Mountain Pine Ridge

The 300 square mile Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve is reached via the Georgeville turnoff at mile 65 of the Western Highway. After wending your way through miles of tropical jungle, you suddenly find yourself in a forest of tall, thin pine trees growing out of sandy dirt grasses and wildflowers. The Mountain Pine Ride ecosystem is found nowhere else in Central America. Cool air, many birds, large numbers of butterflies. The area has many sections of whitewater rivers, waterfalls, and cave systems.

Your Mountain Pine Ridge day generally should include Rio Frio Cave, Rio On Pools and either Thousand Foot Falls, or Caracol, the largest Maya site in Belize, or a Mennonite Village. For the Rio Frio Cave, bring a flashlight if you want to go all the way through. On the other side look for a well maintained nature trail which leads to another cave, Cuevas Gemelas. Other caves nearby.

Rio Frio Cave's 65' arched entryways leave you in awe. Openings at both ends makes flashlights unnecessary for viewing the cave's formations. A stream flows through the cave forming pools & falls. There's a large beach area surrounded by room size boulders. Everything is big in this cave!. It's a 1/4 mile through to the exit, another impressive opening.

Thousand-Foot Falls, is a routine stop on many tours. It is believed to be the highest waterfall in Central America and is actually over 1,500 ft to the bottom. A viewing platform overlooks the falls. There is a short scenic trail around the escarpment for taking in the valley view.

Rio On Pools are a continuous series of pools formed by large granite boulders. Many of the pools are connected by small waterfalls. The smooth surface of the boulders make natural water slides and a great place for a swim or a hike. Hidden Valley Falls, also known as 1000-foot Falls.