Cockscomb Basin
Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary (Jaguar Preserve)
The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is the world's first jaguar preserve, and it covers 400 square KM (or 120 square miles).
There are tons of trails and waterfalls and magnificent vistas here! You can also go tubing down a relaxing jungle river or visit the ruins of a crashed airplane. There is an entrance fee of $5 USD. Tube rentals are extra.
Plus, in Maya Centre, at the turnoff from the highway to the park, you will find the best chocolate in Belize at Che'il Mayan Chocolate.
Getting to Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary:
- Tours from tour operators in Hopkins are available. (Note: a tour guide is now required to hike the Tiger Fern Trail (to a double waterfall), and it is well worth it.) Some tours can be booked online:
- You can go here on your own; a tour is not required. You can rent tubes for river tubing at the office on-site.
There are lots of trails and things to do:
- Hike to a couple different waterfalls with natural swimming pools (Tiger Fern double waterfall, or one near Ben's Bluff).
- Do some long jungle hikes (there are many trails, but Outlier and Victoria Peak require a guide and pre-planning)
- Hike to a airplane wreck
- Rent a tube and go river tubing
- Stay at a campsite overnight
- Cockscomb Basin on Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cockscomb_Basin_Wildlife_Sanctuary
- Cockscomb Basin official website - https://belizeaudubon.org/cbws/
- River tubing at Cockscomb - http://www.atravelerslog.com/2014/12/12-4-2014-float-trip-in-cockscomb-basin.html
- Another tubing post - http://www.atravelerslog.com/2015/09/9-6-2015-river-tube-float-trip-in.html
- Hike to the waterfall on the Tiger Fern Trail - http://www.atravelerslog.com/2017/03/3-26-2017-trip-to-waterfall-at-tiger.html
- Hike on the Outlier Trail -http://www.atravelerslog.com/2017/04/4-11-2017-cara-and-friends-summit.html
Below is footage of Ben's Bluff Trail: