Belize

Central American Gem with small distances & long species lists

From Mayan Tropical Forests up to Mountain Pine Ridge

Belize has all the potential to become one of the emerging birding, butterfly & wildlife destinations in Central America. The country was formerly known as British Honduras, has a population of just 0.3 million people and a huge portion of its land covered by lush forests. There are several National Parks and other protected areas, plus some prime Mayan Archeological sites which makes the country a perfect Birding, Wildlife & Culture destination. Add to this the World’s second largest Coral Reef with about thousand cays which offer great relaxation with some snorkelling.

There are several great protected areas in Belize to visit for birds and wildlife.

Rio Bravo Conservation Area is one of the largest privately protected areas. This is one of our favourite places where from Jaguars through Ocellated Turkey till Crested Eagles anything is possible.

We also go from here for a full day tour to Lamanai, the most famous Mayan Ruins in Northern Belize. It was a busy city for more than 3000 years till the arrival of the Spanish. The surrounding giant trees offer food and perch for exotic species, such as Collared Aracari, Keel-billed Toucan, White-fronted & Red-lored & Yellow-lored or Yucatan Parrot.

Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary is surely the best wetland birding area perhaps not just in Belize, but neighbouring countries as well. It is a birders' paradise with Jabiru, Agami Heron, Sungrebe and many more. No wonder that its area protected by the Ramsar Convention and the Audobon Society as well.

Mountain Pine Ridge Area is a completely different area, a granite massif and some limestone mainly covered by Honduras pine forest and broadleaf forest. The climate is subtropical and there are a few species which much harder or can not be found elsewhere, such as the regionally endemic Rusty Sparrow, Lovely Cotinga, Solitary Eagle and many more.

Please check further details below! Downloadable itineraries with & without pics. Please note that we offer different itinerary with arriving to Cancun, Mexico which is easier directly from London or from various US states than Belize City. Please check it at Trip Report 2018, Trip Report 2016 or at the bottom of this page!

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Fact File

- 12-days-long tour to Belize with possibility to add either a few days extra at the Caribbean or a week-long Guatemala extension possibility, visiting the best areas for rarities at National Parks and nature reserves

- start and finish in Cancun, Mexico

- using most of the accommodations for 2-3nights, all of them offer great on site birding

Highlights

- Crooked Tree: the best wetland area,

- Lamanai: boat trip to a hidden Mayan ruin,

- Chan Chich: a huge private reserve with a great lodge, great wildlife

- Mountain Pine Ridge: a vaste area with unique species

- Caracol: the most famous & hidden Belizean Mayan Ruin surrounded by huge forests

- subtropical humid & tropical rain forests, unique pine woods

- several National Parks and reserves

- wide variety of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, wildflowers and habitats

- hundreds of interesting bird species including some Yucatan endemics

-extension possibility either at Caribbean cays or at the most mystical part of Guatemala

Accommodation

1 night overnight flight

2 nights at Crooked Tree Reserve

2 nights at Chan Chich Lodge

3 nights at Mountain Pine Ridge

1 overnight flight

Belize Caribbean extension:

2 nights either at a resort on the seaside or on a cay

Guatemalan extension:

3 nights and days in the middle of the Mayan Biosphere Reserve at a place where Tapirs & Jaguars roam, Lovely Cotinga is around and Scarlet Macaws fly around.

3 nights and days at the World Famous Mayan Archeological site of Tikal

Departure Dates

usually anytime between November and May

http://www.ecotours.hu/calendar

Price

Ask for the actual price.
Our price includes:

all travel as noted in the itinerary;
all accommodation based on shared rooms (most rooms are twin bedded), at most locations there are single rooms as well for extra charge (Please ask for a single room at the time of booking!);
3 meals per day, generally breakfast at the accommodation, packed lunch, dinner (consists of at least two courses);
services of the leader(s);
trip materials.

Not included:

flights to and from Budapest;
optional programmes to places of interest and entrance fees involved;
airport and other departure taxes, tips;
food beyond generally 3 meals/day mentioned in the itineraries;
excess baggage charges;
telephone calls;
alcoholic beverages;
compulsory personal insurance.

If you have questions about the inclusion of any cost item, please contact us.

Activity level

Generally easy to moderate walks
Lots of onsite wildlife observing possibilities
Weather generally favourable

Itinerary

Day1 Start from London

Day2 Arrive to Belize City about midday

Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary - Birders’ Heaven

Day3 full day tour to Lamanai, most famous Mayan Ruins

Day4-5 whole day birding at Chan Chich area

Day6 birding at Chan Chich & Mountain Pine Ridge area

Day7 birding at Mountain Pine Ridge area

Day8 the best Nature & Culture combination, spectacular Mayan site: Caracol

Day9 travel back to Belize City, flight to Cancun and then back to London

Day10 arriving to London

Extension possibilities

Belizean extension: 2nights/3days at the Caribbean with tour possibilities

Guatemalan extension: 6nights/7days

Days9-11

3 nights and days in the middle of the Mayan Biosphere Reserve at a place where Tapirs & Jaguars roam, Lovely Cotinga is around and Scarlet Macaws fly around.

Days12-14

3 nights and days at the World Famous Mayan Archeological site of Tikal

Day15

flight from Tikal to Cancun, relax at the Caribbean beach

Day16

some more leisure time & then flight back to London

Day17

arrive back to London

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