Quick FactsOverview
About Black Creek Hot Springs and Forest
Black Creek Hot Springs and Forest, Belize is a privately owned 416-acre property on the shore of an IUCN Category IV Marine Wildlife Sanctuary near Gales Point village in Belize District, where the Maya Mountains foothills meet the Caribbean coastal plain. A natural geothermal spring forms a pool approximately 25 feet wide by 60 feet long, fed by Black Creek as it descends from the hills. The water is sulfur-rich with mineral content. From the spring pool, Black Creek flows underground into the 15-acre Black Lagoon, which connects via navigable channel to the Southern Lagoon estuary. This is one of the only known geothermal hot springs in Belize.
The property is entirely undeveloped. No public facilities exist at the spring or on the land. Minor ancient Mayan ruins and ruins of an 1800s colonial-era structure exist along the creek. The property is listed for sale and described as suited to development as a healing spa or eco-resort. As a visitor destination, access requires prior arrangement with the current landowner or their agent. Confirm current access and ownership status before planning any visit, as the situation may have changed since this listing was written.
Location & Access
Getting to Black Creek Hot Springs and Forest
Black Creek Hot Springs and Forest is accessible by two routes. By road, take the Coastal Highway to Mile 19, where a logging road leads to the property entrance. The drive from the Belize City airport is approximately 70 minutes. The Coastal Highway is a paved road serving as a strategic shortcut through central Belize. By boat, the Southern Lagoon and Black Lagoon can be reached from Belize City in approximately 90 minutes via jungle rivers and coastal lagoons. The property has a half-mile of sand frontage on the Southern Lagoon, and Black Lagoon has navigable access from the Caribbean Sea and Belize City.
Access to the spring requires prior arrangement with the landowner or their real estate agent. This is private land. Do not attempt to access the property without confirmed permission. There are no visitor facilities, no entry infrastructure, and no services on site. The nearest village is Gales Point, a small community of fewer than 300 people on a peninsula in the Southern Lagoon with basic amenities. For those seeking hot springs near Gales Point Belize, this is the only known thermal feature in the immediate area. Cell service along the logging road and on the property is limited; plan your route and communications before departing. Confirm current ownership and access status before making any plans to visit.
Suitability & Accessibility
Suitability of Black Creek Hot Springs and Forest for Visitors
Black Creek Hot Springs and Forest is suitable only for visitors who have arranged explicit permission from the current landowner or property agent before arrival. This is private land with no public access, no visitor infrastructure, no entry fee structure, and no operating hours. It is not a conventional visitor destination. Confirm current ownership and access status before making any plans, as the property has been actively listed for sale.
If access is arranged, the experience is entirely wild and undeveloped. All five species of Central American large cats are documented on the property. Endangered Hicatee turtles, tapirs, howler and spider monkeys, and diverse birdlife are present. The site borders the Gales Point Wildlife Sanctuary, which protects West Indian manatees in the Southern Lagoon. Visitors must be fully self-sufficient with their own food, water, and equipment. There are no changing facilities, no toilets, and no shelter.
The property is not wheelchair accessible. The logging road access requires a vehicle capable of rough unpaved tracks. Boat access via the Southern Lagoon is an alternative but requires navigation knowledge or a local guide familiar with the lagoon channels. This hot springs near Gales Point Belize has exceptional wildlife and wilderness character but the access requirements make it unsuitable for most casual visitors.
Safety & Etiquette
Black Creek Hot Springs and Forest Safety Tips
Black Creek Hot Springs and Forest is a wild and remote property with no facilities, no staff, and no emergency services on site. Do not visit without prior confirmed permission from the landowner. Trespassing on private land is illegal. Confirm access arrangements before your visit and ensure you have a contact number for the landowner in case of emergency.
The spring pool is a natural, undeveloped geothermal feature with no temperature monitoring, no safety barriers, and no depth markings. Test the water temperature before entering. The water is sulfur-rich with mineral content; limit soak duration and rinse with fresh water afterward. Bring all drinking water you will need, as there is no potable water source on site.
The property borders a wildlife sanctuary and is described as having populations of all five Central American large cat species including jaguar. Do not approach or disturb wildlife. Make noise when moving through vegetation to avoid surprising animals. Cell service is limited or absent on the property. Download offline maps before departing and ensure someone knows your planned route and return time.
The logging road access at Mile 19 of the Coastal Highway is unpaved. Drive carefully and assess road conditions before proceeding, particularly after rain. The Southern Lagoon boat route requires familiarity with local water channels. Use a local guide for boat access if you are unfamiliar with the lagoon. The nearest medical services are in Dangriga, approximately 45 minutes south by road.
