Community Baboon Sanctuary
Community Baboon Sanctuary
4.5
8:00 AM - 4:45 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 4:45 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 4:45 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 4:45 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 4:45 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 4:45 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 4:45 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 4:45 PM
About
The Community Baboon Sanctuary is one of the first of its kind in the the world in terms of how it is set up. It is a Non Governmental,community base organization which is manage by the Women's Conservation Group(Local women from the area). The Community Baboon Sanctuary is home to more than 3500 howler monkeys and over 250 species of birds. A wide variety of other animals frequent the area..
Duration: 2-3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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4.5
256 reviews
Excellent
172
Very good
48
Average
19
Poor
12
Terrible
5
Debbie F
Clearwater18 contributions
Mar 2020
This was part of a 2 place excursion, We booked this excursion from MSC Meraviglia cruise, it was the Howler Monkey Sanctuary & Belize Zoo Tour. The Howler Monkeys (Baboons) were cool. The problem we had was that most of the tour was walking & hiking through the woods & very little time with the monkeys, plus it was almost an hour bus ride there. After this tour, we were taken somewhere for lunch & then on to the zoo, which was another long ride. Bus air conditioning was not working well at all. Lunch was not very much food.
Written 9 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sandra W
Columbus, OH65 contributions
Dec 2022
I give this sanctuary 4 stars because their mission is very good, and because if you really want to get close to some howler monkeys this is a great way to do it. We stopped here on short notice in early December 2022. I gave them a call and asked if they were open, told them our ETA since we were set to arrive there kind of late in the afternoon. They assured me they would still be open since they knew we were coming. The recent hurricane had done some damage here so its my understanding that not all their trails were open yet. But we had a short walk into the forest and indeed when called, a troop of monkeys appeared. The ones that came down low were given a small bit of banana. Our guide fed the big male, and I fed an adorable little one. I was excited on our short walk to also see some really cool birds (scarlet tanager, acorn woodpecker) and also a few agouti!
Right behind this sanctuary building is the Nature Resort. We took a canoe trip there the following day and I reviewed that separately.
The idea of this sanctuary is that locals have agreed to leave the forest intact for the monkeys to easily travel around in the canopy. In exchange for this, there is the expectation of more tourism. Toward that end, you are kind of expected to purchase some goods from local vendors that have their wares on display. We bought bird carved from a horn. There were wood carvings and canvas drawings available the time we went as well.
The 'push local businesses' thing was a little disappointing to me in that I asked our guide where we might go for dinner - we were staying up the road a few miles, in Burrel Boom. He said there was really no place to eat without heading back to Ladyville. Turns out there is a pretty good restaurant in Burrel Boom (the Iguana Stop). I was surprised he didn't know about or let us know about it.
I was also really dismayed that they just chased away what appeared to be a starving dog roaming around the area while we were there. I saw this dog again the next day. If you want to attract tourists, compel or help your neighbors feed their pets.
Right behind this sanctuary building is the Nature Resort. We took a canoe trip there the following day and I reviewed that separately.
The idea of this sanctuary is that locals have agreed to leave the forest intact for the monkeys to easily travel around in the canopy. In exchange for this, there is the expectation of more tourism. Toward that end, you are kind of expected to purchase some goods from local vendors that have their wares on display. We bought bird carved from a horn. There were wood carvings and canvas drawings available the time we went as well.
The 'push local businesses' thing was a little disappointing to me in that I asked our guide where we might go for dinner - we were staying up the road a few miles, in Burrel Boom. He said there was really no place to eat without heading back to Ladyville. Turns out there is a pretty good restaurant in Burrel Boom (the Iguana Stop). I was surprised he didn't know about or let us know about it.
I was also really dismayed that they just chased away what appeared to be a starving dog roaming around the area while we were there. I saw this dog again the next day. If you want to attract tourists, compel or help your neighbors feed their pets.
Written 3 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lorianne81
Omemee, Canada38 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We were up in orange walk to see the Mayan ruins so it was worth the stop.
It's $7 to enter the tour takes about an hour.
It's not a real huge jungle more like a small forest. You don't need hiking gear.
But you need big spray.
If your up this way stop 100 percent guarantee you'll see monkeys
It's $7 to enter the tour takes about an hour.
It's not a real huge jungle more like a small forest. You don't need hiking gear.
But you need big spray.
If your up this way stop 100 percent guarantee you'll see monkeys
Written 23 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shelley Hartling
Portland, OR2 contributions
Mar 2022 • Couples
We had an unforgettable experience here…. Our guide, Robert, led us into the jungle and called for the howler monkeys. It took a little bit to find them, but when we did, they came right down to see us and get some fruit Robert offered them. One of them grabbed onto my arm! Afterwards, an artist associated with the sanctuary, Elvis, showed us his beautiful woodworking. We bought a little wooden sailboat he’d made, and he signed the bottom of it for us. I highly recommend this place, especially Robert and Elvis.
Written 13 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chodo
Phoenix168 contributions
Dec 2022
We went there on an excursion from our hotel. It was great to see the local community involvement to preserve forest for the howler monkey and other wildlife. The walk was questionable. The guide has clearly trained a troop of monkeys to come to him to eat banana. Howlers eat leaves, not bananas.
Written 17 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael S
6 contributions
Mar 2023 • Family
Our guide Robert was amazing and is a local who is heavily invested in the conservation of these amazing creatures. He worked very hard and got us an upfront view of a male howling loudly! They have a small museum that highlights how incredibly innovative this private lands partnership is in the world of conservation, originating in the early 1980s.
Written 15 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elizabeth S
3 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
This small non-profit community sanctuary is a wonderful stop! Our guide, Robert, was informative and went above and beyond to ensure we saw the howler monkeys while we toured the area. The trust he has built over decades with these animals shows the commitment he has as a volunteer, dedicated to ensuring the preservation of the species and its natural habitat!!
Written 29 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennifer H
15 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
This was one of first tours in Belize and it set the bar high. Our guide warned us that we might not see any monkeys as they don't keep them in cages and after 20 minutes of walking around, we had resigned ourselves to a very nice and informative walk through the conservation land. However, our guide , Robert, was able to locate and draw out some of them. We got to feed and interact with a juvenile and then saw a mother and her 6 week old baby. Truly, an experience we will never forget!
Written 20 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WengerKS
67 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
The baboon (black howler monkey as we learned) sanctuary was a great experience. Note that it’s about 1-2 hours so don’t expect an all-day excursion. Our guide showed us the howlers plus shared lots of information about the local flora, very interesting. It’s worth a visit just don’t expect a big show, it’s educational and interesting but young children might expect to see more of the howlers, they are wild but used to the guides so might not be as close or easily seen as in a zoo. BONUS TIP: if you are there near lunch go down the road to a shack that looks very sketchy to American eyes and get some amazing chicken and coleslaw. We were seriously concerned when we saw it but so hungry we didn’t care, the food was awesome!
Written 17 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jeff-briggs
Rancho Cordova, CA17 contributions
Mar 2023 • Family
We walked outside the gate, met an official ‘orange shirt’ tour guide, he handed us off to a local ‘guide’ not sure at first but Belize is very safe. Casey our local guide took us to the Baboon Sanctuary area, where a ‘local’ guide took us along the Belize River where the Black Howler Monkeys were in a tree. Family of four, male at the top of a tree with two females and a juvenile male. Not quite a ship tour but once in a lifetime. Belize is very safe as a former British colony, local residents can be trusted!
Written 26 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can someone advise whether it’ll be more cost affective to go independently with a taxi rather than book as an excursion through the ship tours?
Also would that be safe to do. Thank you
Written 19 December 2022
How much is admission, and what does it include? We're staying near Belize City -- can we simply rent a car or should we take a tour of some type?
Written 8 February 2020
The sanctuary is about an hour outside the city off the beaten path so we ended up taking a tour. We spent about $60 USD per person and it was just our party but they drove us to and from setting us up with a tour guide at the sanctuary that took us out into the rainforest and to experience the howler monkeys in their natural habitat. If you do go make sure you wear pants, long sleeve shirt and closed toe shoes. Their is the possibility of rain and you definitely will encounter insects especially mosquitoes.
Written 8 February 2020
how much is a reasonable tip for good service from a tour guide?
Written 14 February 2018
In general, you tip 10% in Belize. The average Belizan makes $1.50 USD per hour. I'm a generous tipper and gave 40 belizan dollars. The guide was surprised I tipped so much. I'd say probably 10 Belizan dollars would be ok though.
Written 17 February 2018
This place charges an entrance fee plus another fee which is not disclosed until you are inside the facility?
Written 10 November 2017
Hi, I am booked for a carnival cruise in September and I am wondering how much the driver you booked for the day costs, as well as how did you go about booking him? I am wanting to visit the baboon sanctuary for sure but am wondering what the most cost effective way to do that is! Or if anyone knows what the best way to get to the sanctuary from the carnival port would be, and about how much it would cost!
Written 25 August 2016
Hi, thank you for all your information, we have our own car , is it obvious where we drive to? And how do we get a guide? Is one just assigned when one gets there? Should I ask for a certain guide ahead of time?
Written 2 June 2016
Not difficult to find the place. But don't stop a t place about 1 km before the community baboon sanctuary.
Finding your way in the nearby village of Burrell Boom can be e bot confusing.
When you get there, the will assign you a guide. They work in a certain order, so nothing to choose. We went to the baboons twice, had differrent guides but both were OK.
Written 17 June 2016
has anybody went on the $12 night hike at CBS? If so, thoughts?
Written 16 December 2015
We will be in Belize on Dec. 1st , we will be arriving on the Carnival Valor. We would like to visit the Community Baboon Sanctuary, what are the ticket prices and can we take a taxi there from the port?
Thanks,
Fredrick
Written 26 October 2015
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