Belize | Neotropical Birds and Mayan Ruins

Upon arrival at the Belize International Airport, you will be met and transferred to Bocawina Rainforest Resort situated within the Mayflower Bocawina National Park, about a 2-hour drive from the airport. Gather this evening with your guide for an orientation to the program and enjoy a welcome dinner at the lodge. Please note: Arrival to Belize City should be no later than 2:30 pm and the transfer will be via one group transfer.

Spend a full day within the Mayflower Bocawina National Park, which offers excellent wildlife observation and photography opportunities. You will have access to several Mayan sites and beautiful waterfalls via a system of maintained trails through the rainforest. Sites include the main Mayflower Plaza, Maintzunun Temple Mound, and Tau Witz. Waterfalls include Bocawina Falls, Three Sisters Falls, Antelope Falls, Peck Falls and Big Drop Falls.

Depart early for a day of birding at Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, a tropical moist forest sheltering an abundance of biodiversity, including 300-plus bird species. Walk along its extensive trail system on the lookout for trogons, tanagers, flycatchers, and maybe a glimpse of a Yellow-billed Cacique. The sanctuary is also recognized as the world's first designated jaguar reserve, so keen observers might even spot a paw print in the forest. In the late afternoon, return to the lodge and bird along the trails for various hummingbirds, woodcreepers, flycatchers, and tanagers, plus Pheasant Cuckoo, Green Honeycreeper, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Nightingale Wren, Green Shrike-Vireo, and White-winged Becard, among others.

After breakfast and check-out, depart for Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center. Situated upon 29 acres of tropical savanna, the zoo exhibits more than 150 animals, representing over 45 species, all native to Belize. Residents include orphaned, rescued, and rehabilitated animals, as well as those born at the zoo or sent as donations from other zoological institutions. Here you will have the opportunity to see the critically endangered Yellow-headed Parrot, Aplomado Falcon, White-tailed Hawk, and Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture. Gather this evening for a presentation on birding and conservation in Belize by a local expert followed by dinner.

Today enjoy a full day of birding activities in the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary. Established in 1984 to protect resident and migrant birds, the sanctuary is managed by the Belize Audubon Society and encompasses a network of inland lagoons, swamps, and waterways. During the dry season (November-redMay), tens of thousands of birds congregate here, taking advantage of abundant food resources in the wetlands. Bird along the lagoon and its tributaries in search of Wood Stork, Jabiru, Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, Boat-billed Heron, Black-collared Hawk, Snail Kite, Neotropic Cormorant, Anhinga, Limpkin, and American Pygmy Kingfisher. After lunch, spend the rest of the afternoon birding in the sanctuary. The pine savannas provide an opportunity to see near-endemic Yucatan Jay, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Yellow-headed and Yellow-lored Parrots, Aplomado Falcon, Canivet's Emerald, and Yucatan Woodpecker. This evening, search for potoos, owls, and nighthawks during an evening birding exploration around the lodge. Afterward, attend a final farewell briefing and dinner.

This morning transfer to the Belize International Airport for your afternoon flight(s) back to the US, or begin your Ambergris Island post extension with a short flight to San Pedro Airport.