Can the Chiquibul Ecosystem Withstand Ecotourism?

The Chiquibul Forest, one of Belize’s most biodiverse and fragile ecosystems, is facing a new chapter. With the newly paved Caracol Road opening access to pristine wilderness, proposals for eco-tourism are now under government review. From high-end cabanas by international companies to community-led conservation initiatives, the question on everyone’s mind is: can the Chiquibul ecosystem withstand tourism without compromising its wildlife, watersheds, and cultural heritage? News Five’s Hipolito Novelo reports.

 

Hipolito Novelo, Reporting

Along the banks of the Raspacula River, a pair of tapirs. Further down, this White-tail deer… and then up in they sky….Scarlet Macaws. This is the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, part of the broader Chiquibul ecosystem.

 

Rafael Manzanero, Executive Director, FCD

“So what you see here is extremely unique. So the question is what will it take to safeguard that habitat.”

 

A very timely question as the government is further considering ecotourism in the Chiquibul.

 

Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development

“I think that there are certain things that we can do, but certain things that would have to be off limits. I think that we really have to protect the headwaters that are up there. We need to protect the wildlife.”

 

Under the Barrow Government, the Sustainable Development Plan for the Chiquibul- Mountain-Pine Ridge Ridge-Caracol complex, a fifteen-year vision of sustainable resource use and management, was produced in 2020.  It’s now 2026 and there is a renewed interest in the Chiquibul influenced by the newly paved Caracol Road.

 

Evondale Moody, Chief Engineer, MIDH (File: July 8 2025)

“But most of this section is already build up. So it is just to finish the paving works. So, in summary we are approximately about eighty percent complete if we add all sections together.”

 

Orlando Habet

“I can recall clearly when I was in opposition when that road was going to be built. I think I was the one that stood up and told Prime Minister Barrow that this is a road to nowhere knowing fully well that it was a road to somewhere.”

 

To pristine wilderness, never before seen by many Belizeans. So now the new Caracol road has widened the path for ecotourism in the Chiquibul ecosystem. In fact, the government is reviewing proposals.

 

Orlando Habet

“I think there are a few companies or individuals who have approached or sent one or two proposals for use. In the Chiquibul, very few that I am aware of.”

 

Wilderness, which says it is a leading conservation and hospitality company out of Africa, wants to invest in Belize including setting up high-end cabanas in Caracol.  The company’s proposal is being reviewed.

 

Nicole Solano, CEO, Ministry of Tourism

“Definitely such a group and the level of luxury product that they offer is a type of accommodations and experiences that make sense for Belize. Right. I know that we have had preliminary presentations from them and from a tourism perspective it does look very interesting. I think that we do like the idea of such a facility having presence in Belize? I think the devil will be in the details. No, I mean, depending on what it is that they’re requiring out of the agreement, which I think that is what is currently under review.”

 

The devil in the details and if not careful, the devil can derail any sustainable efforts in the Chiquibul.

 

Reynaldo Malik, President, Belize Hotel Association

“From the point of view of the type of investment and, and the type of product that it seeks to create, it’s a yes. But when we start talking about protected areas, or most, as you put it, precious resources that is what we sell. That is what we sell Belize as. The home of conservation. So it is of utmost importance that we weigh or we balance the type of investment we want against the image that we want to maintain. But we are going to have to balance it against our other brand, which is that of being the leading conservation destination in in the world.”

 

And as FCD’s Rafael Manzanero puts it, the Chiquibul ecosystem is fragile and extremely important.

 

Rafael Manzanero

“What do we do with water resources for instant. If the Chiquibul is providing forty-five percent the general public the water resources, this is money. If we look at Carbon stocks, that can bring a lot of revenue. How do we deal with that. How do we deal with gold?”

 

Orlando Habet

“Remember we also have caves in those areas and so these would have to be controlled and limited. The national park calls for no-take zones but we already have take-areas within the zones, things we also inherited. But we have to work along those lines trying to make certain that the impact is very, very minimal.”

 

So, how do we keep the impacts minimal?

 

Janelle Chanona, Senator for NGOs

“With the onset of a paved road reaching as far as car call and the development of a new economic node in the area, a safe and secure environment will be necessary to provide the confidence for visitation and investment. Therefore, we believe it is timely that a multi-stakeholder governance body for the Chiquibul be established and that a sustainable development plan for the Chiquibul-Mountain Pine Ridge-Caracol Complex is approved. So that all the institutions, government, non-governmental, private sector, everyone can be involved and be better aligned in the overall objective of the conservation of the chia bull ecosystem for all Belizeans.”

 

And time will tell if it will benefit all Belizeans or just the ‘connected’ few. Reporting for News Five, I am Hipolito Novelo.