Mayflower Bocawina National Park

Mayflower Bocawina National Park Review

Declared a national park in 2001, Mayflower Bocawina National Park has three minor Mayan 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. A nearby jungle lodge, Mama Noots is an option for food and drinks, or an overnight stay.