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Community Baboon Sanctuary Review

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Community Baboon Sanctuary

Address: Community Baboon Sanctuary, 31 mi (50 km) northwest of Belize City
Phone: 220/2181

Category: Nature Preserves
Location: Belize City

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Fodor's Review:

One of Belize's most fascinating wildlife conservation projects is the Community Baboon Sanctuary, which is actually a haven for black howler monkeys. Spanning a 20-mi (32-km) stretch of the Belize River, the reserve was established in 1985 by a group of local farmers. The howler monkey—an agile bundle of black fur with a deafening roar—was then zealously hunted throughout Central America and was facing extinction. Today the sanctuary is home to nearly 1,000 black howler monkeys, as well as numerous species of birds and mammals. Thanks to ongoing conservation efforts, you can see the howler monkeys in a number of other areas, including at Lamanai in northern Belize, along the Macal, Mopan, and Belize rivers in western Belize, and near Monkey River in southern Belize. Exploring the Community Baboon Sanctuary is easy, thanks to about 3 mi (5 km) of trails that start near a small museum and visitor center.

There are two routes leading to the sanctuary. If you are going north on the Northern Highway, turn west at Mile 13 onto the Burrell Boom Road. Go 3 mi (5 km) and turn right just beyond the new bridge over the Belize River. Signs to Bermudian Landing mark the turn. Stay on this road approximately 12 mi (20 km) to Bermudian Landing. If going west on the Western Highway, turn north on the Burrell Boom Road at a roundabout at Mile 15½ of the Western Highway, and go 9 mi (14 km) to the new bridge over the Belize River. Just before the bridge, turn left. Signs to Bermudian Landing mark the turn. Stay on this road approximately 12 mi (20 km) to Bermudian Landing.

You can also use the Burrell Boom Road as a short cut between the Northern and Western highways, avoiding Belize City. When taking this shortcut, you stay on the Burrell Boom Road rather than turning toward Bermudian Landing. When on the Burrell Boom Road, you may want to stop at the Central Prison Gift Shop at the Central Prison, on the road to Burrell Boom about 3 mi (5 km) from the Western Highway. Prisoners at the "Hattieville Ramada" make small craft items and sell them at the gift shop.

Cost: BZ$10
Open: Daily 8-5

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