2 Best Sights in Belize City, Belize

Spanning a 20-mile (32-km) stretch of the Belize River, the "CBS" reserve encompasses land that sprawls over seven communities. The black howler monkey (Alouatta pigra)—an agile bundle of black fur with a disturbing roar—was before then zealously hunted throughout Central America and was facing extinction. (Belizeans refer to the black howler as a "baboon," but baboons are not found in the wild in the Americas.) Today the sanctuary is home to some 2,000 black howler monkeys, as well as numerous species of birds and mammals. Thanks to ongoing conservation efforts countrywide, you can see the howler monkeys in many other areas of Belize and northern Guatemala. Exploring the Community Baboon Sanctuary is easy, thanks to about 3 miles (5 km) of trails that start near a small museum and visitor center. The admission fee includes a 45-minute guided nature tour during which you definitely will see howlers. Some guides may ask you to pay extra to hold or pet the howlers—this isn't appropriate, and don't encourage it. Other theme tours—birding, canoeing, crocodiles—are priced à la carte, although the admission per couple is little more than the per-person rate.

At Monkey Bay you can canoe on the Sibun River, hike a 16-mile (31-km) nature trail along Indian Creek (only partly within Monkey Bay lands), or go bird-watching—some 250 bird species have been identified in the area. It has a natural history library with some 500 books and other reference materials, which visitors can use. The sanctuary also has educational and internship programs. Overnight accommodations for visitors are available if not occupied by students or interns. The nine private cabins and rooms run from BZ$192 to BZ$238. Dorm-like accommodation with shared bath is available in the field station bunkhouse for BZ$82. Meals are also available at times, if an educational group is in residence. Otherwise you'll have to make your own meals. Monkey Bay accepts short-term volunteers (minimum stay one week). Internships also are available, usually with a minimum stay of one month. Most programs are geared to overnight or multinight visits, but day visitors are welcome, too. Call in advance to see what activities or facilities may be available when you want to come.