Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

No, we didn’t see a jaguar, but the jungle was beautiful, and the birdsongs were amazing. The people there were really nice. We took a taxi from the Maya Center because it’s a 6-mile walk, and it’s better to use a local taxi so they can share their relationship with the area. There’s no food there, so be sure to bring your own, but there is a kitchen where you can cook. Also, you’ll need to filter your water because the tap water isn’t safe to drink. Bring a mosquito spray!

Amazing place, with a great walk down the Tiger Fern! The staff was lovely and very helpful as well. In terms of accommodation, the Rustic Cabin was in worse condition compared to the pictures, as some of the rooms had a little mold.

Not the easiest park to access, but that also is what makes the experience so lush. We stayed in the "long cabin" for two nights and hiked during the day. I was a little unsure about staying here since there was such limited information on the Belize Audubon website, but ultimately it worked out great. The park staff were very friendly and helpful and the forest is full of lovely trails to waterfalls, views, wildlife, and amazing plants. The long cabin has several rooms with 3 sets of bunk beds, but the three of us were the only ones in the whole cabin. I had initially booked the "rustic cabin" but the staff allowed us to move our reservation to the long cabin after we were able to compare them in person. The long cabin/bunkhouse is much nicer and has rooms that are completely screened in, whereas the rustic cabin has walls and a roof, but no screens to seal the gaps between them. Both include access to a shared kitchen with a stove, sink, basic cooking utensils/pots. Super handy since no food is available on site. The tap water was clear, but we still sterilized it before drinking. The gift shop in Maya Center where you pay admission was able to call a taxi to take us into the park for $20 without difficulty. We met other visitors who had intended to hitchhike, but encountered no one along the 6 mile road. We were able to get a bus from Belize City going South towards Punta Gorda to let us off at Maya Center, then catch a bus going in the other direction on the way back. Could be doable as a day trip from Dangriga, but I recommend staying a few days if you can. Overall one of my favorite spots in Belize. Come here for the jungle scenery, stay to support active conservation and the Mayan community who's future is entangled with the park.

Beautiful spot to go hiking! We took our kids (16,13 and 10) and had a lot of fun. We walked the birding loop and then hiked the Bens Bluff trail to the waterfalls and back. I used the Merlin app to help identify birds (I’m not that quick to spot them in the trees) and there are many different varieties in the park. The park rangers are very friendly and take great pride in the park. Trails and facilities are well maintained and they are knowledgeable about the animals that reside in the park.

Loved my self guided hike to the waterfall on Ben's bluff trail. 90% of the hike is easy, with the rest a bit steep and rocky. If you arrive early, you might have the place to yourself. The water was soo refreshing!!

Don’t believe the hype about the road; in the dry season it’s bumpy but just fine. Had a wonderful (but strenuous!) hike up to Ben’s Bluff and a great dip in the waterfall. Highly recommend looking up founder Alan Rabinowitz’s story on the Moth podcast as background. It’s an amazing tale.

Loved this tour down the river in the rafts. It's pretty amazing, and the water is crystal clear! There are little rapids along the way, and our guide was very knowledgeable. I would recommend this for families!

It's a beautiful jungle and trek but I didn't see that much wildlife unfortunately. The highlight for me was a giant ant eater and a rare small red forest deer. My girlfriend spotted a puma down by the river but it disappeared before I saw it. The size of some of the plants and trees were impressive and I felt I was in prehistoric times. The crashed plane in the jungle is a great picture to have. The park is pretty remote and hard to get to. I got eaten alive by mosquitoes so bring repellent with you