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.
- Choie82
We visited with kids from 4-7 and we did the antelope trail (graded as steep) and we were worry warts! It was tough for them to reach the guide ropes... read more and navigate the climb. It was just the right amount of tough for us too and we consider ourselves out of shape 🙂 Once we got to the “pool” it was all worth it! Must wear water/ hiking shoes and bathing suit as you have to go down the way you came wet. Pack a small towel for a mini dry of after swimming and a water bottle and that’s all you really need as the time spent hiking and swimming is about 2 hours. Cost is 10 belize per person. Would recommend!
June 6, 2021Elise G
To give you an idea of how much I loved this park, I visited (from Hopkins) for the last three of four days! Each day, I adventured on a... read more different hike. The trails were well marked and maintained. There was no garbage in sight. The rangers, who signed me in (Darian and Chayton) were both so informative and friendly.
I'd surely recommend wearing sturdy sneakers at the very least. I was happy to have my hiking boots and trekking poles. Each of the visits gave me opportunities to both be in the jungle and have the chance to get refreshed in a pool of water, in a stream or under a waterfall. To that end, bringing a swimsuit is advised.
I trust any hike you do will be magnificent, but I thoroughly enjoyed the trails that led to Lower Bocawina Falls, Ramon Waterfall and Antelope Waterfall. All were exquisite!
Be sure to pack food and water. Bug repellent is critical. Even though the bugs were not disturbing me, I'm so glad I had applied the repellent before my hikes and had extra with me.
Allow for plenty of time for your car ride there, the road is a dirt road with lots of bumps.
I'd visit Mayflower Bocawina National Park again in a heartbeat and highly recommend you visit, too!
February 12, 2025U1449SWgregg
My girlfriend Amy and I went ziplining at Bocawina National Park on Sturday the 28th of December. Our guides Victor and Tony were great! It was our fist time ziplining... read more and Victor and Tony were very thourough in explaining the process and made us feel safe and sound. We zipped through 9 stations and had a blast!! Aside from the rain forrest being beautiful the views were stunning and the experience was awesome. Thanks Victore and Tony you guys weere great and becasue of the experience we plan on gong back for more.
January 1, 2020 - Raroboy
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, 2020
We drove from Hopkins to the park and walked up the trail to lower Bocawina falls for a swim. It was a decent walk, not strenuous at all. ... read more The water is crystal clear and cool, but it feels great. After a nice swim in the...More
joshuar682
July 13, 2016majorkiss
Looking for a strenuous hike with a reward at the end? Hike to Antelope Falls. The trails offer ropes to help pull you up the steep parts. ... read more At the end is a lovely waterfall, with a Tarzan rope swing into a cool pool of spring water. The ride to the place was quite scenic along Hummingbird highway.
March 19, 2020
We drove from Hopkins to the park and walked up the trail to lower Bocawina falls for a swim. It was a decent walk, not strenuous at all. ... read more The water is crystal clear and cool, but it feels great. After a nice swim in the...More
Joshua R
July 13, 2016 -
We 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
Pranavati
February 25, 2019
If 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
Charles L
March 11, 2018
We enjoyed our visit to Bocawina where we hiked, took an exciting rapel tour down a waterfall and did some birding.
apintherockies
October 14, 2018
The 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
cannandale
March 2, 2019 - Terri M
This is a great little park not far from Hopkins. The Antelope Falls hike is difficult at the end, but I made it and so worth it when you get... read more to the swimming hole at the top. You swim in a waterfall. It's so clean and the little fish will give you a free pedicure! They have several other hikes as well. I wish I had more days to explore! We met some other hikers on our way up and down but had the waterfall pool to ourselves. It was amazing. So refreshing! Bring at least one, if not two water bottles. (I froze them overnight before this!) Bring bug repellent also.
June 2, 2025Inspire19832332225
This is a stunning national park with amazing trails up to many lovely waterfalls and incredible birds. We did not stay at the resort but it looked brilliant.
January 31, 2025Joe H
Not 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
The hike to the waterfall starts easy but gradually gets strenuous, the last 30min feels like its straight up hill. The pools at the very top are crystal clear and... read more cold but refreshing after the hike. You can climb that fall and see another small...More
AmandaLea93
April 11, 2019 -
First off, it is a long uphill hike. Bring good shoes and be prepared to climb steep parts at certain times. We did as a family with a 15, 13,... read more and 11 year old. Took about 1:05 minutes to climb to the pool. IT WAS...More
Mottin1055
April 3, 2018
I suspect you could spend a couple of days exploring the park, but if you can't and you are up for the challenge, I recommend Antelope Falls. From the Visitor's... read more Center it's about a 45 min hike, if it is dry. We walked up the...More
meelays
November 1, 2018mariu40
Nature 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, 2021
It’s a good hike up to the top of Antelope Falls but very well worth it. The first reward is a swim in the natural “pool”. So clean and refreshing.... read more After a light lunch of panini, home baked cinnamon roll and fresh watermelon you will...More
Susan S
November 29, 2018
