Adventure
The magic of the jungle has something to offer everyone!
Belize is filled with many hidden jewels and the Billy Barquedier happens to be one of them! The BBNP is located just along the Hummingbird Highway on mile 17.5 in the village of Steadfast, a site which is easily accessible to both locals and foreigners. The BBNP is blessed with pristine jungles and trails for all types of adventurers. Whether you are an experienced hiker, a wildlife enthusiast, or just someone looking to get away for a couple hours, Billy Barquedier National Park has something to offer everyone. Day-trippers looking to cool off can take a dip in the Billy Barquedier Falls after a short hike (15-20 minutes).
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Camping
Billy Barquedier National Park is home to many different species of animals, including Belize’s national mammal, the tapir. On a quiet hike through the jungle, one may come cross a tapir trail, gibnuts, howler monkeys, or even a jaguar. Equally attractive as its collection of native species is the breathtaking scenery of the Maya Mountains and the entire Valley of the Stann Creek District on an observation tower which stands at the tip of the mountain at an elevation of approximately 1,230 feet. On a clear day, visitors can catch a view of Victoria Peak and the Caribbean Sea. It takes about 45 minutes of hiking through a steep terrain, which takes visitors along a splendor of lush green forest.
With a plethora of native species, the jungle is one of the best places to come observe wildlife in their natural habitat. This area is a haven for birdwatchers as well. There are several other nature trails in which birders can appreciate the various species of birds that reside in the park or just simply connect with nature. Among these is the “Mot-Mot Trail” that leads to the recreational areas that sits on the hilltop with seating and bathroom facilities to compliment it. These rest areas are perfect for a nature cleanse!
The Billy Barquedier National Park is an area where the Mullins River Basin and North Stann Creek Watershed (NSCW) pass through. The park was created to protect not only the creek, which serves as a watershed for the people of Steadfast Village, but also the amazing biodiversity of the area.
The Waterfall Trail is an easy 15 minutes’ hike through the jungle and along the crystalline creek running from the waterfall leading up to the majestic cascade stemming from the Maya mountains. It falls into a large natural pool of irresistible refreshing water. Swimming can be done all day long or visitors can sit back on the deck to just simply admire the unquestionable beauty of nature.
A camping area is also located along the Mot Mot Trail. This is perfect for those wishing to spend the night beneath the canopy of lush green leaves. The area comprises of benches, a small cooking pit and an outdoor bathroom.
For a second option, there is also the Central Camping area located deep inside the jungle along the Mullins river, approximately 3.5 km from the highway. This is a perfect experience for extreme hikers who may wish to completely disconnect and spend some time appreciating nature.
Facilities available: Your visit to the BBNP is guaranteed to be a comfortable one. Some of the basic facilities available include: - Parking - Bathrooms and showers - Gift shop - Visitor center- currently being developed to enhance the visitor experience
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Be sure to stop and do these 2 hikes. The first is a challenging “straight up” hike to a valley lookout. This hike is steep and challenging so you will... read more earn your waterfall swim afterward. Then go to the waterfall for a quick chilly swim – so refreshing after the lookout hike. The rangers are super friendly and helpful.
February 24, 2021Inexpensive, fun hike to a beautiful waterfall. One of our favorite spots. Be careful during rainy season, though. Rocks can be very slippery.
November 15, 2018Enterence to the park is like parking on someone's front lawn. Not very big. Two hikes available. One to the falls and the other to a top of a mountain.... read more Easy hike to the falls. There is a pool for a relaxing swim. The trail continues to the top of the falls but it looks difficult.
January 23, 2020My husband and I visited this park with the notion that we would take both the hike to the falls and the hike up the mountain. The National Park employee... read more warned us that the hike up the mountain was steep, but we had no idea what an understatement that was. We are in good shape, but the hike up the mountain almost requires a person to use all four limbs to climb it. Plus, it had been rainy, so the leaves that littered the trail made it slippery. We made it a few feet up and decided it unfortunately wasn't for us. On the other hand, the walk to the waterfall was easy and short. The most challenging part is traversing the mossy rocks without falling into the water, but if you are planning to swim in the cool blue pool at the bottom of the falls, it doesn't matter if you get a little wet. I suggest wearing shoes with good traction to grip the slick rocks. There were two other people there when we visited, but if you are looking for a secluded spot to enjoy a natural beauty without having to work too hard to get there, this is a perfect park.
July 9, 2016 -
Read the reviews and wanted to do the easy 10min hike to the falls. We went in December, winter in Belize when the temperature was like 90F and burning... read more and it felt like more than a 30min hike.
There is nothing else in the area. We parked our car at the entrance (there was probably space for one car). I was afraid if someone would park behind I couldn't get the car out. But we didn't see anyone in the area.. Apply lot of bugspray to avoid getting eaten alive. The trail was extremely slippery and prepare to junk your shoes after the muddy trail.
The falls turned out to be just OK for all the effort. Took a lot of pictures for future travelers.
January 12, 2017We enjoyed chatting with Tony, who registers the guests in an old fashioned notebook. He will give you a homemade hiking stick to use too! The hike to the... read more falls is up a grassy hill, through the jungle, across rocks, and across the stream so you should be in good shape to get there. While we were climbing up through the rainforest, we experienced a significant downpour, which made the experience more exciting. The falls are beautiful and there is a pool at the bottom for swimming.
February 22, 2020Thanks to the low season I was the only one in the park while I was there. It's a nice short hike to the waterfall where you can have a... read more lovely solitary swim and enjoy the beauty of the surroundings. Bring mosquito spray!
October 31, 2015We didn't go through the whole park, but went directly to the location to hike to the falls. It's about a 15 or so minute hike, need to be in... read more moderately good shape as it's uneven ground. But oh, how worth it! The water is warmish, nice on a hot day and the falls are lovely. You can swim right up to the falls, and if you go, get to the base of the falls and there is a stone ledge that you can 'sit'. It's like a terrific natural jacuzzi.
July 1, 2016 -
We had heard about it and so stopped by on our way to Placencia. The place is lovely and cool. We did not prepare properly for the short but steep... read more and slippery hike, so will know better next time. But it was definitely a great little attraction and we will go back.
August 8, 2017Beautiful park. The Tiger trail which is one vertical mile up the mountain takes you to a lookout where you get to see the mountain range, the valleys and as... read more far as the sea. Absolutely gorgeous! This hike is very strenuous and only for those in good physical condition. The walk to the waterfall is about 15 min. Beautiful falls. Take mosquito spray.
March 16, 2016A short hike leads to this swimming hole, which is a nice place to hang out and take a swim. The rope in some of the traveler's photos was not... read more there when we visited but most people should be able to navigate the rocks to the waterfall. I agree with others who suggested bug spray, preferably AFTER you have had your swim so as not to pollute the water. We were told the local village uses this stream for drinking water.
The only negative was the litter along the creek. It looks like people picnic here but they leave behind bottles, wrappers, etc. It wasn't excessive but it took way from the experience a little bit. We ended up collecting what we could and leaving it with the ranger at the entrance.
April 7, 2019 -
The park is not that large, it has trails, water, facilities, animals, and birds. They do a good job with maintaintence.
May 27, 2019I went with my friends on a surprise trip. It was amazing, just a bit scary, since the stones on the walking path were very slippery. There was a support... read more rope but just for the part of the way. Hope they will extend it. In general very wild place, pure nature walk.
November 5, 2017Highly underrated! Tony was manning the booth and he explained he was part of the group that founded the park. Did not have a chance to hike the lookout tower,... read more but at 9AM in November we were the only people at the swimming hole!
May 12, 2019The location on Trip Advisor is incorrect. This park is located outside the city.
We had thought to walk there from the Museum of Belize. It is not... read more close to the Museum. Use a different search engine or mapping tool than Trip Advisor to find the correct location.
November 22, 2018 -
We did this hike on a Saturday with our two kids 8 & 13. A local from Dangriga suggested this spot. It would be best to get here around noon... read more or earlier as the sun shines through the canopy for a limited time on the pool. There was no one around manning the little building on the side of the road so we just parked and off we went. It was a bit slippery so it's best to have great shoes that can get wet. We only hiked to the falls not the Tiger trail which seems much more strenuous and we were hot and wanting a refreshing swim. We sure got it! Stunning setting all to ourselves, beautiful cool water. We didn't have any issues there with bugs though we always brought bug repellent with us wherever we went. Doesn't take much more than 20 minutes to get there from the roadside.
February 12, 2017We absolutely loved that this hike was so close to our hotel (sleeping giant resort). We drove over and just followed the signs to the waterfall. It's not too bad... read more of a hike, definitely a wet one. Wear pants! Can not stress that enough. We were all eaten alive by mosquitoes! The bug spray just didn't work and was washed away. We have bites all over and 3 days later we are all still itching. Not your regular mosquito. Lovely little hike to a cool little place. No other hikers were there. Wear pants, you'll love it!
November 9, 2017