Belize is a birder’s paradise with hundreds of local and seasonal migratory species. When you go, some basic ornithology will help you identify some exciting natural beauties, one of the great things to do in Belize, in addition to exploring mystical Maya temples or reveling in secluded walks on relaxing beaches.

This pastime, which got a lift from The Big Year, a movie based on bird watching, is a hit among all kinds of people who share a unique interest—sighting a rare avian through binoculars.

Birders need only simple equipment and must “be prepared to wake up early,” said local Belize tour and Belize birding guide Lascelle Tillett. He’s a lifetime birder who joined the Belize Audubon Society in 1979.

“After certain times in the morning, birds tend to take their rest,” Tillet said. “So, you have a better chance of seeing them early in the morning.” The Belize Audubon Society can provide more information about Belize birding. Belize resorts and tour operators in Belize offer birding excursions that provide an intimate adventure.

Birding hot spots

Casual watchers and full-blown “twitchers,” as some birders are called, can find great value in Belize bird watching. Aside from being home to hundreds of bird types, Belize is relatively small and easy to travel, offering many prime birding environments. Spotting migrant and resident water birds at Crooked Tree or Seashores of Belize easily leads watchers to other trips, like touring inland birds along the Hummingbird Highway and in Cockscomb and San Ignacio.

Exotic finds, local conservation

In 1928, the Half Moon Caye habitat of Red-Footed Boobies became  a protected area, significantly helping Belize attract more than 500 different bird species between year-round natives and seasonal migrators. Many can be seen from the roads and jungle-adjacent resorts throughout the mainland.

The most cherished sighting is the national bird of Belize, the keel-billed toucan. Tillett, the Belize birding guide, said of toucans, “Different species have a different shaped bill or beak.  That tells you that they feed from a different food source.  That’s the reason why you should not underbrush the forest, it should be left intact. Within that same area, several different species feed on different foods so they don’t compete for the same food.”

Belize conservation groups closely monitor human impact in the rainforest. A large part of the Belize Audubon Society’s mission is to manage the balance between people and the environment. Bird watching is, by nature, linked to the conservation of species and, in turn, their natural environments. Tillett said the sport of bird watching is harmless and offers great insight to local deforestation and its causes.

Birding: What you will need

Walking shoes. Bring comfortable, durable shoes/hiking boots. Birding is as much about being outdoors as classifying the 47 local breeds of new world warbler. Rare birds live in rare locations, so hiking might be necessary.

Bug repellant. Belize is home to many bugs, making a great food source for native birds. Swatting mosquitoes will take focus off your mission to experience the birds of Belize.

Local Field Guide. Peterson’s, Clement’s, National Geographic, and any number of local Belize birding guidebooks will work. These act as tools for identifying and recording your sightings. First-timers should find a Belize tour guide, as knowing what to look for comes with experience. Set goals and look for birds that reside in locations you will enjoy.

Reference: Travelbelize.org

Gates arrived this morning on his luxury mega yacht Attessa IV which is sitting right off the coast of Ambergris Caye, outside the Belize barrier reef. As far as we can tell, soon after arrival the Gates family was flown to the private resort of Cayo Espanto off Ambergris Caye and by this afternoon they reportedly headed to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve.

Bill Gates and his family are expected to make stops at various world renowned destinations in Belize including southern Belize, the Turneffe Atolls and the Great Blue Hole.

Immigration and custom officials this morning gave them the all clear for a one month stay in Belize but it is not known how long they will remain in the country. The three hundred and thirty foot yacht has a crew of twenty-three and comes complete with a helipad.  The vessel is being captained by Sergiy Pashchenko; it has an estimated value of two hundred and fifty million dollars and can accommodate up to thirty-six guests along with the crew.

Gates, the founder and owner of Microsoft Company, has a fortune worth some sixty-two billion dollars. He has donated in the range of thirty billion dollars to charity and is a recognized as a leading philanthropist. Along with his wife, they have established the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, one of the largest charitable foundations. To understand the magnitude of his wealth, it is estimated that Gates earns two hundred and fifty US dollars every second, which is over twenty-one million US dollars a day. On a point of interest, in January of 2012 the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) signed an agreement with Belize under the Salud Mesoamerica 2015 Initiative during the SICA Head of Central Banks meeting at Coco Beach Belize on Ambergris Caye. The project has sponsorship from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Carlos Slim Health Institute. Slim, a Mexican national, is the richest man in the world.

The second largest barrier reef in the world meanders through the country’s turquoise Caribbean waters. The water temperature hovers from 80-85 degrees year-round, which makes for amazing diving or snorkeling. Staying on the islands of Caye Caulker or Ambergris Caye is more convenient to commute to the reef, less than one mile from world-class diving and snorkeling.

This gem of a destination has a total population of only 300,000. Much of the country is still raw and beautiful with rainforests, rivers, atolls, monkey grass and mountains on the west side. The people are friendly toward visitors and are often heard saying, “You better Belize it.”

What to Do

On the mainland of Belize, visitors will have plenty to keep them busy including Maya ruins, spotting howler and spider monkeys, horseback riding, hiking, cave tubing and ziplining. On the water, all the usual sports are available, from fishing and kayaking to parasailing and catamaran cruising.

Belize is consistently rated as one of the best places in the world to dive. The most common dive and snorkel sites are Shark Ray Alley, Hol Chan Marine Reserve (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the Great Blue Hole. If staying on the islands, these sites are less than a half-hour boat ride away, except the Great Blue Hole, which takes about 90 minutes by boat.

The popular Brides Magazine from Conde Nast has revealed that Belize has become the world’s fastest-growing honeymoon destination. 

The magazine, which has a readership of over 6.5 million, surveyed more than 60,000 travel agents to find the most popular honeymoon resorts around the world. The Central American destination was revealed to be the fastest growing option for newlyweds, thanks largely to the efforts of the country’s tourism board and their ‘Belize in Love’ campaign.

The campaign, which has been running for almost two years, was created by the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) to promote the country as a great option for an unspoilt romantic holiday. “Promoting our romantic getaways has been one of our top marketing priorities for the last two years, so we’re pleased that our country has received such a distinguished recognition,” said Seleni Matus, director of tourism at BTB.

“This nomination is truly a testament to the success of our Belize in Love campaign and hard work and support from our private sector partners, who go above and beyond to ensure couples have the romantic escape that they’ve always dreamt of,” added Ms Matus.

BTB describe the country as one of the world’s “last unspoilt places”, and cite it as a great way of experiencing the best the Caribbean has to offer. Belize boasts spectacular tropical beaches, as well as the second largest barrier reef in the world, perfect for diving enthusiasts. Beautiful forests and jungle areas complete the picture, making Belize an unusual and popular option for newlyweds or holidaymakers seeking a new adventure.

Direct flights to the country are only available from the US, but cheap flights to Belize from the UK are available via connections from both Continental and American Airlines.

Photo credit:http://www.holidayhypermarket.co.uk/

Our recent trip to Belize wouldn’t have been complete without a visit to the jungles, nature, and Mayan ruins of the Cayo District.

We reserved a one week stay at the Mahogany Hall Resort on the recommendation of several Trip Advisor readers.

Suffice it to say, the resort lived up to every endearing comment’s expectation.

From our harried (read turbulent!) boat ride off of tiny Tobacco Caye to a taxi ride through the lush countryside to San Ignacio, we were ready for some relaxation and pampering to end our three week vacation in Central America.

We were warmly greeted by Michelle at the office and were soon offered a welcome beverage while checking in. Even our cab driver was offered a soda before his drive back home to Dangriga.

The property is listed as a boutique resort and is a relatively new player in the Cayo District, having opened its doors in early 2010.

The building is beautifully crafted with mahogany wood doors and accents throughout, and has a commanding location above the Mopan River.

Sharing that same view is a beautiful infinity pool with a rock waterfall.

At the end of each day, we slept soundly in a very welcoming comfy bed, complete with a Cloud 9 mattress.

The resort contains a handful of rooms and a few suites. We stayed in both types of accommodation during our visit. I highly recommend the suite for a stay of several days.

Every meal was lovingly prepared by chef Chris, who takes great pride in preparing Caribbean dishes with the freshest ingredients available. On several occasions, he went over the menu with my husband and I to make sure we’d enjoy the culinary experience.

Mahogany Hall is family-owned and operated. Every one of the staff went out of their way to ensure a pleasant stay by providing advice on the area, day tours, and making us feel at home.

The wildlife in the area is amazing. Hammocks and deck chairs make for an inviting place to unwind, read a book, or simply listen to the river and watch both tropical and migratory birds fly by.

This was a fantastic way to end our journey through Belize. The resort will be featured in the next edition of the Lonely Planet Guide to Belize.

Many thanks to Michelle, Mary, Richard, Chris, Jonathan, and Noel for a wonderful experience! Visit the website for more information.