THE MAYFLOWER BOCAWINA NATIONAL PARK (MBNP)
The Mayflower Bocawina National Park (MBNP) was first established in the year 2001, through Statutory instrument (SI) No 129 of 2001, initially with a focus on the Mayflower Archaeological Site. Its interest from the protection and management of the archaeological site was expanded to encompass its natural resources including its ecosystem, biodiversity, flora and fauna and its scenic physical attributes. While this national park was not comprised of entirely new protected area when its designation was enacted, most of it was formed from the remains of the Commerce Bight and Silk Grass Forest Reserves. A section was included from the Sittee River Forest Reserve so that it includes two important falls: Three Sisters and Bocawina Falls (Meerman, 2003).
With 7,087 acres of preserved low and highlands of the Mayflower Bocawina National Park, it is one of the best choices for leisure or adventurous explorations. Located on the eastern end of the Maya Mountains next to the Sittee River Forest Reserve in southern Belize, this national park is a connecting region between the Maya Mountains and the coastal regions. This National Park has three Maya ceremonial sites: Mayflower, T’au Witz and Maintzunum. There are also three waterfalls: Bocawina Falls, Three Sisters Falls and Antelope Falls.
Mayflower Bocawina National Park is located in the Stann Creek District of the Central American country of Belize. The four and one-half mile long access road to the park is located at mile six of the Southern Highway, south from the Hummingbird Highway. The National Park consists of 7,107 acres of primarily tropical evergreen broadleaf, lowland and hill forest ecosystems. The Park is co-managed by the local non-profit organization Friends of Mayflower Bocawina National Park, located in Silk Grass Village.
The park offers excellent wildlife observation and birding opportunities as well as access to several Mayan sites and beautiful waterfalls via a system of maintained trails through the forest. Mayan sites include the main Mayflower Plaza, Maintzunun temple mound and Tau Witz. Waterfalls include Bocawina Falls, Three Sisters Falls, Antelope Falls, Peck Falls and Big Drop Falls.
For the independent traveler, an outstanding feature of Mayflower Bocawina is the ability to camp in several locations within the park, easily accessible or remote. While no lodging is provided by the park itself, accommodations are available nearby and in Placencia, Dangriga, Hopkins and Sittee River. Maya Centre and the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Reserve are within easy driving distance.
Mayflower Bocawina National Park is located in the Stann Creek District of the Central American country of Belize. The four and one-half mile long access road to the park is located at mile six of the Southern Highway, south from the Hummingbird Highway. The National Park consists of 7,107 acres of primarily tropical evergreen broadleaf, lowland and hill forest ecosystems. The Park is co-managed by the local non-profit organization Friends of Mayflower Bocawina National Park, located in Silk Grass Village.
The park offers excellent wildlife observation and birding opportunities as well as access to several Mayan sites and beautiful waterfalls via a system of maintained trails through the forest. Mayan sites include the main Mayflower Plaza, Maintzunun temple mound and Tau Witz. Waterfalls include Bocawina Falls, Three Sisters Falls, Antelope Falls, Peck Falls and Big Drop Falls.
While generally secretive, mammal species observed in the park include Baird’s tapir, Yucatan black howler monkey, jaguar, ocelot, deer, coati, white-lipped peccary, paca, agouti, kinkajou, gray fox, Northern tamandua and several dozen species of bats. In the Rapid Ecological Assessment for the park, 197 bird species were identified including all three species of motmot found in Belize: the blue-crowned motmot, the tody motmot, and the rare keel-billed motmot.
The archaeological plaza at MBNP is comprised of several small mounds located near the visitor center. The main structure, named Maintzunun, meaning “small hummingbird”, is part of a fairly small Maya plaza complex. This site, which physically is not in comparable size to Belize’s larger archaeological sites but its importance at the national level in the preservation and management of the cultural heritage is integral part of management and site maintenance. There may also be other unexplored sites within the park boundaries yet to be discovered and investigated. The site was investigated by several archaeologists in the past, primarily during the 1995 to 1998 period, including by Dr. David Pendergast. The Mayan Plaza Site includes 11 structures, with two pyramid mounds, a formal cluster and two aguadas or water reservoirs. Artefacts found at the site include hammer stone, pottery shreds, crushed vases, effigy censer, a mortar cup and a stone bead. The site was occupied during the Post Classic Period during the late 800 to early 900 AD. There are also two unexcavated mounds and several sites that have not been investigated, but that are part of the historical and cultural richness of Belize.
VISIT THE PARK
For more information contact: Mayflower Bocawina Environmental and Development Group
E-mail: parkmanagermayflowerbocawina@gmail.com
Location: Silkgrass Village, Stann Creek District, Belize, C.A
Opening Hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Entrance Fee: $10 BZ ($5 US) per person or $2 BZ for Belize residents.