Chiquibul National Park Park
Belizean rainforest park bordering Guatemala, rich biodiversity
Belize's Chiquibul National Park preserves extensive rainforest and cave systems; adventurous visitors seek jungle treks, birding and limited-access caving trips.
Chiquibul National Park at a Glance#
About Chiquibul National Park#
Chiquibul National Park is a major protected area in the Cayo District of western Belize, conserving large tracts of the Maya Mountains and associated rainforest. The park contains extensive forest, karst terrain and cave passages and is important for regional biodiversity and archaeological sites.
Visitors and researchers come to access forest habitat, cave systems and remote archaeological remains; access is limited and typically requires organised trips because of the park’s size and remoteness. The park forms part of a larger transboundary forest landscape that extends toward Guatemala.
The protected area was created to conserve rainforest, watershed values and cultural heritage associated with the Maya Mountains and to regulate access and resource use within this remote region. Management focuses on forest protection, law enforcement and support for archaeological research.
The park is located in western Belize’s Cayo District within the Maya Mountains; its terrain is rugged and largely forested, with limited road access from regional centres such as San Ignacio.
- Large protected forest: The park protects extensive contiguous tropical forest and cave systems in western Belize and is part of the Mesoamerican biodiversity corridor.
What to See#
- Maya Mountains forest: A large area of lowland and montane tropical forest in the Maya Mountains that includes karst and cave systems important for archaeology and biodiversity.
How to Get to Chiquibul National Park#
Access is via long drives from Belize City or Belmopan, often followed by dirt roads and riverine travel; guided expeditions from Punta Gorda or San Ignacio are typical. The area is remote and requires coordination with park authorities and experienced local guides.
Tips for Visiting Chiquibul National Park#
- Hire an experienced guide for border-area treks; parts of the park are near international frontiers and require permits.
- Pack insect protection and bear-proof containers for food in camp areas.
- Plan multi-day trips carefully-access to some zones requires river crossings and river levels change seasonally.
Best Time to Visit Chiquibul National Park#
Best visited in the dry season (February-May) for safer trekking and clearer trails.
Weather & Climate near Chiquibul National Park#
Chiquibul National Park's climate is classified as Tropical Monsoon - Tropical Monsoon climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 16°C to 30°C. Heavy rainfall (2265 mm/year), wettest in July.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 16° - 25° | 20° | 144 mm | - | - | 1.8 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 16° - 27° | 21° | 69 mm | - | - | 2.0 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 17° - 28° | 23° | 69 mm | - | - | 2.2 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 19° - 30° | 24° | 56 mm | - | - | 2.4 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 20° - 30° | 25° | 91 mm | - | - | 2.1 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 20° - 30° | 25° | 314 mm | - | - | 1.8 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 20° - 29° | 24° | 358 mm | - | - | 1.9 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 20° - 29° | 24° | 268 mm | - | - | 1.6 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 20° - 29° | 24° | 285 mm | - | - | 1.4 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 19° - 28° | 23° | 243 mm | - | - | 1.5 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 17° - 26° | 21° | 215 mm | - | - | 1.4 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 16° - 25° | 21° | 153 mm | - | - | 1.6 m/s | - | - |