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, 2021BackRoadBruce
I enjoyed my visit to Mayflower. Park staff was welcoming and helpful. The hiking to Antelope and New Waterfall was rewarding. The view from the top of... read more Antelope Falls is spectacular. The ropes along the steep trail sections were much appreciated. The hike out to New Waterfall is easier and very peaceful. I though the waterfall was beautiful.
After the hiking, a bowl of ice cream at the restaurant at the in park resort tasted extra good. I look forward to returning and hiking the many additional trails in the park. I stayed in Hopkins. The park is a 20 - 30 minute ride away.
February 16, 2022mariu40
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
Unlike my first zip line experience in Alaska, this one put me more in control because I got to brake myself. I also enjoyed the hiking in between rather than... read more going from platform to platform. The guides added humor as they provided information. They were...More
Robin W
March 8, 2019 -
We booked this tour through our resort and my husband who wasn't big on the idea of zip lining was pleasantly surprised at how much fun it was! We had... read more such a great time zip lining through the canopy of the rain forest. The guides...More
lashleyb4
August 24, 2018
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, 2016Russ372
If 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, 2020Miles C
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 trail in a downpour and to ensure we were safe on the rocks and trails, we took our time. It was a very challenging hike (and climb in some places) so be prepared with something that comes over the toes--stubbed piggies are guaranteed otherwise.
There are two key things to see on this hike. The scenic view and the pool. The Falls are just gorgeous and the view is absolutely magnificent and the rain had stopped for us to be able to take it in! The pool is another 15-20 minutes further up, but should not be missed! We were the only ones there (who else would make the hike in a downpour?) and it was tranquil bliss! The pool was a cool treat for washing off the sweat and mud from the trail!
The climb down was still a bit treacherous because everything was still wet, but we persevered and had a very safe trip down.
Thanks to Israel, who was manning the Visitor's Center. He gave some great suggestions and helped us make the decision to try Antelope Falls!
Bring closed toed shoes, bug spray, swim suit, camera.
November 1, 2018 -
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, 2016Kim S
Belizean Dreams resort booked this hike to the waterfall. The words they used to describe it, treacherous! That’s definitely fitting. My tour
guide Bruno knew exactly what he was doing... read more & showed us animals & plant life. It rained numerous amount of times during the climb making it even more slippery & dangerous. I’m in shape & the next day I was sore & it was hard. You had to put your whole body into that climb. Literally sometimes I was on all fours. There are some ropes thank god, but u still got to put work in to get up. The climb down was even more difficult than the climb up. The waterfall itself is a beautiful experience. The fish bite at your feet & you can jump from the top. The views from up above are unique & unforgettable. If you have children younger than 16 I would say it’s a no. Also if your older and not in shape I would not suggest doing this. I am so glad I did do it because the pictures are so amazing. Of course accomplishing it also makes you feel good. If you don’t mind getting dirty & working hard do it! More
August 21, 2019
The order you do these 2 adventures in depends on the groups that they are trying to put together. We ended up doing Bocawina Falls rappelling as a group of... read more 17. I'm pretty adventurous and lift weights but I found the rappelling to be hard....More
Fritch
January 14, 2018
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 - V8287GQalexp
The Mayflower Bocawina park is an amazing and accessible preserve. Hiking trails range from mild to hardcore with river and jungle views, water falls, Mayan ruins and incredible flora and... read more fauna all around. A great place to spend a few hours or an entire week.
March 17, 2020U1449SWgregg
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
Visited for the day and absolutely loved this park. Did the hike to Antelope Falls with great views towards the Caribbean. Tough, steep but not long. Went towards the Bocawina... read more Falls too and saw armadillos in the forest! Grey fox later as well on the...More
MichaelBurm
January 31, 2019O491RBmc
With weather complications and a reschedule we finally were able to have this amazing adventure!! The hike up and repelling were sensational, we felt safe and well taken care of!... read more But honestly our guides Victor and Donald were just simply awesome, fun, educational and became our friends instantly!!
Marco and Terri, Austin
January 20, 2020 -
The 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.
KaydeeBZ
August 24, 2018johnrK836CK
The swimming Hole and scenery were worth the hike. Beautiful waterfall and birds eye view of the surrounding area
November 30, 2019
I went with three teenagers for the combo Antelope waterfalls rappelling, lunch and zip lining. The guides were entertaining and knowledgeable. We hiked up the mountain in pouring rain (odd... read more for “dry season”), swam in a pool below a smaller waterfall then rappelled down. Great...More
Phil P
April 6, 2018
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