📌District
The Community Baboon Sanctuary (CBS) is a community reserve in the Belize District, in the north-central part of the country, on the banks of the Belize River, around the village of Bermudian Landing, about 50 km from Belize City. Despite its name, it doesn't protect baboons —which don't exist in the Americas— but the Central American black howler monkey (Alouatta pigra), which in Belizean Creole is colloquially called 'baboon'. It's a pioneering community conservation project in which the residents and farmers themselves committed to protecting the monkeys' habitat on their lands.
📌Gateway town
The usual base is Belize City, about an hour away by road (Northern Highway and then the turnoff to Bermudian Landing). That's where you'll find Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE), hotels, agencies and services. In the village of Bermudian Landing and its surroundings there's simple lodging and the sanctuary's visitor center, where the tours are organized. Many travelers visit it on a half-day excursion from Belize City or from the cruise ships.
📌Best time to go
The sanctuary can be visited year-round, since the howler monkeys are permanently present. The dry season (late November to mid-April) is the most comfortable for walking the trails and for the access roads. In the rainy season the setting is greener, but it's more humid and hot and there are more mosquitoes. The early morning hours and the late afternoon are the best times to hear and see the monkeys, which are more active in the cool.
📌Suggested days
A half-day visit is enough to do a guided walk, observe the howler monkeys up close and see the visitor center and the small museum. It's an ideal complement to a route through the north-central part of the country and combines very well with Altun Ha, the Belize Zoo or Crooked Tree. Those who want more nature and quiet can stay overnight in a nearby lodging and enjoy the river and the wildlife at leisure.
📌Currency
Belize dollar (BZD), pegged at 2 BZD = 1 USD. The sanctuary's tours are quoted in US dollars and paid in cash (US$ 7 for the guided walk). Bring small bills for the admission, tips for the guides, home-style food and crafts: in Bermudian Landing there are no ATMs or card payment.
📌Hours
The visitor center is open daily during daytime hours (approx. 8:00 to 17:00; it's best to confirm by phone at +501 633-1748 or arrive before mid-afternoon). The guided walks leave on demand during the day; the best times to see and hear the monkeys are early morning and dusk.
🌤️ Clima en Community Baboon Sanctuary
The Community Baboon Sanctuary is one of the most original and beloved conservation projects in Belize, and a visit that combines nature, wildlife and a beautiful community story. Its name can be confusing: there are no baboons —which only exist in Africa and Asia— but black howler monkeys, which in Belizean Creole speech are affectionately called 'baboons'. The sanctuary protects the habitat of these primates along the Belize River, around the village of Bermudian Landing.
What makes this place unique is not only the wildlife, but the model: the sanctuary was born in 1985 from a voluntary agreement among the farmers and residents of several villages, who committed to managing their lands in a way compatible with the survival of the monkeys, leaving forest corridors and fruit trees. It's a pioneering, internationally recognized example of community-based conservation. By visiting it, you directly support those families and see how people and wildlife coexist.
This guide covers the Community Baboon Sanctuary with a practical, warm eye: how to get there from Belize City, what to expect from the guided walks with howler-monkey sightings, what the visitor center offers, which other attractions to combine it with and why this community project deserves a stop on any route through the north-central part of the country. It's an accessible, educational and very rewarding plan.
📖 History of Community Baboon Sanctuary
The Community Baboon Sanctuary was created in 1985 as a pioneering community conservation project, driven with the support of scientists (among them the primatologist Robert Horwich) and conservation organizations, together with the local communities. Its aim was to protect the Central American black howler monkey (Alouatta pigra), a threatened species known locally as 'baboon'. The project's originality lies in its foundation: instead of expropriating land to create a park, dozens of private owners and farmers from several villages along the Belize River were persuaded to sign a voluntary agreement to manage their plots in a way compatible with the monkeys, preserving strips of forest, food trees and corridors that allow the howler groups to move and thrive. The result was an increase in the monkey population and a success model cited internationally. The sanctuary is managed by the community (through a local organization of women and residents), has its visitor center and museum in Bermudian Landing, and combines conservation with ecotourism and education. Besides the howler monkeys, the area protects a rich riverside habitat with other wildlife and flora. The full story is on our history page.
Read the full history →🗺️ What to see
1
Guided walk with howler-monkey sightings
The sanctuary's great attraction: touring the trails with a local guide to find and observe the black howler monkeys up close.
The star activity of the Community Baboon Sanctuary is the guided walk in search of the black howler monkeys. Accompanied by a local guide —often a member of the community itself— you walk a trail through the riverside forest of the Belize River, where the guides know the territories of the different monkey groups and can usually locate them so visitors can see them up close.
The black howler monkey (Alouatta pigra) owes its name to its powerful vocalizations: its roars or 'howls', heard at great distances, are one of the most impressive sounds of the Central American jungle. Seeing them move among the branches, feeding on leaves and fruit, and even hearing their chorus, is an unforgettable experience. Thanks to the sanctuary's success, the monkeys are used to human presence and are usually seen with relative ease.
The guide not only helps find the monkeys but explains their behavior, their ecology and the history of the community project, which greatly enriches the visit. It's an educational, respectful experience, in which the proper distance is kept so as not to disturb the animals.
Best time and hours: early in the morning or at dusk, when the monkeys are more active and it's less hot. Tips: bring comfortable footwear, repellent, water and a camera with a good zoom; always follow the guide's instructions and don't try to feed the monkeys.
ℹ️ Distance: Sanctuary trails, on the banks of the Belize River (from the visitor center) · Best time: Early morning or dusk (more active monkeys) · Admission: US$ 7 / BZ$ 14 approx. for the guided walk (Nature Walk), includes the museum (source: howlermonkeybelize.org, the sanctuary's official site, verified July 2026) · Duration: 1 to 2 hours
2
Visitor center and museum in Bermudian Landing
The sanctuary's starting point, with exhibits on the howler monkeys, the local wildlife and the community project.
In the village of Bermudian Landing is the sanctuary's visitor center, which serves as the starting point for the walks and as an educational space. There the guided visits are organized, admissions are paid and information is provided about how the sanctuary works and how the community got involved in protecting the monkeys.
The center houses a small museum with exhibits dedicated to the black howler monkey and to the region's wildlife and flora, as well as to the history of the project: how, since 1985, the families of several villages agreed to protect the monkeys' habitat on their own lands. It's a good place to understand the context before setting out on the trails and to appreciate the social dimension of the initiative.
Visiting the center and learning about the project is part of the full experience: the Community Baboon Sanctuary is not only a place to see monkeys, but a model of community conservation worth understanding. The management by the community itself means the visit has a direct impact on the local families.
Best time and hours: during the sanctuary's opening hours; it's best to start at the center before the walk. Tips: spend a few minutes at the museum and chat with the local staff, who know the project's history well.
ℹ️ Distance: In the village of Bermudian Landing · Best time: At the start of the visit (before the walk) · Admission: Included in the sanctuary admission, US$ 7 / BZ$ 14 approx. (source: howlermonkeybelize.org, official site, verified July 2026) · Duration: 30 minutes
3
The Belize River and the riverside wildlife
The sanctuary's setting on the banks of the Belize River, rich in birds, reptiles and other wildlife besides the monkeys.
The Community Baboon Sanctuary stretches along the Belize River, and that riverside setting is an essential part of its appeal. The gallery forests bordering the river not only provide shelter and food for the howler monkeys, but house a rich fauna: birds of many species, iguanas, other reptiles, butterflies and diverse wildlife typical of the aquatic and lowland-jungle habitats of northern Belize.
During the walks and tours of the area, besides the monkeys, there are usually opportunities to observe birds —the sanctuary is also a good place for birdwatching— and other animals. Some lodgings and operators also offer activities linked to the river, like canoe trips, which let you enjoy the river landscape and its wildlife from the water.
This full setting —monkeys, birds, river and forest— makes the sanctuary a broader nature destination than its name suggests. It's ideal for those who enjoy wildlife watching in general and want to combine primate sightings with a dose of riverside nature.
Best time and hours: the morning is ideal for the wildlife and birds. Tips: bring binoculars besides the camera, repellent and sun protection; ask whether there are canoe options or river trips at the sanctuary or nearby lodgings.
ℹ️ Distance: On the banks of the Belize River, in the sanctuary area · Best time: Morning (more wildlife and birds) · Admission: Part of the sanctuary visit; River Canoe Tour separate US$ 28 per person (source: howlermonkeybelize.org and operator reviews, verified July 2026) · Duration: Variable (combinable with the walk)
4
The black howler monkey up close (Alouatta pigra)
The sanctuary's protagonist: the loudest primate in the Americas, observable a few meters away among the branches.
The sanctuary's true treasure is its population of Central American black howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra), a species endemic to the Yucatán Peninsula, Belize and Guatemala, considered Vulnerable by the IUCN. Thanks to the success of the community project, the monkey density around Bermudian Landing is very high and the groups are so used to human presence that they let themselves be observed a few meters away, feeding, resting or moving through the canopy.
They are the largest primates in Central America and owe their fame to their vocalizations: the deep, low howl of the males, amplified by an enlarged hyoid bone, is heard for several kilometers and is one of the most impressive sounds of the tropical jungle. Hearing the 'chorus' of a group at dawn or dusk, with the monkeys answering one another, is a spine-tingling experience.
The local guides know the territories of each troop and can usually guarantee close sightings, which makes this one of the best places in the world to see howlers in the wild. How to get there: during the guided walk, from the visitor center. Best time: dawn or dusk (more activity and vocalization). Tips: a camera with a good zoom, slow movements and silence; never feed or try to touch the monkeys.
ℹ️ Distance: Sanctuary trails, during the guided walk · Best time: Dawn or dusk (more vocalization) · Admission: Included in the sanctuary admission, US$ 7 / BZ$ 14 approx. (source: howlermonkeybelize.org, official site, verified July 2026) · Duration: During the walk (1–2 h)
5
The village of Bermudian Landing and the Creole life of the river
One of the oldest Creole communities of the interior, where this conservation model was born.
Beyond the monkeys, visiting the sanctuary is a glimpse into the life of Bermudian Landing and the neighboring villages on the banks of the Belize River, some of the oldest Creole communities in the country's interior. It's here that, in 1985, a group of farmers signed the voluntary agreement that gave rise to the sanctuary, and where today conservation mixes with everyday rural life.
Touring the village lets you see wooden houses, gardens, the river and the leisurely rhythm of the Belizean countryside, and chat with the residents —many of whom work as guides— about how they managed to get people and monkeys to share the same territory. The community management, carried out largely by a local women's organization, has turned nature tourism into a source of income that sustains the families and reinforces the commitment to protecting the habitat.
Trying home-style Creole food, buying crafts and understanding the human dimension of the project completes a visit that's as much about wildlife as about culture. How to get there: the village is the starting point of the visit. Best time: any day; combinable with the walk. Tips: bring small cash for admissions, tips for the guides (who usually work on a voluntary basis) and crafts.
ℹ️ Distance: Bermudian Landing, on the banks of the Belize River · Best time: Any day; combinable with the walk · Admission: Touring the village is free; food and crafts separate (BZ$ 10-20 per dish, range according to traveler forums, verified July 2026) · Duration: 30 to 60 minutes (combinable with the visit)
6
Combined excursion with Altun Ha or the Belize Zoo
The most popular way to visit the sanctuary: a day that adds monkeys, Maya ruins or native wildlife.
Because of its closeness to Belize City and other great attractions of the north-central area, the Community Baboon Sanctuary is very often visited as part of a combined day excursion. The classic pairing is sanctuary + Altun Ha, the coastal Maya ruin where the famous jade head of the sun god Kinich Ahau came from, just over half an hour away. Another frequent combination is sanctuary + Belize Zoo, ideal for families, since at the zoo you see up close the native wildlife (jaguar, tapir, ocelot) that rarely appears in the jungle.
These excursions, offered by Belize City agencies and cruise operators, usually include transport, admissions and a guide, and handle all the logistics in a single day. For those with little time or arriving by cruise, they're the most efficient way to combine nature, primates and archaeology.
Those traveling on their own can put together the same route by rental car, chaining the visits along the Northern Highway. How to get there: from Belize City or the cruise port, with an operator or your own car. Best time: dry season; set out early. Tips: confirm which admissions the package includes (Altun Ha BZ$ 20, Belize Zoo BZ$ 40) and bring repellent, water and a hat.
ℹ️ Distance: Sanctuary + Altun Ha (~30 min) or + Belize Zoo (~1 h), via the Northern/Western Highway · Best time: Dry season; early departure · Admission: Combined package US$ 90-150 per person with transport, guide and admissions (range according to Belize City agencies, verified July 2026) · Duration: Full day
💵 Prices
Tickets
| Type | Price |
|---|
| Nature Walk / admission to the Community Baboon Sanctuary with guided walk (community-managed) | US$ 7 per person, includes the museum (source: howlermonkeybelize.org, official site, verified July 2026). The guides usually work on a voluntary basis: a tip is customary |
| River Canoe Tour on the Belize River | US$ 28 per person (source: howlermonkeybelize.org and operator reviews, verified July 2026) |
| Bird Tour (birdwatching, from 5 am) | US$ 30 per person (source: operator reviews like Sailingstone Travel, verified July 2026) |
| Croc Night Tour / Night Hike (night excursion) | US$ 55 per person (source: operator reviews, verified July 2026) |
| Organized excursion from Belize City or cruises (admission + transport + guide) | US$ 60-110 per person; combined with Altun Ha or Belize Zoo US$ 90-150 (range according to agencies and cruise operators, verified July 2026) |
🔄 updated monthlyOfficial / reference values · double-check when buying
Activities and tours
| Activity | Price | Duration | Operator |
|---|
| Guided walk with howler-monkey sightings (Nature Walk) | US$ 7 per person + tip for the guide (source: howlermonkeybelize.org, official site, verified July 2026) | 1-2 h | Community guides of the sanctuary |
| Birdwatching in the riverside forest (Bird Tour) | US$ 30 per person with a bird guide (source: operator reviews, verified July 2026) | 1-2 h | Local sanctuary guides |
| Canoe trip on the Belize River (River Canoe Tour) | US$ 28 per person (source: howlermonkeybelize.org, verified July 2026) | 1-2 h | Local operators and lodgings |
| Combined excursion (sanctuary + Altun Ha or Belize Zoo) | US$ 90-150 per person (range according to Belize City agencies, verified July 2026) | Full day | Belize City agencies and cruise operators |
🔄 updated monthlyOfficial / reference values · double-check when buying
🚌 How to get there and distances
Getting around
| Mode | Price | Duration | Notes |
|---|
| Your own or rented car | US$ 60-100 per day plus fuel (range according to rental agencies in Belize, verified July 2026) | Approx. 1 h from Belize City | You get there via the Northern Highway and the turnoff to Bermudian Landing. The most flexible option for visiting on your own |
| Taxi from Belize City (round trip with wait) | US$ 80-130 round trip with wait, to be agreed (range according to traveler forums, verified July 2026) | Half day | Convenient for small groups; it's best to agree on the total price with the wait beforehand |
| Organized excursion with transport included | US$ 60-110 per person (range according to Viator and Yondertours, verified July 2026) | Half day | The simplest option: it includes transfer, admission and guide from Belize City or the cruise |
| Rural bus Belize City → Bermudian Landing | BZ$ 3-6 / US$ 1.50-3 each way (range according to traveler forums, verified July 2026) | 1 to 1.5 h | There are village buses with few departures (generally midday or afternoon, Monday to Saturday), meant for the residents: they don't allow a same-day round trip. Only useful if you stay overnight in the area |
🔄 updated monthlyOfficial / reference values · double-check when buying
How to get there
| Route | Airlines / operators | Avg. price | Duration |
|---|
| Belize City → Bermudian Landing / sanctuary (car or taxi) | Rental car, taxis and agencies | Taxi US$ 80-130 round trip with wait; car from US$ 60/day (range according to traveler forums, verified July 2026) | About 1 hour (some 50 km) |
| Cruise port (Belize City) → sanctuary (shore excursion) | Cruise excursion operators | US$ 60-110 per person (range according to Viator, verified July 2026) | Half day |
| Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) → Belize City (base) | Taxis and transfers | US$ 25-30 by taxi (range according to traveler forums, verified July 2026) | 20 to 30 minutes to the city |
🔄 updated monthlyOfficial / reference values · double-check when buying
🏨 Where to stay
No exact prices: a scale from $ (budget) to $$$$$ (luxury), with 2-3 options per category.
| Category | Price | Recommended options |
|---|
| Nature lodges and lodging near the sanctuary | $$$$$ | US$ 50-120 per night (range according to Booking.com and traveler blogs, verified July 2026). In Bermudian Landing and its surroundings there are nature lodges, some community-managed (e.g. Nature Resort), ideal for staying near the monkeys and the river |
| Guesthouses and homestays | $$$$$ | US$ 20-45 per night (range according to the sanctuary's homestay program and traveler forums, verified July 2026). Lodging in community family homes, an authentic way to live the experience and directly support the sanctuary's residents |
| Base in Belize City (day visit) | $$$$$ | US$ 70-150 per night (range according to Booking.com, verified July 2026). Many visitors stay in Belize City and do the sanctuary as a half-day excursion. Good connection with the airport and the agencies |
🍴 Where to eat
| Type | Price | Options / signature dish |
|---|
| Home-style Creole food in the village | $$$$$ | BZ$ 10-20 (US$ 5-10) per dish (range according to traveler forums, verified July 2026). Home-style Belizean Creole food (stewed chicken, rice and beans, river fish) prepared by community families, simple and cheap |
| Restaurants in Belize City | $$$$$ | BZ$ 20-55 (US$ 10-28) per dish (range according to Tripadvisor, verified July 2026). For more variety, Creole cuisine, Caribbean seafood and international food in Belize City |
❓ Frequently asked questions
Are there really baboons in the sanctuary?+
No. The name is confusing, but there are no baboons (which only exist in Africa and Asia). The sanctuary protects the Central American black howler monkey (Alouatta pigra), which in Belizean Creole is affectionately called 'baboon'. They are tree-dwelling monkeys famous for their powerful roars or 'howls', heard at great distances.
What makes this sanctuary special?+
Its community conservation model. Created in 1985, it's not an expropriated park, but the result of a voluntary agreement among farmers and residents of several villages who committed to managing their lands to protect the monkeys' habitat. It's a pioneering, internationally recognized example in which people and wildlife coexist, and the visit directly supports the local families.
Is it likely to see the monkeys?+
Yes, the odds are high. Thanks to the project's success, the howler population is healthy and the groups are used to human presence, so the local guides can usually locate them to observe up close. As with all wildlife, there's no absolute guarantee, but sightings are very common, especially first thing in the morning or at dusk.
How long does the visit take and what does it combine with?+
A guided walk with monkey sightings and the visit to the interpretation center take half a day. It combines very well with Altun Ha, the Belize Zoo or the Crooked Tree Sanctuary on a full-day excursion from Belize City or from the cruise ships.
How do you get to the sanctuary?+
It's about an hour from Belize City, in the village of Bermudian Landing, reached via the Northern Highway and a turnoff. You can get there by rental car, taxi or, most conveniently for those who don't drive, on an organized excursion with transport and guide included. There are rural buses from Belize City, but with few departures and schedules that don't work for a same-day round trip.
How much does admission to the Community Baboon Sanctuary cost?+
The guided walk (Nature Walk) costs US$ 7 per person and includes access to the visitor center museum (source: howlermonkeybelize.org, verified July 2026). Optional tours are paid separately: canoe on the Belize River US$ 28, birdwatching US$ 30 and night excursion US$ 55 per person. The guides usually receive a tip, which is an important part of their income. Everything is paid in cash.
Sources consulted (11)
- Wikipedia (EN) — «Community Baboon Sanctuary»: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_Baboon_Sanctuary
- Travel Belize (oficial, Belize Tourism Board): https://www.travelbelize.org/
- Wikipedia (EN) — «Community Baboon Sanctuary»: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_Baboon_Sanctuary
- Community Baboon Sanctuary (oficial) — «Howler Monkey Belize»: https://howlermonkeybelize.org/
- Travel Belize (oficial, Belize Tourism Board): https://www.travelbelize.org/
- Lonely Planet — «Belize»: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/belize
- Sailingstone Travel — «Seeing Howler Monkeys at The Community Baboon Sanctuary»: https://sailingstonetravel.com/community-baboon-sanctuary-belize/
- Travel Belize (oficial, Belize Tourism Board): https://www.travelbelize.org/
- Lonely Planet — «Belize»: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/belize
- Travel Belize (oficial, Belize Tourism Board): https://www.travelbelize.org/
- Lonely Planet — «Belize»: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/belize
