National park · Belize
Five Blues Lake National Park
Pay the BZ$10 entry at Saint Margaret's Village, walk the 1.5 km (0.9 mi) trail to the lake in 20 minutes, and return the same way; the park is small enough for a half-day visit. Go in the dry season (December–May) to avoid muddy trails and cloudy water. Skip if you have only one day in the area and are choosing between this and Mayflower Bocawina or Cockscomb Basin.Pay the BZ$10 entry at Saint Margaret's Village, walk the 0.9 mi (1.5 km) trail to the lake in 20 minutes, and return the same way; the park is small enough for a half-day visit. Go in the dry season (December–May) to avoid muddy trails and cloudy water. Skip if you have only one day in the area and are choosing between this and Mayflower Bocawina or Cockscomb Basin.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
17 km² (7 sq mi)7 sq mi (17 km²)
approximate
Established
1991
Best months
Dec–Mar
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Belize ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Belize's Immigration Department or a Belizean embassy before booking.
- Belize ↗Snorkel and dive in the marine reserves only with licensed guides; do not touch coral or feed marine life.
- Belize ↗Leaving by land or sea costs BZ$40 (US$20) in cash at the border or dock; the air departure tax is in your ticket.
At a glance
- Country
- Belize
- Area
- 17 km² (7 sq mi)7 sq mi (17 km²)
- Approximately 4,200 acres (17 km²).
- Established
- 1991
- Best months
- Dec–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Belmopan
Five Blues Lake National Park is a small, community-run park on the border of Stann Creek and Cayo districts. Its single attraction is a cenote lake that shows five shades of blue, reached by a short trail through secondary forest. The park is managed by the village of Saint Margaret's, so your entry fee supports the local community. It is not a full-day destination; pair it with a visit to the nearby St. Herman's Blue Hole National Park or use it as a break on the drive between Belmopan and Dangriga.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1991.
Size and age
17 km² (7 sq mi)7 sq mi (17 km²) · national park since 1991
Approximately 4,200 acres (17 km²).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Belmopan.
Why go
- A cenote lake with five distinct shades of blue, visible from the shore.
- Community-managed park; your entry fee goes directly to Saint Margaret's Village.
- Short, easy walk suitable for a quick stop between Belmopan and the coast.
- Quiet compared to the more popular parks in the region.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctCaution
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanDry and cool; lake water clear
- FebDry season; good visibility
- MarDry and warm; trails firm
- AprHot but still dry; early start advised
- MayStart of wet season; afternoon showers
- JunRainy; trails muddy, lake may be less blue
- JulWet; leeches possible on trail
- AugWet; check road conditions
- SepHurricane risk; park may close
- OctEnd of wet season; trails slippery
- NovDrying out; lake clarity improving
- DecDry season begins; best conditions
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest birds (toucans, motmots, woodpeckers)All year · Year-round residents; best at dawn. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Howler monkeysAll year · Heard more often than seen. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| ButterfliesMar–Aug · Abundant in the wet season. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Leeches on trailJun–Oct · Present after rain; wear long trousers. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Belmopan
Drive east on the Hummingbird Highway (about 20 km (12 mi)), then turn south onto the road to Saint Margaret's Village; the park entrance is signed.Drive east on the Hummingbird Highway (about 12 mi (20 km)), then turn south onto the road to Saint Margaret's Village; the park entrance is signed.
30 min
Open the page →
From Dangriga
Drive west on the Southern Highway, then north on the Hummingbird Highway; turn at Saint Margaret's.
45 min
Open the page →
From Hopkins
Drive north on the Southern Highway to the Hummingbird Highway junction, then west to Saint Margaret's.
1 h
Open the page →
From San Ignacio
Drive east on the George Price Highway to Belmopan, then south on the Hummingbird Highway.
1.5 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Park entrance and trailhead | Parking area, information board and start of the 1.5 km (0.9 mi) trail to the lake.Parking area, information board and start of the 0.9 mi (1.5 km) trail to the lake. | Open with entry fee. |
| Five Blues Lake | The cenote lake itself; a viewing platform and a short shoreline path. | Open; swimming allowed (check). |
| Caves (unnamed) | Small limestone caves near the lake, accessible with a guide. | Guided only; ask at the village. |
Sketch map
- 1Saint Margaret's Village · Village≈17.120, -88.570Park office and entry point.Map ↗
- 2Park entrance · Gate≈17.130, -88.575Parking and trailhead.Map ↗
- 3Five Blues Lake · Viewpoint≈17.135, -88.580The cenote lake with five shades of blue.Map ↗
- 4Caves · Cave≈17.138, -88.582Small limestone caves near the lake.Map ↗
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate; the park is small and the lake is the main point of interest.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (foreign visitor) | BZD 10 | person | US$5 equivalent; paid at the village office or park gate (check). |
| Park entry (Belizean resident) | BZD 5 | person | Check current rate. |
| Guide (optional) | BZD 20–40 | group | Village guides available; not required for the main trail. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- BZD 10
- BZD 5
- BZD 20–40
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without prior permission from the village board (check).
- Swimming
- Allowed at your own risk; no lifeguard. Check with the village for any seasonal restrictions.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; the park has no waste collection.
- Guides
- Not required for the main lake trail, but recommended for the caves.
- Camping
- Not permitted inside the park; ask in Saint Margaret's Village for nearby options.
Where to stay
Near the park
Saint Margaret's Village homestays
Basic rooms in the village; ask at the park office.
Near the park
Belmopan hotels
Full range of hotels, 30 min drive.
Near the park
Hopkins guesthouses
Beachside accommodation, 1 h drive.
Safety
Deep water in the lake medium
Muddy and slippery trail after rain low
Leeches low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The main trail is flat and about 1.5 km (0.9 mi) each way; it may be muddy after rain.The main trail is flat and about 0.9 mi (1.5 km) each way; it may be muddy after rain.
- The lake viewing platform is accessible by a short walk from the parking area.
- No wheelchair-accessible facilities confirmed (check).
Visiting lightly
- The park is community-managed; your entry fee directly supports Saint Margaret's Village.
- Carry out all rubbish; there are no bins on the trail.
- Do not disturb wildlife; stay on the marked trail.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Five Blues Lake National Park?
The entry fee is BZ$10 (about US$5) for foreign visitors and BZ$5 for Belizean residents. A guide from the village costs BZ$20–40 per group. Prices are 2026 estimates; check at the village office.
What are the best hikes in Five Blues Lake National Park?
There is one main trail: a 1.5 km walk from the parking area to the lake. It is flat and easy, taking about 30 minutes each way. For a longer outing, combine the park with a visit to St. Herman's Blue Hole National Park or the nearby caves.
When is the best time to visit Five Blues Lake National Park?
The dry season from December to May offers the clearest lake water and firm trails. The wet season (June–November) brings mud, leeches and a risk of road closures; the lake may appear less blue.
Can I swim in Five Blues Lake?
Swimming is allowed at your own risk. The lake is deep (up to 60 m) and there is no lifeguard. Check with the village office for any current restrictions.
How long should I spend at Five Blues Lake National Park?
Most visitors spend 1–2 hours: a 30-minute walk to the lake, time to swim or take photos, and the walk back. It is a half-day stop, not a full-day destination.
Is Five Blues Lake National Park worth visiting?
Yes if you are driving the Hummingbird Highway and want a short, easy walk to a beautiful cenote lake. No if you have limited time and are choosing between this and larger parks like Cockscomb Basin or Mayflower Bocawina, which offer more trails and wildlife.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Five Blues Lake National Park
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