The Best Travel Guide to Belize City (UPDATED 2024) | ArrivalGuides.com

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Belize City

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Central America Belize Belize City

Overview

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Belize City The guide was updated: 2024-09-14

Belize City is the largest city and former capital of Belize, a small country located on the eastern coast of Central America. Situated at the mouth of the Belize River, the city serves as the country's main port and commercial hub. It is home to a diverse mix of cultures and expatriates from around the world, lending it a unique flavor and character. Despite its compact size, Belize City is a vibrant and bustling urban center that's packed with exciting attractions—from historic landmarks and museums to lively markets and outdoor activities.

Facts

Population:	57,169 (2023)
Currency:	Belize Dollar (BZD)
Hotels:	Hotels »
Emergency numbers:	Police: 911 \| 227 22 22 Fire & Ambulance: 90
Newspapers:	Amandala - amandala.com.bz/news/ The Reporter - www.thereporter.bz
Tourist information:	Belize Tourism Board 64 Regent Street, Belize City Opening hours: Mon–Thu 8am–5pm, Fri & Sat 8am–4pm Tel: +11 501 227 2420 Website: www.travelbelize.org

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Section in Belize City

Belize City offers a range of activities and attractions for visitors to explore. Immerse yourself in the city's rich history by visiting its historical sites, museums, and cultural centers, such as the Museum of Belize, Belize Arts Council, and Factory Art Image Foundation. Additionally, while in Belize City, you can savor the local cuisine or go shopping for local handicrafts.

Museum of Belize

Museum of Belize

The Museum of Belize is an art and history museum, built between the years 1854 and 1857 while Belize was still under Britain's rule. It initially served as a prison and then, in 2002, it was transformed into a museum. Divided into three distinct sections — History, Exhibits, and Activities — the museum is home to several exhibits that delve into the past of the city, the people that inhabited the British Colony of British Honduras, and the pivotal events that have shaped modern-day Belize.

Altun Ha

Altun Ha

Altun Ha is situated approximately 31 miles (50 kilometers) north of Belize City and it's home to the famous jade stone carved in the likeness of the Mayan sun god, Kinich Ahau, which graces the national currency. The temple is comprised of two primary clusters: Plaza A and Plaza B, each with its own unique offerings. The enigmatic Temple of the Green Tomb can be found in Plaza A, which boasts an impressive collection of jade, jewelry, and flint artifacts. On the other hand, Plaza B is the site of the grandest structure in Altun Ha, the Temple of Masonry Altar, which towers over 60 feet (18 meters) above the plaza. A guided tour is available from Belize City, and many combine a visit to the ruins with other nearby activities and attractions.

St. John’s Cathedral

St. John’s Cathedral

Constructed during a tumultuous period when colonial powers were vying for control of what was then known as British Honduras, St. John's Cathedral was built utilizing slave labor over a duration of eight years. Despite its unassuming exterior, this small Anglican church holds a unique distinction as the sole location outside of England where British monarchs were crowned. Four Indian Miskito tribe kings, who resided along the Mosquito coast, were bestowed with elaborate British ceremonial regalia that rivaled even the grandeur of London's royal ceremonies. This effort by the British was aimed at cultivating friendly relations with the tribe and safeguarding their power, land, and wealth from their Spanish rivals.

The Belize Sign Monument

The Belize Sign Monument

The Belize Sign Monument is located just a short distance from the Baron Bliss Lighthouse in Belize City and it's formed from big, boldly colored letters in a rounded font. It's a great spot to take stunning pictures of the ocean and relax by the seaside.

The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center

The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center

The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center is a unique wildlife conservation and education center located around 40 minutes from Belize City. The zoo was founded in 1983 as a last resort for animals rescued or donated from various sources, such as the film industry, government agencies, and private individuals. Today, it serves as a sanctuary for over 170 animals, including jaguars, tapirs, howler monkeys, and scarlet macaws, all of which are native to Belize. The Belize Zoo is also an important educational institution, dedicated to promoting wildlife conservation and sustainable living practices in the region. The Tropical Education Center offers visitors a chance to learn more about Belize's diverse flora and fauna through interactive exhibits, guided tours, and educational programs for children and adults alike.

Baron Bliss Light

Baron Bliss Light

Baron Bliss Light is a lighthouse that was built in 1885 and named after Henry Edward Ernest Victor Bliss, also known as Baron Bliss, a British philanthropist and benefactor of Belize. The lighthouse stands at the end of a breakwater and marks the entrance to Belize City's harbor. It is an iconic landmark and an important navigational aid for ships entering and leaving the harbor. Baron Bliss Light is also a popular tourist attraction, offering spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea and the city skyline.

Community Baboon Sanctuary

Community Baboon Sanctuary

Community Baboon Sanctuary's primary objective is preserving and safeguarding the black howler monkeys of Belize. Spanning over an area of 18 square miles (29 square kilometers) in the heart of the jungle, the sanctuary is home to approximately 1,500 monkeys along with a diverse range of other fauna including anteaters, armadillos, iguanas, turtles, deer, and more than 200 species of birds. A lot of tours and tourist experiences are available for the Community Baboon Sanctuary.

Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary

Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary

Since its inception in 1984, Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary has been recognized as one of the most exceptional locations in Central America for observing birds. The sanctuary is constructed on a system of lagoons, swamps, and estuaries, and it serves as a natural habitat for a vast variety of indigenous and migrant avian species, such as the boat-billed heron, black-collared hawk, pygmy kingfisher, and rufous-tailed jacamars.

Lighthouse Reef

Lighthouse Reef

Positioned at the easternmost end of the Belize Barrier Reef, Lighthouse Reef is an atoll situated in the Caribbean Sea along with two other atolls, Turneffe Atoll and Glover's Reef. Approximately 80 kilometers (50 miles) southeast of Belize City, the Lighthouse Reef is perfectly positioned to offer a stunning view of the Caribbean Sea. Whether you prefer to explore independently or with a guide, you can immerse yourself in the lively coral reef ecosystem and observe its diverse fauna, including Caribbean reef sharks, blacktip sharks, barracudas, stingrays, turtles, and an abundance of other fish.

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