The Medicine Trail
Also known as Ix Chel or the Rainforest Medicine Trail, is the home of Dr. Rosita Arvigo, who apprenticed for 10 years with Maya healer, Don Eligio Panti. The Mayas made good use of the jungle's natural resources for their practices and medicinal needs. Here you will see and learn about vines that store drinking water, plants that helps abate malaria, aid diabetics, cleanse the blood, plus many more. The trail's most remarkable feature is that all the plants and trees were already there, making it a testament to the natural diversity found in the rainforest.

The easiest way to get to the trail is by a canoe trip. Once there, a self-guided trail winds gently above the bank of the Macal River and introduces visitors to many of the plants and herbs used in traditional Maya medicine. You can walk through a traditional Maya healers hut complete with all the necessary tools. Their gift shop sells Arvigo's Rainforest Remedies.

Belize Zoo
The Belize Zoo consists of more than some 150 native birds, mammals and reptiles living in their natural environment. A visit to the zoo is a good way to become familiarized with some of the wildlife you may encounter in your travels. A stop can be arranged during your transfer from or to the airport.

Butterfly Farm
If you visit early in the morning, you may get to see the pupae hatching into a butterflies. Flocks of butterflies, from brilliant blue to gorgeous orange, dazzling yellow to intriguing gray, fly freely in 2,700 sq. ft. of beautifully landscaped flight areas. With more than 20 species of butterflies, Green Hills is the largest live-butterfly display in Belize. They also have a living collection of plants such as bromeliads, heliconias and orchids. Entrance fees U.S $4.00 per person.

Spanish Lookout and Laguna Aguacate
In March, 1958 the first two groups of Kleine Gemeinde Mennonite settlers left their farm in Northern Mexico and arrived on the southern banks of the Belize River at the present site of Spanish Lookout, 18,000 acres of which they purchased from a Belizean land owner . This they turned into farmlands on which they planted corn, beans etc, and raised chickens and milking cows.

A 45-minute drive north of Crystal Paradise through rolling green hills brings you to Spanish Lookout, a modern-day Mennonite settlement reminiscent of Pennsylvania farmlands. About 20 minutes beyond the community is Aguacate Lagoon Reserve, a birdwatcher's paradise. See Vermillion, Fork-tailed Flycatchers, Keel-billed Toucans, Kingfishers, Anhingas, Herons and Hawks.

The bejeweled caves of Belize, display spectacular limestone formations. Aside from the geological wonders are numerous relics of the ancient Maya culture. These were ritually deposited in caves, to beckon rains, to overcome long periods of droughts.

Actun Tunichil Muknal (The Cave of The Stone Sepulcher)
Over 200 ceramic vessels litter the chambers of Actun Tunichil Muknal. The culture, history and geological formations create an unrivalled natural museum, a gallery like one has never seen before! Travel back in time as we explore this large cave, untouched since the Maya last visited centuries ago. Located in the heart of the Tapir Mountain Nature reserve, 6,700 acres managed by the Belize Audubon society, a huge entrance in a limestone hill welcomes you at the end of your 45-minute walk through lush, undisturbed jungle vegetation.

A short swim at the entrance is followed by a couple of hours wading in waist-deep, 73-degree, crystal-clear water, and a short climb up a winding passage brings you to the main chamber measuring 350 meters. While exploring the cave you view many artifacts, both pottery and human remains, not to mention the intricate stalactite and curtain formations.

What to wear: Suitable clothes and footwear, e.g. hiking shoes, must be worn for the trip. A change of clothes is also recommended for the end of the day.

Chechem Ha ( poison water) Half Day
Optional a 2/3 to full day if combined with Xunantunich ruins. This complex cave system, discovered in 1989 by local farmers, will allow you to view large stalactite formations, intact ancient artifacts such as large storage vessels, plates , burial grounds, and a mysterious stelae abandoned since the Pre-Classic 600 B.C - 800 A.D.

After the cave, lunch (home-cooked) will be served at the home of the Morales, after which you may decide to hike down for a refreshing swim or simply sit back atop a hill and take in the view of the valleys.

What to Bring: Camera, extra film, binoculars, drinking water. Wearing shorts and hiking boots is fine and bring along swimwear (recommended as you will want to go for a dip at the falls or pools), reef walkers or sandals, insect repellent and sun screen. Be prepared to get a bit muddy, so not wearing white is good.

Barton Creek Caves
Half-day tour, with optional stop at Green Hills Butterfly Farm. Full day if combined with Big Rock Falls.

Most people find the canoe tour by torchlight of this cave memorable. This cave was once used by the Mayas. Its large river passage and pristine formations are just two of the reasons why this appeals to both local and foreign visitors. Besides its natural beauty the site is made even more interesting by the presence of a wide range of archaeological remains that were left there by the ancient Maya visitors. Archaeologists believe that this cave was used for ritual purposes. This tour can be combined with a visit to the Green Hills Butterfly Farm and the Big Rock Waterfalls.

What to Bring: Camera, extra film, binoculars, drinking water. Wearing shorts is fine; bring swimwear to go for a dip in the creek, reef walkers or sandals to go swimming on the slippery rocks and plenty of sunscreen. If combining with Big Rock Falls, wear hiking shoes for a 10 minute hike down a steep hill, well worth it.
Fees $2.50 per person

Mountain Pine Ridge - Even with its recent bout with the Southern Pine Beetles, the attractions of Mountain Pine Ridge are still beautiful and worth a visit. This 300 sq. mile reserve consists of mostly pine trees shrubs, grasses and sedges. Home to some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the country such as Big Rock Falls, Hidden Valley Falls, and Butterfly Falls. The Rio On Pools is a popular place for swimming, relaxing, sliding around in the cascade and little falls or simply admiring the granite rock formations dating back to some 300 million years. The Rio Frio Caves, a large cavern with openings on both sides, has a creek flowing and echoing through the cave.

What to Bring: Camera, extra film, binoculars, drinking water, insect repellent, and plenty of sunscreen. Wearing shorts and hiking boots is fine; bringing along swimwear, reef walkers or sandals is recommended as you may want to go for a dip at the falls or pools.