How to Get From Belize City to San Ignacio

Most people fly into Belize at the Philip Goldson International Airport in Ladyville, just a few miles north of Belize City. From there, it's relatively simple to get to San Ignacio, the country's second-largest urban area.

Flying 

Flying from Belize City to the airport outside of San Ignacio (called Maya Flats) only takes about half an hour, but the price of tickets is pretty steep. Furthermore, the planes are tiny "puddle jumpers" that only hold a dozen passengers. For flight information and schedules, contact Tropic Air or Maya Island Air.

Driving 

If you're driving your own car, simply follow the signs to take the George Price Highway (still widely known as the Western Highway) which goes straight to San Ignacio. The George Price Highway is a modern, two-lane roadway that has several gas stations and roadside restaurants along the way.

Once you get near San Ignacio, you'll have to cross a wooden bridge with just one lane. From Belize City, be sure to turn right and head downhill to cross the bridge into San Ignacio. If you miss the turn, don't worry! People in Belize are very friendly and will be more than happy to give you directions. When you're leaving San Ignacio to head back east, you'll need to take a different bridge, the Hawksworth Bridge, the only suspension bridge in the country. Assuming you don't make any wrong turns or stop to take photos along the way, it takes approximately two hours to drive from the Belize City airport to San Ignacio.

Taxis 

Taxis can be hired from the airport or anywhere else in Belize City, but the cost can be prohibitively expensive. All legal taxis have a green license plate and the name of their co-op (company) posted on the window. Be sure to negotiate the fare before you begin your journey!

Public Bus 

Belize has a nationwide network of public buses, affectionately known as "chicken buses" by the locals. The cost will be less than $10, but you'll have to deal with frequent stops, crowding, and no air conditioning. The trip will take about two and a half hours. The good news, however, is that you can catch a direct bus to San Ignacio from several different locations in Belize City.

Shuttles 

If you're looking for the fastest, most comfortable way to get from Belize City to San Ignacio, try Untame Belize Shuttles. Untame Belize offers prompt, professional door-to-door shuttle service to any destination in the country, including hotels, lodges, resorts, and Airbnb residences in San Ignacio.

All international flights into Belize land at the Philip Goldson Airport in Ladyville, located approximately nine miles north of Belize City. From there, a nationwide network of highways leads to all points on the mainland, making it easy to any destination.

The easiest, most comfortable, and often most affordable way to get around Belize is by shuttle. Untame Belize offers courteous, prompt, and professional door-to-door shuttle service to Placencia and more destinations in Belize, including Corozal, Orange Walk, Belmopan, San Ignacio, Dangriga, Hopkins, and Punta Gorda. Untame Belize also offers shuttle service to hotels, lodges, resorts, and AirBNBs as well as popular transportation hubs like the Belize City water docks and the bus terminal that serves Cancun, Mexico.

If you're heading to Placencia, travel time from Belize City is around three and a half hours. Travel time from Placencia to San Ignacio is around three hours. Attractions like Davis Falls, the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, Monkey River Town, Dangriga, Hopkins, and Punta Gorda can be reached from Placencia in an hour or less.

All of Untame Belize's shuttles are spacious, modern vehicles equipped with the latest safety features and amenities, including icy cold air-conditioning and wireless internet. Shuttle vans are large vehicles that can easily accommodate groups and their luggage. Child car seats can also be provided free upon request.

Every shuttle driver working for Untame Belize is an experienced professional who has passed rigorous safety and background checks. Upon request, shuttle service can include stopovers at local restaurants, cafes, scenic overlooks, or attractions along the way such as the Belize Zoo. Shuttle service can also be booked for transportation to remote destinations such as wilderness sanctuaries, national parks, traditional villages, and ancient Maya sites.

Untame Belize offers very competitive prices for its shuttle services, and prices based on distance, meaning that larger groups can save substantially. Shuttles can also be booked from Belize to nearby resort destinations in Mexico such as Cancun and Playa del Carmen. Untame shuttles must be booked at least 30 days in advance and a 50% deposit is required.

If you're interested in visiting southern Belize, be sure to book your adventure tours with Untame Belize as well, including exciting off-road ATV expeditions, zip lining in the jungle, visiting a waterfall, and horseback riding. And be sure to book your lodgings at Davis Falls Inn, a locally-owned guesthouse offering clean, comfortable rooms and delicious, home-cooked meals.

Pronounced "keys," all of the islands in Belize are known as cayes. Harvest Caye is a privately-owned island located just a few miles offshore from Placencia in southern Belize.

All of Norwegian Cruise Line's routes to Belize include a port of call at Harvest Caye, where more than 400 NCL employees are on hand to ensure that passengers enjoy a wonderful time in the country. The island has its own lagoon (perfect for swimming), restaurant facilities, and a beautiful beach.

If you're coming to Belize on an NCL cruise ship, why not skip the crowds and enjoy a tour of the mainland? There is regular ferry service from Harvest Caye to Placencia on the coast, one of the most beautiful areas in the country. Placencia is both the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Belize Barrier Reef, a mecca for snorkeling and scuba diving, and to popular destinations on the mainland like animal refuges, ancient Maya cities, and national parks.

Untame Belize, based in southern Belize, is a locally-owned and operated company offering a full range of tourism services. If you'd like to explore Belize, Untame Belize can meet you right at the Placencia docks and arrange for guided tours to some of the most exciting activities in Belize.

Because Belize is such a small country, cruise ship passengers docking at Harvest Caye can choose from popular activities like climbing ancient Maya pyramids, hiking through the Cockscomb Basin Wilderness Sanctuary (home to more than 200 jaguars), and boat tours of the well-named Monkey River. Other popular choices include zip lining through the jungle, cave tubing (floating down underground rivers), and horseback riding.

And, if you want to really get out and see the wildest, most untouched parts of the jungle, Untame Belize offers ATV tours. Using rugged, all-terrain vehicles, visitors can blast through jungle river crossings, zoom across enormous citrus orchards, and visit inaccessible sites deep in the rainforest such as the mysterious Lyman Prison. Now abandoned and considered by some to be haunted, Lyman Prison was once home to Belize's most hardened criminals.

Untame Belize also operates cultural visits to local villages where visitors can learn more about the traditional music, dances, and foods of the Garifuna and Maya people. Untame Belize also has guided tours to local chocolate factories and colorful, open-air markets where you can find authentic, homemade souvenirs.

If you're visiting Harvest Caye on your next cruise, be sure to book all of your activities with Untame Belize.

The Toledo District of Belize is sometimes called "the forgotten land," but this wild, pristine region of southern Belize offers something special to adventurous travelers.

Unspoiled Beauty

The southern part of Belize is home to seven major national parks, marine reserves and other areas dedicated to protecting the wildlife, native vegetation, fish and marine mammals of Belize. It's filled with incredible scenery including rainforests, mountains, caves, waterfalls, and riverbanks.

Be Prepared

Be prepared to encounter nature in its purest state. If you need luxurious accommodations and high-class tourist amenities, this is not the trip for you. If you're ready to see nature in its pure form and meet local people who live a simple, rural lifestyle, you will enjoy this tour.

Things to See and Do

What will you see in the Toledo District? Here are some highlights of the region.

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary: The world's first jaguar sanctuary, this spectacularly scenic preserve includes over 200 square miles of protected areas. Hike, canoe or walk through protected rainforest habitat where you'll see wildlife, exotic birds, stunning waterfalls, amazing views of the Maya Mountains and more.

Monkey River: The clear blue waters of this river will take you on one of Belize's most scenic tours. You'll pass through a preferred habitat of Belize's famous howler monkeys, who will cheer you on as you glide by.

Nim Li Punit and Lubantuum Maya Ruins: Take a jungle trek to the ruins, hike the pyramids and learn about the Maya. The Maya built magnificent city-states in Belize, and visiting these ruins is an impressive experience.

Maya Chocolate Farm: If you love chocolate, it's time to learn more about Maya chocolate, which has become internationally recognized for its quality. On this tour, you'll visit a cacao plantation where some of Belize's finest Maya chocolate is produced.

Bocawina National Park: A birder's paradise, this rainforest preserve is also home to the longest jungle zip-line in Belize. There's nothing like zip-lining through five miles of the rainforest while exotic birds fly around you.

Offshore Cayes: Laughing Bird Caye and the Silk Cayes are uninhabited, undeveloped tropical islands on the edge of the Belize Barrier Reef. They provide some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in the world.

Book an Untamed Tour With Untame Belize

If you want the best tours of the untamed Toledo District, book them with Untame Belize. As Belize's premier, full-service adventure company, we can create an unforgettable adventure for you.

Once you arrive in Belize, you need a way to get around the country to ensure you see all the sights. What's the best way to get from point A to point B? There are various options depending on where you're staying, but most experienced travelers to Belize will tell you that a private shuttle service from Untame Belize is the best way to go. Let's look at the various options.

Renting a Car to Drive Yourself

Driving yourself might seem convenient, but it has some drawbacks. First, it can be dangerous. The roads here can be rough. Many are unpaved, and most are dotted with huge potholes, deep ruts and speed bumps.

Second, it's expensive. Car rental rates have gone up in Belize as they've gone up everywhere. Gas is very expensive here.

Public Transportation

Belize has buses and a water taxi. You'll have to travel according to their schedule, and you'll also have to make sure you know where to pick them up. Water taxis can take you from Chetumal or Belize City to Caye Caulker and back.

There are also small, local airlines that can get you around the country quickly. These so-called puddle jumpers can whisk you from the airport to Caye Caulker, Dangriga or San Pedro. If you're staying on the cayes, you can rent a golf cart.

Taxis

If you're hopping around from one end of town to another, it's easy to flag down a taxi. You can also find them at the airport, bus station and water taxi terminals. You should only get into a taxi that has a green license plate.

Keep in mind that sharing taxis is common in Belize, and your driver may pick up an additional passenger on the way.

Shuttle Services

Private shuttle services provided by a professional tour guide are the best, safest and most convenient way to get around Belize. At Untame Belize, our spacious, comfortable and air-conditioned vehicles can provide:

• Travel between the airports and all hotels, resorts, lodges and rental homes.
• Travel to all cities and towns in Belize including Belize City, Dangriga, Hopkins, Placencia and Orange Walk Town.
• Transportation to your favorite excursions including those in rural areas or deep inside the jungle.
• Transportation to wildlife sanctuaries, botanical gardens, bird-watching sites and other natural locations.

Untame Belize: Your Best Option in Belize

We're not just a great choice for transportation. We also provide some of the most exciting tours and excursions in Belize. We can arrange everything so all you have to do is get ready to enjoy an unforgettable Belize vacation.

Get ready to celebrate Belize's amazing cultural diversity by joining us for Garifuna Settlement Day in November.

Dance, Dine and Party All Week

Garifuna Settlement Day is a week-long celebration of the Garifuna people's arrival in Belize. This is one of Belize's largest and most important celebrations. It pays tribute to a proud, traditional culture that has contributed enormously to Belize's past and present.

Take part in the colorful parades and watch traditional Jankunu dancers moving to the beat of rhythmic, evocative Garifuna music. Sample Garifuna dishes like serre, a fish stew cooked in coconut milk, hudut or fried plantains, and other Belizean delicacies.

Visit Garifuna Communities

Spend time in the Garifuna communities of Hopkins, Dangriga and Seine Bight. While you're here, visit the Gulisi Garifuna Museum in Dangriga to learn all about the Garifuna's fascinating history.

Get to Know the Garifuna

The Garifuna people descended from a group of Africans who intermingled with indigenous people of the Caribbean after a sinking slave ship in 1653. Over the next century and a half, the Garifuna fought fiercely for their independence. They were forced to flee several times until they found permanent homes along the coastlines of Honduras, Guatemala and Belize.

They came ashore in November 1809 and have been a welcome, integral part of Belize's culture ever since.

The Garifuna have developed a distinct Afro-Caribbean style of music, dance, food and language. The Garifuna musical group "The Garifuna Collective" has won dozens of music awards and has been ranked the top world music group in the world.

A Lasting Legacy

The Garifuna people have forged a lasting legacy from their history of slavery and dispossession. They built a thriving community where they've preserved their language, customs and culture for centuries. UNESCO has listed the Garifuna as a Representative of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

How to Enjoy the Celebrations

• What: Garifuna Settlement Day.
• When: November 19 through November 24, 2019.
• Where: All over Belize, but the largest celebrations will be in traditional Garifuna communities like Dangriga, Hopkins, Punta Gorda and Seine Bight.

Let Untame Belize Handle Your Transportation

If you want to experience all the excitement of Garifuna Settlement Day, plan your trip with the help of Belize's most exciting tour company. Contact Untame Belize for the best shuttle and transportation options in Belize.

One of the top things to do in Belize is scuba diving, and Placencia is one of the best places in Belize to do this.

The majority of divers go right to the Atolls and Cayes in Belize, but the more knowledgeable ones also leave room for a visit to Placencia. In this section of southern Belize, you'll get to see a more isolated part of the Belize Barrier Reef. The inner half of this spot is a nice place to work on getting certified if you're an experienced diver. If you're a beginning diver, then it's also a good place to sharpen your skills.

The visibility here is amazing, plus there's no current and a multitude of colorful reefs. If you're an advanced diver, then the outer reef is the place for you. Here, there's plenty of opportunity for deep dives and exploring walls with steep drops. Most of the diving in Placencia takes place from small dive boats. The reefs are roughly half an hour from the village.

Another great attribute of diving in Placencia is the lack of extra fees. The rest of Belize is not like this. Diving to see whale sharks is highly regulated, and boats may be limited to 1.5 hours. Sometimes the only interaction allowed is via snorkeling. If you use a DIN regulator, then you should bring an adapter. Most divers visit the Placencia waters from April to June, which is whale shark season. However, the entire dry season offers perfect diving conditions and weather. The wet season between August and October is considered a low season for both diving and tourism. In terms of diving, it's really not a bad time to go as the only issue is somewhat compromised visibility from the rain. However, you'll find fewer crowds at this time as well.

The three main diving highlights in Placencia are Laughing Bird Caye, the Southern Coast and the whale sharks at Gladden Spit. Laughing Bird Caye can be found on the inner section of the southern barrier reef. It's an ideal place for beginning divers and features schools of rays. The Southern Coast tends to have fewer divers than the north part and new dive spots are being found each year. Whale sharks are arguably the biggest attraction in Placencia waters. You're almost guaranteed to see one if you dive between April and June.

Book your diving tour with UntameBelize.com today to see the beautiful waters of Placencia!

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is the world's first and only jaguar preserve. This spectacular preserve includes over 125,000 acres of pristine rainforest that jaguars, pumas, ocelots, kinkajous, coatimundis and almost 300 species of birds call home.

If you think the sanctuary is amazing in the daytime, imagine how spectacular it is at night. That's when you have a better chance of spotting the shy cats. It's also when you can experience the jungle's unique nightlife.

A Magical Experience

At Untame Belize, we find that our guests love this tour. They describe it as a breathtaking, magical experience. They can't believe the huge variety of animals they get to see in their natural habitat.

Many of the animals only come out at night. These include most of the big cats, foxes, opossums and the mountain tapir, which is Belize's national animal.

Travel Back In Time

As you enter this preserve in the shadow of the Maya Mountains, you'll see and hear the rainforest the same way the ancient Maya did. You'll get a sense of what they experienced before there were cars or electric lights. The deep silence and darkness of a true, untouched rainforest is something few people experience.

What Will You See?

You never know what you'll see in the preserve. We can't guarantee that you'll spot a jaguar or any other creature. These animals are shy, and spotting one is a rare opportunity.

We can guarantee that you'll be deeply inspired. We haven't yet had a guest who was disappointed by this magical, mysterious tour.

Is This Tour Right for You?

This is an ideal tour for any animal lover who wants to experience nature in as true, wild and untouched a setting as possible. It takes three to four hours to arrive at the sanctuary and hike through it.

What Is the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary?

Cockscomb Basin was established in 1990 as a jaguar preserve. It also protects the upper watersheds of important river systems. The sanctuary is managed by the Belize Audubon Society. It is about 20 miles from Dangriga on the Southern Highway.

Untame Belize Is the Natural Choice for This Tour

Untame Belize is the leader in tours that let you see the wild side of Belize. Contact us today to schedule your night hike of the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary.

Are you ready for a breathtaking snorkeling or diving experience? Don't miss the chance to swim with whale sharks in Belize.

What Are Whale Sharks?

Whale sharks are the biggest fish in the sea. Adults can grow up to 40 feet long and weigh 100 tons. These massive marine beasts live many years, and those that visit Belize might be 100 years old.

Although they have teeth, whale sharks are not dangerous to humans. They feed on plankton, small fish and the spawn of snappers.

A Rare Opportunity to swim with Whale Sharks in Belize

Whale sharks visit Belize during the spring and early summer. We're lucky enough to be one of their favorite resting and feeding spots as they make their journey across the world's oceans. The best place to see them is in the Gladden Spit, a protected area on the eastern side of the Belize Barrier Reef.

Whale Shark Protection is Serious

Whale sharks are a protected species. Because of this, the government of Belize has put strict limitations on the amount of contact people can have with them. Only tour operators with an official license from the Southern Environmental Association (SEA) can take boats into the feeding area.

There is a limit to how many people can enter the water and how much time humans can spend there. Flash photography is prohibited, and you cannot touch the sharks.

These restrictions are for the whale sharks' benefit. Like many of the exotic marine animals that visit our Barrier Reef, they are precious and rare. We want to encourage them to keep coming back.

Book Early to Get This Opportunity

These restrictions mean you need to book your tour early if you want to swim among these gentle giants of the sea. The best time to catch them is between late March and the end of June.

Snorkel or Scuba Dive

You can choose to snorkel or scuba dive when you visit the whale sharks. Either way, you will have an unforgettable experience. When you book your trip, be sure to only use a tour operator with a SEA license.

Book with the Best at Untame Belize

The best way to enjoy these friendly fish is with a professional tour guide from Untame Belize. Our guides are authorized and licensed by SEA. They have experience swimming with these amazing creatures. Contact us today to book your Belize adventure.

The Silk Cayes are a tangible version of the sort of tropical island paradise people concoct in their minds. Found along the outer rim of the world's second largest barrier reef, the Belize Barrier Reef, the Silk Cayes are a trio of uninhabited sandy islands formed over coral reef, known more formally as the Silk Cayes Marine Reserve. This status means that it is a protected marine site and one of the best places to go for a snorkeling enthusiast.

The most obvious thing about the Silk Cayes is its water, which is akin to glass in its transparency; the water splinters off into five different shades of blue, depending on how deep you go. If you have your feet on the ground, which consists entirely of sand as white as sugar, your view of the surroundings is nothing but ocean; go beneath the weaves and the reason why so many people visit the area swiftly becomes apparent.

A variety of different colors and species of coral runs rampant throughout the Silk Cayes. Because coral populations are a great monitor of marine health, divers and snorkelers will stumble upon a wide variety of sea life that use the coral as a home, hiding place, or ambush spot against prey. The underwater menagerie of the Silk Cayes means that you might find dozens of coral species, entire schools of grouper, endangered species of sea turtle, manta rays, anemone beds, and even a few kinds of shark that are too small to pose any harm to human visitors.

One other animal known to visit the area during certain parts of the year would be the immense creature known as the whale shark. While the name may sound imposing, it comes mostly from their sheer size; whale sharks have been recorded weighing more than the average school bus and as long as 35 feet. For all the power that such a behemoth of ocean life might wield, they are content to swim through the waters with their mouth gaping open, sucking up plankton like vacuum cleaners as they move.

If you are an avid diver or snorkeler and this place sounds just perfect, consider booking a tour with UntameBelize.com.  We have over a decade of experience in the industry and can cover just every possible detail travelers may need, be it a guide, a shuttle or transfer, or just transportation to a place like the Silk Cayes.

Looking for something unique and thrilling to do on your trip to Belize? Consider taking a scenic flight over the Great Blue Hole in the waters off Belize. The oceanic sinkhole can only be truly appreciated from overhead in an airplane.

What Is The Great Blue Hole of Belize?

Appearing as a big blue hole in the middle of the surrounding waters, this phenomenon is actually a sinkhole in the middle of the Lighthouse Reef. It's located about 60 miles from Belize City off the coast. This sinkhole is over 900 feet across and over 400 feet deep, which makes it the largest sinkhole on planet Earth. It became famous in 1972 when Jacques Cousteau brought his ship in to explore the depths of the Great Blue Hole. Later, in 2018, Cousteau's grandson Fabien returned to the hole with a submarine. He and Richard Branson took the submarine to the depths of the hole. The thrilling adventure was then broadcast on the Discovery Channel. The Blue Hole is so big that it can even be seen from space. It's also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of the reasons the hole is so spectacular is due to the different colors of water around it. The dark blue of the hole makes it stand out from the water around it.

Getting To The Great Blue Hole

Belize City, San Pedro and Caye Caulker are all departure points to get to the Great Blue Hole. San Pedro has the easiest point of departure as the airport is right downtown. The most affordable way to get out to the hole is to take a boat. However, as previously mentioned, it won't offer you the same amazing view as flying over it would. Booking a flight over the hole also allows you to see some interesting points along the way. Various shipwrecks, the Booby Bird Sanctuary, Glovers Reef and the Turneffe Atoll are all around the hole. The water is so clear here that it's easy to see even shipwrecks from the air.

What To Know

Taking a flight out to see the hole is dependent on the weather, but fortunately, Belize typically has nice, sunny weather for such a trip. Make sure to arrive early for your flight, and get ready to charge your electronics, if necessary. The interior of the plane will allow you to take great photos, despite the windows. However, if you want the best picture quality, make sure to bring your DSLR. The plane is usually a comfortable temperature, but the ride can be noisy, so you will be provided with headphones. Seating depends largely on weight distribution.

Book a tour package to include a scenic flight over the Great Blue Hole with Untame Belize. We offer a wide variety of tours and adventures, including on land and by sea. Book a full-day tour with a range of activities like horseback riding, ziplining in the jungle, a visit to the Belize Zoo or scuba diving on the offshore reefs.

Laughing Bird Caye gets its name from its previous role as nesting grounds for the laughing seagulls that were local to the area. The area is technically a "faro," a stretch or coral containing a lagoon at its core, less than 2 acres in size and located roughly 11 miles away from the coastline of Placencia. Since 1991, the island has been the foundation of Laughing Bird Caye National Park, a safeguarded nature park consisting of the island and its surrounding waterways; this has made it quit a notable spot for anyone with an interest in snorkeling, scuba diving or marine biology.

Laughing Bird Caye is the bottom island along the Belize Barrier Reef, making it moderately notable as a waypoint for lots of sea creatures coming and going through the reef. The Caye's steep sides an deep channels also make it an excellent venue for diving.

This beautiful caye features a relatively unique variety of geography and terrain types, allowing it to attract a large variety of marine creatures. One of the most notable types of sea life found within the area would be the three coral regions, responsible for the ringed appearance of the reefs. In addition to the central lagoon's large reef, you can find reefs along the outer rim and in several patches within the lagoon. Between the sheer variety of shapes and the waters that go no deeper than 16 feet, this is some prime snorkeling real estate.

As a protected site, the island has no humans living on its premises. This means that there are plenty of creatures to enjoy in an unmolested habitat. While the laughing gulls have mostly disappeared, lots of other avian highlights can be found throughout the region including frigate birds, green herons and, notable due to their current status as an endangered species, brown pelicans. The area's flora is also certainly worth investigating, especially with coconut palms, morning glories, spider lilies and mangrove trees.

Whether you love to snorkel, explore some tranquil waters in scuba gear or just like to explore the more beautiful and undisturbed regions of the planet, you will likely find something at Laughing Bird Caye to make the trip worth it. If even one of the paragraphs in this article sounds appealing to you, then please consider booking your trip with the leading tour company of southern Belize, Untame Belize. You will not regret it!

One of the most colorful and endangered members of the colorful parrot family, the scarlet macaw was first described by naturalist Carl Linnaeus in 1758. Still a favorite among birdwatchers, they are now an endangered species.

From December to March every year, they migrate from their breeding area in the Mayan mountains to Red Bank Village in southern Belize where they feed on local seeds and nuts.  Red Bank draws mature macaws and their chicks to the plentiful food source of the polewood tree, but the birds supplement their food supply with fruit from other trees, such as the wild annatto, prickly yellow, mountain trumpet, cramanthee, and symphonia.

Known for high-pitched screams that allow them to communicate with their groups over many miles, scarlet macaws can live from 75 to 90 years in captivity, although most only live from 40 to 50 years. They often travel alone or in pairs but may sometimes be seen flying in flocks. Poachers pose the greatest threat to the species, but agriculture and development also play a big role in the bird's demise, resulting in fewer than 250 of the endangered parrots remaining in Belize. Scarlet macaws fetch a high price on the pet market and are also sought after for meals in bush camps.

The Friends of Conservation and Development and the Belize Bird Conservation organize teams of volunteers and rangers to camp out near active nests of scarlet macaws in Chiquibul National Park and protect them from poachers and predators.  The teams also rescue chicks from unsafe nests and rehabilitate them before releasing them into the wild. This work has lowered poaching rates by 75 percent, and the scarlet macaw population is slowly rising. The birds prefer high elevations near the banks of rivers, where they lay one or two eggs nestled in the holes of very tall trees.

March is the deadline for viewing the exotic birds before they return to their Mayan Mountain breeding grounds, and we can schedule your visit in time for the tours. Our excursions take you to Red Bank Village in comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles with Wi-Fi access. Car seats and private shuttles are available upon request, and you can relax knowing you’re in good hands. We provide experienced, English-speaking drivers who have completed safety training and are natives of Belize.

Our excellent customer service and our choice of packages mean you can customize your trip to fit your budget and interests. Visit Untame Belize website for more information, and book your adventure now.