Belize Ecotourism

Belize is a developing country and tourism is not only essential to its economic growth but also to the continued protection of its rainforest, coral reef and wildlife. It is estimated that one in four people in Belize is employed by the tourism industry and a responsible holiday in Belize will provide you with an opportunity to truly experience the wonder of the natural world.

To arrange a holiday with a focus on ecotourism or conservation please contact us by email at info@naturallybelize.co.uk

Conservation

There are many conservation efforts taking place in Belize that are funded by not for profit organisations and the proceeds of ecotourism. Below are a few examples;

Belize Barrier Reef and Atolls

Seven reserves on the Belize Barrier Reef were declared UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1996 including the Blue Hole and Half Moon Caye Natural Monument on Lighthouse Reef. Half Moon Caye is a sanctuary to a population of several thousand rare red-footed boobies.

The 2026 Turneffe Land Trust Agreement permanently secures the environmental protection of Turneffe Atoll, protecting more than 17,000 acres (apprx. two thirds of the atoll) from ever being developed.

Jaguars

There is an estimated populations of 1,000 jaguars in Belize, although sightings are extremely rare, evidence of footprints can be found in protected areas and camera traps in protected areas and on the grounds of various eco-lodges show a healthy population. Jaguars are solitary animals and have large territories, conservation charities in Belize have done a lot of work purchasing and protecting land to create corridors in Belize and neighbouring Mexico and Guatemala to allow jaguars to roam and numbers to hopefully grow. The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is also the world's only jaguar reserve, it was formed based on the jaguar's natural habitat and continues to support ongoing research into this beautiful species. Although jaguar sightings are rare during the day, the undisturbed rainforest has well-marked hiking trails and is also home to plentiful wildlife and birdlife.

Scarlet Macaws

The Mayan village of Red Bank is nestled at the base of the Maya Mountains and is visited between January and March by a population of Scarlet Macaws that fly over the maya mountains to feed on the fruits of the annatto and pole wood trees. A successful eco-tourism program has resulted in villagers being trained as guides to take visitors to a viewing platform where the Macaws can be seen flying and feeding in the surrounding trees. The sight of these loud, large and brightly coloured birds in this rainforest setting is spectacular and one of our highly recommended tours.

Rio Bravo Conservation Area

There are a number of non-governmental organizations in Belize that are involved in specific eco-tourism projects including Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area which is owned and managed by Programme for Belize and is situated to the north of Belize. It is Belize's largest private reserve and supports hundreds of bird species and many animal species including 12 endangered animal species. It operates an ecotourism programme that offers an enlightening but low impact experience of the rainforest. Visitors can stay at Hillbank which is a working conservation field station close to the Lamanai Mayan Ruins Stays at Hillbank or La Milpa Archaeological centre or combine both for an immersive stay that contributes directly to the protection and conservation of the Rio Bravo area.

Belize Eco Lodges

Below is a selection of some of our favourite Belizean Eco Lodges that protect land in Belize, minimising impact on their land apart from the lodge buildings and land used for sustainability purposes such organic gardens and farming for farm to table dining and sustainability, trails for exploring, off grid electricity and composting.

• Hidden Valley Inn: protects 7,200 acres of private reserve in the Mountain Pine Ridge region of Belize, guests have exclusive access to trails that traverse from ridges to rainforest, private waterfalls, wildlife sightings and numerous bird species including the rare orange breasted falcon and king vulture.
• Lodge at Chaa Creek: is a luxury eco resort that sits on 500 acres of private nature reserve and borders the Macal River. Guests can explore the surrounding rainforest on their network of trails self guided or with expert guides for early morning bird walks, night walks, kayaking, mountain biking and horse riding.
• Black Rock Lodge: protects 250 acres of land in remote rainforest setting and bordering the Macal River. This off grid lodge provides electrictiy by hydro and solar energy for guest use and offers farm to table dining. Its remote location and unique setting means wildlife and bird sightings are plentiful.
• Copal Tree Lodge: protects 12,000 acres of rainforest in the less visited Toledo region of Belize and is a stunning place to unwind and connect with nature. This luxury lodge not only protects a large amount of land in Southern Belize but also is a key employer of local people in the region and has a state of the art, gravity fed rainwater collection and filtration system.
• Chan Chich Lodge: is located within 30,000 acres of privately protected rainforest on the Gallong Jug Estate in the remote northwest of Belize. The large area of untouched forest has enabled the lodge to have one of the highest sightings of cats in Belize (although still rare), but guests have witnessed jaguars, ocelots, pumas, margays and jaguarundis as well as numerous other wildlife such as howler monkeys, peccaries, coatimundis and the shy spider monkey which is rarely seen in the rest of Belize. The grounds are also a birdwatchers paradise with oscillated turkeys roaming the grounds and hummingbirds flitting around the canopy.