Calling all naturalists, eco-tourists and adventurers. If you are looking for an unparalleled experience of the Belizean jungle alongside a local Mayan ranger, then we would like to offer you the chance to join Ya'axché Conservation Trust's daily patrol.

As a 'Ranger for a day', you will join an official Ya'axché patrol of the 15,000-acre Golden Stream Corridor Preserve. This is a unique experience that will give you the opportunity to play an important role in the protection of these pristine areas inaccessible to the average tourist.

As an honorary ranger, you will contribute to the daily wildlife logs; record key species of mammals and birds along the riverside trail and learn how our rangers detect signs of hunting. You will hone your own detective skills as you learn to identify jaguar, tapir and armadillo tracks and you should have your binoculars ready to spot toucans and spider monkeys.

Your boots will get muddy and you should prepare to get sweaty but, after a morning of adventure, you are invited to enjoy a refreshing dip in the Golden Stream River, the lifeblood of the Golden Stream Corridor Preserve.

To be a ranger for the day, you will need to be of medium level fitness as you will be walking for up to two hours in hot and sometimes wet conditions. You should wear light long pants/trousers (that will dry quickly), sturdy shoes for walking (hiking boots are not required), a hat, insect repellent, water, snacks and a packed lunch.

Pricing
The Ranger For A Day experience starts at US$28 per person for a half day patrol (9am - 12pm), fullday (9am - 3pm), which includes the river patrol down the Golden Stream River, is US$55 per person. Discounts are available for large groups (of six or more people). Additional contributions to the conservation work of Ya'axché are gratefully appreciated.

100% of the fee goes towards protected area ranger salaries.

For more information email lee.mcloughlin@yaaxche.org or call (501) 722-0108.
If you are already in Punta Gorda, please feel free to drop into our office.

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Getting to the field station
Bus from Punta Gorda: A James Bus leaves from the corner of King Street and Front Street just before 8am. You can also flag it down as it drives through town on its way to the highway. Tell the bus attendant to drop you off at Ya'axché.

A one-way trip to the Field Center will cost around BZ$5 (US$2.50). The return bus to Punta Gorda passes by the Field Center between 1:00 and 1:30pm.
Further bus times, if you would like to stay a while longer after your ranger experience or if you are coming from another town, can be found at hickatee.com.

Car: The Field Center is located on the Southern Highway, approximately 29.5 miles north of Punta Gorda and 33.8 miles south of Independence. It is between the Maya villages of Medina Bank and Golden Stream. Our Field Centre is signposted from the main highway.