Belize City After Dark: Is It Worth Staying The Night?

Belize City is the country's largest city and former capital. It is the first point of contact for many travellers as it is home to the only international airport in Belize. The city is known for its historical, cultural and architectural attractions, as well as its food and nightlife. However, Belize City also has a reputation for being unsafe, particularly the south side of the city, which is known for its high levels of poverty and gang activity.

While some tourists choose to stay in Belize City for a night or two, others opt for alternative destinations such as San Ignacio, Black Orchid, or the Belize Zoo.

Belize City's historical sites

Belize City is the country's largest city and former capital. It is a hub of historical, cultural, and architectural attractions. Here are some of the city's most notable historical sites:

St. John's Cathedral

St. John's Cathedral is a modest brick cathedral with one tower. It has well-maintained grounds, including a small lawn and a mini-garden with a pathway. The Government House, a beautiful heritage building where Queen Elizabeth stayed during British rule, is located just across the street.

Baron Bliss Lighthouse

The Baron Bliss Lighthouse is named after Baron Henry Edward Ernest Victor Bliss, one of Belize's greatest benefactors. It is located in a peaceful area and is free to visit.

Belize Sign Monument

The Belize Sign Monument is a popular photo spot. It is located at the southern tip of Belize City and is quick and easy to visit.

Supreme Court of Belize

The Supreme Court of Belize is a colonial-style building located at the beginning of Albert Street. It is one of the two edifices in Belize City worth seeing, according to some travellers.

Nohoch Che'en Caves Branch Archaeological Reserve

The Nohoch Che'en Caves Branch Archaeological Reserve offers a unique experience of gentle tubing through the caves and jungle. It is a favourite among travellers, who also recommend the services of tour guide Reggie.

Lamanai Maya Ruins

The Lamanai Maya Ruins feature two excavated main plazas, several temples, and residential structures. The famous "Jade Head" was discovered at this site.

Museum of Belize

The Museum of Belize is housed in the old Queen Elizabeth Prison, built in 1857. It served as a prison until 2002 when it was converted into a museum. Visitors can learn about Belize's history and culture through this attraction.

Altun Ha

Altun Ha is one of Belize's signature Mayan sites, located about an hour away from Belize City. It is known for the "Temple of the Masonry Altars," which is featured on Belize's national brew, Belikin Beer. The famous Jade Head of the Maya Sun God Kinich Ahau was also discovered at this site.

The Museum of Belize

Belize City is the country's largest city and its centre of commerce. It is the former capital and home to the country's only international airport. While it may not be the ideal base for a long holiday, it's worth exploring for a day or two. The city has a reputation for not being very safe, particularly the south side, where there is a lot of poverty. However, tourists are rarely victims of crime, and there are many nice areas, such as the Kings Park neighbourhood.

One of the top attractions in the city is the Museum of Belize. Housed in the old Queen Elizabeth's prison, which was built in 1857 and remained active until 2002, the museum is a great place to learn about the country's history and culture. The museum has a nominal entry fee, excellent air conditioning, clean restrooms, and two levels of exhibits to explore. The total time needed to explore the museum is around 1-2 hours.

The exhibits cover various themes, including history, with an emphasis on the colonial period and slavery, piracy in the colonial era, Mayan archaeology, and ecology relating to native birds and insects. The building itself is an impressive heritage-style structure with a nice lawn in front, offering great photo opportunities.

Overall, the Museum of Belize is a great place to visit to gain insight into the history and culture of Belize, especially regarding slavery and the Creole language. It is an informative and educational experience, highly recommended for those interested in learning more about the city and country.

Belize City's restaurants

Belize City is the country's largest city and former capital, so it's no surprise that it has a diverse range of restaurants to choose from. The city is known for its historical, cultural, and architectural attractions, as well as its vibrant nightlife and culinary scene. Here is a guide to some of the top restaurants in Belize City:

Celebrity Restaurant & Bar

This restaurant is a popular choice among Belize City's elite, including attorneys, businesspeople, and politicians. It offers a large menu featuring US-inspired seafood, steaks, pasta, and salads, as well as Belizean comfort food. It is located on Marine Parade Harbor Front and is considered a dressier restaurant.

Bird's Isle Restaurant

Bird's Isle Restaurant is located on a small islet at the south end of Regent Street. It is a thatched-roof, open-air seaside bar and restaurant offering tropical drinks and local seafood at reasonable prices. It is a great spot to escape the hustle and bustle of downtown Belize City.

Chef Roger Lebanese Food

For those seeking Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine, Chef Roger Lebanese Food is a great option. It offers dishes such as lamb kebabs, fattoush salad, and tabbouleh salad. The food is consistently good, although service may vary.

The Little Boar House

If you're looking for barbecue, The Little Boar House is the place to go. They serve a variety of barbecue dishes, including grilled snapper, at affordable prices.

Club Calypso Seafood Restaurant

Club Calypso is a Caribbean, bar, and seafood restaurant located in Belize City. It offers a range of dishes, including grilled snapper and shrimp ceviche. The service is friendly, and the prices are reasonable.

Sumathi Indian Restaurant

Sumathi Indian Restaurant offers tasty northern and southern Indian cuisine cooked in an authentic tandoori oven. Their signature dish is the tandoori chicken, marinated in cumin, ginger, and minty yogurt, served with naan bread. They also have a wide range of vegetarian options.

Chon Saan Palace

Chon Saan Palace is the place to go if you're craving Chinese food. It is considered the best Chinese restaurant in Belize City, with over 200 dishes on the menu, most of which are Cantonese-style. They also have a live seafood tank with lobster and the catch of the day.

Black Orchid Resort in Burrell Boom

While not exactly in Belize City, the Black Orchid Resort is worth mentioning. It is located just outside the city and offers a unique dining experience with amazing views.

These are just a few of the many great restaurants that Belize City has to offer. Whether you're looking for fine dining, casual eateries, or street food, Belize City has something to satisfy every taste and budget.

The Belize Zoo

The zoo is home to over 150 animals representing 43 native species. The habitats designed for the animals reflect their natural settings, and the zoo is also the first nature destination in Belize that is accessible to visitors with physical disabilities.

The zoo is located roughly halfway between Belmopan and Belize City, and is a 30-minute drive from the international airport. It is open from Monday to Saturday, from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, and on Sundays from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

The zoo features a variety of mammals, including Belize's national animal, the Baird's tapir, and the five wild cat species found in Belize: jaguar, puma, ocelot, margay, and jaguarundi. Other mammals include white-tailed deer, red brocket deer, collared peccaries, and Yucatan spider monkeys, among others.

The zoo also has several species of parrots, owls, and raptors, as well as a wetland aviary. Reptiles at the zoo include American crocodiles, boa constrictors, green iguanas, and black spiny-tailed iguanas.

In addition to the daytime tour, the zoo offers night tours where visitors can observe the activity of crepuscular and nocturnal animals, such as tapirs, jaguars, margays, and howler monkeys.

Altun Ha

Belize City is the country's largest city and the former capital. It is a hub of historical, cultural, and architectural attractions, as well as great food and a vibrant nightlife. The city is also known for its large hotels, conference facilities, and a cruise ship terminal. While it may not be the ideal base for a long holiday, it is worth exploring for a day or two.

One of the top attractions in Belize City is Altun Ha, an ancient Maya city located about 50 kilometres north of Belize City. Here are some key facts and highlights about Altun Ha:

• History and Rediscovery: Altun Ha was inhabited from around 900 BC to AD 1000, with the Classic Period (200-900 AD) being the most significant. The site was only brought to the attention of archaeologists in 1957, with more extensive excavations and restorations taking place in the 1960s and 1970s.
• Site Description: Altun Ha covers an area of about 8 square kilometres, with a small core area partially restored and open to the public. The site consists of two main complexes, Group A and Group B, with smaller residential groups. Group A was the early civic and ceremonial core, while Group B gained importance during the Late Classic and is where many elite burials were found.
• Notable Structures: One of the most notable structures is the "Temple of the Masonry Altars" in Group B, which is featured on Belize's national brew, Belikin Beer. This temple is about 16 metres high and is the largest of Altun Ha's temple-pyramids. Another significant structure is Structure A1, a truncated pyramid with a broad stairway leading to three staggered terraces and a central stairway to a temple structure.
• Burials and Artifacts: Altun Ha is known for its elite burials, particularly in Structure B-4, where the "Sun God's Tomb" was discovered. This tomb contained the skeleton of an adult male and a large number of jade artifacts, including a carved jade head of the Sun God, Kinich Ahau, weighing nearly 11 pounds. This jade head is typically kept in the Belize Central Bank but is occasionally displayed at the national museum.
• Excursions and Tours: Altun Ha is a popular destination for tours and excursions from Belize City. Various tour options are available, including combinations with cave tubing, birdwatching, zip-lining, river tours, and cultural experiences in Belize City.

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