When it comes to breathtaking attractions to visit within the country of Belize, St. Herman's Blue Hole National Park is a must-see for anyone that comes to this small Central American nation. Keep reading and you will see just why you owe it to yourself to visit this park in particular.
St. Herman's Blue Hole National Park is found within Belize's Cayo District, just a short jaunt away from Belmopan, the country's capital city. This is a massive park that sprawls more than 500 acres, or 2 square kilometers for the Metric-minded. Notably, the region is home to two cave complexes: St. Herman's and the Crystal Cave and contains dozens of nature trails. While St. Herman's Cave is accessible to the general public, the Crystal Cave, also known as the Mountain Cow Cave, requires a trained guide, rappelling equipment and a decent level of physical fitness to fully explore. While both caves are considered sacred vistas, the Crystal Cave ends with several beautiful crystalline growths and contains the remains of multiple ritual sacrifices; The Crystal Cave was regarded by the ancient Maya as a bridge between the mortal world and the world of the divine.
Visitors with an appreciation for wildlife have a lot to take in by visiting St. Herman's Blue Hole National Park. The site is home to 200 different avian species, meaning you can potentially see just under a third of the kinds of birds found in Belize; some of the more notably named of these creatures include the red-legged honeycreeper, slaty Antwren and the tody motmot. One possible reason why such a diverse range of birds call the park their home would be due to the management of the Belize Audubon Society, a local branch of the world organization on all things dealing with birds. If you happen to be more of a cat lover over birds, there have been confirmed sightings of ocelots, jaguars and jaguarundis (also known as eyras) within the park.
While the park was originally given the name "Blue Hole National Park," it underwent a change to the current one in 2005 so as not to confuse people with the similarly named Blue Hole National Monument located around the Belize Barrier Reef. While both sites were given their names due to the presence of an amazing blue depression, the blue hole of St. Herman's is what is known as a "cenote;" a natural pit resulting from a collapse in limestone-base bedrock and revealing groundwater. The term comes from the Yucatec Mayan word "ts'onot," a word used to describe any source of accessible groundwater.
If any of the info about this gorgeous attraction has grabbed your attention and you feel like acting on that urge, you will need a place to stay and a tour to book. Fortunately Cahal Pech can cover both of these necessities. Cahal Pech Village Resort offers top-tier accommodations for all of your travel needs and Cahal Pech Tours offers guided tours to all of the top locations in Belize, including St. Herman's Blue Hole National Park.
Questions? Send us an email or call 239- 494- 3281. We will love to help you plan your Belize vacation and tours!
