Get Your Steps in: Top National Parks and Reserves in Belize to Celebrate National Exercise Day

by Giulissa Hernandez

Exercise doesn’t always have to mean overpacked gyms with the monotone whirring sound of treadmills. Sometimes, replacing the scent of rubber for fresh pine and moist soil is the best motivator for exercise! As National Exercise Day is observed in the U.S., see it as an invitation to explore nature as opposed to pushing through a hard workout routine. Instead of forcing yourself to visit the gym, redirect your way to the great outdoors.

In Belize, every step you take is an opportunity to enjoy some exercise, even if you don’t realize it! As you traverse rugged terrain and winding trails, you’ll feel your spirit soar and your worries melt away.  Here are some national parks and reserves in Belize where you can get endorphins flowing while enjoying the beauty of nature. 

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

Hiking Cockscomb

Photo courtesy @thelionsvan on Instagram

Step into the heart of the jungle at the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, the world’s first jaguar reserve. This sprawling expanse of protected rainforest is a haven for hikers, offering a network of trails that wind through dense jungles and end i refreshing waterfalls. To get those 10 thousand steps in, try the Ben’s Bluff trail, which is challenging but still doable. Or, grab a guide and explore the Tiger Fern trail which ends in a breathtaking double waterfall. 

Guanacaste National Park

guanacaste national park

Strolling Guanacaste National Park in Belmopan. Image courtesy Belize Audubon Society

Great for the novice hiker, Guanacaste National Park won’t have you climbing uphill. Nestled on the outskirts of charming Belmopan City, Guanacaste National Park is teeming with biodiversity. Lace up your hiking shoes and wander along shaded trails that meander through a flourishing tropical forest. The highlight of the park is its namesake: the massive Guanacaste Trees, whose branches provide shelter to a myriad of bird species. 

Mayflower Bocawina National Park

mayflower bocawina waterfall

Mayflower Bocawina National Park in Southern Belize. Photo courtesy Quilz Tamay Photography

For an adrenaline-pumping adventure amidst the jungles of Belize, look no further than Mayflower Bocawina National Park. This expansive park offers a variety of hiking trails that wind through lofty trees, past cascading waterfalls, and along rugged mountain ridges. Choose between hiking to Bocawina Falls, Three Sisters Falls, Antelope Falls, Peck Falls or Big Drop Falls. But there’s more than just visiting the waterfalls. Channel your inner daredevil and soar through the treetops on a thrilling zipline adventure. Or better yet, rappel down the face of a towering waterfall for an unforgettable adrenaline rush. With its exhilarating activities and stunning natural beauty, Mayflower Bocawina National Park is the perfect destination for adventure seekers. Furthermore, it provides the most diverse workout routines to have outdoors!

Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve

Photo courtesy of Gaia Riverlodge

Escape the heat and explore the cool pine forests in the foothills of the Maya Mountains. Climb to the top of Big Rock Falls and cool off with a refreshing swim in the natural pools below. That way, you get a workout and a soothing dip after! Also inside the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, you can marvel from afar at the towering cliffs of Thousand Foot Falls. Mountain Pine Ridge is known for its variety of fun activities, such as Rio on Pools, Rio Frio Cave, and its well-known waterfalls. With its scenic trails and stunning vistas, this nature reserve offers endless opportunities for outdoor adventure. 

Similar: Hiking in Southern Belize? Don’t Miss These Top Spots and Trails

This National Exercise Day, break free from the confines of the gym and embrace the great outdoors in Belize’s breathtaking national parks and reserves. Whether you’re hiking through dense rainforests, or marveling at majestic waterfalls, Belize offers a wealth of opportunities to get your steps in while immersing yourself in the beauty of nature. So grab your walking shoes, hit the trails, and let the adventure begin!

Featured photo courtesy of Gaia Riverlodge, located inside the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. 

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