How Much Does It Cost to Visit a National Park or Reserve in Belize?
Most parks and reserves in mainland Belize charge a $5 to $15 entrance fee to foreign visitors.
It generally costs more to visit marine reserves on Belize’s cayes. The cost of the entrance fee depends on what you want to do while you’re out on the water – tours usually have options like scuba diving, kayaking, and snorkeling. Some reserves and boat tours cost as little as $12 US, while Hol Chan Reserve charges up to $100, depending on which activities you choose.
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Belize Snorkeling Tours
If you don't go snorkeling in Belize, you're crazy. The water off the coast of Belize is home to some of the world's most vibrant, colorful, and downright impressive marine ecosystems. You can peer into warm, crystal-clear water and see healthy coral reefs and flashy tropical fish. These tours are led by reputable guides and often involve taking a boat to an island or atoll, where you'll be given gear and instructed on the best places to snorkel. Finish up your day by basking in the sun on a palm-lined beach.
Kayaking Tours in Belize
Go kayaking in Belize to see islands lined with mangrove forests, coral reefs, and Caribbean wildlife swimming right next to your craft. The clear waters and thriving marine life make Belize one of the best places in the world to go kayaking. Kayaking doesn't require any experience, and your tour guide will make sure you're comfortable with the equipment.
Belize Scuba Diving Tours
Belize has some of the best diving in the world. The Belize Barrier Reef has more dive sites than you can count and is home to colorful tropical fish, spotted eagle rays, dolphins, and even whale sharks. Scuba diving tours are offered to travelers of all levels of experience. You can sign up for certification courses or introductory dive courses, and will be trained by professional divemasters. On one of these tours, you'll experience the underwater world as never before, and get a glimpse into the most incredible places in Belize.
Hol Chan
The quick ride out to Hol Chan Marine Reserve makes this the most popular half-day tour for visitors staying at Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. Set aside in 1987, this reserve covers an area of 3 square miles (7.8 sq km) and is found off the southern tip of Ambergris Caye. As a result, this area of the Belize Barrier Reef supports healthy populations of fish and colorful coral. Turtles, nurse sharks, grouper, jacks, reef fish, and barracuda are just a few of the species you might see here. The reef ranges from 10–30 feet (3–9 m) deep and most guides take snorkelers along the outer edge of the reef. While this site is great for beginner snorkelers, as well as divers, swimmers should pay attention to currents which can be strong throughout the reserve.
