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Waterfalls in Belize are among the consummate hang out places for spending an impeccable Belize vacation. The pristine beauty and the tranquil atmosphere in the area of waterfalls are a special treat to the eyes. Below are 7 unbelievable waterfalls from around Belize:

Big Rock Waterfalls

Big Rock Falls is a gorgeous 150 foot waterfall on the Privassion River in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve in the Cayo District.  It can be accessed through a trail about 300 yards long down a 130′ deep gorge and is an ideal location for swimming or sun tanning.

The tremendous view of water rushing over the huge 150-ft rock formations and plummeting into the deep perfectly round pool at its base provides a rush of excitement.

A visit to this magnificent spot is one of the highlights of any trip to the mountain Pine Ridge area.

Butterfly Falls

Nestled in 7,200 acres of a private forest reserve, the Butterfly Falls is one of the many tucked away cascades and falls on top of Pine Ridge in the Cayo District of Belize.The Butterfly Falls offers a unique opportunity of luxuriating in ultimate privacy and exclusivity and is accessible only to Hidden Valley guests.

Five Sister Falls

This waterfall got its name because the water forms 5 separate streams as it rolls over the rocks and boulders, hence the name Five Sisters and is excellent for a cool and refreshing swim.

Accessed through Gaia River Lodge (formerly known as Five Sisters Lodge), this waterfalls can be reached by descending a steep flight of steps or by riding the hydro-powered tram paralleling the mountainside.

Popular with locals and foreigners alike, Gaia River Lodge provides an ideal location for picnicking and invigorating swims packaged in a spectacular natural setting. Guests as well as non-guests of the lodge can access Five Sisters Falls.

Thousand-Foot Falls

Occasionally referred to as “Hidden Valley Falls,” this torrent of Roaring Creek is probably a good deal taller than a thousand feet and is considered the highest waterfall in all of Central America. The turnoff to a viewpoint of the falls is a couple of miles beyond the forest reserve gate and is well signed.

It’s quite a little drive to get all the way there, and though the view is magical, you don’t get the reward of being able to jump in. From the turnoff, the road continues down for about four miles and brings you to the falls and a picnic area.

View the falls from across the gorge and through breaks in the mist. A small store and picnic tables can be found at the viewpoint (7 a.m.–5 p.m. daily).

The Mayflower Bocawina National Park

The Mayflower Bocawina National Park was declared a national park in 2001 and has three minor Maya ceremonial sites: Mayflower, T’au Witz, and Maintzunum, near Silk Grass Creek. Nearby are the three waterfalls Bocawina Falls, Three Sisters Falls, and Antelope Falls. Access to Mayflower is easiest from Hopkins, about 20 minutes by car. However, tours are offered from Placencia and Dangriga as well as from Hopkins. The entrance to the park is about 4 1/2 mi (7 1/2 km) off the Southern Highway.

From the visitor center, to get to Bocawina and Three Sisters Falls, which are close together, it’s an easy hike of about 1¼ mi (2 km) on the marked Bocawina Falls trail. The trail to Antelope Falls, about 1¾ mi (3 km), is somewhat more difficult due to some steep sections that can be slick after rains.

Maps of the trails are available at the small visitor center. So far, little excavation has been conducted at the Mayan sites, but the parklike setting at the base of the Maya Mountains is beautiful.

Rio Blanco Falls

Established in 1994 and managed by the Rio Blanco Maya Association, the park covers 500 acres and is located approximately 30 miles traveling northwest from Punta Gorda Town.

The main attraction here are the cascading falls of the Rio Blanco which  flow through wide,    shallow pools and over smooth slabs of mudstone and sandstone, before pouring over a 15 foot ledge into a deep pool.

Surrounding limestone boulders allow easy exploration above the pool. Further upstream, a small waterfall and wading pool feed the main waterfall. Trees and flowering vegetation encircle the shady cliffs while Blue Morpho butterflies flutter amongst the surrounding trees. A smooth stone ledge at the end of the trail from the parking lot, covered with a layer of scattered snail shells, rises steeply about 20 feet above the pool.

Rio on Pools

Just off the main road in the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve, before reaching Augustine Village, lies the picnic shed and parking area of the popular Rio On Pools. The soothing sounds of cascading water are heard as visitors approach the picnic site. The scene revealed from the riverbank high above is absolutely breathtaking ~ Wide open expanse of pine forest, small waterfalls making their journey over large granite rocks, spilling into cool round pools all connected by natural waterslides as the river makes its way downstream ~ truly a view never to be forgotten.

A short hike down to the river transports visitors to a swimming pool wonderland. Whether your desire it to sit under a waterfall, slide over the smooth granite boulders, swim in your very own selection of pools or simply bask in the awesome natural beauty around you, Rio On Pools is sure to provide a relaxing and enjoyable experience.

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Tags: Belize Attractions, belize waterfalls, Big Rock Waterfalls, Butterfly Falls, Five Sister Falls, Rio Blanco Falls, Rio on Pools, The Mayflower Bocawina National Park, Thousand-Foot Falls