Belize Botanic Garden
The Gardens encompass 45 acres of native and exotic plants
BBG, a tropical paradise of flora and fauna, is found nestled at the foothills of the Maya Mountains. The Macal River, flanked by limestone bluffs, runs through it. Our job at BBG is to inspire you to appreciate plants and to protect the floral bio diversity of Belize by existing as an information resource for the community, government, industry and science and to be a place of beauty for all visitors to enjoy.
Modestly speaking we offer you beautiful plants in a beautiful setting, but we’re oh! so much more. Our main work is encouraging sustainable agriculture, maintaining conservation collections and engaging in conservation education. We aim to inspire our community and visitors (this could be you!) to protect our leafy friends and their habitats by learning more about the wonderful world of plants. Whether you come for a day visit via canoe, horseback, hike or car or you come to stay as a guest, student or intern, BBG is a place to discover, explore and stimulate your senses. Taste our latest tropical fruits! Smell the air heavy with ylang-ylang, cinnamon or bay rum. Behold the striking tropical flowers such as panama flame! Listen to the cacophony of tropical birds: keel billed toucans, olive throated parakeets, montezuma oropendola and hundreds more.
Plants of the Maya
Discover plants used by the ancient Maya for ritual, medicine and daily living. The Maya knew how to make all they needed from the forests around them. This traditional knowledge was handed down generation to generation as part of their cultural identity. For the Maya this meant knowing how to survive from the forests, pray to the gods, heal the sick and make floors from the earth. Some practices are still used today.
Find out about Belize’s useful and medicinal native plants, many of which are still used today by people of Belize on our ‘Medicine trail”. You’ll see what plants were used for clothing, storage, tools, building, ritual and medicine.
Fire Tower
Check out the vista from our hill-top lookout. You get a bird’s eye view of the garden and surrounding hills from the top of our 25ft. fire tower.
The tower is a popular stop on a night walk. From atop the tower you will have an unobstructed view of the night sky (weather permitting). You are sure to be awed by the clarity and sheer number of stars and constellations you can see.
The tower is a replica of the towers used for fire management in the Mountain Pine Ridge
Zingiber Alley
The Gardens boasts a collection of Belize’s heliconia and ginger as well as over 50 different varieties from the world’s tropics.
A short winding path takes you past a display ofsterlitzia (bird-of-paradise), gingers, heliconias, and aeroids. These showy plants are typical symbols of the tropics. Their vibrant colors create the perfect photo spot.
Bird Hide
Spy on the least grebes, black bellied whistling ducks and northern jacanas from this hideaway close by the pond.
Rates – Getting around the gardens.
Guided Tours ($15.00 US per person)
This is the best way to see the garden. You get to walk around with our experienced professional guide who will take you on scenic routes and trails around the gardens where all the great plants are plus you can pepper them with questions Check with our concierge to discuss departures times, difficulty or terrain, and length of the tour. When you are finished with the guided tour you are still welcome to wander around the garden on your own.
If you have a favourite subject, such as orchids, palms, birds, medicinal plants or organic gardening, call us ahead of time so that we can arrange the best guide for the topic. If you don’t get the chance to call ahead let us know when you arrive and we may still be able to set it up.
Entrance Only ($7.50 US per person)
If you would just like to stroll around the gardens and don’t really want to hear a lot of information, then this is the choice for you. Not to mention quite a deal! Seven dollars and fifty cents can gets you into the garden with a self-guiding tour booklet. The booklet has information on 47 of the many fascinating plants in the gardens you will see on your walk in the gardens. Spend an hour or spend the day.
Students and Groups
Contact us for our special group rates. We can also set up great educational itineraries for your entire stay in Belize.
Are you 12 or under?
Well, then you can see the Belize Botanic Gardens absolutely FREE (with paying parents). Plus you get a groovy kids activity called the Plant Puzzle Trail where you answer questions by following a trail map.
But wait! There’s more! If your parents are doing a guided tour you get to do a fun plant activity Absolutely Free. Tell your folks to call ahead, so that we can set it up for you.
Land of the Free, Garden of the Discounted
To attract more local visitors Belize Botanic Gardens offers discount to Belizean citizens on all of the above rates. Every Sunday is absolutely Free. Check the local newspapers or call to inquire for special events happening on holidays. It’s a great place for the whole family.
Access for All
We are sorry to say that people of every ability may not be able to access all our trails and displays. (Our small budget is not as accommodating as we are) BUT we will certainly do our darndest to make sure that every visitor enjoys the gardens. So, if you have special needs, let us know. After all there is more than one way to see a garden. Ask about our golf cart![/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
Garden Highlights
Orchid House
Our Native Orchid House is home to over 100 species of Belizean orchids, as well as many other native plants. You will not see a dramatic display here as these are not collected in great numbers due to threats to them in the wild.
Palms of Belize Display
Thanks to the International Palm Society you can enjoy a display of native palms and their products at the garden. Students enjoy this field trip stop as they see how we use palms everyday and get to do activities like learn how to make a thatched roof, broom or house plant from palms.
Let us know if your interested in going to the archaeological site of Caracol (Caracol Mayan Ruins) with us, by using the form below.
For general questions or comments on any of our Adventures Tour listed on our site or any other things to do in Belize, Click here to contact us.