If you are interested in exploring the birdlife of Central America, we recommend David Rupp’s IndigoBirding tours in the strongest possible terms. The eco-lodges that David has selected are all of the highest quality, beautifully situated, with comfortable accommodations, fine food, and expert, gracious staff.
Support Conservation Efforts
World-class guide Roni Martinez
Find Yucatan Endemics
Discover the Dazzling Tropical Birding Paradise of Belize
Enjoy the birds of Northern Belize as IndiGo Birding Nature Tours and Authentic Travel Belize team up on this exceptional birding itinerary. We will be working with prominent guide Roni Martinez for the second time after a fantastic adventure earlier this year. Roni is well-known for his passion for conservation and his advocacy for the birds of his home country. This 8-day, 7-night package incorporates day tours in search of spectacular tropical birds and Yucatan endemics while moving at a relaxed pace.
One of the beautiful aspects of this trip is the variety of accommodations we use, particularly when it comes to each place’s setting. We will spend the first three nights on the beach at Orchid Bay Resort in northeastern Belize. Our next two nights will be in the middle of the jungle at La Milpa Ecolodge. We finish the tour at the popular Bird’s Eye View Lodge in the village of Crooked Tree. At each place, we will eat well, see beautiful birds, and relax in beautiful surroundings with comfortable accommodations.
We should see over 200 species of birds. Don’t miss this amazing opportunity!
Tour Highlights
Bird the tropical jungles of Belize with friendly guides
Add to your life list by finding species endemic to the Yucatan
Go on night outings in search of owls, potoos, and nightjars
Feast on the delicious cuisine of Belize
Enjoy your comfortable accommodations in tropical ecolodges
Enjoy the best of Belizean weather during North American winter
See toucans, trogons, puffbirds, hummingbirds, parrots and many more tropical birds
See regional endemics like Yucatan Jay, Black Catbird, Ocellated Turkey, and more.
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Trip Details
Trip Details
Price
$3200 double occupancy, $3900 single occupancy
Departure time
Arrive mid-day in Belize on February 1, 2026
Meeting point
Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport in Belize
Availability
February 1-8, 2026
Duration
8 days, 7 nights
Group size
8-10 people
Participation requirements
All levels of birders are welcome. Ability to be on your feet in uneven terrain and adapt to tropical climate is expected.
Included
- Meals
- Lodging
- Guides
- Tours
- Transportation
Not included
- Flights to and from Belize
- Alcoholic beverages and extra drink
- Laundry service
- Souvenirs
- Tips
- Trip insurance
What to bring
A packing list will be provided in advance of the trip.
About your guide
Belizean birding guide Roni Martinez will lead the entire trip. Jeremiah Oden will represent IndiGo Birding and serve as assistant guide and travel coordinator.
What You'll See & Do
Day 1. Arrival in Belize
Our meeting spot is in the connections lobby of the Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) in Ladyville, Belize. A driver from Authentic Travel Belize will be there to transport us to the Orchid Bay Resort in the Corozal District of northern Belize. We might do some light birding along the way as we keep an eye out for Yucatan Jays and Yucatan Woodpecker. (Lodging at Orchid Bay.)
Day 2 . Yucatan Endemics
Sunrise birding around the Orchid Bay grounds before breakfast. Afterwards, we will visit Sarteneja Village and Airstrip Road for Black Catbird, White-crowned Pigeon, Rose-throated Tanager, Gray-throated Chat, White-bellied Wren and Orange Oriole. This is the best location for all of these species, so we will spend most of the morning looking for them along several roads and trails. This area is part of the dry Yucatan Peninsula with low canopy forest and warm temperatures, so we will be sure to take a break and retreat to our cool rooms during the peak heat hours. In the afternoon, we will cover more trails nearby looking for woodcreepers, pigeons and trogons. (Lodging at Orchid Bay.)
Day 3. Shipstern Conservation and Management Area
Sunrise birding around the resort. After breakfast we will bird along the Main Road, some forest Lagoons and nearby forest trails for Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Yucatan Flycatcher, Caribbean Dove, Yellow-lored Parrot and Green-backed Sparrow. In the late afternoon, we will bird the rest of the Shipstern Nature Reserve. Along these forest roads leading to the sea, we will be looking for White-browed Gnatcatcher, Gray-collared Becard, Buff-bellied Hummingbird, Reddish Egret and Yucatan Vireo. After dinner, we will do a night drive in search of nocturnal wildlife. (Lodging at Orchid Bay.)
Day 4. Northern Belize Travel & Birding Day
Early morning, we give our final attempt at any species we missed the prior days. After breakfast, we will pack and start heading to the Rio Bravo Conservation Area, a massive reserve which connects with Guatemala and Mexico to form the Selva Maya or Maya Forest, the largest tract of forest north of the Amazon. If time allows, we will stop along the Blue Creek Rice fields in search of Black-throated Bobwhite. The forest road leading to the eco-lodge is a good area for Ocellated Turkey. After checking in, we will take a short rest before walking around the grounds looking for Euphonias and Tanagers as well as several Woodcreepers. (Lodging at La Milpa Eco-lodge.)
Day 5. La Milpa
Today we will roam the vast forest roads and trails of the reserve in search of tinamous and other jungle species. This area is also a good area for Gray-headed Kite, Ruddy Quail-Dove, Gray-chested Dove and Lesson’s Motmot. Around the archaeological site, we will search for Ruddy Woodcreeper, Northern Bentbill, Stub-tailed Spadebill and Royal Flycatcher. Around the main grounds Tropical Pewee, Black-throated Shrike-Tanager, Green-backed Sparrow, Wedge-tailed Sabrewing and Rufous Piha are also possible. We will have a shorter day today for you to enjoy the grounds on your own in the afternoon. (Lodging at La Milpa Eco-lodge.)
Day 6. Jungle to Wetlands
After coffee, we continue our search for some of the local specialties such as the Tody Motmot, Thicket Tinamou and Yucatan Flycatcher, Mayan Anttrush, Royal Flycatcher and Gray-headed Tanager. We will return to the lodge for some remaining hummingbirds and honeycreepers. After breakfast we will pack and start heading to Crooked Tree. This massive wetland is a Ramsar site where thousands of waders and shorebirds gather to fuel up during their northbound migration. Along the way we will try for Rufous-breasted Spinetail, Grace’s Warbler and Olive Sparrow. You will have some off time in the afternoon, just in time to grab a drink and watch the Yellow-headed Parrots come into the area to roost. (Lodging at Bird’s Eye View Lodge.)
Day 7. Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary
We will spend the morning around the lodge and nearby trails looking for Rufous-breasted Spinetail, Yellow-headed Parrot and Striped Cuckoo. The Savannahs and wetlands behind the village are excellent for Yucatan Jays, Green Jays, Mangrove Vireo and an occasional Jabiru. We return to the lodge for lunch and then take a break before our sunset boat ride. On this boat ride we will be looking for Boat-billed Herons, Russet-naped Wood-Rail, Agami Heron, Black-collared Hawk and Snail Kites, plus over a dozen waders and waterfowl. As the sun sets, we enjoy viewing the various birds returning to their roosting spots. (Lodging at Bird’s Eye View Lodge.)
Day 8 Final Birding Foray
At sunrise we will take a boat ride down the lagoon in search of many other good birds, including the elusive Sungrebe or the colorful Roseate Spoonbill. This area is also good for American Pygmy Kingfisher and Ringed Kingfisher. We will return to the lodge for breakfast before packing and getting ready to head back to the airport. On the way out, Vermillion Flycatchers and Northern Jacanas are still possible, and a Jabiru might still surprise us. Drop off at the airport by noon.
See How Previous Guests Sang Our Praises
I was fortunate to be able to participate in the Jan 2023 IndiGo Birding tour of Belize with David Rupp. It was an incredible once-in-a-lifetime trip and exceeded my already high expectations. Not only is David an excellent birder but he makes every effort for each participant to see the beautiful birds of Belize. I was able to see 195 species with 98 of them being life birds. There were so many gorgeous birds but the Lesson’s Motmot and Trogans were among my favorites.
David, as a guide, makes everyday a favorite day! His Belize trips are so well-planned. It was a perfect mix of habitats, birding, incredible eco-lodging, wonderful food, fun side trips to experience Cacao production, caves, Mayan Ruins, night boat “hunts” for wildlife sightings, and time to rest if necessary!
What a fantastic trip this was! I’m a nature lover but not a birder, and this tour had the right amount of everything for me. We birded most days, to the point where I actually learned and remembered some of the birds, but also learned about butterflies, plants, trees, mammals and reptiles on our walks.
