The miniature (you can cover the whole place in an hour) but magnificent Belize Zoo is a must visit destination. All the animals here are native to Belize and they’re all happily homed there because they can’t be released in to the wild. They’ve either been rescued and rehabilitated but they aren’t fit enough to be re-released or perhaps they’re a predator that became too comfortable snatching domesticated prey from local communities and are too problematic to simply relocate or maybe they were orphaned and can’t fend for themselves in the wild. The Belize Zoo provides compassionate care for its animal ambassadors and incredible close-encounter education for visitors. Whether you’re just quickly passing by or you have the whole day to linger, a stop at the zoo is worth it!
When my friends arrived for their week-long visit, I knew we wouldn’t make it from the airport to the zoo before they closed but we were staying over night at the zoo’s Tropical Education Center across the road so I reserved us a night tour. You should note that it is recommended you visit the zoo both during the day as well as take the night tour so you can see all the animals (the animals that are active at night are difficult to spot while they’re snoozing during the day and vice versa). The Tropical Education center has comfortable rustic accommodations. In the past we’ve stayed in the cabanas which are like glamping- fully screened, raised platform structures with canvas roof but real beds and fans. They share a common bath house with showers and toilets like you would find at a campground. This time we stayed in the pond house cabins; they’re proper wood cabins with kitchenette and bathroom inside. We shared the large one and it was just perfect for our group. The TEC has dormitories and other cabin rooms on offer in addition, plus hiking trails, a pool area, and a classroom and cafeteria.
We arrived in time to check in, spot the resident crocodile in the pond, and grab a delicious dinner that was prepared for us in the cafeteria before heading over for our night tour of the zoo. This was an incredible and intimate experience you’d be hard pressed to find elsewhere. The zookeeper met us at the gate and ushered us in for our private tour. It was a little spooky- wandering the winding paths through the property in nearly complete darkness knowing you’re flanked by animal enclosures but unable to see what’s rustling on either side of you.
Our first encounter was with a comically friendly Tapir. He was so grateful for our attention and the celery sticks we took turns feeding him. I thought he might try and hop the fence to loyally follow us around like a puppy the rest of the night. We pet some white-tail deer (not the massive North American variety, Belize deer are quite small in stature sort of like the mini deer in the Florida Keys) then headed on to the predators. We saw all the regional wild cats- ocelot, tiger cat, jaguarundi, a beautiful puma and of course jaguars- all up close and personal as they eagerly took their chicken treats from the zookeeper.
Whether you’re in to reptiles or exotic birds or cute marsupials or massive mammals, you will find an exhibit to capture your heart. All the animals are so robust and happy looking you just know they’re receiving top notch care at the zoo. I can’t recommend it more highly and I hope it’s around and continues its first-rate tradition for a long time. I also recommend the accommodations- they’re comfortable, the food is excellent the staff is warm and engaging, budget-friendly, and the location is an easy reach to ruins, zip lining and cave tubing.
**Bonus- watch my friend’s TikTok of our bedtime escapade. When we were about to turn out the lights, we realized our cabin had another inhabitant: a bat! My sides were aching from giggling and screaming and giggling some more as we all attempted to shoo the bat outside. ProTip: turn on all the lights inside and open the doors to the dark outside; the bat will seek the safety of the night and with any luck fly out the door on its own.
