Belize Tropical Birding Tour

Join us in wonderful Belize, a birding paradise nestled in the heart of the Yucatan Peninsula of Central America. This hidden gem birding destination has rapidly become a must-visit for North American bird enthusiasts. You will embark on an unforgettable adventure tailored for seasoned birders, as you immerse yourself in Belize’s breathtaking landscapes. Our meticulously curated itinerary includes a 2-night stay at Bird’s Eye View Lodge in Crooked Tree, 3 nights at the captivating Black Rock Lodge, and 3 nights at the luxurious Bocawina Resort.

With a keen focus on spotting tropical favorites such as toucans, trogons, manakins among many other tropical birds, this is a birding trip you’ll cherish forever. We’ll be heading to various destinations over the week where you can expect to see Scarlet Macaws, Ornate Hawk Eagles, as well as the Agami Heron and Jabiru species at Crooked Tree. Although the journey may lead you along some rugged gravel roads, each day will end with you unwinding in the most idyllic settings in comfortable accommodations.

Thanks to its convenient location, vibrant cultures, tantalizing cuisine, and an impressive array of nearly 600 bird species thriving within a territory the size of New Jersey, birdwatching in Belize is an incredible experience. Belize has the unique mix of being an English-speaking country with much celebrated Central American history and culture. It also has some of the warmest and most genuine locals you’ll ever encounter! Moreover, our dedicated team of experts will work diligently to maximize your bird-watching experience, guiding you to explore diverse habitats and encounter an astonishing variety of over 200 species. This once-in-a-lifetime tour promises an unparalleled experience that will leave you spellbound.

Day 1. Crooked Tree – Welcome to Belize (night at Bird’s Eye View Lodge)

All flights should be arranged to arrive in the early afternoon at Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) just outside Belize City. A guide from Bird’s Eye View Lodge will be there to welcome us and provide transportation to the lodge which is less than an hour’s drive from the airport. After checking in, we’ll admire birds around the lodge, which include Vermilion Flycatcher, Hooded Oriole, Common Tody-flycatcher, and Common Pauraque.

Day 2. Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary (night at Bird’s Eye View Lodge)

The village of Crooked Tree is on an island in the middle of a huge lagoon. We will rise at dawn for a “must-do” boat trip for any birder that visits Belize. Target species include the elusive Agami Heron, the stately Jabiru, the Black-collared Hawk, and many more waterbirds. Nine herons are possible and five species of kingfishers. The rest of the day will be spent birding other parts of the island, visiting both pine forest and savanna habitat as we search for Yucatan Jay, Yellow-backed Oriole, and Black-throated Bobwhite.

Day 3. Coast to Mountains (night at Black Rock Lodge)

Before we head further inland, we’ll visit Captain Hook’s Shrimp Farm and Restaurant for a wide variety of shorebirds and a tasty lunch! This is a great spot to find Clapper Rail, Western Sandpiper, Willet, and Northern Jacana. We’ll also keep an eye open for the Cinnamon Hummingbird. A guide from Black Rock Lodge will meet us there and take us to the remote eco-lodge along the Macal River.

Day 4. Birding Black Rock (night at Black Rock Lodge)

Black Rock Lodge is one of the top eBird hotspots in Belize. We will spend this day on and near the grounds of the lodge, hoping to get a hawk-eagle sweep: Black, Ornate, and Black-and-white! An open-air dining area looks out on the river below, and some of the birds that come to the feeder include Collared Aracari, Red-legged Honeycreeper, and Yellow-throated Euphonia. After a four-course dinner, we’ll head back out on the grounds in search of an owl or nightjar.

Day 5. Mountain Pine Ridge (night at Black Rock Lodge)

We will rise early for a long road trip to one of the most beautiful and remote areas in Belize: the Mountain Pine Ridge. Rusty Sparrow, Rufous-capped Warbler, and Hepatic Tanager will be among our target species as we view waterfalls, caves, and spectacular scenery. If road conditions allow, we will continue on to the Caracol Archaeological Site to see Mayan Ruins and lots of birds. All four trogons native to Belize can be found here, and Caracol is also a great spot for Keel-billed Toucan, Black-throated Shrike Tanager, and White-whiskered Puffbird.

Day 6. Spanish Lookout to Bocawina (night at Bocawina)

We say goodbye to Black Rock Lodge after another amazing Belizean breakfast. The agricultural lands of Spanish Lookout, a Mennonite community, will be our morning destination. Here we might find Scissor-tailed and Fork-tailed Flycatchers, Gray-crowned Yellowthroats, and a wide variety of raptors. After lunch at a local restaurant, we travel to the south along Hummingbird Highway to Bocawina Rainforest Resort, located in the middle of Mayflower Bocawina National Park. A late afternoon birding stroll here might turn up a Lesson’s Motmot, Golden-hooded Tanager, or any of an assortment of hummingbirds.

Day 7. Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Preserve (night at Bocawina)

Just to the south of Bocawina is the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary. The road to Cockscomb is a birding destination in itself. We will look for both Montezuma and Chestnut-headed Oropendola on the drive. In the preserve we will hope to find the Rufous-tailed Jacamar, both species of manakins, and some of the birds that love ants: Barred Antshrike, Dot-winged Antwren, Mayan Antthrush, and Dusky Antbird! We will return to Bocawina for more birding before dinner if time allows.

Day 8. Red Bank and Hopkins (night at Bocawina)

We save the Scarlet Macaws for the last full day! The Mayan village of Red Bank hosts dozens of these beautiful birds in the nearby hills. After a morning of birding in Red Bank, we’ll stop at a Mayan restaurant for lunch. The tour finishes with a visit to the Garifuna village of Hopkins, right on the Caribbean Sea. We’ll fill in any gaps still left on our bird list by adding species like Magnificent Frigatebird, Royal Tern, and Brown Pelican. The Hopkins Wetlands is also good for Roseate Spoonbill, Wood Stork, dowitchers, and other wintering shorebirds.

Day 9. Farewell to Belize

It will be difficult to leave, but on our ride back to the airport for departure, we can discuss other Belizean birding hotspots that you can visit when you come back!