Green Hills Butterfly Ranch

Green Hills breeds native Belizean butterflies in a large netted flight house and shows the whole cycle, from egg through caterpillar and chrysalis to release, with around thirty species on the wing at a time. The garden outside is planted for hummingbirds and a dozen or so species come to the feeders. Tours are guided by the owners, who are biologists, which lifts it well above a walk-through enclosure.

What you'll find

• The flight house - around thirty native butterfly species on the wing.
• The breeding cycle - eggs, caterpillars and chrysalises shown through the process.
• The hummingbird garden - feeders drawing a dozen or so species.
• The guided explanation - tours run by the biologists who breed the stock.

When to go

December to April is the dry season and the most comfortable. Butterfly numbers are highest in the warmer months. Mid-morning is when the flight house is most active.

Practical notes

Species numbers vary with the season and a cool cloudy day means fewer on the wing. The site is small and the visit takes ninety minutes. Tours run to set times.

Nearby

San Ignacio is northeast, and the Mountain Pine Ridge is south.