One of the most exciting things to do in Belize is spotting the elusive jaguar 🐆. As the only jaguar preserve in the world, it's packed with wildlife 🦎, hiking trails and even a waterfall.
Hopkins is an excellent home base if you plan on visiting Cockscomb Basin. Having done all the hikes at this reserve including Victoria Peak, I'll share tips you won't find anywhere else.
Here's what to expect from this guide: 👇
General Information
Opening Hours
8AM–4:30PM
Entrance Fee
$5.00 USD
Camping Fee
$10.00 USD
Essentials
Water, sunblock, hiking boots
Tour Guide
Mandatory for certain hikes
Amenities
Camping grounds, dorms & cabins, picnic shed, restroom facilities, parking
Fun Facts About Cockscomb Basin
- 🌳 The sanctuary is located in Southern Belize and covers 150 square miles of tropical forest.
- 🐓 The name Cockscomb derives from the appearance of the mountain ridge that resembles a rooster's comb.
- 🏆 It is the world's first and only Jaguar Preserve.
- 🏔️ The second-highest point in Belize, Victoria Peak at 3675ft (1120m) is found in this mountain range.
- 🐆 The reserve is a protected environment for over 200 jaguars – the largest concentration in the world.
What Is Cockscomb Basin Known For?
Hiking Trails
There are 20 miles of maintained hiking trails, the most extensive network in the country, ranging from easy one-hour long strolls to four-day expeditions.
Waterfalls
One of the trails is a rigorous hike that ends at Tiger Fern Double Waterfalls – a pair of pristine waterfalls with natural swimming pools. Expect four hours roundtrip.
Jaguars
Having the largest population of jaguars in the world, Cockscomb Basin might be the best opportunity to spot a jaguar in the wild or their footprints at the very least.
When To Visit Cockscomb Basin
The best time to visit the reserve is the beginning of rainy season between June & July to get the perfect mix of dry trails and wildlife spotting.
Avoid Peak Rainy Season
Peak rainy season is October & November. This season may cause the park closure since the river rises and current increases.
Avoid Peak Dry Season
Peak dry season is April & May. If you are interested in river tubing avoid this season since the river tends to dry up.
How To Get To Cockscomb Basin
The fastest and easiest way to get to Cockscomb Basin is by car rental. Upon arriving the cut-off point on the Southern highway, you will have to drive for 6 miles (10km) through dirt road before arriving the entrance of the site. You can also get there by taking a bus & taxi combo.
These are the three ways you can get here: 👇
- Bus & taxi combo: assuming you're in Hopkins, get up early to catch a Hopkins bus to the Hopkins junction, Then catch another bus heading south towards Punta Gorda and stop at Maya Center. From here, find a taxi to take you to the park for roughly $20.00 USD. There are no public buses that travel directly to the reserve.
- Hitchhike: catching a ride is very common in Hopkins. It requires patience and luck but you can hitchhike form Maya Center since there are a few visitors getting to the reserve daily including the park rangers early in the morning.
- Hike all the way: this is not a long trail at only 6 miles (10km) but you might be tired to walk the trails at the park after walking under the sun for so long. On a brighter note, if you're early, you might spot a jaguar.
How To Spot A Jaguar
The chances of spotting a jaguar are very low (I don't know the number) but if you take a scientific approach, you can up those numbers. Having been a few times at the reserve and spotted a jaguar myself (at the entrance of the reserve), these tips should help a ton.
- Camp at the reserve - camping at the reserve allows you to spend over 24 hours in prime jaguar territory.
- Hike early in the morning - jaguars are nocturnal so the chances of seeing one at dusk is much higher.
- Take the night hike - the absolute best time to see jaguars is while they are hunting at night if you dare.
- Look at the statistics - this might be surprising but there's a jaguar spotting logging book at reserve's office.
- Ask the rangers for tips - the people that spend the most time at the reserve might recommend some jaguar hotspots.
- Visit during dry season - limited water sources means jaguars are more active along the rivers increasing your chances.
Cockscomb Basin Insider Tips
- Check the Visitor Center: there is a small information center at the park entrance with some facts about the park and the jaguars.
- Consider taking a night hike: a night hike tour gives you higher chances of seeing wild cats like the jaguar, puma, ocelot and jaguarundi.
- Visit during rainy season: wildlife is more active during the rainy season particularly at the beginning – June & July.
- Camp at the reserve: increase your chances of seeing a jaguar by camping at the reserve or staying in a cabin available on site.
Cockscomb Basin Tours
There are two tours/activities available at the site:
River Tubing
After hiking the entire day, floating down the river on a river tube can be rejuvenating. The tubes can be rented at the Visitor Center for $7.50 USD. You will have to hike for about 15 minutes to get to the river.
Night Tour
Besides river tubing, a popular tour is hiking trails on a night Tour. Exploring the rainforest at night can be a captivating experience. Resorts offer tours at $95.00 USD per person which lasts for 4 hours.
Cockscomb Basin Cabins
Accommodation at Cockscomb includes the option of private cabins, shared dorms and camping. It's important to know that all the cabins are rustic and by no means luxury stays.
Private Cabin
- Foreigners: $120 USD per cabin
- Locals: $60 USD per cabin
- Details: Kitchen with dining hall, bathroom with hot/cold shower, spacious porch, accommodates 5 persons
Shared Dorms
- Foreigners: $20 USD per person
- Locals: $10 USD per person
- Details: Consists of 5 rooms, for large groups, 3 bunks per room, shared bathrooms, spacious porch
Muhan Nah Bird House
- Foreigners: $81.75 USD per cabin
- Locals: $40.87 USD per cabin
- Details: two bedrooms, has mini halls, indoor bathrooms, accommodates 5 persons
Rustic Cabin
- Foreigners: $20 USD per room
- Locals: $20 USD per room
- Details: four bedrooms with two single beds in each, has porch, outdoor bathroom
White House
- Foreigners: $150 USD per cabin
- Locals: $75 USD per cabin
- Details: 1.5 miles from HQ, upstairs with two bedrooms, downstairs with one bedroom, kitchen with mini hall, indoor bathrooms
Camping At Cockscomb Basin
Besides cabins, the reserve has a camping site where you can park your car or pitch your own tent. There is a small fee for camping which gives you use of a small shed for your tent, a picnic area and access to the bathrooms.
Wildlife At Cockscomb Basin
While spotting wildlife isn't guaranteed, you have the possibility of spotting these animals in the wild along with 300 species of birds.
- Jaguar
- Jaguarundi
- Howler Monkey
- Agouti
- Puma
- Ocelot
- Margay
- Kajous
- Peccary
- Tapir
- Gibnut
- Paca
- Broket Deer
- Tayra
- Otter
- Coatimundi
- Macaw
- Parrot
- Great Curossow
- Keel-billed Toucan
- King Vulture
- Hawk Species
- Snakes
- Foxes
Cockscomb Basin Hiking Trails
The trails are incredibly rich with flora and fauna including many bird species, howler monkeys, agoutis, and of course jaguars. But it's very unlikely you'll spot one. They are nocturnal after all.
This list of Cockscomb Basin hiking trails is listed in order of popularity and is more reliable than the distances the park signs suggest.
Victoria Peak Hike
If you plan on hiking Victoria Peak, it is only possible during dry season (December–May) because heavy rainfall makes the trail muddy and extremely difficult to hike.
For up-to-date information, visit Belize Audubon Society, the group that manages the reserve and post updates on weather & events for the park. You can also book the expedition through them.
Helpful Information
Resources
Plan Your Next Trip
Leave A Comment 👇
What are you most looking forward to - the jaguars or the hike itself?