Belize: A Birding Paradise

Belize: A Birding Paradise

  • Next tour dates OPEN 
  • Duration 6 days
  • Lodging 4-5 stars
  • Difficulty Moderate
  • Group size Max. 8 people
  • Price USD $TBD per person*

Overview

For most people, the words “Caribbean coast” conjure up images of turquoise waters, white sand beaches, coconut trees, margaritas and a hammock beneath a shining sun. The truth is that this image is not far from reality. The Caribbean is a paradise for the senses and for those interested in a Belize birding tour, things just keep getting better and better.

The Caribbean coast of Belize and its islands are filled with enough resident birds to keep even the most avid birder busy, including Wood StorkJabiruWhite IbisRoseate SpoonbillTricolored HeronMagnificent FrigatebirdLesser Yellow-headed VultureBlack-collared HawkWilson’s PloverWhite-crowned PigeonCinnamon Hummingbird and Caribbean Elaenia. But during migration, when a large number of North American songbirds return to their breeding grounds, this normally tranquil setting bustles with life.

Of course, Belize has more to offer than just its stunning, bird-filled coast. So to round out our Belize birding tour, we will complete our journey with a visit to the Mountain Pine Ridge, a forested paradise where we will add many interesting species to our list: King VultureOrange-breasted Falcon, Black-and-white Hawk-EagleStygian OwlAzure-crowned Hummingbird and Rufous-capped Warbler

Along the way, we will stay in some of the nicest hotels the region has to offer and we will enjoy excellent local cuisine with a touch of Caribbean flavor.

Itinerary

DAY 1: ARRIVAL TO CROOKED TREE

Our departure point for our Belize birding tour will be from the Belize City International Airport. Only 40 minutes away is Crooked Tree, one of the best places to see birds in all of the country. It is a RAMSAR site, and home to some amazing birds such as the Jabiru, which is more than a meter and half tall, Wood StorkAnhingaLesser Yellow-headed Vulture and American Pygmy Kingfisher among many other species. The large lagoon, which is the centerpiece of the reserve, is full of birds and is an excellent start for our trip. 

Reddish Egret

DAY 2 & 3: MOUNTAIN PINE RIDGE

Taking advantage of the morning light, we will head out early to observe some birds at our leisure. This is the best place in Belize to see some Yucatan Peninsula specialties: the threatened Yellow-crowned AmazonYucatan Woodpecker and Yucatan Jay. After lunch and a well-deserved rest, we will head to the Mountain Pine Ridge. This unique region in Central America is full of beautiful contrasts – ridges covered with pine trees that descend into broad-leaf forests, and small streams that turn into thundering waterfalls. It is also one of the best places to see raptors such as the Laughing FalconGray HawkBlack Hawk-EagleOrange-breasted FalconStygian Owl and, with some luck, Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle and Solitary Eagle.

On our second day in the Mountain Pine Ridge we will go in search of the region’s specialities including Violet SabrewingRusty SparrowGrace’s WarblerBlack-hooded SiskinRufous-capped Warbler or Green Jay among other species. We will visit some areas of stunning natural beautiful such as Butterfly Falls and King Vulture Falls, one of the best places to see the King Vulture and home to a breeding pair of Orange-breasted Falcon. We will also visit 1000 Foot Falls, the tallest waterfall in Central America, and a great place to see White-collared Swift. You will also have some free time with the option to enjoy the plethora of trails, waterfalls, and swimming holes on your own.

DAY 4 & 5: CAYE CAULKER

After a final walk along the trails that the Mountain Pine Ridge has to offer, we will enjoy a wonderful breakfast, after which we will head for Caye Caulker, a tiny coral island in the Caribbean Sea. This charming island is a wonderful location to see passerines in migration and shorebirds such as  Wilson’s PloverShort-billed DowitcherLong-billed DowitcherSemipalmated SandpiperYellow Warbler and Cerulean Warbler, among many other species.

In the morning, we will take a walk around Caye Caulker looking for  impressive species such as: Common Black HawkWhite-crowned Pigeon, Cinnamon Hummingbird and Caribbean Elaenia, among many others. After breakfast we will take a boat ride to enjoy a day of snorkeling, something that can’t be missed since Belize has the second largest barrier reef in the world! In the marine reserves of Ray Alley and Hol Chan we’ll swim alongside BarracudasNurse SharksSouthern Stingrays, and Green and Loggerhead Turtles. There is also a chance we may spot a Manatee! We’ll enjoy the sunset while watching Osprey diving for fish and the rampant low flight of the Magnificent Frigatebird.

DAY 6: DEPARTURE

In the morning we will continue exploring this small coral island, which surely will bring us new migrant and resident species.  After breakfast, we will take a boat back to Belize City where we will head to the airport. Here is where our Belize birding tour will conclude.

Species

BIRDS

  • Wood Stork
  • Jabiru
  • American White Ibis
  • Roseate Spoonbill
  • Tricolored Heron
  • Bare-Throated Tiger Heron
  • Brown Pelican
  • Magnificent Frigatebird
  • Red-Footed Booby
  • Anhinga
  • Lesser Yellow-Headed Vulture
  • King Vulture
  • Snail Kite
  • Black-Collared Hawk
  • Black-And-White Hawk-Eagle
  • Orange-Breasted Falcon
  • Limpkin
  • Wilson’s Plover
  • Short-Billed Dowitcher
  • Long-Billed Dowitcher
  • Semipalmated Sandpiper
  • White-Crowned Pigeon
  • Red-Lored Amazon
  • Yellow-Crowned Amazon
  • Stygian Owl
  • White-Collared Swift
  • Violet Sabrewing
  • Cinnamon Hummingbird
  • Azure-Crowned Hummingbird
  • Slaty-Tailed Trogon
  • American Pygmy Kingfisher
  • Yucatan Woodpecker
  • Caribbean Elaenia
  • Plumbeous Vireo
  • Yucatan Jay
  • Green Jay
  • Plain Wren
  • Black-Hooded Siskin
  • Mangrove Warbler
  • Cerulean Warbler
  • Grace’s Warbler
  • Rufous-Capped Warbler
  • Hepatic Tanager
  • Black-Headed Saltator
  • Painted Bunting

TOUR BASICS

Guide: Roni Martinez
Single Supplement: US$550
Lodging: Comfortable hotels, among the best in the region
Food: Excellent, with a touch of Caribbean flavor
Weather: Cool in the mornings and evenings, hot and humid at mid-day
Difficulty: Easy. Short walks on mostly level surfaces throughout most of the trip.

*For more information on what is included/not included, as well as our booking and cancellation policies, please review our Terms & Conditions.

* Pricing based on a group of 4 people. With smaller groups, an additional fee will be charged.


LEARN MORE

From our blog:
Top 10 Reasons to Visit Belize
Top 10 Birding Sites in Central America
Birding with the Belize Raptor Research Institute
Orange-breasted Falcon: Denizen of the Neotropics