Adventure

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).

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

5/5
  • star rating  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

    Chris O
    February 24, 2021

    star rating  Inexpensive, fun hike to a beautiful waterfall. One of our favorite spots. Be careful during rainy season, though. Rocks can be very slippery.

    Linda E
    November 15, 2018

    star rating  Enterence 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

    Raroboy
    January 23, 2020

    star rating  My 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

    Stephanie D
    July 9, 2016
  • star rating  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

    jokerji
    January 12, 2017

    star rating  We 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

    149alannah
    February 22, 2020

    star rating  Thanks 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

    Roelvdk
    October 31, 2015

    star rating  We 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

    crangrammy2014
    July 1, 2016
  • star rating  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

    Barbara R
    August 8, 2017

    star rating  Beautiful 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

    WendyFair
    March 16, 2016

    star rating  A 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

    jbiel590
    April 7, 2019

    star rating  Very nice waterfall not hard to get to right off the road. Def will be back to explore some more. Take good hiking shoes or tennis.

    MayaGuideAdventures
    June 16, 2016
  • star rating  The park is not that large, it has trails, water, facilities, animals, and birds. They do a good job with maintaintence.

    387indy
    May 27, 2019

    star rating  I 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

    Luimar99
    November 5, 2017

    star rating  Highly 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

    SteveSharer
    May 12, 2019

    star rating  The 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

    caitlinwz
    November 22, 2018
  • star rating  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

    Jennifer R
    February 12, 2017

    star rating  We 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

    Leigh G
    November 9, 2017