Hike· Stann Creek mainland· Other Caribbean
Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary
16° 43.0′ N · 88° 39.6′ W
The world's first jaguar preserve: about 128,000 acres of rainforest basin under the Maya Mountains, with river and jungle trails to waterfalls and swimming holes, Ben's Bluff lookout and the multi-day climb of Victoria Peak, Belize's second-highest summit at 1,160 m.
Practical
Managed by the Belize Audubon Society with the Forest Department; established 1986. Turn off the Southern Highway at Maya Center village (about 20 miles south of Dangriga), pay at the Maya Center Women's Group gift shop, then 6 miles of unpaved road to the visitor centre (4x4 in wet weather; village taxi BZ$40 one way). Entrance BZ$10 per day for non-nationals; open 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Trails include River Path, Rubber Tree, Ben's Bluff, Tiger Fern (double waterfall), Plane Wreck, Victoria Peak and Warrie Loop; tubing on South Stann Creek; camping and cabins bookable through BAS (BAS website). Jaguars are rarely seen - they keep to the remote West Basin (Wikipedia). From Placencia or Hopkins it is a day trip by car; leave the boat in a marina or with crew aboard.
Best for
A jungle day off the boat
Nearby
- Placencia Lagoon18.7 NM away
- Maya Beach (Placencia Peninsula)18.9 NM away
- Big Creek Port of Entry (Independence / Mango Creek)19.1 NM away
- Seine Bight Village19.2 NM away
- Robert's Grove Fuel Dock (Placencia Lagoon)19.5 NM away
- Laru Beya Marina (Placencia)19.6 NM away
- The Placencia Marina (Maya Beach)19.7 NM away
- Thunderbird Marine Boatyard & Store (Placencia Lagoon)19.9 NM away