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, 2018Clean, not busy at all. Hiking in the jungles. Don't worry about Jaguars as they mostly hunt at night and the Howler monkeys will warn you. Did not Zip line,... read more but did walk to a waterfall. Big falls, beautiful. You can take a dip in...More
January 22, 2018Had a few hours as I was driving back to Belmopan. So I stopped in for a bite at the resort. Then I just walked around a bit taking in... read more all the flowers and beauty that is Bocawina. No waterfalls or zip lining this time....More
August 20, 2018The 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 -
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, 2020The swimming Hole and scenery were worth the hike. Beautiful waterfall and birds eye view of the surrounding area
November 30, 2019The 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, 2019I spent three nights at Bocawina as part of a group tour. The grounds of the National Park are gorgeous, the cabins are comfortable despite the absence of air-conditioning, and... read more the chef and kitchen staff turn out beautifully presented, delicious food. Our activities included a...More
April 8, 2018 -
Wear lots of bug repellent with high levels of DEET. Stunning beauty, great hiking, jungle pools, waterfalls.
December 17, 2019We 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, 2021Lots 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, 2020We 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 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, 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, 2020We went to this park as a day trip from our resort in Placencia and had SO much fun!! We started with zip lining and Winston was a great guide!!... read more He was entertaining and knowledgeable and the ziplines were long and high and gave us...More
January 21, 2018First 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
April 3, 2018 -
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, 2021I 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
April 6, 2018Belizean 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, 2019I 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, 2022