Welcome to Jacana Inn

Crooked Tree Village was established around 1750 by European settlers in Northern Belize traveling up the river in search of logwood and is one of the oldest known settlements. Legend being, that large twisted trees in the area is what gave the village its intriguing name.  A community of approximately 1,400, Crooked Tree encompasses  the Kriol culture, language, character and inviting atmosphere.  The village is an Eden of fruits, specializing in thousands of cashew trees and is known for their famous festival celebrating this superfood held in the first week of May. Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, is a landscape that spans approximately 36,479 acres of wetlands, lagoons, creeks, broad leaf forests, pine savannas, and was recognized as a protected wetland of international importance in the early 1980’s.  It was then designated as a waterfowl habitat on April 22, 1998 under the RAMSAR Convention on Wetlands for both migratory and resident bird species, including the famous jabiru stork, the largest flying bird in Central America, with this area being the main nesting ground.  The Wildlife Sanctuary is co-managed by Belize Audubon Society and the Belize Forest Department. This is a bird enthusiast’s paradise, mostly known as a popular destination for nature lovers and birders from around the world. Guided birding walks give you an opportunity to learn not only about the birds, but also animals and plants of Crooked Tree and to open your senses to the nature that is around you.  Knowledgeable and experienced local guides will help you identify each flora and fauna and explain about them with local stories.  Hundreds of bird species make Crooked Tree their seasonal or permanent homes. In addition to the birds, you could see other forms of wildlife such as crocodiles, howler monkeys, iguanas, deer, peccary, otters, gibnut, sloths and quashes. Essentially an inland island bordered by the Revenge Lagoon, the Western Lagoon, and the Spanish Creek, it is one of the most spectacular places in Belize… and you can drive there.  Crooked Tree Village is located in the Belize District, being close to all the conveniences, 33 miles north of Belize City and only 25 miles from the International Airport. There are also other ways to reach this unique village. During the rainy season, one can take a boat from Belize City up the Belize River, then into Black Creek and Spanish Creek, and if traveling by road one can drive along the Phillip Goldson Highway, detouring to the west near mile 31 onto a 3 mile feeder road where you will be met by a half-mile causeway across a sky-blue lagoon welcoming you into the village. Nature and wildlife tours, cultural experiences and outdoor activities await you.