Belize City: A Fun-Filled Tropical Adventure

Belize City is the country's largest city and former capital. While it may not be the first destination for most visitors, there are plenty of fun things to do in and around the city.

Belize City is a great starting point for travellers as it hosts the country's only international airport. The city is known for its colonial-era buildings, beachfront amusement parks, and lively shopping districts.

- Take a historic tour of the city to learn about its history, culture, economics, and architecture.

- Visit the Museum of Belize, housed in the historic Queen Elizabeth's prison, to learn about the country's history and culture.

- Explore St. John's Cathedral, the oldest Anglican Church in Central America, and admire its British colonial architecture.

- Check out the Government House, a well-preserved colonial building that used to host foreign dignitaries.

- Enjoy nature and wildlife at the Belize Zoo, which is known as the best little zoo in the world.

- Experience the Belize Tourism Village, a great place for souvenirs, food, and duty-free shopping.

- Go cave tubing and zip-lining, two of the most popular activities for adventure seekers.

- Visit nearby archaeological sites like Altun Ha, featuring the famous Maya temple on Belize's national beer label.

- Explore Old Belize, a popular marina with a man-made beach, zipline, waterfall, and private museum.

- Spend a day at Goff's Caye, a small island known for its fresh seafood and snorkelling spots.

While Belize City has a reputation for crime and gang violence, the areas frequented by tourists are generally safe and well-patrolled. So, with the right precautions and a good guide, you can definitely have a fun and memorable time in Belize City!

Explore the city's colonial architecture and cultural centres

Belize City is a major cultural and financial hub in Belize, and its colonial architecture and cultural centres are certainly worth exploring.

Colonial Architecture

Belize City was established in the mid-17th century as a trading post for precious woods from Central America. The city's physical expansion was slow, as the land had to be reclaimed from the mangrove swamp and the sea. The city grew through the trade of logwood and mahogany, and after a long quarrel between Britain and Spain, Belize became a British colony in 1862.

Many colonial buildings from the 19th century still stand in Belize City today. Most are raised above the ground, clad with weatherboarding, and covered with steeply pitched corrugated metal roofs—a style that has been called Creole Colonial.

• St. John's Cathedral: This Anglican church is the oldest surviving construction by any European native in Belize. It is a blend of European and Creole styles and defined itself as England's principal headquarters in Central America during colonial rule.
• Government House: Designed by the legendary British architect Sir Christopher Wren, this colonial palace combines vernacular Caribbean architecture with an English touch. It was once the residence of British governors before Belize's independence and is now The House of Culture, a venue for cultural exhibits and events.
• Holy Redeemer Cathedral: This Roman Catholic cathedral has massive columns of mahogany wood and is pitched by brick walls. It represents a contemporary architectural style.
• Museum of Belize: While not a traditional wooden colonial structure, this former prison is an interesting example of colonial architecture. It is a brick fortress that now houses artefacts and national treasures from Belize's past.

Cultural Centres

Belize City also has several cultural centres worth visiting:

• Traveller's Liquor Heritage Centre: This heritage centre is the oldest distillery in Belize City. Visitors can enjoy a drink at the tasting bar, which offers a retro Hollywood bar experience, or learn about the history of rum-making in Belize.
• Bliss Centre for Performing Arts: This performing arts centre hosts local and international art performances and events throughout the year. It features a 600-seat theatre, art gallery spaces, a library, and a cafeteria.
• Bird's Isle Restaurant: Located on the southeast coast of the city, this restaurant offers delicious Caribbean cuisine and breathtaking views.
• Supreme Court of Belize: The current Supreme Court building is a replica of the wooden structure that burned down in 1918. It is a social and political landmark in Belize.

Take a tour of the Belize Zoo, home to rescued native wildlife

Belize City is the country's largest city and former capital. While it has a reputation for crime and gang violence, it is still a major hub for tourism as the only international airport is located close by.

One of the top attractions in Belize City is The Belize Zoo, which is home to rescued native wildlife. The zoo is located roughly halfway between Belmopan and Belize City and is about a 30-minute drive from the international airport. It is set across 29 acres of land, with the natural environment of Belize left entirely intact within the zoo. The zoo is home to over 160 animals, representing 43 native species, including mammals, birds, and reptiles. The animals are kept in habitats that reflect their natural settings, providing an immersive educational experience for visitors.

The Belize Zoo was founded in 1983 by Sharon Matola, who was caring for a handful of wild animals that had been used in a natural history documentary. When filming ended, Matola was left with the animals and decided to start a zoo. The zoo's focus is on educating visitors about the native wildlife of Belize and promoting wildlife conservation and rehabilitation. The zoo has a variety of tours available, including day and night tours, as well as private tours. Visitors can see animals such as jaguars, pumas, ocelots, monkeys, crocodiles, and various species of birds.

Visit St. John's Cathedral, the oldest Anglican Church in Central America

Belize City is the country's largest urban area and former capital. While it is not the first destination for most visitors, there are still plenty of attractions to explore.

St. John's Cathedral, the oldest Anglican Church in Central America, is one of the few physical remnants of the long period when Belize was a British colony. The cathedral is located in downtown Belize City, in the southeastern part of the city, just a few hundred feet north of the coastline and west of the Government House. It is the seat for the Bishop of Belize and the mother church of the Anglican Diocese of Belize.

The church was built between 1812 and 1820 using bricks that had been used as ballast aboard ships. It was initially a parish church and became St. John's Cathedral in 1891, a few years after the Diocese of Belize was erected. The exterior of the church is made of brick, while the interior is fitted with mahogany and sapodilla. Attached to the church is the oldest cemetery in the country, Yarborough Cemetery, which was built by the British using slave labour.

St. John's Cathedral is usually part of the "Belize City Tour" and is well worth a visit if you are interested in British colonial architecture or want to learn about the role the church played in Belizean history. The cathedral is open seven days a week for worship or visits from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm, with no entrance fee. There are no guided tours, so the best time to visit is when there are no religious services taking place, giving you time to explore the colonial-era tombstones, hardwood interior architecture, antique pipe organ, and lavish accouterments.

Experience the city's eclectic dining and shopping scene

Belize City is the country's largest urban area and commercial capital. The city is known for its eclectic dining scene, with a mix of international cuisine and local favourites. Here are some highlights of the dining and shopping scene in Belize City:

Dining in Belize City:

• Rice and beans with stewed chicken is considered Belize's national dish, and it is a must-try when visiting Belize City.
• Belizean seaweed shake is a unique drink that can be found in the city, and there is often an adult version available with rum!
• Gibnut, also known as the "royal rat", is a local specialty that was once served to Queen Elizabeth during her visit to Belize.
• Chimole and escabeche are two traditional Belizean dishes worth trying. Chimole, also known as "black dinner", gets its dark colour from black recado, while escabeche is a vinegar-based soup with chicken and onions.
• Pigtail is another local favourite for the adventurous eater.
• Ceviche and conch fritters are popular seafood dishes, especially in the cayes.
• Fry jacks and johnny cakes are two popular breakfast items that can be found throughout Belize.
• Elvi's Kitchen in San Pedro is a great spot to try traditional Mayan dishes, such as their Friday night Mayan buffet.
• Street food in Belize City is also worth checking out, with options like garnaches, panades, and dukunu.

Shopping in Belize City:

• Tourism Village by the cruise port is a great place to find souvenirs such as leather goods, black coral jewellery, hand-carved mahogany, woven wear, and bottled herbs.
• Image Factory Art Foundation and Gallery is a great spot to browse locally produced art and literature.
• Maya Bags is a unique shop that empowers local women to design and create accessories inspired by the ancient Mayan people and local nature.
• Art Affair offers 'artsy' jewellery and other media with a true island flare.
• Pen Cayetano Studio Gallery displays works by one of the most renowned artists in the Garifuna community in a charming colonial house.
• Cotton Tree Chocolate offers delicious confections made from locally harvested cocoa beans, working closely with local farmers and chocolatiers.
• Sweet Ting is a small bakery known for its decadent desserts, including cakes and pastries.

Venture outside the city for archaeological tours and jungle river adventures

Belize City is the country's largest city and former capital. While it may not be the first destination for most visitors, there are plenty of attractions nearby.

Archaeological Tours

Belize is home to hundreds of archaeological sites, with the Maya Empire evolving around 350 BC in the lowlands of Belize and northern Guatemala. Here are some notable sites to visit:

• Altun Ha: Located about an hour away from Belize City, this Maya temple is featured on Belize's national beer. The famous Jade Head of the Maya Sun God Kinich Ahau was discovered here.
• Caracol: Located in the Chiquibul Rainforest Reserve, Caracol is believed to be the largest archaeological site in Belize. It is also one of the more adventurous sites to explore due to its remote setting.
• Lamanai Maya Ruin: This site, located on the banks of the New River in Orange Walk, is known for being the longest-occupied ancient Maya site. The river trip to the site is a popular way to access the ruins and offers the opportunity to spot wildlife along the way.
• Xunantunich: Located about an hour west of Belize City, this archaeological site features the impressive El Castillo temple, which rises 130 feet from the ground and offers spectacular views.
• Actun Tunichil Muknal: Known as ATM for short, this site is located near San Ignacio in the Cayo District. It is an important Maya archaeological site that includes pottery, ceramics, stoneware, and skeletons. The cave is notable for the "Crystal Maiden," the skeleton of a teenage girl whose bones have crystallised to a sparkling appearance.

Jungle River Adventures

With over 60% of Belize covered in forest, there are plenty of opportunities for jungle river adventures. Here are some ideas:

• Cave Tubing: Float through a series of caves along the Caves Branch River and learn about the sacred sites of the Maya.
• River Tubing: Head to the Sittee River for tubing, birdwatching, and wildlife spotting.
• Kayaking: Take a kayaking tour along the Sittee River and experience the dense jungle and abundant wildlife of Belize.
• Nohoch Che'en Caves Branch Archaeological Reserve: Located near Belmopan City, this reserve offers cave tubing, kayaking, and spelunking through an extensive network of limestone caves surrounded by dense rainforest.
• Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve: Dedicated to preserving Belize's native pine forest, this reserve offers scenic waterfalls, rushing pools, and mysterious caves for hiking and swimming.

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