08 May 2027 - 18 May 2027 (11 days)
USD6,500 SPACES AVAILABLE
Tour Leader: Alexander Alvarado
Tour Price (Per person): USD6,500 (CAD9,292 * GBP4,977 * EUR5,748)
Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated, and dates may change* Optional Miami Gateway Start Package available on this tour. Please contact our team if you would like to add this option to your booking.
Belize offers the perfect introduction to the exciting world of tropical birding and wildlife travel. Small, welcoming and remarkably diverse, this relaxed Central American nation combines lush rainforests, scenic wetlands, rich Mayan history and an outstanding variety of colourful birdlife within surprisingly short travel distances. From peaceful wetland lagoons and tropical rainforest to Caribbean coastal forests and ancient Mayan landscapes, Belize offers a wonderfully varied and accessible tropical wildlife experience. As the only English-speaking country in Central America, Belize provides an approachable and comfortable setting for travellers embarking on their first international birding adventure.
Our Rockjumper Gateway Tour has been specially designed to introduce travellers to the birds, wildlife and natural beauty of the Neotropics in a comfortable and enjoyable way. Exploring a variety of habitats including freshwater wetlands, tropical rainforest, foothill forest and Caribbean lowlands, we can expect an exciting array of visually spectacular species throughout the journey.
Among the many highlights are the towering Jabiru, dazzling Keel-billed Toucan, colourful motmots and trogons, impressive Scarlet Macaw, handsome Great Curassow and the bizarre Boat-billed Heron. Hummingbirds, parrots, tanagers and raptors are wonderfully represented, while opportunities for wildlife viewing may include monkeys, crocodiles, iguanas and perhaps even signs of Belize’s elusive wild cats.
In addition to the excellent birding, Belize’s friendly atmosphere, manageable pace, comfortable lodges and excellent wildlife experiences make it an ideal destination for travellers seeking a gentle introduction to tropical birding travel. Combined with unhurried travel days, enjoyable accommodations and the support of experienced Rockjumper leaders throughout the journey, this tour provides the perfect gateway into the fascinating birds and wildlife of tropical Central America.
Keel-billed Toucan; Scarlet Macaw; Jabiru; Turquoise-browed Motmot; Crimson-collared Tanager; White-necked Jacobin; Violet Sabrewing; Collared Aracari; Great Curassow; Boat-billed Heron; Black-headed Trogon; Montezuma Oropendola; Red-legged Honeycreeper; White-whiskered Puffbird; Yucatan Jay; Sungrebe; Bare-throated Tiger Heron; King Vulture; Yellow-headed Amazon; Northern Potoo.
Black Howler Monkey; Central American Spider Monkey; White-nosed Coati.
Freshwater wetlands; Tropical rainforest; Foothill forest; Caribbean lowlands; Pine savanna; River lagoons; Broadleaf forest; Coastal habitats.
Warm, tropical and often humid throughout the tour, particularly in lowland and coastal areas. Conditions are generally comfortable, though brief rain showers and high humidity may occasionally be experienced.
5 - 6 with 1 Rockjumper leader, 7 - 12 with 2 Rockjumper leaders
UNDEMANDING: This tour is ideal for birders and wildlife enthusiasts of all experience levels. It’s suitable for most mobility levels and offers a relaxed pace, ensuring an enjoyable experience for everyone.
Designed specifically for first-time international birders and travellers. Relaxed pacing, comfortable accommodations and generally easy birding conditions throughout the tour. Some early starts are necessary to take advantage of peak bird activity. Gateway Tours are intentionally designed around comfort, atmosphere and enjoyable birding experiences rather than long species lists or physically demanding schedules. These tours provide an ideal introduction to tropical birding travel while still offering exciting wildlife encounters and memorable birding throughout. These tours are not suitable for guests seeking demanding, fast-paced, highly target-driven birding experiences or intensive photography-focused itineraries.
Comfortable tourist lodges and hotels with private bathrooms, air conditioning or fans, and reliable amenities throughout the tour.
Easy. Birding is conducted at a comfortable pace with a strong emphasis on enjoying visually rewarding and easily observed tropical species rather than pursuing highly elusive birds.
Ancient Mayan ruins; Scenic wetland boat trips; Tropical rainforest scenery; Caribbean coastal landscapes; American Crocodile; Green Iguana; Morelet’s Crocodile
Excellent. Many birds are seen well, several lodges offer close bird encounters and excellent feeder activity, and numerous opportunities exist for wildlife and scenic photography.
This tour was originally proposed as birds and Mayan ruins and at least 6 of the 8 of us signed up for that reason, to see birds but also explore the extensive Mayan ruins of Belize, Guatemala and Honduras. I recommend that you continue to advertise it as such. The current title 'Belize, Guatemala, Honduras--Ultimate 2025' does not do the tour justice. Alex was the perfect guide for a tour combining birds and Mayan ruins. He has vulcan hearing and can spot and identify birds across a range of habitats. He exceeded my expectations by actually locating my prize bird, a Jabiru through his extensive local contacts. We both saw birds and learned about their habitats and behaviors. Importantly Alex is both knowledgeable and enthusiastic about Mayan ruins and took us to several that were not originally on the tour at our request. Such sites are often full of birds as well as ruins and satisfied our desires to be able to explore both and see a variety of ruin types from those with immense structures such as Tikal (many tourists) to other more administrative sites with very different buildings (and few or no tourists). We worked hard and a great time. I was particularly interested in seeing woodpeckers and woodcreepers as well as the Jabiru and Alex went out of his way to help me see them. Alex is from Honduras and in Honduras, he arranged several times for us to have special lunches made with traditional ingredients. All of us enjoyed that aspect as well.
Alex was one of the best tour guides I have ever traveled with. He did an excellent job of managing the trip logistics and a superb job of finding birds. He is highly knowledgeable, pleasurable to be with and I would gladly travel with him again. We particularly enjoyed staying at Birds Eye View Lodge and at Pico Bonito. Walt Vennum
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