Belize Botanic Gardens

BBG encompass 45 acres of native and exotic plants growing in the Cayo district of western Belize ....

At BBG, plants are what we are all about. Our job is to inspire you to appreciate plants to protect the floral bio diversity of Belize, by existing as an information resource for the community, government, industry and science and to be a place of beauty for all visitors to enjoy.

Modestly speaking we offer you beautiful plants in a beautiful setting, but we're oh! so much more. Our main work is encouraging sustainable agriculture, maintaining conservation collections and engaging in conservation education. We aim to inspire our community and visitors (this could be you!) to protect our leafy friends and their habitats by learning more about the wonderful world of plants.

Garden Attractions

The Native Orchid House
On display are over 100 species of rare and exotic orchids that grow wild throughout the country.

Orchids are known for their amazing variety, colors, shapes and sizes. There are over 300 species to be found in Belize. In the Native Orchid House you can see many weird and wonderful forms of local orchids, from show-offs, to more delicate beauties. View our Orchid Photos that could be in bloom when you visit the Native Orchid House.

Plants of the Maya
Discover plants used by the ancient Maya for ritual, medicine and daily living. The Maya knew how to make all they needed from the forests around them. This traditional knowledge was handed down generation to generation as part of their cultural identity. For the Maya this meant knowing how to survive from the forests, pray to the gods, heal the sick and make floors from the earth. Some practices are still used today.

Find out about Belize's useful and medicinal native plants, many of which are still used today by people of Belize on our 'Plants of the Maya' trail. You'll see what plants were used for clothing, storage, tools, building, ritual and medicine. We got carried away learning about traditional plant use and made two trails! One is an easier walk in the main garden and the other is through natural forest where the going is a bit tougher. Explore either or both with a guided walk or self-guiding booklet.

Fire Tower
Check out the vista from our hill top lookout. You get a bird's eye view of the garden and surrounding hills from the top of our 25ft. fire tower. The tower is a part of our Mountain Pine Ridge habitat. It is a replica of the towers used for fire management in the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve.

Palms of Belize Display
Thanks to the International Palm Society you can enjoy a display of native palms and their products at the garden. Students enjoy this field trip stop as they see how we use palms everyday and get to do activities like learn how to make a thatched roof, broom or house plant from palms.

Bird Hide
Spy on the least grebes, black bellied whistling ducks and northern jacanas from this hideaway on the pond. Dedicated to Nita and Clarke Hamilton, who keep our Bird List up to date.

Zingiber Alley
Zingiber Alley, a short winding path where you will see a display of, gingers,heliconias sterlitzia (bird-of-paradise) and aeroids. These showy plants are typical symbols of the tropics. Their vibrant colours create the perfect photo spot under this shady walk way.

Belize Botanic Gardens boasts a complete collection of Belize's heliconia and ginger as well as over 50 different varieties from the world's tropics.

Take a short tour around the Gardens.

Stroll down "Zingiber Alley" with Judy duPlooy.

Habitats of Belize

To show visitors different Habitats of Belize, we have recreated a Mountain Pine Ridge, Savanna, Wetland and Rainforest. At each habitat you will find the plants associated with that ecosystem and information about why it is important and what we can all do to help keep them around for generations to come.

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