If you find yourself in Belize, consider hiring a local tour guide. If you plan on going to the zoo, call Stephen Card, a licensed guide who once worked at the zoo! (Phone: 501-607-9943) He took us around and told us about the different animals, plus he knew them by name and the stories of how they became a part of the zoo. He introduced us to the staff as we ran into them at the various exhibits.

Normally I wouldn’t have gone here, but we hired Stephen to take us to Xunantunich and he included this in the tour. We were really impressed with the facility. The animals weren’t captured from the jungles to be put on display here, instead they were either rescued in Belize or donated by people who purchased exotic animals for pets and discovered that wild animals don’t make good pets.

It’s only a short drive from Belize City, so consider making a trip to the Belize Zoo if you visit the country.