Hill Bank Field Station, established in 1995 is one of two field stations located on the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area (RBCMA). But the history of this site goes way back to when the Hill Bank area was inhabited by the ancient Maya. Along the length of the New River Lagoon you will find evidence of Mayan habitation in the form of house mounds, and just 12 miles away we find the second largest Mayan Monument in Belize, Lamanai.

The Hill Bank site itself is a former logging camp. Established as far back as the 1700s by British buccaneers and African slaves, the camp continued to act as a centre for Mahogany harvesting for over 300 years. Trees were pulled from the forest to the lagoon, initially by oxen, later by train where they were off loaded, chained together and floated downstream to Belize City for processing. In the 1950s it is estimated that approximately 400 men, women and children lived at Hill Bank. From about 400 trees per year in the early days, the logging company BEC was extracting over 7000 trees by the early 1980s. By 1982 the mahogany supply was depleted and Hill Bank was abandoned.

Today, Hill Bank is a working conservation field station, committed to managing the conservation of Belize’s natural heritage. With a workforce of up to 30, Hill Bank is home to a diverse crew of rangers, forestry personnel and a host of others committed to rainforest protection, research and development. During your stay at Hill Bank you will become part of our field station community where you will learn and participate directly in rainforest conservation activities.

• We accept Visa and Master Card.
  
  
• Energy is supplied by a combination of solar arrays and diesel generator.  As a result, guests are asked to conserve energy by refraining from the use of appliances such as blow dryers, irons, etc.
  
  
• We have a small gift shop at the Hill Bank Field Station where you can purchase t-shirts,posters, books, stamps, videotapes and postcards.
  
  
• Water is provided in rooms and at the kitchen for use by guests. 
  
  
• Hot water is available in the cabanas and dormitory.  Please check with a staff member if you have problems with the heater.
  
  
• All meals are buffet style.
  
  
  • Breakfast
    Served from 7:00am - 8:00am
    You can enjoy a light breakfast choosing from fruits, cereals, freshly baked local breads and pastry or indulge in a hearty local breakfast.
  • Lunch
    Served from 12:00pm - 1:00pm
    Each day a different dish is prepared to give your palate a treat of local and North American cuisine.  Vegetarians are not left out.
  • Dinner
    Served from 6:00pm - 7:00pm
    You will be surprised with another healthy, balanced meal which includes vegetables, a main dish, dessert and coffee.
    
    
• Communication from Rio Bravo is by radio.  Emergency phone calls can be made at our main office in Belize City if necessary.  Local phone cards can be purchased at the field station or prior to your arrival at the station, and can be used at the field station for local and international calls.
  
  
• Laundry service is provided by the Mennonite community which is eight miles from the Hill Bank Field Station.  Please check with the Station Manager for pick-up days.

Located on the banks of the New River Lagoon, the Hill Bank Field Station serves as a research base for sustainable forest management and specialized tourism which incorporates research activities into the visitors forest experience.  Hill Bank is an important site of Belize’s colonial history.  It served as an intensive center of timber extraction for over one hundred and fifty years, commencing in the seventeenth century.  The Hill Bank experience brings to life the architecture and artifacts of colonial land use such as quant wooden buildings of logging camps, antique steam engines and railroad tracks.

Guests are accommodated in Hill Bank’s Caza Balanza, which features 100% solar powered energy, no-flush composting toilets and a rainwater collection system with shared baths.  Or choose our charming double cabana with private baths at this site and unwind each evening overlooking the New River Lagoon on the front varandah.  Explore the wilds of Hill Bank by canoeing, crocodile spotting, hiking nature trails, birding and jungle treking.  The scenic boat ride, replete with wildlife sightings along the New River Lagoon is simply a must.