National Parks of Belize

The quick ride out to Hol Chan Marine Reserve makes this the most popular half-day tour for visitors staying at Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. Set aside in 1987, this reserve covers an area of 3 square miles (7.8 sq km) and is found off the southern tip of Ambergris Caye. As a result, this area of the Belize Barrier Reef supports healthy populations of fish and colorful coral. Turtles, nurse sharks, grouper, jacks, reef fish, and barracuda are just a few of the species you might see here. The reef ranges from 10–30 feet (3–9 m) deep and most guides take snorkelers along the outer edge of the reef. While this site is great for beginner snorkelers, as well as divers, swimmers should pay attention to currents which can be strong throughout the reserve.

The Blue Hole is undoubtedly Belize’s most recognizable attraction. Located at the center of the Lighthouse Reef Atoll, this incredible sinkhole measures 1,000 feet (300 m) across and sits in the center of a small circular reef.

Located on the Hummingbird Highway 12 miles (20 km) southeast of Belmopan, St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park covers over 500 acres (200 ha) of rich tropical rainforest. The park, which is managed by the Belize Audubon Society, is home to over 200 bird species and a variety of wildlife, including howler monkeys, which can be heard regularly throughout the forest.

Set aside in 1944, the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve is Belize’s oldest and largest protected area, spanning 300 square miles (777 square km). Unlike other parts of Belize, where tropical vegetation dominates the landscape, the reserve consists of primarily Honduras pine, a Caribbean species of pine tree. The reserve is characterized by deep ravines, large granite outcrops, rivers, and vistas.

In 1996, in an effort to protect its fragile marine resources, the Belizean government set aside nearly 118,000 acres in the South Water Caye Marine Reserve, the nation’s largest marine reserve. Considered one of the most biodiverse marine areas in all of Belize, the marine reserve consists of pristine reefs, mangroves, palm-fringed islands, turquoise waters, and seagrass beds that provide a home to tropical reef fish, rays, seabirds, manatees, and crocodiles.

The main draw of the Gladden Spit and Silk Caye Marine Reserve is the opportunity to swim with whale sharks, who spend the months of March through June migrating through the reserve’s feeding grounds. Preying mostly on plankton and small fish, these gentle giants can reach lengths of up to 40 feet (12 m) and are the largest fish on the planet.

This isolated national park at the southern end of Belize was established in 1994 in an effort to promote sustainable tourism as an alternative to logging. Recognizing the value of the incredible natural resources in the region, the surrounding indigenous Mayan communities of San Elena and Santa Cruz aligned and formed the Río Blanco Mayan Association, which now co-manages the park.

A true natural wonder, Five Blues Lake National Park is characterized by mystery. In recent years, the lake has drained and refilled itself, without obvious explanation. Besides this puzzling phenomenon, visitors have plenty to marvel at as they hike through the park. The name “Five Blues” references the multiple shades of blue in the water of the complex of freshwater lagoons, created by rainforest-filtered light.

The Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve is located on the northern tip of Ambergris Caye and is only accessible by boat. This 23-square mile (60-sq km) reserve consists of sinkholes, meandering creeks, inter-island lagoons, coastal mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reef. Visitors to the coral reef can expect to see manatees, nesting sea turtles, spawning groupers, deep water conch, and reef species. Flourishing bird populations also live throughout the reserve, providing travelers with outstanding birding opportunities.

The Mayflower Bocawina National Park, located in the Stann Creek District, was established in 2001 and is co-managed by local stakeholders, the Institute of Archeology, and the Belize Government.

Just 50 miles (80 km) from Belize City, and only two miles (3.2 km) from Belmopan is Guanacaste National Park, one of Belize’s most beautiful and accessible national parks. This park has 50 acres (20 ha) secondary growth. Reconverted from pasture and timberland and replanted in the 1970s, the park is now as lush and biodiverse as it might have been if it had never been cleared. One ancient tree remains, and is the park’s namesake: a massive Guanacaste (caro caro) tree, famously spared from a logging binge because it had developed three trunk bases, rendering it less useful as timber.

The Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve is the southernmost group of atolls in Belize, sitting 40 miles (64 km) due east of Punta Gorda on the mainland. The reserve extends over around 43 square miles (140 sq km) and consists of 14 sand and mangrove islands, a spectacular shallow reef, and clear lagoons.

Laughing Bird Caye is a 1.4-acre (0.5-ha) deserted tropical island 12 miles (19 km) off the coast of Placencia. Surrounded by deep blue water on all sides, this miniature island is nothing more than palm trees, sandy beach, and a few picnic tables. The island is named for the Laughing Gull, a seabird that once lived on the island but has since migrated to other surrounding cayes that have less human disturbance.