Why You Should Visit the Iguana Eco Sanctuary in San Pedro
Everything you need to know about visiting the Iguana Eco Sanctuary in San Pedro, Belize.
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The Iguana Eco Sanctuary is a protected piece of land on the lagoon in Ambergris Caye and one of the most unusual things to do in San Pedro. Created independently by a local, it is a conservation initiative set up to protect black spiny-tailed and green iguanas and their mangrove habitat. We want to shine the spotlight on Calvin’s amazing conservation efforts, raise awareness of the threats the iguanas and ecosystem here face due to the rapid development of Ambergris Caye, and provide you with everything you need to know about visiting the Iguana Eco Sanctuary and supporting the project.
The Iguana Eco Sanctuary at a glance
More from Ambergris Caye
About the Iguana Eco Sanctuary
Just around the corner from the main gas station in downtown San Pedro lies a protected piece of jungle habitat most visitors to San Pedro and Ambergris Caye miss.
The Iguana Eco Sanctuary is a conservation project created by Calvin Young, a local man with a passion for iguanas and environmentalism. It is a protected area of mangrove forest and is said to be home to over 150 iguanas, making it one of the best places in Belize to see these unique creatures.
Two kinds of iguana call the area home: the black spiny-tailed iguana (called Wish Willy’s by locals) and the green iguana.
Green iguanas are herbivores and, unfortunately, are frequently hunted by Belizeans as food. There is an official hunting season, but not much is done to enforce the rules outside it. Black iguanas are omnivores and will eat anything from flowers and fruit to eggs. They are also heavily hunted for meat.
Where is the Iguana Eco Sanctuary?
The Iguana Eco Sanctuary is located on Seaweed Street in the northwest of San Pedro, opposite the town’s electricity substation. It is a patch of wild wetland and mangroves on the lagoon on the west coast of Ambergris Caye.
Iguana Eco Sanctuary Map
We’ve pinned the Iguana Eco Sanctuary on our interactive San Pedro and Ambergris Caye map.
How to get to the Iguana Eco Sanctuary
From San Pedro, follow Back Street north until it extends into a first road. Follow this to the substation, where you will find a large dirt parking lot on your left.
It’s an easy walk from San Pedro town, around 10 to 20 minutes depending on where you’re coming from, but there are no sidewalks, so be careful of traffic.
It’s easy to rent a golf cart in San Pedro and drive, parking outside.
You can take a taxi from anywhere in San Pedro Town for around $5 USD, and the journey takes about 10 minutes.
Why is the Iguana Eco Sanctuary important?
Due to the Belize Electricity substation’s expansion, the Iguana Eco Sanctuary is in immediate danger of environmental degradation and total destruction. Because the Belizean Government own the Belize Electric Company, the land where the mangroves are grown can be required and the mangroves cut down at any time – and they did.
In 2023, many of the mangroves, still with the iguanas calling them home, were razed to the ground to create a cement car park and to pave the road. Many iguanas were killed and injured during this work.
Calvin is working on repairs and upgrades, but relies on the support of donations from visitors.
Mangroves are crucial ecosystems for shoreline stability, carbon absorption, and vital habitats. Their loss increases coastal erosion, worsens storm impacts, and reduces biodiversity. Without the mangroves, there would be no iguanas here.
Some of the best natural areas in Belize are home to wildlife and ecosystems like this one, so it really should receive more protection.
What to see in the Iguana Eco Sanctuary
Obviously, the main attraction at the Eco Sanctuary is the iguanas, which makes it one of the top things to do in Belize for wildlife lovers. They are free to roam the area, so may be spotted on the ground near the main building, along the trails, and in the car park. They spend their days basking in the sun or cooling off in the shade of the mangroves.
There is a short wooden boardwalk out into the mangroves, which is the perfect vantage point for spotting iguanas in the trees. They’re tricky to spot at first, but once you know what you’re looking for, you’ll see more and more. The most obvious giveaway is a long tail hanging down from a branch.
As well as the wooden platforms, there’s a short, flat trail through a patch of forest, called Lizard Lane. It’s a nice place for a little wander – keep an eye above you to see any more iguanas.
Around the site, there are various carved and colourful signs and seats, perfect for photo opportunities. The wooden signs and carvings are all made by Calvin.
In the reception area, there’s a tiny exhibit that displays information about the biology, ecology, and history of iguanas.
Calvin also offers guided tours of the park, explaining more about the iguanas, their habitats, their diets, their behaviours, their threats, and the mission and vision of the foundation.
Feeding and touching the iguanas
Feeding and touching wild animals is always a no-no for us. There are a whole host of reasons they’re bad, from feeding a single animal the wrong diet to the impact on the entire species, which may lose its ability to hunt. Similarly, touching animals can transfer harmful bacteria through skin-to-skin contact and can cause psychological stress. Feeding and touching animals also desensitise animals to humans, which increases the risk of accidental death (like being run over), deliberate harm (like being hunted), or injury (to the animal or humans).
Calvin and his team feed the iguanas at the Iguana Eco Sanctuary. Feeding and touching the iguanas is also an activity offered for children.
Whether it’s ethical is a bit of a grey area. While what we’ve said above is true, the foods provided (fruit and compost scraps) are part of the iguanas’ natural diets. The iguanas aren’t fed their entire day’s worth of food, and apparently haven’t lost their ability to hunt. Calvin supervises any touching with only the iguanas he knows well, and they’re free to come and go as they please.
Personally, while we wouldn’t feed or touch the iguanas, in this niche case, the benefit may outweigh the risk, as it’s used as an educational tool rather than a service for profit (which is a key indicator of an unethical animal encounter). Feeding and touching the iguanas is an engaging way to learn about the threats they face, and, without Calvin, they probably wouldn’t still be around at all.
Iguana Eco Sanctuary Hours
The Iguana Eco Sanctuary is open from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
The best time to visit is in the morning, around 10:00 AM when the iguanas feed, and you’ll find them on the ground. You’ll still likely see iguanas later in the day, but they’ll be chilling in the mangroves and harder to spot.
Iguana Eco Sanctuary Cost
The sanctuary is completely free to visit. The project is funded by donations, which are always appreciated and support the upkeep of the sanctuary and the conservation of the area and its inhabitants.
You can simply show up, where you will be asked to sign into the guestbook, and then you are free to explore.
Iguana Eco Sanctuary Rules
To protect the iguanas and their habitat, there are some rules to follow. Guests must register on arrival by signing the guestbook. It’s important to stick to the marked trails at all times and not to disturb the plants or animals. Here are a few more rules:
How long to spend at the Iguana Eco Sanctuary
The sanctuary is a tiny area and doesn’t take long to explore. Half an hour would be plenty of time to show up and spot some iguanas, but we’d recommend an hour to spend some time observing them and walking the short trails around the property.
Read next:
30 Best Things to Do in San Pedro & Ambergris Caye
A Traveller’s Guide to San Pedro & Ambergris Caye
14 Best Hotels and Resorts in San Pedro & Ambergris Caye
15 Best Restaurants in San Pedro & Ambergris Caye
How to Visit Secret Beach and Blue Bayou
Renting a Golf Cart in San Pedro and Driving Ambergris Caye
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