The Belize Zoo began in 1983 when Sharon Matola, a now famous enviromentalist in Belize, started caring for animals that were left after a movie shoot. Shortly after this “backyard zoo” began, it was quickly realized that Belizeans and visitors were unfamiliar with the different species of wildlife. This very aspect enkindled the commitment to develop the little zoo into a dynamic wildlife education center.

Today, the Belize Zoo is settled upon 29 acres of tropical savanna and exhibits over 125 animals all native to Belize. Many of the residents are endangered species such as the Jaribu Stork, Scarlet Macaw, Jaguar and Margay and all of them are rescued animals or they have been born in captivity. A visit to the zoo is the best way to get an introduction to the animals of Belize, and to understand why it is important to protect the habitats that sustain them.

Bring: Closed shoes, Insect Repellent, Sunscreen
How far away: 2h 15 min from Hopkins
District: Belize
Difficulty level ride: Easy/Medium
Difficulty level tour: Easy
Percentage off-road: 0%
Bike required: Dual-sport or Cruiser
Tour Duration: 1-3 hours
Entrance Fee:

Stop in at a very personable Butterfly Farm in Maya Center village. At Ya’axkin Butterfly Farm you may observe the entire lifecycle of the beautiful Blue Morpo butterfly as it transforms from egg, to larvae, to crystalis. Proceed by crossing over to the pavilion to spend time with about 700 adult butterflies, perhaps will you be lucky enough and have one land on you…

This tour is great to combine with a visit to the Cockscomb Basin, or perhaps en route to Placencia or while waiting for a Chocolate Tour to start across the street.

Bring: Camera
How far away: 10 miles, 25 min from Hopkins
District: Stann Creek
Difficulty level ride: Easy
Difficulty level tour: Easy
Percentage off-road: 0%
Bike required: Dual-sport or Cruiser
Tour Duration: 1 hour
Entrance Fee:

The world’s first howler monkey Sanctuary was founded right here in Belize and it is still up and running. If you are in the neighborhood, stop by for a short guided tour with the guarantee to see Howler Monkeys in action giving you a surprisingly powerful scream.

In the nearby groove you might also be able to spot some other birdlife and learn some about the plants of the jungle and their uses.

Bring: Closed Shoes, Insect Repellent, Camera
How far away: 125 miles, 2h 45 min from Hopkins
District: Belize
Difficulty level ride: Easy/Medium
Difficulty level tour: Easy
Percentage off-road: 0%
Bike required: Dual-sport or Cruiser
Tour Duration: 1 hour

Spend an hour at this hands on, interactive site to experience a functioning conservation project. Here, you can get up close to these fascinating reptiles. The iguanas are bred at the exhibit and are later released into nature. You will have the opportunity to hold, feed and touch them as well as to learn about the feeding, incubation, rearing and hatching of this native.

This project began 17 years ago as an effort to protect the species and educate individuals. At the time, the iguana poulation was rapidly decreasing because of overhunting.

Bring: Camera
How far away: 90 miles, 2h 45 min from Hopkins
District: Cayo
Difficulty level ride: Medium
Difficulty level tour: Easy
Percentage off-road: 0%
Bike required: Dual-sport or Cruiser
Tour Duration: 1 hour
Entrance Fee: 9 USD/pp

Between Xunantunich Mayan ruins and San Ignacio town there is a great little butterfly farm with an attached museum. Both will teach you about insects in Belize in general, and butterflies in particular. Experience the metamorphous of the butterfly from caterpillar to butterfly.

The tour is very instructive and the caretaker will act as your tour guide and answer all your questions you might have about these fabulous insects!

Bring: Camera
How far away: 100 miles, 3h from Hopkins
District: Cayo
Difficulty level ride: Easy/Medium
Difficulty level tour: Easy
Percentage off-road: 0%
Bike required: Dual-sport or Cruiser
Tour Duration: 1 hour
Entrance Fee:

The Belize Raptor Center is dedicated to educate and inspire conservation of raptors and their habitat. Rescue and rehabilitate injured and orphaned birds of prey.

This initiavtive is open Monday through Saturday and there is a bird show every day at 1:30 pm. Be there well ahead of time since consitency is key to the training of the birds. The visit is free of charge but donations to keep the project going are encouraged.

Bring: Closed shoes, Insect Repellent, Sunscreen, Camera
How far away: 95 miles, 2h 45 min from Hopkins
District: Toledo
Difficulty level ride: Medium
Difficulty level tour: Easy
Percentage off-road: 50%
Bike required: Dual-sport
Tour Duration: 2-3 hours
Entrance Fee: Donation based