About this experience
Travel by boat through the scenic mangrove lagoons to the traditional fishing village of Monkey River, then continue upriver into one of Belize's last pristine rainforests. Watch for American crocodiles, large green iguanas basking in the trees, turtles, and a variety of tropical birds, including herons, kingfishers, parrots, and ospreys.
Your licensed local guide will lead an easy rainforest walk in search of the area's famous black howler monkeys. Hearing their deep, echoing calls is an unforgettable Belize experience! Along the trail, discover native plants and towering trees, many of which have long been used by local bush doctors for food and medicine. With a little luck, you may also spot gibnuts ("Royal Rats"), peccaries, agoutis, coatimundis, tapirs, or even the elusive ocelot. Before returning to Placencia, enjoy the opportunity to purchase an authentic Belizean Creole lunch at Miss Alice's Restaurant. Keep watch for endangered West Indian manatees on the return cruise.
At a glance
- Duration: 7 hr
Plan your experience
Set aside 7 hr for the experience itself, with additional time to reach your meeting or pickup point.
Before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Wear shoes that you don't care if they get wet - for the mellow walk into the jungle part of the tour.
Local guides to help you plan
Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary Guide
Plan a thoughtful visit to Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary in Belize, with practical guidance on wildlife expectations, road access, insects, guided evening visits, packing, accessibility, and responsible travel.
Belize Packing List for a Beach and Jungle Trip
Pack smart for Belize with a practical beach-and-jungle checklist covering quick-dry clothes, grippy footwear, rain protection, boat-day essentials, documents, money, and remote-travel safety gear.
Belize Jungle Lodge Guide
Plan a Belize jungle lodge stay with clear advice on choosing a location, arranging transfers, budgeting, accessibility, and building an inland itinerary around caves, Maya sites, rivers, and forest.
What is included
- Transport
- Park Fees.
- Pick Up and Drop Off in Placencia Village.
- Tour Guide.
Not included
- Lunch.
- Alcoholic drinks.
- Drinks.
Itinerary and highlights
Depart Placencia Village at 08:00 am for a boat ride along the coast zipping in an out of the mangroves. Stop in Monkey River Town to order lunch to be eaten on the return trip. You can expect to see crocodiles, huge iguanas on tree branches sunning themselves, turtles, and many species of tropical birds.
Upriver, your licensed guide will lead you into the rain forest in search of howler monkeys which communicate with each other to declare their territory. Nothing you read could prepare you for the adventure of hearing these monkeys for the first time...you just have to experience it!
Your guide will also point out the different plants and trees many of which are used as medicine by local bush doctors. You may spot gibnuts (now known as royal rat since Queen Elizabeth dined on it), deer, ocelots, peccaries, tapirs, coatimundis and agoutis. abundant wildlife.
Stop at Miss Alice’s restaurant in Monkey River before heading out on a manatee watch on the way back to Placencia.
Meeting and pickup information
- We text guests to arrange time and place for pickup. We provide complimentary pickup and drop off along the main road in Placencia Village but charge US$ 10.00 per person for pickup/drop off north of Placencia Village.
Languages and tickets
- English — Guide
- Spanish — Guide
- Mobile Only
Tour operator
- Splash Dive Center Limited (but shown as Splash Dive Shop on Trip Advisor)
Meeting points and locations
Accessibility and practical details
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Meals are not included - tradition is to support the Monkey River Village buy buying lunch there.
- Wear shoes that you don't care if they get wet - for the mellow walk into the jungle part of the tour.
- Long sleeve shirts and long pants and mosquito spray can be necessary some times of the year.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Questions about this experience
How long is this experience?
What are the pickup arrangements?
Which guide languages are listed?
What ticket format is listed?
What ticket age bands are listed?
What is the cancellation policy?
Traveller reviews and photos
Traveller experiences load when you reach this section.
