With over 7000 acres
of preserved low and highlands, the Mayflower Bocawina National Park is one of the best choices for leisure or adventurous explorations
MBNP
The National Park...
MBNP
MBNP was established in the 2001, initially with a focus on the Mayflower Archaeological Site. Its purpose was expanded to encompass its natural resources including its ecosystem, biodiversity, flora and fauna and its scenic physical attributes.
Willdlife
What can be seen...
WILDLIFE
The national park offers excellent wildlife observation and birding opportunities. With such the faunal diversity is high and it can be characterized by the diverse fauna that inhabit the national park.
Activities
Things to do...
MBNP
Along with birdwatching and camping for those wishing to visit overnight, MBNP has four hiking trails and several waterfalls known as the Three Sisters Waterfalls.
PROTECTION OF WILDLIFE
The national park offers excellent wildlife observation and birding opportunities as the faunal diversity is high. The MBNP forms part of the Maya Mountain Massif –an area of crucial importance to wildlife conservation, supporting the largest population of jaguars within Belize
PROTECTION OF FLORA
A Rapid Environmental Assessment was conducted within the MBNP and a total of 228 plant species were identified. However, this number is not exhaustive as many more plants, especially herbs remain to be recorded. But at least, some of the more dominant tree species can be expected to have been identified
PROTECTING WATERSHEDS OF FRESHWATER CREEK AND NORTH STANN CREEK
Watersheds play an important role in the formation of biological corridors, survival of endangered species, and help determine the health of the barrier reef. Within the MBNP there are tributaries that form part of the Freshwater Creek, North Stann Creek, and Sittee River.
LIMIT DEFORESTATION FOR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES
There is evidence of illegal logging taking place in the park. Therefore, the park rangers are the frontline in terms of surveillance and security and as such their primary duty is to maintain a presence at the park and conduct patrols to detect possible encroachment, deforestation, illegal agriculture, logging, and to monitor fires.
PROVIDE INCOME-GENERATING OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH ECOTOURISM FOR BUFFER COMMUNITIES
MBEDG engages the community in economic activities when possible and provides workshops and training exercises for residents to support capacity building. The park also provides employment to community members as Park Rangers and Park Manager.
PRESERVATION FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
This goal is pursued through activities such as reducing the direct pressures on biodiversity by promoting sustainable use of the buffer area, enhance the benefits to all from biodiversity and ecosystem services, safeguarding the ecosystems, species, and genetic diversity.
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My wife and I had an incredible time here hiking the trails and hanging by the falls. There is plenty of things to see on your adventures here.
June 16, 2018This was a great experience. We went for a hike up Bocawina falls and climbed Antelope Falls. We didn’t get to the top of Antelope Falls because it’s very steep... read more at the top and was raining so it got dangerously slippy - I wouldn’t recommend...More
September 2, 2018If you are in the Hopkins area this is a great hike to explore the NP and a wonderful cascading waterfall
Only a 3 mile out and back but... read more pretty steep with ropes and roots necessary for the last quarter mile up to the top of the falls and a beautiful swimming hole.
February 9, 2020The zip line was great, but long and expensive (9 platforms, 2 hrs, $75). BEWARE the road! Coming back out we got 2 flat tires. Yes, I was going probably... read more 35 mph when I should have been doing 20. Then, as we changed the tires, we got over 200 tick bites! Yes, 200! We didn´t notice until we got home. Each bite looked like a bad mosquito bite but had a tiny black tick at the center. Ugh!
February 15, 2020 -
Drove to Bocawina from Hopkins, which is an easy and short drive, to go hiking. Decided to hike the Antelope Falls trail. The trail to the bottom of the falls... read more is a moderate hike and has beautiful views once there. The hike to the pool...More
June 25, 2019I have hammock camped on this property now twice in three years. They keep doing more and more to this park and I love it! Upon arrival we were given... read more a very good explanation of all the falls and nature around us, the guy upfront was very passionate about it. We hung out hammocks under a shelter for $10 a night and were very safe. We had a security guard there all night. The trails to the falls are superb! Our only complaint is the restaurant at the resort not telling us meals were in US dollars. I have spent 4 months in Belize and this was a first for us. I will be back.
January 23, 2020The forest here is still untouched and beautiful. The resort is clean and the staff are excellent. The restaurant makes very good food and the service was great ( thanks... read more Reina ! ). The front desk staff are professional and ultra helpful. The waterfall rapelle...More
March 2, 2019The Bocawina National Park is a beautiful place with many natural wonders. The rangers are friendly and the price of visiting is more than reasonable. Since it is... read more in the jungle I made sure to wear proper clothing and footwear and doused myself and family with insect repellent. Unfortunately I found out days later that this was not enough as five big bumps that itched came out on me and as time went by the pain I experienced was terrible! One other person from our group of five also got a bite. Being from the city I did not know what bit me or how to get rid of it and most people could only give vague suggestions on what it was and what to do. I eventually found out it was locally called beef worms, otherwise known as human botfly larva! Unfortunately for me my body's reaction to these bites led me to having to visit two doctors which costed me a great deal of money, weeks of being unable to work, great mental stress and pain. Most people will probably visit this park and not be bitten but for those of us who are not so lucky it is a very stressful, expensive and unnecessary experience that I believe could have been minimized. This experience can be improved by having APAMO and the management at the Bocawina National Park take seriously the suggestion to have information on the website about the possibility of being bitten by different jungle insects while visiting the park. Giving names of the insects, how to prevent being bitten and what to do if you are bitten. I have contacted both organizations but none have seen fit to even answer my emails. This review is not to discourage people from visiting the park but rather to be INFORMED, so as to be aware of what can happen and so take as many preventive precautions to minimize the risks and if bitten having the knowledge to know how to respond.
June 1, 2022 -
Lots of activities to do in the park but today we preferred to hike to the Antelope Falls. The hike takes you into the jungle where there are incredible variety... read more of plants and trees. You can also see Howler monkeys. Also watch for the Leaf Cutter Ants. They March on their own highways were they are working like crazy to carry their small pieces of leaves. Fascinating!
January 23, 2020Easy to get to from Hopkins and you don't need a tour guide. Just get a ride there or drive yourself and you can do hikes and swims and see... read more some great jungle scenery. There's a lunch spot at the Lodge which is more expensive than town but great food and friendly staff. You can tell your ride person to pick you up later on and that means not having to go on a tour and not having to rent a car. We hiked to Antelope Falls which they say is tough but not really if you are in shape and then to lower Bocawina Falls and didn't have time to get to the other two falls above that. Great day?
March 15, 2020We had so much fun here. The hike to antelope falls is well worth it! The Wild Fig restaurant was great and affordable. The manicured grounds of the resort are... read more nice.
June 30, 2019Not sure if I was going to make it to the top . Quite a climb. It was worth the struggle . great pool very pretty. water a little... read more refreshing . could have stayed there ALL day
August 24, 2019 -
My wife and I had an incredible time here hiking the trails and hanging by the falls. There is plenty of things to see on your adventures here.
June 16, 2018We loved our visit, which was too short! We started at the small Visitor Center where we met Israel - a knowledgeable, interesting, and dedicated park ranger who has been... read more there eight years, and has put a lot of love and creativity into making this...More
February 25, 2019If you're willing to push hard, you will be rewarded! This is a STEEP trail that climbs pretty much parallel to a waterfall. you end up at a very pretty... read more swimming hole just below a nice waterfall. a minute before reaching the waterfall there's another...More
March 11, 2018We were really excited about going to Bocawina and hiking through the jungle. It didn't surprise us that the lodge would be a bit pricy. However,we were shocked... read more to find how much it costs for a guide tour! Basically, by the time you pay US$140/night...More
January 31, 2017 -
The hike only takes about 30-35 min, but we were doing it with a 2 and 4 year old so our experience was a bit more challenging. The last... read more 100 feet are a bit demanding but it was well-worth the effort. Beautiful spot and not another soul in sight
June 26, 2019Nature at its best. The park is easily accessible, the road is not paved but maintained. Remember this is rural Belize! Ample parking and covid complaint . The staff is... read more very welcoming and knowledgeable. After a brief explanation of all the trails you can be on your way. We chose the antelope fall which was marked as steep and labeled at 45 minutes, which is accurate . The first portion of the trail is very easy and then it gets inclined but not difficult. The second portion in my opinion is very dangerous. Go free hands, because you will need to use both hands , there is a special difficult spot with almost no area to walk on. If you have an accident here not sure how you will be rescued. Once you finally get to the top of the water fall and pool are gorgeous and you go for a swim. We were very disappointed to see that some visitors left garbage behind. Take into consideration that the same way you went up is the same way down.
September 13, 2021Wonderful hike to and through (unexcavated) Mayan ruins took us through dense and beautiful tropical forest where we saw all kinds of flora, termite mounds, toucans... I wore long plants... read more and a long-sleeved shirt despite the warmth, and I'm glad I did as other members of my party suffered bug bites. The trail was muddy in spots so good hiking boots/shoes are recommended. There's a variety of hikes to choose from. facilities are primitive. Accessing the park requires a long drive down dirt roads.
February 16, 2023The environment is welcoming. We came here on a retreat and ended up having the treat of a lifetime. The staff is extremely helpful. The ziplining experience was awesome. The... read more waterfall trail is simply amazing. This place is a must visit. The food...exeptional.
August 24, 2018