7 Best Places to See Wildlife Up-Close in Belize

Most of Belize is insanely beautiful jungle, which makes it easy to see wildlife. I remember driving down the road at different times and seeing a flock of parrots flying by my side and collared aracaris perched on the trees. Or hearing the roar of the howler monkeys in the distance.

But even in this green paradise with several nature reserves there are some premium spots where you can see wildlife up-close.

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This is where to go in Belize if you want to see wildlife.

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The Community Baboon Sanctuary

Don’t expect to see the huge fluffy beige/grayish primates with long muzzles, huge fangs, and orange eyes. Baboon is the Kriol word used in Belize for the black howler monkey, an endangered species of Belize and one of the largest monkeys out there.

The name comes from the roaring sound they make to tell other troops: We are here and this is our territory! Keep out!.  A deep, loud, and powerful howl that can be heard more than a mile away thanks to their anatomical features.

We first checked the small on-site visitor centre, where you can learn about the monkeys and how the community project was born. After listening to a talk about traditional cultural practices in Belize we walked to the edge of the nearby forest for the opportunity to see them up close (within limits). 

The guide offered the monkeys some leaves that are found in the jungle and that are part of their regular diet. Only the guide can feed them and you’re not allowed to touch them. Soon the monkeys descended from the trees to everyone’s amazement.

It was exciting to see the troop in the wild within close distance, including a cute baby monkey. Super cute until he peed, clearing the space in less than two seconds. 

This is a great way to support a community-based conservation program that preserves the habitat of these majestic animals. You can do different tours, including a river tour (day and night) to spot crocodiles, birding tours, and night walks in the jungle.

Be aware that there’s another place advertising monkey encounters before you reach the Community Baboon Sanctuary and it has nothing to do with this program.

Don’t forget your mosquito spray.

Community Baboon Sanctuary
Bermudian Landing Village, Belize District; Open daily: 8AM-5PM

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The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center  (Not a Zoo, but a Sanctuary!)

I’ll say it again, this is not a zoo. It’s a sanctuary. No animals are taken from the wild.

The rescue animals you’ll see here are part of a rehabilitation and conservation program. Some have been hurt in accidents, some are orphans, and others have been confiscated from people who should have never made a pet of a wild animal.

The main goal is to release wildlife back where it belongs. However, some can never make it back as they’re injured and could not make it out there on their own. There are signs telling how the animals ended up there and teaching about the importance of protecting their habitat and respecting their nature.

You’ll see indigenous species such as jaguars, howler monkeys, tapirs, ocelots, white-tail deer, collared peccaries, howler monkeys, spider monkeys, crocodiles, and birds such as owls, toucans, hawks, and harpy eagles.

Mosquito spray is a must as the Belize Zoo is set in a jungle environment.

Try the food at their on-site restaurant (it’s good!) and check out the cool items (no tacky stuff) at their souvenir shop.

Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center
Mile 29, George Price Highway; Open daily; General Admission: US$ 20

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The Green Iguana Conservation Project (at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel)

You see iguanas everywhere and you may think they’re a dime a dozen. While there are tons out there, few of them are the endangered Belize Green Iguana. The Green Iguana Conservation Project was created to take care of this.

Inside an open air facility on the grounds of the San Ignacio Resort Hotel you’ll see iguanas being prepared to be released into the wild. In the meantime they hang around on the trees and cuddle with you while you hear from the guide about the threats they face.

By the way, we learned that the cuddles aren’t about how sweet they are. It’s more about them seeking the warmth of your body.

After you’re done holding the iguanas you can enjoy a great meal at the hotel; the food at the restaurant is delicious.

You can also stay at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel and enjoy the fabulous views of the forest and the beautiful facilities.

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To all animal lovers: to learn about an awesome conservation project in Belize you can visit the website of Belize Bird Rescue [www.belizebirdrescue.com]. It’s a non-profit rescue centre that provides rehabilitation and release for nearly 200 birds, under the permit of the Belize Forest Department. They aren’t open to the public, but you can follow their work, support them, and even apply as an intern or a volunteer.

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The Green Hills Butterfly Ranch 

Not only can you be surrounded by butterflies flying all around you, but you can also enjoy some kickass birdwatching that includes several species of hummingbirds competing for a spot at the feeders.

Over 30 species of butterflies have fluttered around a huge enclosure full of plants. You learn from the tour guide about their main features and their growth stages: from eggs on leaves to caterpillars, to chrysalis, to a butterfly. 

We saw the iridescent Blue Morphos (only the males are blue), the green stone-like Malachite, the Isabella Longwing, the Mexica Bluewing, the Golden Longwing, and the Magnificent Owl with its fake eyes to protect itself from predators.

Over 300 species of bird have been recorded in the property, which makes it an excellent spot for a birding tour. 

Green Hills Butterfly Ranch
8 mile, Chiquibul Road (the road from Georgeville Village to Caracol archeological site); Open daily: 9AM-4PM; General admission: US$20

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Ambergris Caye 

Ambergris Caye (pronounced “key”) is a great spot of the coast of Belize for birdwatching, snorkeling, kayaking, and scuba diving.

You’ll see plenty of marine life when you explore the Ambergris Caye Barrier Reef, the second longest in the world (after Australia), and the Hol Chan Marine Reserve.

If you’re up for some birding you can jump on a golf cart and drive north of San Pedro crossing the bridge towards North Ambergris Caye.

Take the road that leads to Secret Beach and you’ll find lagoons and mangroves with a thriving bird population. 

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The Sweet Songs Jungle Lodge

This is one of the few places where we’ve been able to get really close to birds in the wild.

Go for a drink or a farm-to-table delicious meal at the Treehouse Bar and marvel at the surroundings and the colours of the birds that come to feast on the fruit.

Walk along the deck for a chance to see more birds or see bats chilling out under the observation canopy.

You can stay at Sweet Songs Jungle Lodge and wake up to the sounds of the jungle in one of their treehouses or their casitas. They have different packages where they include access to their hiking trails and use of tubes and canoes to explore the nearby Macal River. 

You can also sign up for their birding and wildlife viewing packages and have experts guide you through the experience.

Sweet Songs Jungle Lodge is located in San Ignacio.

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The Lamanai Archeological Reserve

You have a good chance to see wildlife in all archeological sites in Belize since they’re all located in the jungle and many trees are still standing within the buildings.

But to me, Lamanai stands out among all the sites. 

You access the reserve by boat (check out this tour to Lamanai) , sailing calmly along the banks of the New River during the initial part of the trip to spot birds and iguanas hanging out in the trees (and crocodiles, if you’re lucky).

The boat speeds up to get you to the Mayan ruins where you can see more wildlife in the jungle. Here, we saw at eye level a troop of howler monkeys on a couple of trees while we were at the top of one of the pyramids.

A perfect way to combine history, culture, and nature.

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There are many ways to see wildlife in Belize: visiting any of the sanctuaries, hiking the trails at the nature reserves, the archeological sites, or exploring its lagoons, river banks, and reefs.

Share this post with friends who love to see wildlife in its natural environment. They will leave Belize with long lasting memories.

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