Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary has the world’s highest concentration of big cats in the world. In addition to jaguars, this 98 000 acre Jaguar Reserve is home to jaguarondis, pumas, ocelots and margays. There is also a lot of “cat food” to be found including agouties, anteaters, armadillos, tapirs, brocket deer, coatis, kinkajous, otters, pacas, and peccaries and a troop of howler monkeys. Lots of birds can be seen while hiking in this beautiful wildlife refuge. Your licensed guide will show and describe many of the plants and trees and the uses the Maya made of them and will help you spot the birds, insects and animals resident in the Jaguar Preserve.
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Infant meals not included.
Hiking trails range from moderate to rigorous and can be muddy after rains
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Snacks
Lunch
Transport by air-conditioned van
Tour Guide.
Water.
All taxes, fees and handling charges.
Gratuity
Alcoholic drinks.
US$ 10.00 per person for pickup/drop off north of Placencia Village.
Hiking paths at Cockscombs Basin range from easy to strenuous. A typical tour is an easy hike along the River Walk trail to learn about the plants, trees and the uses the Maya made of them. Along the way, you will see birds, insects and animal residents in the Jaguar Preserve. After Lunch, enjoy river tubing and a 20 minutes hike to swim in the cool pool below the waterfalls. If you are looking for more of a workout, request the Tiger Fern or Ben's Bluff trail where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Victoria Peak and Outlier.
Pickup included
4 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
graeme s,
Feb 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
This tour with Victor was relaxing, informative and enjoyable from the drive to the jaguar preserve, the short hike to the put in at Stan’s creek, the float on tubes and the stop at the chocolate store. Victors humor and knowledge of the history and preservation of the preserve and everything Belize was over the top.
Amy E,
Apr 23, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
The whole experience was magical! Our tour guide and Mayan guide shared a plethora of knowledge. The jungle was breathtaking. A dip in a waterfall and a tube down a river completed the day! Would highly recommend. Oh, and the provided lunch was delicious.

carla r,
Apr 2, 2022
- Review from Viator
I had a great time climbing up as high as we could go almost made the top. Came back to waterfalls was nice and refreshing
Kathy194017,
Feb 21, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
First, I have to commend the Splash Dive shop. We had another similar tour scheduled farther in advance that cancelled out at the last minute. Splash did a fantastic job of getting us on this tour with less than 2 days notice. I can't say enough good things about them and their customer service! The tour started with our guide picking us up on time. We had a bit of a drive to the Reserve. The road inside the reserve is very bumpy, but we made it. (There were cruise ship busses when we arrived, but they didn't stay too long.) We got a detailed explanation of the area and the history of the Preserve itself from the guide. Then, we hiked to Ben's Bluff and the waterfall. Both were breathtaking. We were provided a traditional lunch, which was delicious. Finally, we went tubing on the river. The river tubing was mostly relaxing, but there were some small rapids to get through. Finally, the guide returned us to our hotel. Of note, we went back to the van at lunchtime, so you do have an opportunity to change after swimming in the waterfall and/or tubing down the river. I definitely recommend bug spray for the hike and sunscreen for the tubing. The water is very shallow for most of the tubing, like less than 3 feet deep. I think the entire tour lasted about 7 hours.
Operated by Splash Dive Center Limited (but shown as Splash Dive Shop on Trip Advisor)