Cockscomb Range

The Cockscomb Range is a spectacular segment of the Maya Mountains in southern Belize, famous for its jagged peaks and the world-renowned Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary. The range derives its name from its distinctive profile, which resembles the comb of a rooster when viewed from the coast. It contains Victoria Peak, Belize's second-highest summit at 1,120 meters (3,675 feet), which is a designated National Monument. Covered in lush broadleaf tropical rainforest, the range serves as a critical watershed, feeding numerous rivers that flow toward the Caribbean Sea. In 1986, the area achieved global recognition as the world's first sanctuary specifically established for jaguar conservation. Today, it remains a vital habitat for all five of Belize's wild cat species, as well as over 300 species of birds and diverse flora, including mahogany and cedar. The terrain is characterized by steep ridges, deep valleys, and numerous scenic waterfalls like Antelope Falls. For outdoor enthusiasts, the Cockscomb Range provides some of the most challenging hiking and dramatic panoramic views in the entire country, symbolizing Belize's commitment to wilderness preservation.

Nearby cities

Dangriga (Stann Creek Capital)

The capital of the Stann Creek District and the heart of Garifuna culture.

Independence and Mango Creek

Twin villages that are home to a major port for the banana industry.

Placencia Village

A picturesque fishing village at the tip of a peninsula, now a popular tourist spot.

Silk Grass

A village on the Southern Highway, south of Dangriga.

Seine Bight

A Garifuna village on the Placencia Peninsula.

Hopkins

A traditional Garifuna fishing village on the coast.

Riversdale

A small fishing village on the coast of the Stann Creek District.

Sittee River Village

A village at the mouth of the Sittee River, surrounded by mangroves.

Laughing Bird Caye

Laughing Bird Caye is a protected national park and coral atoll offering exceptional snorkeling in the Belize Barrier Reef.

Nature

Sittee River

A river in the Stann Creek District known for its rich wildlife.

More places

Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Sanctuary

The world's first jaguar sanctuary, dedicated to the protection of Belize's largest wild cats.

Victoria Peak

One of the highest points in Belize, located within the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary.

Cockscomb Mountains

A sub-range of the Maya Mountains in Belize.

🗺️

Monkey River Hills

Rolling hills in southern Belize that frame the lower reaches of the Monkey River.

Sittee River Foothills

The transition zone where the Maya Mountains descend into the Stann Creek coastal plains.

🗺️

Bella Vista Banana Belt

An agricultural zone with banana fields in southern Belize.

Stann Creek Valley

A major agricultural valley in central Belize, famous for its sprawling citrus groves.

Manatee Forest Reserve

A protected area known for its manatee populations in the lagoons.