3 Best Sights in The Cayes and Atolls, Belize

This remarkable nonprofit specializes in the care and rehabilitation of American crocodiles, but they also rescue and rehab pelicans, iguanas, turtles, snakes, and other creatures. Operators Christina Manzi and Chris Summers are warriors for the protection of Belize's wildlife and their habitat. You can schedule an educational visit to the center, and possibly see unreleasable crocs or critters temporarily on-site for medical care. It's a little off-the-beaten track but well worth a visit. 

Put this idiosyncratic iguana sanctuary at the top of your list for San Pedro. Founder Calvin Young celebrates the fascinating, prehistoric reptiles by preserving a patch of mangrove habitat for some 300 black and green iguanas. The impressive park is by-donation only and open daily. Keep your eyes peeled for Oh My God––a seven-foot iguana named for the expression everyone says when they see him. While you can't feed wild iguanas, it's okay to offer a banana or papaya to these critters, which have been raised. 

On the North end of the Caye Caulker, above the Split, lies over 100 acres of preserved littoral forest abundant with salt-tolerant mangroves. This area is seldom visited by tourists, but is a favorite of spoonbills, pelicans, herons, black catbirds, and white-crowned pigeons, as well as black spinytail iguanas (known as wish willies), turtles, and the occasional crocodile. It can be reached by kayak on the island's lee side, and there is no park fee.