Guanacaste National Park (Belize)
Encyclopedia
Guanacaste National Park is a 50 acres (20.2 ha) park in central Belize
. It is named after a huge Guanacaste tree that escaped being logged because its trunk divided into three bases, reducing its value as timber.
Guanacaste National Park is located on the north side of the Western Highway just to the east of the Roaring Creek bridge - about 50 miles (80.5 km) west of Belize City
, in the Cayo District
of Belize. In 1973, it was established as a Crown Reserve but finally gained status as a national park
in 1990. The park was later put under the responsibility of the Belize Audubon Society
. The Guanacaste National Park is the most accessible park of the Belize Audubon Society-managed protected areas. Its proximity to Belize's major cities make it a popular family spot. Public transportation from any nearby city is available to the national park.
The park is open to the public only during the day. The Guanacaste National Park is open from 8 am until 4:30 pm. The admission fee is about $1 BZD (Belize Dollar
) for citizens and $5 BZD for tourists. There is an educational center, a gift shop, and over two miles (3 km) of maintained trails. The park's workers recommend that visitors wear long-sleeved shirts, sturdy shoes and pants to avoid contact with poisonous plants.
Besides the famous Guanacaste tree, this national park is also home to other tree species such as the Rain Tree, Mamey sapote
, Brazilian firetree
, and Honduras Mahogany
, Belize's national tree. Belize's reputation for an extensive biodiversity is also evident in the park's wide range of animals that tourists are able to observe. These include the White-tailed deer
, Jaguarundi
, Kinkajou
, Nine-banded Armadillo
, among countless others. This park is also a favorite for birdwatching
. There have been recorded over one hundred different bird species, including the Blue-crowned Motmot
and Black-faced Antthrush
. Other birds seen at Guanacaste Park include the Smoky-brown Woodpecker
, Black-headed Trogon
, Red-lored Amazon, the Magnolia Warbler
, Belted Kingfisher
, and the Bright-rumped Attila
.
Belize
Belize is a constitutional monarchy and the northernmost country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Even though Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official...
. It is named after a huge Guanacaste tree that escaped being logged because its trunk divided into three bases, reducing its value as timber.
Guanacaste National Park is located on the north side of the Western Highway just to the east of the Roaring Creek bridge - about 50 miles (80.5 km) west of Belize City
Belize City
Belize City is the largest city in the Central American nation of Belize. Unofficial estimates place the population of Belize City at 70,000 or more. It is located at the mouth of the Belize River on the coast of the Caribbean. The city is the country's principal port and its financial and...
, in the Cayo District
Cayo District
Cayo District is a district in the west of the nation of Belize. The District capital is the town of San Ignacio.- Geography :The Cayo District is the largest district in Belize. It is located on the western side of the country which borders Guatemala. The nation's capital, Belmopan, is...
of Belize. In 1973, it was established as a Crown Reserve but finally gained status as a national park
National park
A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or owns. Although individual nations designate their own national parks differently A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or...
in 1990. The park was later put under the responsibility of the Belize Audubon Society
National Audubon Society
The National Audubon Society is an American non-profit environmental organization dedicated to conservation. Incorporated in 1905, Audubon is one of the oldest of such organizations in the world and uses science, education and grassroots advocacy to advance its conservation mission...
. The Guanacaste National Park is the most accessible park of the Belize Audubon Society-managed protected areas. Its proximity to Belize's major cities make it a popular family spot. Public transportation from any nearby city is available to the national park.
The park is open to the public only during the day. The Guanacaste National Park is open from 8 am until 4:30 pm. The admission fee is about $1 BZD (Belize Dollar
Belize dollar
The Belize dollar is the official currency in Belize, formerly known as British Honduras; is normally abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or alternatively BZ$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies. It is divided into 100 cents...
) for citizens and $5 BZD for tourists. There is an educational center, a gift shop, and over two miles (3 km) of maintained trails. The park's workers recommend that visitors wear long-sleeved shirts, sturdy shoes and pants to avoid contact with poisonous plants.
Besides the famous Guanacaste tree, this national park is also home to other tree species such as the Rain Tree, Mamey sapote
Mamey sapote
The mamey sapote is a species of tree native to southern Mexico. Today, the tree is cultivated not only in Mexico, but also in Central America, the Caribbean, and South Florida for its fruit, which is commonly eaten in many Latin American countries...
, Brazilian firetree
Schizolobium parahyba
Schizolobium parahyba is a tree species from tropical America in the family Fabaceae. S. parahyba is a deciduous plant that can grow as fast as 3 meters per year, to reach up to 30 meters in height. It is typical of secondary rainforests. It is an indigenous plant of the Atlantic forest of Brazil....
, and Honduras Mahogany
Swietenia macrophylla
Swietenia macrophylla, commonly known as big leaf mahogany, is a species of plant in the Meliaceae family. It is one of two species that yields genuine mahogany timber, the other being Swietenia mahagoni....
, Belize's national tree. Belize's reputation for an extensive biodiversity is also evident in the park's wide range of animals that tourists are able to observe. These include the White-tailed deer
White-tailed Deer
The white-tailed deer , also known as the Virginia deer or simply as the whitetail, is a medium-sized deer native to the United States , Canada, Mexico, Central America, and South America as far south as Peru...
, Jaguarundi
Jaguarundi
The jaguarundi is a small-sized wild cat native to Central and South America. In 2002, the IUCN classified the jaguarundi as Least Concern as it is likely that no conservation units, with the probable exception of the mega-reserves of the Amazon basin could sustain long-term viable populations. It...
, Kinkajou
Kinkajou
The kinkajou , also known as the honey bear , is a rainforest mammal of the family Procyonidae related to olingos, coatis, raccoons, and the ringtail and cacomistle. It is the only member of the genus Potos. Kinkajous may be mistaken for ferrets or monkeys, but are not closely related...
, Nine-banded Armadillo
Nine-banded Armadillo
The nine-banded armadillo , or the nine-banded, long-nosed armadillo, is a species of armadillo found in North, Central, and South America, making it the most widespread of the armadillos...
, among countless others. This park is also a favorite for birdwatching
Birdwatching
Birdwatching or birding is the observation of birds as a recreational activity. It can be done with the naked eye, through a visual enhancement device like binoculars and telescopes, or by listening for bird sounds. Birding often involves a significant auditory component, as many bird species are...
. There have been recorded over one hundred different bird species, including the Blue-crowned Motmot
Blue-crowned Motmot
The Blue-crowned Motmot, Momotus momota, is a colourful near-passerine bird found in forests and woodlands of eastern Mexico, Central America, northern and central South America, and Trinidad and Tobago...
and Black-faced Antthrush
Black-faced Antthrush
The Black-faced Antthrush , is a passerine bird.-Distribution and habitat:It is a common and widespread forest bird in the tropical New World, from southern Mexico through Central America to the northern regions of South America...
. Other birds seen at Guanacaste Park include the Smoky-brown Woodpecker
Smoky-brown Woodpecker
The Smoky-brown Woodpecker or Brown Woodpecker is a species of bird in the Picidae family.It is found in Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela.-Habitat:Its natural habitats are subtropical or...
, Black-headed Trogon
Black-headed Trogon
The Black-headed Trogon is a species of bird in the Trogonidae family.It is found in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua....
, Red-lored Amazon, the Magnolia Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Setophaga magnolia, commonly known as the Magnolia warbler, is a member of the Parulidae family of wood warblers. [4] This warbler was first discovered in magnolia trees in the 19th century by famed ornithologist Alexander Wilson while in Mississippi. [7]-Description:The magnolia warbler can be...
, Belted Kingfisher
Belted Kingfisher
The Belted Kingfisher is a large, conspicuous water kingfisher, the only member of that group commonly found in the northern United States and Canada. It is depicted on the 1986 series Canadian $5 note. All kingfishers were formerly placed in one family, Alcedinidae, but recent research suggests...
, and the Bright-rumped Attila
Bright-rumped Attila
The Bright-rumped Attila or Polymorphic Attila, Attila spadiceus, is a small passerine bird in the tyrant flycatcher family...
.
External links
- http://www.turq.com/belize/belnatpk.html
- http://centralamerica.com/belize/parks/guanacaste.htm
- http://www.belizeaudubon.org/parks/guanacaste.htm