A convenient introduction to Belize’s riverbank forest near Belmopan. Make time for a nature walk and look closely at the trees, birds and life beside the river.
What to see & do
Follow the Guanacaste, River View and Living Cycle trails. Ask staff about current trail conditions and opportunities for nature learning.
Picture yourself here.
Video posterWhere we work
A 2020 introduction from BAS to the seven protected areas it co-manages.
Belize Audubon Society
Audio and any available captions come from the original publisher.
Getting there
At the junction of the Hummingbird and George Price highways, less than two miles from Belmopan. BAS notes bus access outside the park.
When to go
A flexible daytime stop. Check opening and river conditions; a river view is not an assurance that swimming is permitted or safe.
Facilities & staying longer
Plan this as a day visit. Ask BAS about facilities and group visits before arranging a school or community outing.
Protected as a reserve in 1973, named Guanacaste in 1975, and declared a national park on April 22, 1990.
River forest, close to the city
Guanacaste preserves riverbank forest near the capital, helping protect tributaries flowing toward the Caribbean. It combines recreation with environmental education: look for large Guanacaste trees, Belize River views, howler monkeys, iguanas and agoutis, while remembering that wildlife sightings vary.
BAS lists birdwatching, picnicking, nature trails and swimming among the park’s activities. Ask staff about current river conditions and permitted swimming areas. The Guanacaste, River View and Living Cycle trails offer different ways to explore; the official photo gallery also shows a river-viewing deck.
A park shaped by local care
The land formed part of the area purchased to build Belmopan. A British site engineer and BAS member used it as a garden and helped reserve it in the development plan. It was gazetted in February 1973, and BAS received the land on the condition that it be managed as a bird sanctuary or national park.
The name became Guanacaste Park in 1975 at BAS’s request. Volunteers and donated materials sustained it for many years, followed by full-time staff from 1987; Peace Corps volunteer Matthew Miller was among the early staff. National-park status was declared on April 22, 1990, emphasizing forest education and recreation.
Keep exploring
Find BAS reports, visitor resources and birding information in the library, or ask the team for current checklists and trail conditions.
Maps & visitor resources →Visitor information reviewed November 8, 2026. Contact the team for current conditions or special arrangements. Content sources & credits →