Belize Birding & Culture Tour

Discover the enchanting allure of Belize on this 7-night adventure, where we combine birdwatching, comfortable lodging, cultural experiences, and delectable cuisine to create an unforgettable journey. The English-speaking Central America country of Belize is home to over 600 bird species, and we aim to see around 200 on this trip making it a birdwatching bonanza! Your adventure not only includes exciting birding expeditions across diverse habitats but also visits to significant historical and cultural sites. Birding highlights include spotting fascinating birds such as the striking Keel-billed Toucan and the Red-legged Honeycreeper right by the stunning Black Rock Lodge to possible sightings of the Boat-billed Heron and the majestic Black-collared Hawk at the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary.

We’ll be spending a couple of nights at the Lamanai Mayan Site and embark on a thrilling River Spotlight Safari in search of nocturnal wildlife—truly an unforgettable experience! There’s chocolate-making demonstrations, fun boat trips, and interactions with the warm Belizean people from Mayan, Creole, and Mestizo backgrounds. Our aim is to provide an all-encompassing birding and cultural experience so be prepared to be captivated by the vibrant spirit of Belize!

Our bird list for the week should be near 200 species, but our focus won’t be on birds alone! We’ll connect with the friendly Belizean people that come from Mayan, Creole, and Mestizo cultures. We’ll celebrate the food, history, and nature that will make you want to come back time and time again! We hope you will join us. Below is what you can expect from your adventure in Belize:

Day 1. Airport to Black Orchid Resort – Welcome to Belize (night at Black Orchid Resort)
The first night includes accommodations at the Black Orchid Resort near the airport, where we can relax after a big day of travel. This will be a good chance to get to know the other birders you’ll be spending time with over the next week and talk about what to expect from our trip in Belize.

Day 2. Belize Zoo & Chocolate-Making Demonstration (first night at Black Rock Lodge)
Our first full day will include a guided visit to the Belize Zoo to see the great diversity of wildlife found in Belize. Expect to see a huge variety of mammals, reptiles and birds too, of course. Afterwards, we’ll head to a chocolate-making demonstration in San Ignacio before we head to our next accommodation – Black Rock Lodge – where we can refuel, exchange our highlights of the day and get some rest ahead of the next exciting few days.

Days 3 and 4. Xunantunich Mayan Site & Green Hills Butterfly Ranch & Much More (2 more nights at Black Rock Lodge)
Day 3 starts after breakfast with guide Isaias Morataya sharing his enthusiasm for Belize’s birds (like the Keel-billed Toucan or the Red-legged Honeycreeper) with us. Among the variety of tours offered from Black Rock over these days will be a visit to the Xunantunich Mayan Site and a meal in a local restaurant. We will stop at the Green Hills Butterfly Ranch to enjoy the butterflies and hummingbirds.

Day 5. Birds Eye View Lodge & Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary
We’ll start day 5 by taking an early morning boat ride to our next accommodation – Birds Eye View Lodge in the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary. This is a “must-see” on any birding trip to Belize. The early morning boat ride here could give us a view of the peculiar Boat-billed Heron or the stately Black-collared Hawk too!

Days 6 & 7. Lamanai Outpost Lodge
The last 2 nights will be spent at the Lamanai Outpost Lodge. The food is fantastic and so are the guides! Here we’ll be visiting the Lamanai Mayan Site and then on one of the nights we will take the River Spotlight Safari in search of wildlife, it is truly a night adventure you won’t likely forget!

Day 8. Goodbyes & to the Airport
All great things must come to an end, so it is time to head back to the airport and bid farewell to your newfound birding buddies. You’ll be compensated with a bank of happy memories, amazing birding shots and cultural learnings from your week in Belize, and a desire to do another one of our amazing birding trips!