St Herman’s Blue Hole National Park is not to be confused with the Great Blue Hole. Blue Hole National Park is situated just 20 kilometers away from Belmopan, the capital of Belize. It is named after the cenote that was created due to the cave system in the area collapsing and is fed by one of the many branches of the Sibun river that makes its underground journey towards it. Nowadays it is a great area to hike in and do some birdwatching.

When to go

Blue Hole National Park can be visited any time during the year. However keep in mind that you will be hiking on jungle trails, meaning it can get quite muddy after some heavy rain.

Permits

No permits are needed, but there is a small fee to be paid to enter the national park. Belizeans pay an entrance fee of $2 and foreigners $8.

Highlights of the Blue Hole NP

The park has a small trail network, particularly good for birding because the forest canopy is low. These trails lead to some great highlights of the park you can’t miss.

St Herman’s Cave

St Herman’s Cave and the Blue Hole are the two main attractions of this national park. Both of them are connected to eachother by an underground stream. From the parking lot, it takes about 10 minutes to hike towards St Herman’s Cave. Visitors can walk 200 meters into the cave entrance unguided or choose to hire one and traverse the cave completely. St Herman’s Cave also is the location for cavetubing, so after you visited the cave, you can float your way back on an inner tube to the entrance of the cave. Cavetubing is only allowed with a guide (cost: about 50USD)

Crystal Cave

Crystal Cave is for those who wish to have a more extreme adventure. Exploration of the cave requires a guide (can be booked at the visitor’s office or join a tour from San Ignacio) who will take you through huge caverns. The cave was used by Mayan shamans to perform rituals.

You can read about our experiences of Crystal Cave here

Blue Hole

The Blue Hole may not be as impressive as the Great Blue Hole at Lighthouse Reef, but it provides a cool and refreshing place for an afternoon swim after some hiking. The hole is the result of a collapse of an underground cave. The river that still runs through the cave system, forms the sapphire-colored pool at the bottom of the cenote.

Don’t miss: Hike the Hummingbird Loop before you swim in the Blue Hole!

Wildlife

Blue Hole NP is the perfect location for some birdwatching, but if you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of a reptile or mammal as well. These include jaguars and ocelot.

Getting there

Blue Hole National Park is situated about 20 kilometer from Belmopan along the Hummingbird Highway towards Dangriga. You can easily access it with your own private vehicle or take the bus (Belmopan – Dangriga – Punta Gorda). Just mention to the driver where you want be dropped off.

There are two different parkings: one at the start of several trails, including the one to St Herman’s Cave and Crystal Cave,  and another parking with a short trail that leads to the Blue Hole.

At the St. Herman’s Cave entrance, you will find a picnic area, visitor center, gift shop, and trail heads. The second entrance provides easy access to the Blue Hole, a picnic area, restrooms, changing rooms as well as other trails. Both parking lots are connected by the Dusky Ant Bird trail (45min).

Map