Belize’s Hidden Oasis: A Journey to St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park

 Belize’s Hidden Oasis: A Journey to St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park

For the second part of our first day in Belize, we found ourselves deep in the Cayo District, just off the Hummingbird Highway, at an incredible natural wonder: St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park. This 500-acre protected area, managed by the Belize Audubon Society, is a true jungle oasis waiting to be explored. For my companions and me, my wife Linda and our friend Eamon, our adventure here was a perfect blend of peaceful hiking, a refreshing swim, and a thrilling cave expedition. It was refreshing to go for a swim after the long caving adventure at Crystal Cave. To learn more about this tour company, you can visit their website. For more of our Belize adventures, be sure to check out our journey to Crystal Cave!

The Walk to the Blue Hole

The journey began with a tranquil walk from the parking lot along one of the park’s many natural trails. As the three of us walked through the tropical forest, we were surrounded by a symphony of nature, with over 200 species of birds calling from the dense canopy above. Since we had a rental car, we were able to get around the park with ease.

Soon, we arrived at the park's namesake—the inland Blue Hole. Unlike its famous marine counterpart, this is a deep, vibrant jungle pool. The water, a beautiful turquoise color, was incredibly refreshing after our previous adventure. We noticed that this was a beloved spot for locals, and many people were enjoying a swim. While the water was quite cold and it took a while to get used to it, the swim was a perfect way to cool down. I even had a brief chat with a kid who was curious about the video I was taking. We quickly discovered that the deepest section of the pool was way over our heads, but we enjoyed exploring the edges. We even swam to the point where the water disappears back into the cave system, a fascinating geological feature.

Our Exploration of St. Herman's Cave

But the adventure didn’t stop there. After swimming, Eamon and I still had some energy left, so we decided to continue our journey to St. Herman’s Cave while Linda waited for us. We began our hike on the Lowland Trail, which led us to the Jungle Trail. On our way back, we followed the Jungle Trail to the Highland Trail. We made our way to the cavernous entrance and descended into the darkness. Inside the cave, our headlamps were the only source of light as we navigated the well-built walking path and stairs. Since the cave is primarily used for tubing, we didn't go deep, but we explored the well-lit path up to the point where the tubing adventure begins. The cave's interior was a stunning sight, with impressive rock formations illuminated by our lights.

The trek through the cave was a true test of our adventurous spirit, and the feeling of emerging from the darkness back into the sunlit jungle was a powerful reminder of the journey we had just completed.

Our time at St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park was a memorable experience, combining the best of Belize’s natural beauty and adventurous spirit. It’s a perfect destination for anyone seeking to reconnect with nature. For more of our Belize adventures, be sure to check out our journey to Crystal Cave [Embed Internal Link to Previous Blog Post]. To learn more about this incredible park, you can visit the Belize Audubon Society's website.

Watch the Full Adventure

If you want to see the full story of our adventure, watch the video above. It was an unforgettable journey, and I hope it inspires you to plan your own trip to this incredible part of the world. What part of this journey would you most want to experience? Let us know in the comments!