Parks, Sanctuaries and Reserves

Bacalar Chico, the park, which opened officially August 23, 1996, comprises a 15,000-acre marine reserve and 12,000 acres of terrestrial reserve Bacalar Chico.

Burdon Canal, located on Western Highway, going through the Sibun River leading into the lagoon.  It has plenty of reptiles and birds. Burdon Canal Nature Reserve.

Chiguibul National Park, hundreds of square miles of forest and home to many endangered species of plants and animals, a plateau that was previously used for logging, but is now tightly protected Chiquibul National Park.

Cockscomb Wildlife Sanctuary,is located in southern Belize below the Mayan Mountains Cockscomb Range, and is managed by the Belize Audubon Society.  This unique ecosystem protects a large portion of Belize's flora and fauna species, which include the jaguar, margay, ocelot, macaw, and tapir.  There is also a tourist center for camping with plenty of accommodations Cockscomb Wildlife Sanctuary.

Community Baboon Sanctuary, established to protect the endangered black howler monkey. Community Baboon Sanctury.

Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, 33 miles northwest of Belize City, a home for local birds and stopover migrants on their flights north. Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary.

Marco Gonzalez site may be the largest ruin on Ambergris Caye. Located about two miles south of the town of San Pedro, it covers an area of about 355 meters by 155 meters and has at least 53 buildings with a central plaza and several small courtyard groupings. The site's excavators believe that during the Early Classic Period, the economy was based upon exploitation of the vast marine resources which the Caribbean provides. The community saw continued success through the Late Classic Period as well. However, during the Post Classic Period, when other sites on Ambergris were being abandoned, Marco Gonzalez underwent large scale expansion. Nearly every one of the structures were added to or used at this time. Marco Gonzales.

Paynes Creek National Park, located in the Toledo District in the village of Monkey River, established to guard its wildlife is protected by the village. Payne's Creek National Park.

Rio Bravo Conservation Area, a 300,000 acre forest and wildlife conservation project.

Shipstern Natural Reserve, located in the Corozal District is 22,000 acres with hardwood forest, lagoons and mangroves along the shore. Shipstern Nature Reserve.

Halfmoon Caye Natural Monument, is located at the southeast corner of Lighthouse Reef Atoll, the eastern most atoll of Belize's three atolls, preserved and protected by the Belize Audubon Society, home and nesting site of the Red-Footed Booby Bird.

Blue Hole National Park, consists of 575 acres and full of forest.  The Blue Hole is a sinkhole filled with flowing water to the Sibun River. The collapsed sinkhole is thought to be about 100 feet deep and roughly 300 feet in diameter.  Then main enticements are the underground streams, rivers, sinkholes and the underground caves.

Great Blue Hole , made famous by the 1970's expedition of famous underwater explorer, Jacques Cousteau.  The Blue Hole is a natural phenomenon in the Caribbean eight miles from Long Caye.  It is 1000 feet in diameter, 400 feet deep, with extraordinary stalactites Great Blue Hole Dives Sites.

Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, a 300 square mile reserve that boasts ancient pine and ferns unlike the standard tropical forests covering the rest of the country.  The reserve has magnificent waterfalls, caves and stream that can be observed.  Famed American film director, Francis Ford Coppola, has a beautiful resort called blancaneaux, in Mountain Pine Ridge Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve.

Caracol Archaeological Reserve, includes the Mayan ruin of Caracol, the largest Mayan site in the country. This ancient city had much importance and was large, advanced and hidden from the world by rain forest.  It is encircled by high-canopy tropical rain forest, which is populated by various species  of birds, cats and howler monkeys.

Glover's Reef Marine Reserve, the largest of the three atolls, just south of Belize City Glovers Reef.

Hol Chan Marine Reserve, meaning, "little channel," Belize's first marine reserve, with coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass. Ambergris Caye.

Slate Creek Preserve, approximately 3,750 acres of protected area serving as a corridor next to the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve and the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve.

Guanacaste National Park, home to the guanacaste or tubroos tree is a fast growing species and one of the largest trees found in Central America. It can reach a total height of over 130 feet, of which 30 to 40 feet can be a straight trunk. The guanacaste tree can attain a trunk diameter in excess of 6 feet. Guanacaste National Park.

Southwater Marine Reserve, this proposed site covers 62 miles and is located 10 miles off the mainland from the Sittee River.  It's recognized for its diving and mangrove cayes.

Laughing Bird Caye National Park, is located 11 miles off the coast of the Stann Creek District, within a distinct type of atoll called a faro, an angular, steep on the sides atoll, enclosing a lagoon.  Its wealth and assortment of corals is its main draw as well as its lagoons. Laughing Bird Caye Dives Sites.

Sapodilla Cayes, a proposed marine reserve covering the south part of the Belize Barrier Reef.  It is well known for its shallow patch reefs, array of fish, vast seagrass beds and lagoons, all of which are very important habitats. Sapodilla Caye Dives Sites.

Bladen Nature Reserve, located in the southern Toledo District, it is the largest protected area in Belize.  Permits are required to visit the site.  A sign of a strong ecosystem, there is an abundance of large mammals within the reserve, as well as being one of the best birding spots in the country.

Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, 1070 acres of forest, wetlands and lagoons running along the Western Highway, just west of the Belize Zoo.  Camping is allowed and it is considered a great spot to bird watch.

Terra Nova, a 6,000 acre reserve with plethora of forest wildlife.

Aguas Turbias Reserve, 7,000 acres close to the Rio Bravo, where Belize, Guatemala and Mexico come together, with plenty of wildlife.

Sarstoon-Temash, a wildlife sanctuary river delta that leads out of the Toledo District to the Caribbean Sea, and home to some of the oldest and tallest mangroves.

Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve, covering 6741 acres, it is 360 feet above sea level, located at the northern end Mountain Pine Ridge.  The reserve was created for research and preservation of genetic variety.