We saw a recommendation for Sam Tillet and called the number. We had someone pick us up in Belize City, drive us there, and then another person take us out on the water. To save money, if you have a car, you could probably drive there yourself and do the same, but I would call ahead to have a guide ready. If not, there were two places that might do last-minute guides-Sam Tillets and a birding hotel. You need a guide because you need to go out on the water to see things. The attractions are the birds: herons, egrets, ducks, etc., and also the iguanas and possibly crocodiles.

We had a 2-hour tour around the sanctuary, which looks like a large lake initially. In the back it turns more into a river and winds around through mangroves and trees.

The birds were cool, although herons and egrets are pretty often seen in the U.S. The orange iguanas in the trees were quite interesting.

Our guide was able to tell us about the different trees, like what the bark was used for, etc., and also a little bit about the different birds. He had a keen eye for finding different things.

Take a hat for the sun; our guide had binoculars and bird books.

It was worth going, although it reminded me of time spent in the Everglades, as it was not any more exotic that that.