Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and Jaguar Preserve
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
You will be picked up from an agreed location in Placencia and taken on a drive to the Jaguar Preserve/Cockscomb basin. Enjoy either river tubing or swim at a waterfall or do both. Hike through our jungles is an exciting feat. You will learn about the usefulness of some plants while you make your way along a jungle trail to river tube.
Additional Info
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund.
Dress code: cool/light clothing for the jungle. Wear bathing suit under.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Barefoot Services
Your guide will pick you up from either Hopkins or Placencia.
Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Preserve
Tour Guide begins with a tour briefing. Once we arrive at Maya Center, park tickets are purchased. The 6 miles into the jungle continue until arriving at the visitors center. At this point the group discuss the park history and importance. We quickly decide on the trail we will take and head out. River Tubing is a major highlight of this day in the Jaguar Preserve and this is usually done first. with the selection of rubber tube to enjoy the river, the group hikes for about 40 minutes to the river. Reminder of how to manage river tubing as a team on this river is highlighted. The wet and wild fun continues for another 35 mins. with exiting the river, the rubber tubes are stocked and another hike begins. Group hikes for 15 mins to the waterfall. The spectacular Ben' Bluff waterfall is enjoyed, after which the group hikes back to the visitors center where we make our way back to Placencia.
What‘s Included
Local guide
All taxes, fees and handling charges
Bottled water
Lunch
Hotel pickup and drop-off (if option selected)
Port pickup and drop-off
Transport by air-conditioned minivan
Gratuities
Pickup points
Maya Beach Hotel
Placencia Road, Mile 15 Maya Beach Belize
Umaya Resort & Adventures
Placencia Rd, Maya Beach Maya Beach Belize
Green Parrot Beach Houses & Resort
1 Maya Beach, Maya Beach Belize
Options
Jaguar Preserve - Cockscomb
Pickup included
Reviews
43 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Fabulous small adventure
ttogreen,Mar 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an awesome guide, Ian - he had vast knowledge of the environment - trees, birds, native healing medicinals- a great sense of humor & a close eye for our safety.
Barefoot exceeds expectations!
tanyafN8372LV,Mar 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Ian was a gem. Fully personalized experience filled with local food, incredible waterfalls, and so much education about the Belize culture. Thank you!!
Thorough tour and great guide
KAD123456,Mar 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Ian was great and perfect day hiking with a local lunch and chocolate.
Cockscomb Basin Day!
Ann M,Feb 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Barefoot Services picked us up and drove us and another family to Cockscomb Basin. It was so much more than a van ride. Our tour guide, Ian, educated us through history, scientific facts, cultural info, personal stories, and humor. He provided a good context for us in understanding this part of Belize and its beautiful people and natural environment! In the park we hiked through the rain forest, tubed down a lazy river, saw lots of birds and several howler monkeys, We ate a yummy lunch together at the end of the day, prepared by a local cook. On our way home we stopped at an incredibly delicious Belizian chocolate shop. It was such a wonderfully stimulating and unique day! I was glad that we wore long pants and long sleeves because the insects were definitely biting. Use bug spray too. You need to wear shoes that you can hike in and get wet also. Highly recommend!
Highly recommend Barefoot Services!
PMillan Blairstown,Feb 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great time at the Jaguar Preserve with our favorite guide Ian!
An Unforgettable Adventure in Cockscomb Basin
EllytravelstheWorld,Jan 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our trip to the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and Jaguar Reserve was an unforgettable experience. Even though we didn’t spot a jaguar, the day was filled with adventure, learning, and fun. Our guide, Ian, was fantastic and incredibly knowledgeable. He shared fascinating stories about the history of Belize, as well as insights into modern Belizean culture and cuisine. Along the way, he taught us about medicinal plants in the rainforest and even let us taste a few things — including what he jokingly called the “protein of the rainforest,” which made the experience even more memorable. For lunch, Ian introduced us to local dishes that tasted absolutely amazing, especially after swimming in a refreshing waterfall. Before we set off, he gave us several trail options so we could choose which hikes suited us best, which we really appreciated. We also chose to go tubing, and it turned out to be a wonderfully relaxing experience — peacefully floating through nature was the perfect way to end the day. Overall, this tour was a perfect mix of nature, culture, relaxation, and great food. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Belize!
Monkeys, mud, and more!
F9866BPkimberlyd,Jan 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Chris and Ian did a phenomenal job guiding our family of 11 with an age range of 76 years. At one point Chris had our two toddler boys on each shoulder pointing to a troop of monkeys in the trees with the grandparents hanging on. Chris helped us through the mud, scraped knees and mosquito bites. He took time explaining various insects and fauna and answered all of our many questions. We felt like we had his unlimited time and attention. What a wonderful experience with fantastic guides.
Absolute best day of my life with Ian at Tiger Fern Waterfalls!
haileyraer,Jul 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I’m so happy we booked this tour and has Ian as our guide, as I think it was the highlight of our week in Belize!! We did the Tiger Fern Trail and waterfalls and I have never seen something so special in my life, incredible views and experience all around. Ian was a fantastic guide: super knowledgeable, friendly, and fun. He was cool with us changing our itinerary last minute, and let us do one of the more strenuous hikes in lieu of rafting. He was hilarious and took us to super cool spots and arranged a fanatic lunch. Barefoot Services was super accommodating for our travel arrangements, and let us book a full-day tour the day before. They reached out to us personally to make sure they were picking us up from the right spot and were very responsive via email. We were also able to make last minute changes to the reservation over phone and email.
Highly Recommend Barefoot Services!
K9750BTheidif,Jun 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We spent the day with Jimmy, our guide, and loved every minute of it! Jimmy was knowledgeable and accommodating. The hike, waterfall swim, and river tubing allowed us to experience firsthand the beauty and rich culture Belize has to offer! This tour was perfect for our family of 4 (boys ages 9 and 12)! The delicious, local meal at the end of our day was the icing on the cake!
Amazing Jaguar Preserve Excursion
frankowithak,Jun 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an incredible excursion through the nature preserve! Our guide, Jimmy, was the absolute best. We had a bit of a drive to get to the preserve but his encyclopedic knowledge of his home country made the trip interesting and educational. Jimmy was awesome with our boys (9 and 12 yrs old). He was accommodating and encouraging with them throughout the day. We never felt rushed and even though we had an itinerary, it felt like the tour wouldn’t end until we decided it was over. Jimmy got to know us quickly throughout the day and got the perfect read on our boys - he knew exactly how to connect with all of us. We hiked, tubed the river, swam in a waterfall, and had an amazing local lunch at a spot you would never stop at without a true Belizean telling you to. I’m sure there are other great guides out there, but we clearly got the best one. It felt like we had to say goodbye to a friend when we arrived at our hotel. We’re excited to find Jimmy and the Barefoot crew again when we return to Belize!
From US$155.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
Related Experiences
Operated by Barefoot Services