Among the many wonders of Belize is the Chiquibul National Park- Belize's largest park. The park is located in the Cayo district of Belize and is roughly 414 sq miles in size. Although the ruins of Caracol are located within the park perimeters, the size of the park does not include the ruins site itself. Caracol is a designated archaeological reserve making it a park within a park.
The park was established in 1956 and was originally part of the Chiquibul Forest Reserve. in 1991, the three-quarters of the forest reserve that did not have active logging concessions was re-designated as a national park under Belize's National Parks System Act. in 1995, the park's borders were re-defined . The ruins of Caracol became surrounded by the national park.
The western side of the park lies along Belize's border with Guatemala. The park lies west of the Maya Mountains. The park's landscape includes south the Vaca Plateau. Doyles Delight- the new highest mountain in Belize, is located within the confines of the park. The park is located on a layer of Limestone Strata- the largest area of protected Karst in Belize. In this vast park, can be found portions of the Chiquibul Cave System- the longest known cave system in Central America. The cave system is made up of caves linked by water flows, including the Chiquibul River which flows through Belize and goes underground into the cave system which then resurfaces in Guatemala. The cave system includes the largest known underground passages known as the Kabul Sand Passage- discovered in the Western Hemisphere.
Enormous Kabul Sand Passage
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| Entrance to Kabul Cave- Chiquibul National Park |
The wonders of Chiquibul are unequal to any found in Belize. The vast rainforest canopy covers nearly every inch of the park, which lies bording Guatemala. The dangers of the park are many and among them are the existing Xateros- Guatemala farmers who come across the border in search of the precious Xate leaves- used in the floral industry. These farmers have been known to be agressive and have put in peril the Belizean raiinforest -slashing, burner and cutting vast areas of the forest in search of the leaves.
Friends of Conservation & Development manager the park and provide ranger services as well as a security presence to various expedition outfits such as XMET- the Xibalba Mapping & Expedition Team that visit Belize each year to conduct continuing cave mapping projects throughout the forest and mountain areas of central Belize.
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| Marcos Cucul- inside Loltun Room, Chiquibul |
The wonders of caving are something most adventure seekers will want to experience when in Belize. Used by the Maya for ancient ceremonial rituals and other religious rites, the caves can now be entered with a licensed tour guide. Maya Guide Adventure Tours is a leader in these types of expeditions and adventures. Among our list of caves is the Crystal Cave- located in the Blue Hole National park.
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| Calcified Human Remains in Crystal Cave |
Join one of our thrilling expeditions into the underworld of Belize. Take away an unforgettable experience!
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