Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

Parks & Nature · Stann Creek District, Belize

Established in 1986 as the world's first jaguar preserve, Cockscomb protects around 128,000 acres of rainforest beneath the Maya Mountains. Visitors hike a network of trails to waterfalls and river swimming holes, tube the South Stann Creek, and watch for tapirs, toucans and hundreds of other bird species; the jaguars themselves are famously elusive. Simple cabins and campgrounds let keen naturalists stay overnight.