Belize Birding Tour
Belize is a hidden gem for birdwatchers looking to explore the tropical wonders of Central America. With its diverse habitats, from rainforests to coastal wetlands, Belize offers ample opportunity for birding. As an English-speaking country, Belize is easy to navigate for North American travellers, making it an ideal destination for those new to birding in the tropics. Whether you're an experienced birder or new to the scene, this itinerary offers a perfect blend of diverse habitats, iconic species, such as Ocellated Turkey, Keel-billed Toucan, Scarlet Macaw, King Vulture and Ornate Hawk-Eagle (just to name a few!) and visits to ancient Mayan ruins. On this 10-day introductory tour to Belize, we will stay at three excellent lodges, allowing enough time to fully appreciate each region you will visit.
Tour Information
Dates: March 3-12, 2026
Cost: $6225 CAD | $4250 USD
The tour fee above its based on double occupancy and includes all ground transportation, accommodation, all meals from dinner on Day 1 until Breakfast on Day 10, and professional guiding services. Single supplement is available for $1500 CAD | $1000 USD.
Deposit: $1000 CAD | $750 USD
Please see our Terms and Conditions for cancellation and refund policy.
Start/End City: Belize City, Belize (Airport code BZE)
Tour Leader: Daniel Arndt
Cost: $6225 CAD | $4250 USD
The tour fee above its based on double occupancy and includes all ground transportation, accommodation, all meals from dinner on Day 1 until Breakfast on Day 10, and professional guiding services. Single supplement is available for $1500 CAD | $1000 USD.
Deposit: $1000 CAD | $750 USD
Please see our Terms and Conditions for cancellation and refund policy.
Start/End City: Belize City, Belize (Airport code BZE)
Tour Leader: Daniel Arndt
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Belize City and transfer to La Milpa
Today we will arrive in Belize City, Belize - please plan to arrive at the latest by the early afternoon so that we can have some leisurley biridng time on our first day in Belize.
Day 2: Birding at La Milpa Biological Station
On our first full day in Belize we will explore the trails around our lodge, La Milpa, targeting species such as Ocellated Turkey, Crested Guan, and Great Curassow. This morning we will also have an introduction to some of the common and widespread species in Belize; Keel-billed Toucan, Great Kiskadee, Social Flycatcher, Whit-necked Jacobin, Spot-breasted Wren, and Clay-colored Thrush. In the afternoon we will visit nearby archaeological sites for some more birding and cultural exploration. While visiting these sites we may see species such as Collared Forest-Falcon, Slaty-tailed Trogon and Tody Motmot. After dinner we will go for a short night walk in search of Mottled Owl and Black and white Owl.
Day 3: Blue Creek Rice Fields and adjacent farmland
Today we will leave La Milpa early for a full-day excursion to the Blue Creek Rice Fields and the adjacent farmlands. This area is a mix of small wetlands,
patches of forest and large areas of farmland. Today we hope to see Jabiru, Great Black-Hawk, Aplomado Falcon and Black-throated Bobwhite as well as Anhinga, White Ibis, Glossy Ibis and Moretlet's Seedeater. After lunch at a local restaurant we will return to La Milpa Biological Station for a siesta and for our our final night in this location.
Day 4: Transfer to Mountain Pine Ridge
After breakfast this morning, we will say goodbye to La Milpa and begin the 3-4 hour drive to our next location, Pine Ridge Lodge where we will spend the next four nights. We will plan to make some short stops along the way for some birding and to break up the drive. Once we have settled in to our new lodge, we will go for a short birding walk in search of some new species as Acorn Woodpecker, Rusty Sparrow and Rufous-capped Warbler.
Day 5: Rio Frio Cave and Mountain Pine Ridge
We will begin the day birding along the shaded trails leading to the famous Rio Frio cave, a 65-foot arched limestone cave with unusual rock formations, an internal river. Here we hope to see species like King Vulture and Azure-crowned Hummingbird, as well as Grace's Warbler and possibly Plain Xenops and Long-billed Hermit. Both Red-crowned Ant-Tanager and Red-throated Ant-Tanager are possibilities on the forest trails as well as Black-throated Shrike-Tanager, Eye-ringed Flatbill and Green Shrike-Vireo. In the late afternoon we will visit the San Miguel campground for for additional species such as Black-headed Siskin and Golden-hooded Tanager. In the evening we will embark on a nocturnal outing with Northern Potoo being our primary target.
Day 6: Caracol National Monument - Culture + Birding
Today mix culture and birding as we visit the most famous ancient Mayan ruins in Belize, the Caracol Archaeological Reserve in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve. Visiting this site involves a long full-day in the field, and access to the site depends greatly on road conditions. This significant cultural site is also a birding hotspot, species we may encounter here include Montezuma Oropendola, Ocellated Turkey and Keel-billed Toucan. We will also have the chance to see Keel-billed Motmot, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, and the widely recognizable and spectacular, although scarce in this region Scarlet Macaw. While exploring the ruins and the nearby forest trails, we may also come across Collared Aracari, Crimson-collared Tanager, Dot-winged Antwren and Black-faced Grosbeak.
Day 7: Birding in Chiquibul Forest Reserve
In the morning we will bird more of the trails of Chiquibul Forest Reserve in search of forest dwelling species such as Strong-billed Woodpecker, Rufous Mourner, Fawn-throated Foliage-gleaner and Scaly-throated Leaftosser. In the afternoon, you will have the option to either relax at the lodge or explore the lodge grounds.
Day 8: Transfer to Crooked Tree
We will begin the drive to Crooked Tree in the morning, and arrive at Bird's Eye View Lodge, around lunchtime. After we have had some time to unpack our bags and relax, we will venture out to nearby lagoons in search of birds such as Black-collared Hawk, Limpkin, and Snail Kite.
Day 9: Lamanai Archeological Site
After breakfast, we will depart from Crooked Tree to the Mayan city of Lamanai. To reach the ancient city, we will need to take a boat along the New River. On the boat ride we will keep our eyes peeled for Ladder-backed Woodpeckers and Yellow-tailed Orioles in the trees along the river and watch for Lesser Yellow-headed Vultures and Laughing Falcons flying overhead. The highlight of the day will be walking through the city of Lamanai. Along the trails we will look for species like Slaty-tailed Trogon, Keel-billed Toucan and Yellow-bellied Tyrannulet. In the afternoon we will once again travel by boat along the New River to return to Crooked Tree.
Day 10: Crooked Tree Lagoon and Departure
Early this morning we will embark on our second boat tour of the trip, this time to the Crooked Tree Lagoon. Here, the primary target species will be the iconic Jabiru and the odd-looking and nocturnal Boat-billed Heron. We also hope to Anhinga, Ringed Kingfisher, American Pygmy Kingfisher, and various familliar herons that also occur in North America; Black-crowned Night-Heron, Little Blue Heron, Tricolored Heron, Snowy Egret, Green Heron, and Great Egret. After this boat ride we will transfer to Belize City for departure in the afternoon.
Today we will arrive in Belize City, Belize - please plan to arrive at the latest by the early afternoon so that we can have some leisurley biridng time on our first day in Belize.
Day 2: Birding at La Milpa Biological Station
On our first full day in Belize we will explore the trails around our lodge, La Milpa, targeting species such as Ocellated Turkey, Crested Guan, and Great Curassow. This morning we will also have an introduction to some of the common and widespread species in Belize; Keel-billed Toucan, Great Kiskadee, Social Flycatcher, Whit-necked Jacobin, Spot-breasted Wren, and Clay-colored Thrush. In the afternoon we will visit nearby archaeological sites for some more birding and cultural exploration. While visiting these sites we may see species such as Collared Forest-Falcon, Slaty-tailed Trogon and Tody Motmot. After dinner we will go for a short night walk in search of Mottled Owl and Black and white Owl.
Day 3: Blue Creek Rice Fields and adjacent farmland
Today we will leave La Milpa early for a full-day excursion to the Blue Creek Rice Fields and the adjacent farmlands. This area is a mix of small wetlands,
patches of forest and large areas of farmland. Today we hope to see Jabiru, Great Black-Hawk, Aplomado Falcon and Black-throated Bobwhite as well as Anhinga, White Ibis, Glossy Ibis and Moretlet's Seedeater. After lunch at a local restaurant we will return to La Milpa Biological Station for a siesta and for our our final night in this location.
Day 4: Transfer to Mountain Pine Ridge
After breakfast this morning, we will say goodbye to La Milpa and begin the 3-4 hour drive to our next location, Pine Ridge Lodge where we will spend the next four nights. We will plan to make some short stops along the way for some birding and to break up the drive. Once we have settled in to our new lodge, we will go for a short birding walk in search of some new species as Acorn Woodpecker, Rusty Sparrow and Rufous-capped Warbler.
Day 5: Rio Frio Cave and Mountain Pine Ridge
We will begin the day birding along the shaded trails leading to the famous Rio Frio cave, a 65-foot arched limestone cave with unusual rock formations, an internal river. Here we hope to see species like King Vulture and Azure-crowned Hummingbird, as well as Grace's Warbler and possibly Plain Xenops and Long-billed Hermit. Both Red-crowned Ant-Tanager and Red-throated Ant-Tanager are possibilities on the forest trails as well as Black-throated Shrike-Tanager, Eye-ringed Flatbill and Green Shrike-Vireo. In the late afternoon we will visit the San Miguel campground for for additional species such as Black-headed Siskin and Golden-hooded Tanager. In the evening we will embark on a nocturnal outing with Northern Potoo being our primary target.
Day 6: Caracol National Monument - Culture + Birding
Today mix culture and birding as we visit the most famous ancient Mayan ruins in Belize, the Caracol Archaeological Reserve in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve. Visiting this site involves a long full-day in the field, and access to the site depends greatly on road conditions. This significant cultural site is also a birding hotspot, species we may encounter here include Montezuma Oropendola, Ocellated Turkey and Keel-billed Toucan. We will also have the chance to see Keel-billed Motmot, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, and the widely recognizable and spectacular, although scarce in this region Scarlet Macaw. While exploring the ruins and the nearby forest trails, we may also come across Collared Aracari, Crimson-collared Tanager, Dot-winged Antwren and Black-faced Grosbeak.
Day 7: Birding in Chiquibul Forest Reserve
In the morning we will bird more of the trails of Chiquibul Forest Reserve in search of forest dwelling species such as Strong-billed Woodpecker, Rufous Mourner, Fawn-throated Foliage-gleaner and Scaly-throated Leaftosser. In the afternoon, you will have the option to either relax at the lodge or explore the lodge grounds.
Day 8: Transfer to Crooked Tree
We will begin the drive to Crooked Tree in the morning, and arrive at Bird's Eye View Lodge, around lunchtime. After we have had some time to unpack our bags and relax, we will venture out to nearby lagoons in search of birds such as Black-collared Hawk, Limpkin, and Snail Kite.
Day 9: Lamanai Archeological Site
After breakfast, we will depart from Crooked Tree to the Mayan city of Lamanai. To reach the ancient city, we will need to take a boat along the New River. On the boat ride we will keep our eyes peeled for Ladder-backed Woodpeckers and Yellow-tailed Orioles in the trees along the river and watch for Lesser Yellow-headed Vultures and Laughing Falcons flying overhead. The highlight of the day will be walking through the city of Lamanai. Along the trails we will look for species like Slaty-tailed Trogon, Keel-billed Toucan and Yellow-bellied Tyrannulet. In the afternoon we will once again travel by boat along the New River to return to Crooked Tree.
Day 10: Crooked Tree Lagoon and Departure
Early this morning we will embark on our second boat tour of the trip, this time to the Crooked Tree Lagoon. Here, the primary target species will be the iconic Jabiru and the odd-looking and nocturnal Boat-billed Heron. We also hope to Anhinga, Ringed Kingfisher, American Pygmy Kingfisher, and various familliar herons that also occur in North America; Black-crowned Night-Heron, Little Blue Heron, Tricolored Heron, Snowy Egret, Green Heron, and Great Egret. After this boat ride we will transfer to Belize City for departure in the afternoon.
Additional Considerations
***The tour price is based on a group size of six to ten and double occupancy at accommodations. This tour may be canceled, renegotiated or rescheduled if less than six people register. Please be aware that while we can attempt to locate you a roommate if you want one, we are unable to promise that every guest will have a roommate. You will be billed for the single supplement if none are available.
Pace and Climate
Long stretches of walking are necessary, but no strenuous hiking is on the itinerary. Although we may cover several kilometers in a single day, we will be walking at a slow pace, searching for birds. We will stay on even terrain for the most part, but there may be some uphill sections and some sections on uneven terrain. Trails may also get muddy after rain.
Rainfall is likely at any moment, and the lowlands may get quite hot and muggy. Some days, we'll take midday breaks whenever we can and have lots of bottled water on hand. The average temperature in Belize during march is between 24-28 degrees celsius (75-82 Fahrenheit).
Belize Entry Requirements
Canadian and United States citizens do not require a visa to enter Belize, however they do require proof on onward travel, and a passport that must be valid for six-months beyond the date you expect to depart Belize.
Pace and Climate
Long stretches of walking are necessary, but no strenuous hiking is on the itinerary. Although we may cover several kilometers in a single day, we will be walking at a slow pace, searching for birds. We will stay on even terrain for the most part, but there may be some uphill sections and some sections on uneven terrain. Trails may also get muddy after rain.
Rainfall is likely at any moment, and the lowlands may get quite hot and muggy. Some days, we'll take midday breaks whenever we can and have lots of bottled water on hand. The average temperature in Belize during march is between 24-28 degrees celsius (75-82 Fahrenheit).
Belize Entry Requirements
Canadian and United States citizens do not require a visa to enter Belize, however they do require proof on onward travel, and a passport that must be valid for six-months beyond the date you expect to depart Belize.
For more information or questions regarding the Belize Birding Tour, please contact Gavin McKinnon - ( [email protected])