Sarteneja and Shipstern Nature Reserve


			Sarteneja & Shipstern Reserve

Sartenejans have long made their living from the sea ....

Nestled along the shores of Chetumal Bay
lies the fishing village of Sarteneja. Inhabited by descendants of the Mayans and Mestizos from the Yucatan Peninsula, these natives of Sarteneja have long made their living from the sea.

Fishermen sail on handcrafted wooden vessels called "lighters" that sometimes sail as far south as Guatemala and Honduras. These small boats may sometimes carry as many as fifteen fishermen aboard, as they sail along the coast, and outer atolls searching for conch, lobster, shrimp, and varieties of fish.

When their ice supply becomes low, the fishermen then begin their return voyage, selling their catch in Belize City, San Pedro, and Chetumal, as they make their way home. Upon returning to Sarteneja, they will begin again preparing for the next voyage.

Free Diving for Lobster - The lobster divers of Sarteneja, search for lobster between June and February and in between seasons, they take great pride in maintaining their boats. For the people of Sarteneja, life is never far from the sea. However, like other places in Belize, the traditional economy of commercial fishing is being slowly replaced by tourism.

Shipstern Nature Reserve is one of the least
developed areas in Belize ....

In the backyard of Sarteneja, just 3 miles down the road, lies Shipstern Nature Reserve. Jutting into the Chetumal Bay, the reserve covers 22,000 acres of
unspoiled, waterlogged jungle, savannah, and mangrove swamp.

Now managed by the Belize Audubon Society, Shipstern Wildlife Reserve
protects Belize's largest and most pristine tract of northern hardwood forest
and mangrove shoreline.

Separating the forest from the lagoon, vast belts of savannah, mudflats, and limestone hills dotted with palm trees, house almost every mammal species found in Belize.

All five species of Belize's native cats, as well as the tapir, armadillo, peccary, deer, paca, and coatimundis dwell in the forest and savannahs.
The swamps accommodate manatees, Morelet's crocodiles, as well as sixty species of amphibians and reptiles.

Excursions can be organized to Xo-pol Pond, located west of the reserve. You can stay for a few hours or the night. You are sure to see waterfowl, crocodiles and other wildlife indigenous to the area. You can also accompany rangers on their night patrols.

The Reserve has established a botanical trail which allows visitors to experience the three different northern hardwood forests, along with savanna and mangrove habitats. Tree species are labeled with scientific and local names. The headquarters provide a booklet explaining the traditional uses and medicinal value of much of the flora along the trail.

Shipstern is also home to a Butterfly Breeding Center located at the reserve's headquarters. The Breeding Center has supplied Great Britain, United States, Japan, and Singapore with pupae for their own man-made butterfly habitats.

Close to 200 species of butterflies can be seen in the Reserve's forest. However, Its best to visit the Butterfly Center on a bright, sunny day as butterflies often hide behind foliage on overcast or rainy days.

The mosquitoes can be quite abundant during certain times. From January through April the mosquitoes are quite manageable and this is the best time to visit.

Shipstern Ruins ~ Maya Archeological Site

To visit Shipstern ruins, contact Paul or Zoe Walker at Wildtracks in nearby Sarteneja. They can make arrangements for the lagoon crossing and overnight stay at Fireburn Village.

One-day excursions to the ruins can be arranged with Shipstern Reserve.

A visit to Shipstern Nature Reserve includes a tour of the Visitor’s Centre & Butterfly Garden, the Museum, the Botanical Trail and the Mahogany Park. Visits to other areas, such as the Shipstern Ruins to the south, or the Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve to the east, can be combined with a trip to Shipstern NR.

The Butterfly Breeding Center is open daily from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Guided tours along the trails are $12.50 for groups up to four, and an additional $2.50 for each extra person. The entrance fee contributes to the upkeep of the Reserve.

Basic lodging facilities at the Reserve can accommodate up to eight visitors.
Visitors are encouraged to overnight in the picturesque fishing village of Sarteneja, located three miles from the Reserve.

Getting There ....

Private Vehicle
A one-hour drive from Orange Walk. Pass through San Estevan, take the turn to the Mennonite community of Little Belize. Proceed to Chunox. The Reserve is three miles before Sarteneja. Closures are uncommon, however a 4WD vehicle is advisable during the wet season after heavy rains.

BUS
Bus service to Sarteneja Village is available from Orange Walk Town.

BOAT
Visitors can charter a private boat to Sarteneja from Corozal Town, Ambergris Caye,
or Consejo Shores.