Month: July 2024

With so many interesting and exotic animals living in Belize, choosing to see the Baird’s Tapir (Tapirus bairdii) may seem a little unusual. Baird’s tapirs are the national animals of the country and are rarely seen in the rainforests and jungles of Belize primarily because they are only active at nighttime and spend most of their lives completely alone.

But there’s a lot to appreciate about these creatures, the largest indigenous land mammal in Belize. Baird’s tapirs are named for Spencer Fullerton Baird, an American naturalist who first observed the animals in Mexico in 1843 but are known as “mountain cows” by Belizeans.

These mammals can grow up to six feet long (two meters) and weigh up to 500 pounds (225 kilograms). Baird’s tapirs are entirely vegetarian, usually feeding on fruits, leaves, grasses, and aquatic vegetation but they are happy to snack on corn and other crops when they get a chance. But don’t let their size fool you. Despite their big size and ungainly appearance, they are fantastic swimmers. In Belize, Baird’s tapirs range across vast territories, often having to cross rivers, creeks, and wetlands. These land mammals are also excellent at climbing steep terrain even in the thickest jungle.

It takes approximately 13 months for a Baird’s tapir to gestate and three years to grow to full maturity. During those three years, young tapirs will stay close to their mothers, the only time in their lives when they will live in proximity to their parents. It is estimated that they can live 30 or more years in the wild.

Baird’s tapirs don’t actually look like a cow. Their appearance is more of a big, gray anteater or elephant due to their long, prehensile nose. These mammals are actually most closely related to horses and rhinoceroses. Although it’s hard to spot a tapir in the wild, the tracks they leave behind are easily identifiable, a deep, splayed hoofmark with four toes in front and three in the rear.

Baird’s tapirs were once found all throughout Central and South America, but their numbers have dwindled due to poaching and the encroachment of human developments. Today, Belize is home to some of the biggest populations of these mammals. Baird’s tapirs don’t pose any risk to humans. When surprised, they usually like to flee to the nearest body of water, but on occasion, they will emit a loud whistle and stamp their feet.

If you’re interested in seeing a Baird’s tapir up close and personal, be sure to book your visit to the Belize Zoo with Chabil Mar.

No trip to the beautiful Central American nation of Belize would be complete without sampling some of our delicious food. The region is jam-packed with an abundance of mouth-watering fruits that you absolutely must try, such as:

1. Guaya

When eaten at its perfect ripeness, this fabulous fruit is wonderfully sweet. In Belize, the Guaya fruit is sometimes called Ginep – so you may need to use both names when speaking with vendors.

2. Dragon Fruit

Though it may look a little strange, dragon fruit is always a popular favorite among travelers to Belize. Depending on where you go, you may hear locals refer to it as Pitaya.

3. Pineapple

Pineapples may just be the perfect tropical fruit. Whether you want to enjoy a slice at breakfast or in your beverage, you won’t be disappointed with the selection on offer in Belize.

4. Sapodilla

Native to Belize and the Mexican Yucatan, this delicious fruit has a sweet and granular texture. It is not to be missed.

5. Soursop

This native Belizean fruit can be found throughout the country. If you want to indulge your sweet tooth, you can find Soursop flavored ice creams in stores and restaurants.

6. Mango

If you like to treat yourself to a mango while you are at home, you simply must have one while you are in Belize. For maximum freshness, try to travel during mango season.

7. Breadfruit

Though breadfruit is not native to Belize, it is nonetheless very popular in the area. It is traditionally baked or roasted and enjoyed at dinner time.

8. Papaya

This delectably sweet fruit is popular across Belize. If you look closely, you will even be able to spot the birds of Belize enjoying this fabulous fruit straight from the tree.

9. Apple Banana

Belize offers some of the tastiest bananas that you will find anywhere on earth. You simply must try an apple banana during your time there.

10. Coconut

Whether you prefer to enjoy coconut milk, coconut water, or something a little different, you will be pleased to know that Belize offers huge quantities of this delicious fruit.

11. Tamarind

You will find this fruit at convenience stores across Belize. Its sour, candy-like taste is always popular with tourists and locals alike.

12. Golden Plum

If you like your fruits to be tart and crunchy, you must try the Golden Plum. If you are feeling really adventurous, you can even dip it in some hot sauce.

13. Cacao

Belize is the perfect place to indulge in the fruit that is transformed into chocolate. The flesh that covers the beans is amazingly sweet.

14. Sapote

The Sapote’s sandpaper-like skin can be a little offputting at first. However, when you open it up you will be able to taste the creamy and sweet center that lies within.

15. Craboo

This delicious fruit is popularly eaten as part of a stew Craboo in Belize. You will sometimes hear locals refer to it as Nance.

16. Cashew Fruit

You may have heard of cashew nuts, but did you know that there is also a cashew fruit? When eaten fresh, this fruit is fabulously sweet and juicy. If you’re feeling thirsty, you can also purchase cashew fruit wine in many stores and restaurants.

17. Custard Apple

This fruit is a favorite among native Belizeans. It has a sweet and granular texture and is most often eaten with sweetened condensed milk.

18. Malay Apple

Originally brought to Belize by colonial settlers, this fruit has since become one of the most popular in the nation. It is sometimes referred to as a Wax Apple.

19. Sea Grape

Sea Grapes are found mainly in the coastal beach areas of Belize, so if you are staying at a resort you should definitely try them out. This mouth-watering fruit is incredibly sweet.

20. Starfruit

Though starfruit originally hails from Southeast Asia, it is now widely grown in Belize. Though it generally tastes quite sweet, it can sometimes be a little sour.

21. Guava

Whether you prefer to eat it in slices or drink it as a juice, you simply must try some Belizean Guava when you are in the area. You won’t be disappointed.

If you want to head to Belize to try out some of these delicious fruits for yourself, then you will need somewhere to stay. Of course, Chabil Mar Resort in Placencia Village, Belize is the perfect option. Aside from our fabulous culinary options, our amazing resort also offers beach access and luxurious accommodation. There is nowhere else quite like it on earth.

Review of Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

History: Concern for the viability of Belize’s jaguar population didn’t arise until the 1980s, when wildlife conservationists and government officials compared notes on the frequency of jaguar references found in hunting magazines. A graduate student was hired to estimate the jaguar population and he declared that the “highest density” of jaguars ever recorded were at the Cockscomb Basin. The government of Belize stepped in and declared the Basin a no-hunting forest reserve in 1984, but wildlife experts remained worried that this designation didn’t sufficiently protect jaguars and other wildlife, so that designation was upgraded to wildlife sanctuary in 1986.What you’ll see: If you expect to encounter nothing but four legged creatures while visiting this Belize hot spot, you’re in for a surprise. Majestic waterfalls, trails and mountain peaks are home to all sorts of creatures, including a splendid collection of neo-tropical birds. The reason this area is so hospitable has to do with the bounty of natural resources encouraging habitation. The South Stann Creek not only sustains wildlife but also protects the upper watersheds of river systems supplying water to the people of Belize. In fact, there’s just a sliver of land separating basins interconnected to the Swasey River and a Monkey River tributary, so the complex drainage system supports all manner of life in the region—including people!