The Belize Zoo was not in my original travel plan, but it turned out to be a very good unplanned stop. During my nine-week trip through Central America I deliberately left some days open. You cannot plan every day for nine weeks, and sometimes the best ideas come from people you meet along the way. A woman I met in San Ignacio told me about Belize Zoo and the option to stay close by in the jungle. I still had a day before heading to Caye Caulker, so I added one night. Good decision! I visited the zoo during the day, returned for a night tour and slept at the Tropical Education Center surrounded by the sounds of the jungle.

How to get there

I traveled from San Ignacio to Belize Zoo on the local bus towards Belize City. The important thing was not to take the fast bus because it skipped the zoo. The normal bus stopped along the George Price Highway right at the entrance. Local buses pass the zoo regularly from both directions. Ask the driver before boarding if the bus stops at Belize Zoo, especially if you are looking at an express service. The Tropical Education Center can bring you back to the main road when you leave. From there you can continue your Belize trip by local bus.

Tell the bus driver you want to get off at Belize Zoo. It is along the highway rather than in a town, so I prefer to make my stop clear when I get on.

Why is this zoo so different

Belize Zoo is not a huge traditional zoo filled with animals from all over the world. It focuses completely on wildlife native to Belize. The zoo started in 1983 when Sharon Matola was caring for animals that had been used during the filming of a wildlife documentary. Today it is a nonprofit wildlife rescue and education center with more than 150 animals from 43 native species. Many were rescued, orphaned or could not return to the wild. That also explains why it felt more like walking through a large tropical garden than a big commercial zoo.

Belize Zoo by day

I arrived in the afternoon and was first picked up for the short drive to the Tropical Education Center, where I checked in. At around 2 PM they brought me back to the zoo. You can easily walk around Belize Zoo by yourself. I received a map and liked the signs beside the animal areas because everything was explained in a clear and simple way. No need to study a biology book first! The zoo was not busy during my visit, and I spent around 2.5 hours walking around before getting a drink. That was enough time for me without rushing. Admission for international adults is BZ$40. The zoo opens at 8:30 AM, with last admission at 4 PM Monday through Saturday and 3:30 PM on Sunday.

Animals you will see during your visit

One of the animals I really wanted to see was the keel-billed toucan, the national bird of Belize. And yes, I found one. The tapirs were another favorite. They look a bit like somebody mixed several animals together, but they are actually related to horses and rhinos. You can also see jaguars, pumas, crocodiles, monkeys and many Belizean bird species. What I liked most was learning about animals that actually live in Belize. After seeing so much jungle during the trip, it was nice to know a little more about what could be hiding in there!

Belize Zoo night tour

After the daytime visit I already knew I wanted to come back at night. I booked the Belize Zoo night tour through the Tropical Education Center and after dinner we left with a small group at around 7 PM.The zoo felt completely different in the dark. Our guide carried a light and knew exactly where to look. Animals I had barely seen during the afternoon were suddenly much more active. During my visit the keeper also brought food for some of the animals and we had several close encounters. That was how the tour worked when I was there, so the exact animal interactions may be different today. The night tour costs USD 125 for a group of one to four people, or USD 25 per person for groups of five or more.

If you stay overnight, ask about the night tour. Seeing the zoo twice sounds unnecessary, but it really felt different after dark.

Staying at the Tropical Education Center

I loved staying at the Tropical Education Center, also known as the Belize Zoo Lodge. Staying here made the stop even better. TEC is about a mile from Belize Zoo and surrounded by tropical nature. Travelers stay here, but so do students and researchers who come to Belize to learn more about wildlife and conservation. At night I could hear animals around the accommodation. You really feel that you are away from town here, which was exactly what I wanted after San Ignacio. I also met two American girls who were doing an internship at Belize Zoo and staying at TEC. That suited TEC perfectly. It felt more like part of the zoo than a normal hotel.

What are the rooms like at TEC?

TEC has several types of accommodation, from simple dormitories and forest cabañas to air-conditioned cabins and guest houses. The forest cabañas are the most basic jungle-style option, with screened rooms and shared bathroom facilities nearby. The Pine Cabins and guest houses give you a little more comfort and private bathrooms.

A dorm bed costs around USD 46 per person, a forest cabaña around USD 73 for one person and a Pine Cabin around USD 95 for one person. Breakfast and dinner are included and served in the common area. I liked that part too because everybody sits together after a day at the zoo. TEC also has a screened swimming pool for guests. I did not need much entertainment here though. Dinner, the night tour and listening to the jungle were enough for my one-night stay.

TEC is quite basic, but that is part of the experience. You come here for the jungle setting and the sounds of animals outside, not for luxury.

Is staying at TEC worth it?

For me, yes. I liked that I could check in, visit the zoo without rushing, have dinner and go back again after dark. The next morning I had breakfast and continued my trip. One night was enough for me. If you prefer more comfort, Ian Anderson’s Caves Branch Jungle Lodge via Booking.com is another option in this part of Belize. It is more upscale, with a swimming pool, restaurant and comfortable jungle accommodation. I would choose TEC if the zoo is your main reason for staying here.

How much time do you need at Belize Zoo?

Allow around two to three hours for the zoo during the day. The paths are easy to follow and the grounds are not so large that you need a full day. If you also want to do the night tour, stay one night nearby. Arriving in the afternoon and leaving again the next morning worked well for me.

Is Belize Zoo worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you want to see more of Belize’s native wildlife. I liked that the zoo focuses on local animals and conservation instead of trying to show animals from all over the world. For me, the night tour made the visit much more interesting. Staying at TEC completed the experience without turning it into a complicated stop. And all of this happened because somebody in San Ignacio casually suggested it to me. Sometimes leaving an empty day in the itinerary really works!

Continue your trip

Traveling in the same direction as I did? Continue to Caye Caulker for Caribbean island life after your night in the jungle. Traveling Belize the other way around? Head west towards San Ignacio, where ATM Cave is one of the best things you can do in the Cayo District.