Major city · Belize
Crooked Tree
Spend 1–2 days for birdwatching and the wildlife sanctuary; go if you like birds, otherwise skip.
Crooked Tree is a small Belize District village centered on birdwatching, the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary and the annual Cashew Festival. The village is reachable by a short dirt causeway; roads are sandy and 4WD‑only in rain. One night at a local lodge lets you explore the lagoon, join a guide for bird spotting, and visit the sanctuary (US$8).
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BZD
- Best months
- Nov–Apr (dry season, good birding conditions)
- avoid Jun–Oct (heavy rain, roads often impassable)
- Airport
- BZE
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
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.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Crooked Tree911 ▾
- Police / General emergency911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Crooked Tree, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Belize dollar (BZD, $), fixed at 2 to 1 US dollar; US dollars are accepted almost everywhere.Belize-wide
- SIM or eSIMDigi (Belize Telemedia) and Smart sell SIMs at the airport and in towns; bring your passport.Belize-wide
- Tap waterTreated water in Belize City and San Pedro; most visitors drink bottled or filtered.Belize-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10–15% if no service charge.Belize-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B/G. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 110 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Belize-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe for tourists; keep an eye on mosquitoes and avoid travel on unpaved roads during heavy rain.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets; bring paper for bus stops.Belize-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police / general emergency
- Sundays & holidaysMany businesses close on Sundays in small towns and on Good Friday.Belize-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBZE Philip S.
- Getting aroundWalk from the lodge to the sanctuary and village centre.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Sit-down mealMeal at Crooked Tree Lodge (dinner)$15
- Museum or sight ticketCrooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary entry$8
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personBZD 40
A day, not counting the bed: Budget BZD 30 · Mid BZD 60 · High BZD 100
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BZE Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (About 45 km (28 mi) north; bus or taxi to Crooked Tree.)BZE Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (About 28 mi (45 km) north; bus or taxi to Crooked Tree.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C) low), wettest Jul (13 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Crooked Tree: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
2 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
2 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
3 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
5 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
3 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk from the lodge to the sanctuary and village centre. If you bring a car, park at the causeway entrance; 4WD needed after rain.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Lamanai
goDoor to door: About 2–3 h
Bus or taxi to Orange Walk Town, then boat tour up the New River
Full-day trip; book a tour from Crooked Tree or Orange Walk.
Belize City
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Bus from the Northern Highway stop (about 30 min)
Use only for transport connections or supplies; not a sightseeing stop.
Caye Caulker
overnightDoor to door: About 2–2.5 h
Bus to Belize City, then water taxi
Too far for a day trip; stay overnight.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Bird's Eye View Lodge
Rooms US$40–80; basic, some with AC; 15 m from lagoon.
Crooked Tree Lodge
Family‑run, rates similar to Bird's Eye View; accepts major credit cards.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- US$30–50 excl. bed
- Mid
- US$60–90 excl. bed
- High
- US$100+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hostel dorm bed2 × 1 night × BZD 55 | BZD 110 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × BZD 60 | BZD 120 |
| Sanctuary entry fee2 × BZD 8 · check | BZD 16 |
| Boat rental on lagoon (hour)2 × BZD 20 · check | BZD 40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | BZD 29 |
| Trip total≈ BZD 158 per person per day, bed included | BZD 315 |
Shared dormitory, basic amenities
2026 estimate in US dollars; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary entry | $8 |
| Meal at Bird's Eye View Lodge | $10–12 |
| Meal at Crooked Tree Lodge (lunch) | $10 |
| Meal at Crooked Tree Lodge (dinner) | $15 |
| Boat rental on lagoon | check |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Village roads are sandy; heavy rain makes them impassable to anything but 4WD.
- Bus stop is on the highway; you must walk a short distance into town.
Emergency numbers
- Police / General emergency
- 911
Pocket card
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Crooked TreeCrooked Tree
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / General emergency911
Embassy
US consular services are in Belize City; other embassies in Belmopan.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Belize City → Crooked Tree: about $5–7 one way (check)
- Taxi from BZE airport to Crooked Tree: about $70–90 (check)
Say or show
- Excuse me / Sorry — Excuse me / Sorry (Excuse me)
- Thank you — Thank you (Thank you)
- How much is it? — How much is it? (How much is it?)
- Where is the bird sanctuary? — Where is the bird sanctuary? (Where is the bird sanctuary?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Crooked Tree. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Apr (dry season, good birding conditions) · avoid Jun–Oct (heavy rain, roads often impassable) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Bird's Eye View Lodge and Crooked Tree Lodge with verified rates and phone numbers.
- Sanctuary page with opening hours and guide contact.
- Cashew Festival page with dates and programme.
- Chau Hiix Maya site page with access details.
Sources
Ask about Crooked Tree
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