If Belize if famous for the Blue Hole and its tropical islands, the inner Belize is quite interesting to explore from great caving adventures to jungle discoveries. Paddling on rivers is ideal to observe wildlife.

While taking in the lush banks of the Sitee River and passing a few crocodiles many birds fly over. Our eyes catch three noisy birds landing in the treetops: toucans! They simply start feeding themselves giving us the opportunity to observe them with their distinctive beaks they use as a defense.

The toucan with its large colourful beak

Still looking up and a few trees away our eyes catch something huge resting on a branch above the bank: a one-meter tall orange iguana! These male lizards, known as green iguanas turn orange when it is mating time. It is showing itself in the last bit of sunrays before sunset, to warm its body up before the hunt can start.

The theatened green iguana, Belize

Unfortunately the green iguana is disappearing in Belize as it is a well appreciated traditional dish, tasting like…. chicken as we are told! Conservation projects inform local inhabitants about the importance of saving this species from extinction. While paddling further, we spot about 15 of these impressive iguanas, measuring sometimes up to three meters from tail to nose!

Hummingbird hovering to feed itself on a flower

By contrast, hummingbirds are among the smallest birds, only about 7-centimeter tall. They are so incredibly fast (as fast as 50km/h!) and so small that they are hard to spot. In this case, it is only the characteristic flapping sound of its wings (about 50 times per second) that drew our attention on this hummingbird hovering to feed itself on a flower in the jungle of Belize.

Marcella

Travel tips:

• Check out this interactive map for the specific details to help you plan your trip and more articles and photos (zoom out) about the area!

More of Belize, click on one of the images below to be directed to another illuminating article!

Enregistrer