Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve

Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve Review

This reserve is a highlight of any journey to Belize and an adventure to reach and explore. The Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve is in the high country of Belize—low mountains and rolling hills are covered in part by vast pine forests and crisscrossed with old logging roads. The higher elevations provide cooler temperatures and outstanding views. The best way to see this area, which covers more than 106,000 acres, is on a mountain bike, a horse, or your own feet, not bouncing around in an SUV. Aside from pines, 80% of which were damaged by the Southern Pine Beetle but are now recovering, you'll see lilac-color mimosa, Saint-John's-wort, and occasionally a garish red flower appropriately known as hotlips. Look out for the craboo, a wild tree whose berries are used in a brandylike liqueur believed to have aphrodisiacal properties. Birds love this fruit, so any craboo is a good place to spot orioles and woodpeckers. You may not see them, but the Pine Ridge is home to many of Belize's large mammals, including tapirs, cougars, jaguars, and ocelots. In the streams are a few Morelet's crocodiles.