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a jaguar sleeping on a branch — The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center

The Belize Zoo is a non-governmental, non-profit organization focused on wildlife conservation through wildlife rehabilitation and environmental education. It started in 1983 by Sharon Matola, as a last-ditch effort to provide a home for a collection of wild animals which had been used in making documentary films about tropical forests.
Today, The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center exhibits over 200 animals, representing over 45 native species. The Zoo keeps animals that were orphaned, rescued, born at the zoo, rehabilitated animals, or sent to The Belize Zoo as donations from other zoological institutions.
A visit to the Zoo is the best way to get an introduction to the animals of Belize and to understand why it is important to protect the habitats that sustain them.
Distance: 5 minutes drive from Monkey Bay
Duration: 2 hours
Fitness: Easy
Dress: Short or long pants and comfortable footwear - short sleeve shirt.

someone ziplining towards the viewer and another person waiting to receive them at the landing — Ziplining at No’hoch Chen

The thrill of Nohoch Che'en Zipline is extraordinary; being as high as 190ft above the forest floor in the canopy of the rain forest is already an incredible feeling. You are literally in the habitat of birds moving as fast as 30mph. For those with a great adventure spirit this tour is highly recommended.
Distance: 5 minutes drive from Monkey Bay
Duration: 2 hours
Fitness: Easy
Dress: Short or long pants and comfortable footwear - short sleeve shirt.

several people in tubes at the mouth of a cave — Cave Tubing at No’hoch Chen

Explore Xibalba (Mayan word for Underworld) like never before! Enjoy a physically relaxing, mentally/visually exciting, trip along a gentle flowing jungle river as you tube in and out of various cave passageways in the Caves Branch river system at the Nohoch Che'en Caves Branch Archaeological Reserve.
Distance: 5 minutes drive from Monkey Bay
Duration: 2 hours
Fitness: Easy
Dress: Short or long pants, short sleeve shirt, water shoes, and bathing suit

Big Rock Falls

Tucked into the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve this waterfall literally prompts your jaw to drop once you lay eyes upon it. Magnificent, monumental and massive, Big Rock stands tall with a small pool at the bottom of it, flowing into a bigger cenote that rushes over large rocks
Big Rock suits both adrenaline-junkies (diving from the cliff), or relaxation lovers (wading or lying on the rocks.) Since it’s deep within the reserve you are sure to have most of the place to yourself, a great opportunity to appreciate nature’s creations.
Distance: 60 minutes drive from Monkey Bay
Duration: 1 to 2 hours
Fitness: Easy
Dress: Short or long pants, short sleeve shirt, water shoes, and bathing suit

Rio Frio Cave

Rio Frio Cave is considered one of the best caving systems throughout Belize. With a length of around a quarter mile, there is no shortage of natural wonders along the way. Explore the many natural fresh-water pools, waterfalls and stalactite formations. This is one of the top attractions within the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve and is easily accessed at the entry point of the reserve.
The view of the entry of the cave is in itself amazing, standing 65 feet tall. What awaits inside is nature at its most spectacular forms. Take a trip here and be captivated by the pristine wonders of Belize
Distance: 150 minutes drive from Monkey Bay
Duration: 1 to 2 hours
Fitness: Easy
Dress: Short or long pants and comfortable footwear - short sleeve shirt.

Rio On Pools

Rio On Pools is scenic, with its granite rocks and ledges that form the most aesthetic waterfalls and fresh-water pools. The river-banks feature the perfect picnic locations with excellent views of the area. Make sure to take your cameras and bathing suits!
Jump from rock to rock and take a dip in the many pools around. You can get a free back massage while standing under the waterfalls!
Distance: 120 minutes drive from Monkey Bay
Duration: 2 to 3 hours
Fitness: Easy
Dress: Short or long pants, short sleeve shirt, water shoes, and bathing suit
What To Bring Along: Hat, sunscreen, water, insect repellant, camera, and towel.

The thousand foot falls — 1000 Ft. Falls

Thousand Foot Falls is a sight to behold. With 1,290 acres designated as a monument within the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. This waterfall is picturesque and is the highest waterfall in the country. It is also thought to be the highest in the entire Central American region. Although its waters descend more than 1,600 feet into a thickly forested gorge, the waterfall is known in Belize as Thousand Foot Falls.
Adventures are endless here. Take a hike down the trail and enjoy a refreshing dip into the freshwater stream. This stream runs through the Maya Mountains, down Thousand Foot Falls and into River Valley-Roaring Creek. The water stream eventually connects to the Belize River.
Get ready for nature-adventure that is second to none. Explore Thousand Foot Falls!
Distance: 120 minutes drive from Monkey Bay
Duration: 1 to 3 hours (depending if you do the hike)
Fitness: Easy with optional difficult hiking
Dress: Short or long pants and comfortable footwear - short sleeve shirt (long pants, long sleeve shirt, and hiking boots if hiking).
What To Bring Along: Hat, sunscreen, water, insect repellant, camera, and raingear if needed.

One of the temples an Xunantunich — Xunantunich Maya Site

Xunantunich or Maiden of the Rock is situated on the Western Highway across the river from the village of San Jose Succotz.
This Classic Period site provides an impressive view of the entire river valley. The site core occupies only 300 square meters but the periphery covers several square kilometers.
El Castillo rises 40 meters above plaza level, making it one of the tallest buildings in Belize. On this structure there are two temples. The lower temple is famous for its large stucco frieze. A mask with larger ears probably represents the sun god. Next to this mask, there is a moon sign with a border of signs representing Venus.
Distance: 60 minutes drive from Monkey Bay to the Ferry
Duration: 2 to 3 hours
Fitness: Easy with optional moderate climbing
Dress: Short or long pants and comfortable footwear - short sleeve shirt
What To Bring Along: Hat, sunscreen, water, insect repellant, camera, and raingear if needed.

Caracol Maya Ruins

Caracol, a major and dominant site in Mayan history, is an expansive city covering nearly 6 square miles and rivaling the ancient metropolis of Tikal in size, power, and riches. This is a fantastic site to visit, set high on the Vaca Plateau, in the heart of the Chiquibul Forest Reserve (a subtropical forest south of San Ignacio near the Guatemalan border). Caracol is accessed through the Mountain Pine Ridge, a beautiful area with flowing rivers and hidden limestone caves.
Revel at the engineering and architectural sophistication of the Mayan people as you climb the temple pyramid structure of Caana (Sky Temple), the highest man-made building in Belize to this day. Once at the top, nearly 135 feet above the courtyards below, you will get impressive panoramic views of Belize and neighboring Guatemala.
Distance: 150 minutes drive from Monkey Bay
Duration: 2 to 3 hours
Fitness: Easy with optional moderate climbing
Dress: Short or long pants and comfortable footwear - short sleeve shirt
What To Bring Along: Hat, sunscreen, water, insect repellant, camera, and raingear if needed.

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

Head down the Hummingbird Highway traveling south to Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary/Jaguar Reserve. The 128,000-acre area of the lush jungle at Cockscomb owes its existence to its most famous resident, the Jaguar.
The excellent visitor center at the Sanctuary has a relief model of the Cockscomb Basin; displays on the area’s topography, natural history, trail maps, and trail guides. Hike on one of the several short, well-marked and maintained nature trails. Self-guided information packs and pamphlets are available. Trails lead through the forest to the riverbank or up to exquisite waterfalls framed by jungle. On arrival, set up camp and start exploring. Overnight camping/bunkhouse at Cockscomb available. Evening presentation on Maya History & Culture, Herbal & Medicinal Plants, Wildlife, Parks Managements & Local Communities.
Activities include: Hiking, river tubing, swimming under waterfall, flora and fauna identification, and night hikes.
Distance: 150 minutes drive from Monkey Bay
Fitness: Easy with optional difficult hiking
Dress: Short or long pants and comfortable footwear - short sleeve shirt (long pants, long sleeve shirt, and hiking boots if hiking), bathing suit if swimming.
What To Bring Along: Hat, sunscreen, water, insect repellant, camera, and raingear if needed.

Cox Lagoon

Depart on to the nearby Cox Lagoon Crocodile Sanctuary which is located within thirty thousand acres of wildland inside the Central Belize Corridor. The diverse habitat supports diverse animal and birdlife.
Opportunities to see the Jabiru stork, numerous species of birds including the laughing falcon, 14 species of reptiles including nearly 100 Morelet’s crocodiles, howler monkeys, tapir and jaguars. As many of these are best seen from a canoe, students will paddle through the small creek into the main lagoon which is surrounded by swamp forest, marsh and mudflats to watch reptiles, mammals, and birds as the sunsets.
It is a terrific experience to witness the change from daylight to the dark night, when animal activities shift to nocturnal, including eye shine from juvenile and adult Morelet's crocodiles inhabiting the lagoon by the dozens.
Distance: 15 minutes drive from Monkey Bay
Fitness: Easy
Dress: Short or long pants and comfortable footwear - short sleeve shirt
What To Bring Along: Hat, sunscreen, water, insect repellant, camera, and raingear if needed.

several people standing on top of a palapa mid-construction — Laguna Maya Lodge

All the way in the south of Belize sits a traditional Maya village next to the Agua Caliente wildlife sanctuary.
Laguna Maya Lodge is a 25 acres of lands for business purpose, safeguarding natural resources and biodiversity for current and future generations.
Laguna is a village-based experiential learning tourism business that emphasizes Mother Nature, wildlife, Maya Culture, and the traditional life and culture of the Maya people remote communities typical today in rural Toledo Maya Homeland.
Distance: 3 hours drive from Monkey Bay
Fitness: Easy to moderate (depending on activity)
Dress: Short or long pants and comfortable footwear - short sleeve shirt
What To Bring Along: Hat, sunscreen, water, insect repellant, camera, and raingear if needed.

several tropical flowers — Botanical Gardens

Within the Gardens’ 45 acres are several miles of trails and pathways open for visitors to explore. Learn how the Maya made use of the healing properties of medicinal plants found along the medicine trail; meander through a tropical fruit orchard as you make you way towards the orchid house to view a collection of native plants and orchids.
You can hike the rainforest trail and see mahogany, the water vine, vanilla, allspice and the “Bullet Tree”, a hard-wood fashioned into shields by the Maya to defend against Spanish bullets.
Featuring nearly 100 unique palms species from Belize and around the world, the palm area has its own exhibit displaying some of the palms many uses. Nearby cycad circle showcases an ancient and endangered plant species, while zingiber alley hosts a colorful array of gingers and heliconias, just waiting to be admired.
Distance: 60 minutes drive from Monkey Bay
Fitness: Easy
Dress: Short or long pants and comfortable footwear - short sleeve shirt
What To Bring Along: Hat, sunscreen, water, insect repellant, camera, and raingear if needed.