National Park and Marine ReservePatrimonio Mundial UNESCO

Bacalar Chico

Belize · Central America (Ambergris Caye)

Central America (Ambergris Caye)Declared in 1996163 km²

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It protects the northern end of the Belize reef, part of the Mesoamerican Reef System

Area

163 km²

Declared in

1996

Region

Central America (Ambergris Caye)

Climate

Tropical

Best time

November to April

Ocean World Heritage

Plan your visit

Best time: November to April
Area: 163 km²

Highlight

It protects the northern end of the Belize reef, part of the Mesoamerican Reef System

Declared in 1996, Bacalar Chico occupies the northern end of Ambergris Caye and protects both the adjoining coral reef and coastal Maya archaeological remains, an unusual combination of natural and cultural value among Belize's marine reserves. Its narrow navigable channel, which separates the island from Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, was cut in part by the Maya themselves over a thousand years ago to ease coastal sea trade, one of the few documented examples of pre-Columbian marine engineering in the region.

Location

See on the interactive map

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4 dive sites within 300 km are also shown.

46 species documented in Bacalar Chico

5 Mammals3 Birds4 Reptiles5 Cartilaginous fish14 Fish3 Malacostraca3 Anthozoa2 Hydrozoa1 Gastropoda2 Echinoidea1 Demospongiae1 Polychaeta1 Scyphozoa1 Bivalvia

At conservation risk:Cocodrilo americano,Tortuga carey,Tiburón nodriza,Tortuga verde,Aguja azul del Atlántico,Chucho pintado,Coral cerebro estriado,Coral cuerno de ciervo,Manatí del Caribe,Mero guasa,Pez sierra peine,Tarpónand 2 more