Guanacaste National Park
Just 50 miles (80 km) from Belize City, and only two miles (3.2 km) from Belmopan is Guanacaste National Park, one of Belize’s most beautiful and accessible national parks. This park has 50 acres (20 ha) secondary growth. Reconverted from pasture and timberland and replanted in the 1970s, the park is now as lush and biodiverse as it might have been if it had never been cleared. One ancient tree remains, and is the park’s namesake: a massive Guanacaste (caro caro) tree, famously spared from a logging binge because it had developed three trunk bases, rendering it less useful as timber.
Officially named a national park in 1990, it is currently under the care of the Belize Audubon Society. The society invested in the park for its more than 120 different bird species, including the blue-crowned motmot, smoky-brown woodpecker, belted kingfisher, bright-rumped attila, and the amazing red-lored Amazon. But though it is a classic destination for birdwatchers and travelers, the park is just as popular with locals.
From 8AM to 4:30PM, visitors head to Guanacaste for picnicking and swimming. This park is popular among both visitors and locals. Belizean citizens pay an admissions fee of $1 BZD, while travelers can expect to pay $5 BZD. An education center overlooks a very swimmable river. The center includes a gift shop and a wooden observation deck that lets visitors gaze across the entire park.
When strolling the grounds, one might spot several interesting animals in addition to the resident birds: the adorable kinkajou, a soft-furred creature related to the raccoon, the nine-banded armadillo, and the white-tailed deer are among the native species, but perhaps most impressive are the 4-foot-long iguanas. Botanically, Guanacaste is fascinating – rain tree, Brazilian firetree, and mahogany grow tall. Closer to the ground you may spot one of Belize’s national symbols, the black orchid. The adventurous may even want to pluck a “stinky toe fruit” from the Bukut tree, which when in season produces edible fruits that are pungent yet tasty. To aid nature hikes, self-guided tour leaflets are available at the education center. Many well-marked trails begin there as well. Travelers are recommended to bring bug repellent, especially if planning to take a refreshing swim in the river.
Once Maya territory, the park holds a few mysteries: ancient pottery and other artifacts have been discovered here by maintenance workers, and more excitingly, an underground Mayan chamber known as a chultun is suspected to be hidden under the north-central park area. Though the park has never been archaeologically excavated, its natural wonders are clearly visible.
Where to stay in Guanacaste National Park
From boutique lodges to luxury resorts, every Guanacaste National Park accommodation is hand-picked by our local insiders for location, comfort, and character.
Blancaneaux Lodge
This Francis Ford Coppola-owned property is luxurious to the last detail. The resort is certainly not rustic, though nestled in the lush vegetation of the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, it gets the best of both nature and human ingenuity.
Midas Resort
This resort is conveniently located for visiting some of Belize’s most interesting Maya ruins and the small city of San Ignacio. It takes about 10 minutes to walk from the resort into downtown – you’ll stroll past the Macal River Park on your way to the local cafés, restaurants, and bars.
San Ignacio Resort
For a convenient and luxurious base camp in the Cayo District, this family-friendly resort offers everything travelers need to make adventure easy.
Cahal Pech Village Resort
This resort is situated near some of the Cayo District’s most interesting natural and cultural attractions. Staying in the jungle will give you the chance to experience the landscape of the ancient Maya.
Table Rock Jungle Lodge
At this lodge you will experience a completely unique hotel setting. Located in the middle of the Belizean Jungle the combination of nature and luxury service is unparalleled.
Cassia Hill Resort
Indulge in onsite massages and unwind by the outdoor pool at Cassia Hill Resort. Enjoy complimentary Wi‑Fi and convenient concierge services during your stay.
Chaa Creek Lodge
This lodge is in an untamed corner of Belize’s rainforest, near the misty foothills of the Maya Mountains. This resort has an impressive amount of activities on its grounds, and will pack your vacation full of the sites and sounds of the erstwhile kingdom of the Maya.
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Your insider team designs the trip around what you care about, then supports you in-country with private logistics, vetted partners, and concierge help when plans change.
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