Visiting the Rainforests of Belize: Where To Go and What To See

The rainforests of Belize are some of the most pristine and secluded in the world and are home to an astonishingly varied mix of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects and birds. Tropical rainforests cover only 7% of the planet, yet harbour over 50% of the earth's species and are considered the oldest intact ecosystems on earth. Visit the untouched, remote rainforests of Belize's Deep South, or explore the easily accessible Mayflower Bocawina National Park.

Here's our top pick of the 5 best Belize Rainforest Destinations:

Monkey River

Monkey River Village is located at the northern end of the Toledo District of Belize. It's a great place to base yourself and experience the Belizean Rainforest. A must do is one of The Monkey River Tours, with a local guide from the village. On this river tour, you will see the beautiful flora and, fauna of the broad-leaf subtropical rainforest. Watch out for iguanas, howler monkeys, crocodiles, snakes and various birds including toucans and scarlet macaws. You may even spot a deer, tapir, or even a jaguar.

Moho River

Located in the Wild South is one of Belize's most beautiful rainforest rivers, the Moho River. The rainforest banks of the Moho River are teeming with wildlife including giant iguanas, crocodiles, kinkajou and birds like falcons, hawks, and eagles. Part of our Epic Belize trip itinerary includes visiting the indigenous region of Toledo where we paddle the Moho River and visit remote Mayan villages.

Mountain Pine Ridge

Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve is a nature reserve in the Cayo District of southern central Belize, located near the town of San Ignacio. The reserve is home to some of Belize's best waterfalls and swimming spots. Located deep within the nature reserve is Thousand Foot Falls, the highest waterfall in all of Central America! It's also a prime destination for birding and wildlife viewing. If you're lucky you may see Baird's tapirs (Belize's national animal), jaguars, ocelots and crocodiles.

Sarstoon-Temash National Park

The Sarstoon-Temash National Park is located on the southern edge of Toledo District, south-west of Barranco. It's remote and not easy to get to, but offers some of the best wildlife viewing in Belize, perfect for passionate wildlife photographers and explorers. Rarely seen birds and animals such as the scarlet macaw, and the white-faced capuchin monkey has been spotted here.

Mayflower Bocawina National Park and Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Reserve

Mayflower Bocawina National Park and the world-famous Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Reserve is a place to discover the beauty and diversity of the tropical rainforest. The Mayflower National Park has over 7,100 acres of pristine lowland broadleaf forest with beautiful flora and fauna and is adjacent to the Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Reserve. The park is an excellent location for bird watching, with more than 290 species of birds identified in the area. Some of the rare sightings included band-tailed barbthroat, northern shoveler, scarlet tanager and the spectacled owl. Bocawina Rainforest Resort is located in the heart of the National Park and is the perfect location to explore the park. If you’re looking for an authentic Belize rainforest vacation with a blend of adventure, culture & wildlife this is the place for you!