When people say “Belize,” everyone assumes that it is merely a city. The truth is: Belize City is the capital of the Belize District in the country of Belize. The nation of Belize is the only one in the whole of Central America that has English as its official language; it was once a British colony. Formerly known as the British Honduras, the country of Belize has the lowest population count (per square mile) in the entire world. The capital city of Belize is Belmopan. However, the largest and probably the most famous of the country’s cities is Belize City.
The city itself has always been a favorite pit stop for cruise ships and the like. This is because the city is located at the mouth of the Belize River, right on the coast of the beautiful Caribbean Sea. The ports here are particularly active, and there is no shortage of things to see and do. If you are particularly found of water sports or other water activities, it might suit you well to visit the small but plentiful operators near the water’s edge. There are different companies offering everything from jet skis for rent to deep sea fishing tours.
Finding a guide is not really a big importance, since almost everyone speaks and understands English anyway, and local laws are very tourist-friendly. However, if you really want to squeeze in as much activity as you can in the limited time you have, a guide can help you greatly. You should also remember, Belize can become a bit pricey, especially if you are lured to some tourist trap – a good guide can stir you clear of the most expensive places and still afford you a vacation package worth remembering.
There are numerous places to stay in the city of Belize. However, for a more authentic feel of the place, we highly recommend you try one of the smaller bed-and-breakfast places. They are cheaper than hotel accommodations, and surprisingly more comfortable. You could also ask your hosts to recommend what tours you could sign up for. Walking tours that visit the local churches and popular landmarks here are very prominent. However, if you prefer roaming all over Belize City, car rentals are freely available. Most tourists though, would rather go without this hassle and utilize taxi cabs just as freely.
For starters, you may want to plot your itinerary around the Bliss Institute; the Government House; the Image Factory; the Lighthouse Monument at Fort George Point; the Marine Terminal and its museums near the Swing Bridge; the National Handicraft Center on the North Front Street; St. John’s Cathedral (the oldest cathedral structure in Central America); and Yarborough Cemetery.
Restaurants are plentiful as well, but we suggest you try braving some of the local and unnamed eating places inside the local markets. Keeping in mind that antacids are freely sold in pharmacies in the city. These eating places will show you just how colorful and rich the local cuisine is. These small eateries are relatively cheap, and it you may even have your fill for a fraction of the cost if you order the same amount of food from the higher-end restaurants.
Bars and pubs are rather limited, as with casinos and dance clubs. However, if you want to enjoy a bit of a party, we recommend checking out the offering of the hotel bars instead. A decent cocktail or two should suffice for the time being.
