|
|
South Belize
River, Lagoon, Caving, Jungle
and Mayan Ruins Tours
|
Monkey
River Jungle
|
Monkey River, named for the large numbers of Black Howler Monkeys living in
the area, is about 15 miles southwest of Placencia by boat (the only practical way to get
there).
Tours start with a boat ride from Placencia to Monkey River Town
where tours pick up a certified Monkey River jungle guide for a tour of the Monkey River
jungle both by boat and on foot.
|
|
The Monkey River jungle is still an isolated one, without much
human habitation, leaving the local flora and fauna at peace to prosper and thrive. In
this environment, visitors are likely to encounter not only
Black howler monkeys (Alouatta nigra),
but also iIguanas (Iguana iguana),
crocodiles, a multitude of tropical birds, gibnuts, deer, ocelots, peccaries,
tapirs, coatimundis, agoutis and possibly jaguars (jaguars are nocturnal, so
chances of actually seeing one are slim).
 Lunch is at Monkey River Town, a VERY sleepy little settlement with a
population of less than 100 and only one phone (a community phone).
(Lunch not included in price. Bring US$6/person.)
Monkey River trips depart Placencia
at 7:30 a.m. and return around
3-3:30 p.m.
Bring insect
repellent, light raincoat (disposable poncho is ok), sunscreen,
hat, camera and water bottle to hike with.
Wear light-weight long-sleeved shirts, long pants, sturdy tennis
shoes or Teva-type sandals (that you don't mind
getting wet and muddy).
(The Monkey River Expedition can be combined
with manatee sighting or fishing.
Contact us at
info@destinationsbelize.com
for more information.)
|
Cockscomb
Basin
|
The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected subtropical rain forest surrounded by the Maya Mountains.
|
|
Its name
comes from the cockscomb profile of the nearby Maya Mountains.Present are over 250 kinds of orchids, tree ferns, air plants and vines,
almost 700 varieties of trees, more than 290 species of birds and five species of wild
felines.
Tours to
Cockscomb leave at approximately 7:30 am and return around 4:30 pm.
Lunch, transportation and guide are included in the tour.
Most Cockscomb
tours include
a guided
tour of the Cockscomb Sanctuary, lunch and an afternoon tube float down the
South Stann Creek River (water level usually
determines whether the float is included).
Hiking is
required, with some moderately steep inclines.
Bring insect
repellent, change of clothes, light raincoat (disposable poncho is ok),
sunscreen, hat, camera, water bottle to hike with, towel and shorts, a
T-shirt and shoes that can get wet (you will swim in the t-shirt, shorts and
shoes). Wear light-weight long-sleeved shirts, long pants, sturdy
tennis shoes or Teva-type sandals.
Private birding
tours of Cockscomb are available upon special request.
Contact us
for more information.
|
Santiago
Coc, Curator
Lubaantun Ruins
.jpg)
Nim Li Punit |
The Nim Li Punit
Mayan Ruins Site
is from the Late Classic Period and includes the tallest remaining carved stela in Belize
(the second-tallest in the Mayan world). Nim Li Punit means "big hat" (the
carving on the tallest stela shows a person wearing a "big hat" - a very large
headdress). Nim Li Punit is most well-known for the quantity and quality of the
stelae at the site.
This trip also includes lunch and an
afternoon tour of either
Blue Creek Cave,
known as Hokeb Ha in Mayan. Swim and hike to a waterfall inside
the cave, or
Lubaantun Mayan ruins.
|
|
Lubaanntun means "Place of the Fallen
Stones" and was occupied from 700-900 AD (generally the Late Classic Period). Lubaantun is the only known Mayan settlement in Belize in which buildings were constructed
without mortar (other settlements existed in Mexico and Honduras, but not Belize).
Santiago Coc, a local resident, began working with archeologists
in the early 1970s, and is now available for tours (he's a wealth of information -- ask
him if he has any of his handmade whistles to sell).
Guided day tours of Nim Li Punit and Lubaantun
departing from Placencia Peninsula at approximately 7:30
am.
Some hiking is
required.
Bring insect repellent, light raincoat (disposable poncho is ok), sunscreen, hat, camera, water bottle to
hike with, towel and shorts, Wear light-weight long-sleeved shirts, long pants,
sturdy tennis shoes or Teva-type sandals. Water refills provided.
If Nim Li Punit or Lubaantun is being combined with
Blue Creek Cave,
also bring a change of clothes, a T-shirt
and shoes that can get wet (you will swim in the t-shirt, shorts and shoes).
|
|
|
|
Blue Creek Cave
(Hokeb Ha in Mayan) is located in the Belize's
Toledo District, and is believed to be one of the largest underground cave
systems in the world. Archeologists believe that the Maya used Blue
Creek Cave for ceremonial purposes because of Late Classic ceramics and an
altar found inside the cave. The massive entrance to Blue Creek Cave
was carved by Blue Creek as it emerges above-ground. Calm waters of
Blue Creek Cave at the Cave's entrance are perfect for swimming.
Note: Blue Creek runs through the entire Cave system, so be prepared
for a wet trip! A guide is required under Belize law, and
accessibility may be limited during the wet season from May through
November.
Blue
Creek Cave is near the Mayan Blue Creek Village, a small Mayan Village of
Mopan and Kekchi Mayan with a population of about 270.
|
|
