Belize’s mainland interior is beautiful. Huge tracks of wild and raw landscape, lush tropical forest, soaring mountains, verdant farmland, caves, waterfalls, ancient temples… insane! We have no shortage of activity for thrill-seekers and nature lovers, including several zip line courses across the country. Recently we tried the course at Angel Falls on the Hummingbird Highway and it really is the current leader. Tallest, longest, fastest. Believe the hype!
Location
I love this area of the country! On the Hummingbird Highway, pretty much halfway between Belmopan and Dangriga (very close to Bertha’s Tamales- an iconic landmark), at mile 26.5. Angel Falls is a ridiculously huge 200-acre property of mountain and forest and river and waterfalls. So gorgeous! It’s a good hour and a half drive from Placencia if you don’t make any stops (but if you want to make stops let me recommend: Where to stop along the way Dangriga to Placencia as well as Where to stop on the Hummingbird Highway) so you can easily make this a casual day trip. If you don’t have transportation or you want to combine this with another tour such as St. Herman’s Cave and Blue Hole, you can book the excursion with Barefoot Services from Placencia.
Adventures
We went for the 8-line zip line course but they also have the longest, tallest waterfall rappel in the country here. I’ve done the waterfall rappel at Bocawina and while its definitely a bucket list experience, I’m not in any particular rush to do it again. After the initial thrill of it all wears off you’re kinda just resigned to the task of rappelling which takes concentration and a degree of exertion so I can imagine Angel Fall’s loooong descent would end up just being a lot of work. But I can also imagine it would make for out-of-this-world-enviable-Instagram pics, for real for real. They also have a Hidden Waterfall and Natural Pool Hike that I really do want to come back and try- who doesn’t love swimming in a secluded waterfall deep in the jungle?! That’s the best!
The zip line course here is 8 runs back and forth over the hills and ravines. The landscape is lovely old-growth forest. There is a few short walking bits between some of the runs but nothing too demanding.
Know Before You Go
Reservations are required ahead of time. From the main gate and reception area you have to be taken in to the zip line course by the tours in a 4-wheel drive vehicle so you’ll just want to apply your bug spray and secure any items you’re carrying with you in the main parking lot. There’s a little snack bar at the end of the zip line course. If you have children under 80 pounds in your party they will need to ride tandem with a guide for most of the runs because of the long length between platforms. They offer a 50% Belizean discount with proper ID, just mention it ahead of time while making reservations.
