Antelope Falls

Antelope Falls is a steep sweat-inducing hike inside Mayflower Bocawina National Park, however, the payoff makes the strenuous climb well worth it. The hike begins just behind the park visitor center and about 100 yards in passes the Maintzunun Mayan Temple Ruins, a large mound constructed around A.D. 800 measuring about 108 by 48 meters.

Ending at an emerald pool at the base of a set of falls, Antelope Falls traces a route that covers 550 feet of climbing over 1.1 miles of hiking each way. While the bottom portion of this hike is gradual, even offering some flat stretches, the second half of the hike is up a steep and slick route using tree roots for footholds and ropes strung between trees for support.

Just before reaching the top, a short spur leads to a viewpoint, where views stretch across the Stann Creek region to the Caribbean Sea below. In total, the falls drop an accumulative distance of over 1,000 feet, making it one of the tallest waterfalls in Belize, although only a small portion of this is visible from any single point along the hike.

The swimming hole is cool, with a depth in the center sufficiently deep to jump from several of the surrounding ledges, including in the center of the falls itself if the flow allows. From here, retrace the path, which is far easier on the way down than up. The only amenities along this hike are located at the park visitor center.