Ya’axché Institute for Conservation Education

Ya’axché Institute for Conservation Education (YICE) is the driving force behind Ya’axché Conservation Trust’s sustainable financing initiatives established in 2014. Our goal is to generate revenue that supports Ya’axché’s vital conservation and community development work in the Toledo District.

Funding Conservation Through Sustainable Practices YICE consists of Ecotourism Belize and a plant nursery. Ecotourism Belize provides tours, group experiential learning programs, transportation services, merchandise, rustic bunkhouse accommodations and camping grounds, while the nursery sells organic fruit and timber seedlings.

Minimizing Impact, Maximizing Conservation YICE promotes exemplary models for sustainable tourism and development in the Toledo district by creating transformative experiences with nature and local communities. These experiences have been carefully designed to provide an authentic experience while minimizing environmental impact. All proceeds are directly reinvested in ongoing conservation efforts within the Maya Golden Landscape.

Community at Core YICE partners with local farmers and women’s groups to create unforgettable experiences for our guests. This collaboration is supported by Ya’axché Conservation Trust, our parent organization. We provide trainings, resources and technical assistance to our community partners, helping them grow their skills and businesses. By working together, we ensure that our tours benefit both visitors and local communities, fostering a sustainable economic future for the Maya Golden Landscape.

Women's Groups YICE proudly supports women who are actively involved in the development of their communities. These women’s groups have created businesses featuring cultural traditions such as basket weaving, cuxtal (Maya bag) weaving, chocolate making, calabash carving, sugarcane extraction, and open fire hearth cooking of traditional Maya meals.

YICE collaborates with the Maya Rose Women’s Group, Akte’il Ha Women’s Group, Ancient Maya Catering Service, Marigold Women’s Cooperative and Maya Arts Women’s group, and Junajpú Chocolate.

Farmers YICE partners with farmers to provide Eco Farm Tours and Cacao Farm Tours.

Our partners interact with guests, sharing their knowledge of sustainable farming practices. YICE collaborates with Mr. Hubert Kus, Mr. Santiago Cus, Mr. Agustin Chub, Mr. Manuel Coc, Mr. Pablo Maquin Sr. & Mr. Orlando Cucul.

EcoTourism Belize Connecting nature, wildlife and communities for a more sustainable world.

Our primary objective is to be an exemplary model for sustainable tourism and development in the Toledo district by creating transformative experiences with nature and local communities. These experiences have been carefully designed to provide an authentic experience through local guidance, while minimizing our impact on the natural environment and reinvesting in conservation.

By booking a tour or a stay with us, you are directly supporting conservation in southern Belize!