Toledo - Belize's Adventure Travel Destination

ABOVE: Exploring one of the many underwater caves in Belize's Toledo district.

Other Toledo District attractions include lush jungles and trips (by motorboat, canoe or rafts) along the Rio Grande and Temash Rivers, and guided hikes through lush jungles with 100-foot canopies, wild orchards, howler monkeys and iguanas that grow seven feet long. Blue Creek Cave is one of the largest underground cave systems in the world, and can take up to two days to go through; there now exists Blue Creek Lodge and experienced guides who can take visitors through.

Toledo is also home to two areas considered to be among Belize's most pristine and untouched rainforests. They are the Bladen Nature Reserve, used primarily for research and monitoring purposes, and the Columbia River Forest Reserve, which allows for treks by visitors, but permits first need to be obtained from the Forestry Department in Belmopan. Entry is by foot only and traveling with a local guide is recommended.

San Antonio Deer Dance

The Mopan Mayan village of San Antonio is the site of the Deer Dance, a nine-day traditional Mayan cultural celebration which takes place in late August and early September. Although this traditional cultural ceremony coincides with a Catholic religious holiday, the Feast of San Luis, its roots are traditional and Mayan.

Lubaantun Mayan Ruin Site

Several Mayan ruins can be found in the Toledo district, including Lubaantun ("Place of the Fallen Stones," so named because it was built without mortar). It is a few miles from the town of Punta Gorda. Nim Li Punit, which has the tallest carved stellae found to date in Belize, is approximately 25 miles north of Punta Gorda. Another Mayan ruin site, Uxbenka, is built on a hill. These ruins can be visited with a local guide.

Southern-most Cayes

Near where the Caribbean meets the Bay of Honduras, there are several small but beautiful cayes: the Sapodilla Cayes, Hunting Caye and Snake Caye. These cayes have beautiful coral sand beaches and abundant sea life, perfect snorkeling locations. There are no hotels, but it is possible to camp out or moor a boat for an overnight excursion. Hunting Caye is host to large numbers of nesting sea turtles in late summer.

TIDE: Fly fishing and Kayaking Tours

The Toledo Institute for Development and the Environment (TIDE), is a non-governmental organization with a focus on sustainable development. In addition to its other activities, it operates TIDE Tours, with a focus on fly fishing and kayaking. They can be contacted at tel: +501-722-2129.

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