Just 29 miles (47 km) from Belize City is The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center. “Zoo” isn’t the best description for this place – this is truly a natural wildlife habitat. The environment is untouched within the zoo’s 29 acres (12 ha), and is home to 150 animals (48 species total).
Join us for an unforgettable journey through the breathtaking natural beauty of Mountain Pine Ridge. This tour takes you to a variety of stunning sites, each offering unique experiences. Families with young children or non-swimmers should keep a close eye on little ones at all locations to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit.
Getting There: Our adventure kicks off at 8:00 AM as we depart from San Ignacio, traveling through the charming villages of Christo Rey and San Antonio, primarily inhabited by local farmers along the scenic Macal River. As we ascend into the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, we'll check in with the Park Ranger before exploring three incredible destinations:
RIO FRIO CAVE: Experience the grandeur of this cave, featuring two impressive 65-foot entrances that invite natural light. Marvel at the enormous stalactites and the cathedral-like vaults as a stream meanders through, creating tranquil pools and cascading waterfalls.
RIO ON POOLS AND FALLS: A true gem along the Mountain Pine Ridge, Rio On Pools is perfect for a family outing. A short, easy walk from the parking area leads you to breathtaking pools nestled among ancient boulders. Enjoy natural whirlpools or slide into the refreshing waters. The varying depths of the pools cater to both adventurous kids and those seeking a more relaxed experience.
BIG ROCK FALLS: Discover the awe-inspiring Big Rock Falls, tucked away in the escarpment. Here, water cascades over massive 150-foot rock formations, creating a mesmerizing sight. Dive into the cool, inviting pool below for a refreshing swim—it's an experience you'll cherish, whether alone, with friends, or with family.
Departure: After exploring these natural wonders, we’ll make our way back to San Ignacio, with an anticipated return around 4:00 PM, depending on your pace.
Embark on this adventure and immerse yourself in the captivating landscapes of Mountain Pine Ridge!
Discover Belize’s incredible wildlife at The Belize Zoo, a unique sanctuary that started in 1983 as a refuge for a small collection of animals. Today, it spans 29 acres of tropical savanna and is home to over 170 animals representing more than 45 species, all native to Belize. The zoo provides a safe haven for orphaned, rescued, and rehabilitated animals, as well as those born at the zoo or donated by other institutions. Known as Belize’s first fully accessible nature destination, it offers a welcoming experience for visitors of all abilities. The Belize Zoo is a non-profit organization dedicated to wildlife conservation through rehabilitation and environmental education.
Just a short drive away, you can also visit the Baboon Sanctuary, a vital effort to protect the endangered howler monkeys from habitat destruction caused by agriculture, logging, and hunting. This sanctuary works closely with local landowners to promote the conservation of their lands, ensuring the survival of these monkeys. Visitors and the community alike are educated on the importance of biodiversity and sustainability, making this sanctuary an essential stop for eco-conscious travelers.
Both destinations offer a deep dive into Belize's rich natural heritage, providing an inspiring experience for anyone passionate about wildlife conservation.
Caracol Mayan Temples was discovered in 1938 by loggers, located deep within the Chiquibul Forest Reserve now it is the most extensive Maya site in Belize and one of the biggest in the Maya World.
Welcome to Calico Jack's Zipline Adventures, where thrill-seekers and nature lovers unite for an unforgettable aerial journey! Nestled amidst breathtaking landscapes, our tour promises an exhilarating experience as you soar through the treetops, taking in panoramic views and feeling the rush of adrenaline. Whether you're a first-time flyer or a seasoned zipliner, our expert guides ensure a safe and exhilarating adventure for all. Get ready to unleash your inner adventurer and embark on an unforgettable journey with Calico Jack's Zipline Adventures!
Either you choose the Explorer or CJV Extreme Zipline adventure, you will have a blast!
Calico Jack's Explorer Zipline: Can't grow feathers? No worries! Experience the thrill of flight with our jungle zipline tour. Soar 1,135 feet across 7 platforms in just 45 minutes. Explore the canopy, hone your skills, and cap it off with the exhilarating jungle lift run!
Calico Jack's El Rapido Zipline: Seeking an adventure fix? Look no further! Our 30-minute jungle zipline tour kicks off with a thrilling 500-foot zip line run, followed by a canyon cable walk, a rock climb, and a heart-pounding 50-foot rappel. Cap it off with a 500-foot ride from our jungle lift for the ultimate adrenaline rush!
Calico Jack's Intermedio Zipline: Embark on a thrilling journey lasting 45 minutes to an hour, offering an extended and exhilarating experience. Spanning 2,573 feet across 7 runs and 12 platforms, this tour includes hiking and navigating a hammock bridge for an added challenge.
Calico Jack's Ultimo Explorer: This 1-1.5 hour tour is for zip line enthusiasts. It combines the Explorer and Intermedio in over 2,900 feet of zip line comprised of 9 runs and 15 platforms that take you over and through the jungle.
Zip into adventure and make memories that soar!
For the zipline, there is no maximum weight limit as long as the person fits into the harness, which accommodates up to a 48-inch waist.
This tour takes you to one of Belize’s most well-known and thoroughly studied Maya sites in Belize, before continuing to a cave tubing adventure – splashing around in an inner tube is a great way to cool off after exploring a fascinating site. First, you’ll spend 3 to 4 hours exploring the site of Xunantunich. In the afternoon, you’ll leave on a 5-hour tubing trip down the swift moving water that passes through Jaguar Paw Cave.
For cave tubing, there is no maximum weight limit. Participants just need to be able to complete the trail hike, which takes approximately 35 to 45 minutes.
Tikal is a highly doable day-trip from San Ignacio, and this all-day excursion ensures that you don’t miss out on seeing one of the most spectacular ruins left behind by the Maya. This is an all-day tour, and includes a stop for lunch. Join your guide for an exciting trek to the jungle, which with any luck will include sightings of some incredible wildlife – keep an eye out for the famous resplendent quetzals and their tremendous tail feathers. Sightings of monkeys and birds will continue once you arrive, and you’ll get to watch jungle animals skitter up and down the stony faces of the many temples.
This tour is an exciting way to experience the jungle of Belize. First, you’ll go on a zip-line ride above the canopy. To get to the zip line you will climb to a platform in the treetops. As you make your ascent, you can listen to the sounds of the rainforest and its exotic birdcalls.
This tour takes you to Spanish Lookout, a town where you can encounter one of the most interesting pockets of culture in Belize. Here, a small Mennonite community runs idyllic dairy farms. They specialize in cheese, and provide the much of the cheese that Belizeans eat. You’ll have lunch (including dessert) at a local restaurant.
San Ignacio is a popular home-base for travelers who plan to explore Belize’s Maya ruins and jungles. But don’t just pass through – take a tour to get to know the culture of everyday life in this bustling part of the Cayo district. On this tour, you’ll also get to know the history of San Ignacio, which dates back to the days when it served as a center for British trade.
This half-day tour takes you to two of the most famous Maya sites in Belize, Xunantunich and Cahal Pech. After your day of historical sightseeing, you’ll have gotten a fascinating look at Maya culture and architecture. Besides the Maya sites, you’ll also get to admire jungle wildlife along the way.
Discover hole-in-the-wall restaurants that visitors to San Pedro often miss on this eclectic foodie tour. Belizean cuisine is an interesting mix of Creole and Maya influences, one that you won’t find in many other places in the world. In addition to snacks, you’ll also get to sample the favorite local rum as well as a rum cocktail.
On this 8-day, 7-night tour of Belize, you’ll have an action-packed, family-friendly itinerary that takes you to see the highlights of the Maya world as well as some of the most beautiful parts of the landscape. This trip covers a variety of territory, allowing you to cover most of the tiny country of Belize in just one week. With the help of your knowledgeable guide, you’ll leave the jungles of the mainland behind to explore the Caribbean and the island of Ambergris Caye, and then return for a side-trip to Tikal National Park in Guatemala, which is home to one of the most well-known and breathtaking Maya sites in the world.
Note: Because this tour takes you to Guatemala, please make sure you have a double-entry visa for Belize. Breakfast is included each day, and some days also come with a stop for lunch.
Explore the vast ruins of Tikal during this one-day tour. You’ll visit Tikal’s temples and pyramids, learn about Mayan culture, and walk along short trails through the jungle.
This is a unique experience, with spectacular views that you will not get anywhere else in Belize!
@ Calico Jack’s (Explorer): This tour is offers 1,135 feet of cable and takes 45 minutes from start to finish. It entails 4 runs and 7 platforms. You hone your skills as you explore the jungle canopy overhead and end this tour with the exciting jungle lift run.
@ Calico Jack’s (Intermedio): Here you will find Maya artifacts just the way they were left by the Mayas hundreds of years ago. The cave is ranked as one of the Top Ten Caves Of The World by the National Geographic Society. National Geographic and the Discovery Channels and History have done documentaries on this spectacular cave. Allow us to unveil the secrets of “Xibalba” the Mayan underworld to you.
@ Calico Jack’s (Ultimo Explorer): This 1-1.5 hour tour is for zip line enthusiasts. It combines the Explorer and Intermedio in over 2,900 feet of zip line comprised of 9 runs and 15 platforms that take you over and through the jungle.
@ Calico Jack’s CJV (Extreme): This 2-hour tour combines the Ultimo Explorer zip line tour with a cable walk over a canyon, a climb down a rope ladder and subsequent rappel of approximately 50 feet. Return to the starting platform via a 500 foot run from our jungle lift with the option of returning superman style.
For the zipline, there is no maximum weight limit as long as the person fits into the harness, which accommodates up to a 48-inch waist.
For cave tubing, there is also no maximum weight limit. Participants just need to be able to complete the trail hike, which takes approximately 35 to 45 minutes.
Embark on a spellbinding journey deep into the heart of Belize's natural wonders with our exclusive Crystal Cave Exploration tour. Step into a realm of awe-inspiring beauty as we venture into the depths of this ancient underground labyrinth. Led by expert guides, you'll navigate through winding passageways, marveling at the ethereal beauty of crystal formations illuminated by soft, flickering light. Along the way, immerse yourself in the rich history and folklore surrounding this sacred site, as tales of the ancient Maya civilization come to life. Prepare to be captivated by the otherworldly allure of Crystal Cave, where every twist and turn reveals a new marvel waiting to be discovered.
Located on a hilltop overlooking the beautiful town of San Ignacio is the Cahal Pech Maya site and the Visitor Center. This site is one of the oldest Maya ruins in Belize.
Snorkeling Adventure with Sharks and Rays at Hol Chan Marine Reserve
Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley are two of Belize’s most popular destinations for nature tours. Take this 2.5-hour tour to get close to marine wildlife.
Underwater Exploration at Mexico Rocks Snorkeling Adventure
Mexico Rocks is one of the top snorkeling destinations. Not only is the water around Mexico Rocks incredibly clear, it also has a very mild current, making underwater observation especially easy.
This tour tests the limits of your adventurousness. You’ll follow your guide on a fascinating hike, go ziplining, and then take a rappelling voyage into one of the jungle’s “black holes.” Keep in mind that this is a strenuous hike, so you’ll want to make sure that you’re ready for an extremely active day.
Embark on an exhilarating journey with our Black Hole Drop Expedition in Belize. Prepare to descend into the depths of a collapsed cave system surrounded by the lush jungle canopy. Led by expert guides, this adventure promises heart-pounding thrills and awe-inspiring views. Discover the raw beauty and untamed wilderness of Belize like never before
Just 29 miles (47 km) from Belize City is The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center. “Zoo” isn’t the best description for this place – this is truly a natural wildlife habitat. The environment is untouched within the zoo’s 29 acres (12 ha), and is home to 150 animals (48 species total).
Belize Zoo
Just 29 miles (47 km) from Belize City is The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center. “Zoo” isn’t the best description for this place – this is truly a natural wildlife habitat. The environment is untouched within the zoo’s 29 acres (12 ha), and is home to 150 animals (48 species total).