch that extends from October 1 through June 30.
