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.