Belize. The very name conjures up images of turquoise waters, ancient Mayan ruins, and vibrant coral reefs. But beyond the well-trodden tourist paths lies a hidden gem – the Belizean jungle. A place where the air hums with life, where sunlight filters through a dense canopy of leaves, and where adventure awaits around every twist and turn. Join me as I trade my flip-flops for hiking boots and venture into the heart of this wild and wonderful world.
Where to Stay in Belize's Jungle
The first portion of my Belizean adventure began with an approximately two and a half hour ride from Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport, deep into the jungle of the Cayo District. The paved roads quickly gave way to dusty tracks, with all signs of civilization fading as a tapestry of lush green took over. We no longer had the familiar, disrupting sounds of traffic, but instead the calm and tranquil peace of the forest. And then came our new, humble abode, at which we spent two wonderful nights at… Black Rock Lodge.
Situated within the dense rainforest, along the Macal River, Black Rock Lodge was a delightful and tranquil way to start our Belizean adventure. Considered a Belize eco lodge, this place was absolutely magical. It’s entirely eco-friendly and off-the-grid, utilizing solely solar and hydro-power. The staff of the resort are extremely friendly and accommodating. There’s also no shortage of things to do. The resort has plenty of excursions and on-site adventures, such as bird watching, white-water tubing, and night hiking.
Each cabin came equipped with a private deck and provided hammocks for relaxing, which we were sure to utilize. It was wonderful to just lounge amongst the sounds of the jungle, with a view of the river. The only drawback of the cabins was that not all of them came with A/C. Therefore, it was often quite stuffy, given the tropical climate of this otherwise beautiful country.
Going back to how eco-friendly this place is, everything they serve at the restaurant is freshly harvested from their farm. With that said, the food at this place is absolutely fabulous, bursting with flavor and quality. Between the multi-course meals, the views, and the service, we were treated like royalty.
What To Do In The Jungle
During our brief but wonderful time in the jungle, we went on many little adventures. While we only spent two days in this jungle paradise, little did I know that these two days would we filled with unforgettable experiences. Even without leaving the resort, there were various treks available to occupy our time and spark some adventure. The first night we were there, we went on a night hike, hoping for the opportunity to see some elusive creatures of the night. Unfortunately, apart from some creepy tarantulas and large rodents, we didn’t actually see much activity.
Another on-site experience we had was birdwatching. With the expert guides available and provided by the resort, many different colorful species of birds were identified. The highlight of the experience of course was the toucans, which spent a good amount of time at the feeding station that they set up on the resort grounds.
Taking a short drive out of the resort grounds, about 40 minutes north west, brought us to Xunantunich Mayan Ruins. Be sure to climb El Castillo, the massive central pyramid to get absolutely amazing views, stretching across the jungle canopy all the way to Guatemala. This detour is a definite must-see for any history buff.
For the nature and wildlife lovers out there, be sure to check out the Green Iguana Conservation Project at San Ignacio Resort & Hotel. At the forefront of conservation efforts for the highly threatened green iguanas, this informational and educational exhibit gives you a very close look at this amazing reptile and teaches you how vital they are to the ecological balance of their habitat. I learned all about the incubation, hatching, rearing, and releasing of the species.
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