Rainforest and jungle
The best places for rainforest and jungle are Ketchikan, Juneau, Grand Cayman, Roatan and Belize City. Ketchikan and Juneau sit in the Tongass National Forest, the world's largest temperate rainforest, with boardwalks, trails and guided garden rides. Grand Cayman has the Mastic Trail, a guided walk through old-growth forest, and Cozumel has jungle paths around the ruins at San Gervasio.
Where it's best
Ketchikan is in old-growth temperate rainforest. Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary has hemlock, cedar and spruce with salmon spawning streams, and a quarter-mile gravel trail at Margaret Creek, one mile from Margaret Bay dock, leads to a viewing platform. The Rainforest Island Adventure takes a boat about 20 minutes to an island for a boardwalk hike.
Juneau sits inside the Tongass National Forest, and the Rainforest Trail is an accessible walk of about 0.8 mile one way to a small beach with views. Glacier Gardens is a guided tour through a rainforest botanical garden, with the upside-down Flower Towers and a scenic overlook.
Grand Cayman has the Mastic Trail, a guided walk through some of the last untouched old-growth forest in the Caribbean, in the interior Mastic Reserve. Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park has a shady, wooded Red Garden with the feel of a tropical rain forest.
Roatan has trails at Gumbalimba Park that wind through a botanical garden and animal sanctuary, where sloths often hang in the trees. Port Royal National Park has trails through green hillside on the eastern end of the island.
Belize Jungle Dome is a ranch where the jungle is walked and ridden on its own trails, with rivers and teak plantations along the way. Jungle jeep and zip line tours also run here.
Cozumel has tropical jungle (selva tropical) in its interior. At San Gervasio, paths lead through jungle between the plazas and temples.
Skagway has a forest trail through spruce and undergrowth from the Gold Rush Cemetery, ending at a view of Lower Reid Falls tumbling in the woods.
Near Doğanbey, Şorlak Waterfall is reached from the park area.
Tours to book
Prices are per person, booked with our partner, Shore Excursions Group.
Altun Ha Mayan Ruins and Tropical Jungle Monkey Reserve
Private Edessa Waterfalls and Pella Thermal Springs by Minibus
