Belize City.
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Overview

Belize City is the largest city in Belize. It is on a small peninsula protruding into the Caribbean Sea. It was the capital city until flooding and other damage from a hurricane in 1961 prompted the government to relocate to Belmopan, closer to the geographic centre of the country.

Get in

Tropic Air (Cancun, Roatan, San Pedro Sula. Flights from within Belize are at the Sir Barry Bowen Municipal Airport (TZA)). Alaska Airlines (Los Angeles, Seattle) American Airlines (Charolette, Miami and Dallas) Copa (Panama City) Delta (Atlanta) JetBlue (New York) Southwest (Baltimore, Houston Hobby, Denver) TAG (Guatemala City) United (Houston, Newark, and Denver) Click here for a list of car rental companies at the airport. Ask rental car company representative if planning to drive across international borders into Guatemala or Mexico as rental cars are typically not allowed to be driven across the border.

Mayan Island Air (Caye Caulker, Caye Chapel, Dangriga, Independence, Placencia, Punta Gorda, San Pedro) Tropic Air (Caye Caulker, Dangriga, Placencia, Punta Gorda, San Pedro, Silver Creek)

By bus Buses from Santa Elena/Flores in Guatemala (2-3 hr) arrive at the San Pedro Express water taxi terminal at 111 N Front St while the ADO bus to Mexico are at the Novelo's bus terminal. See the below:

The Northern Zone (Belize City - Orange Walk - Corozal) Some continue north to Chetumal in Mexico from Orange Walk while others may deviate east or west from the Philip Goldson (Northern) Highway (main road) to other surrounding towns. They are: Albion’s, Belize Bus Owners Cooperative (BBOC), Cabrera’s, Chell’s, Frazer, Joshua’s, Morales, Tillett’s, T-Line and Valencia. Northbound buses depart from Belize City about every half hour from 5:30AM to 7:30PM. Jex and Sons Bus provides bus service between Belize City and Crooked Tree. The Western Zone (Belize City - Belmopan - San Ignacio - Benque Viejo Del Carmen) They are: BBOC, D and E, Guerra’s Bus Service, Middleton’s, Shaw Bus Service and Westline. Westbound buses depart from Belize City between 5AM and 9PM. Some may continue west from San Ignacio to the Guatemalan border at Melchor del Mencos but they do not cross into Guatemala. Others may continue north or south from Belmopan, San Ignacio, etc., to reach other towns not on the Western Highway. Southern Zone (Belize City - Belmopan - Dangriga - Placencia - Punta Gorda) Buses to the Cayo and Stann Creek Districts to the south are: James Bus Line, G-Line Service, Ritchie’s Bus Service and Usher Bus Line. Buses authorized to operate in the rural areas of the Southern Zone are Chen Bus Line, Yascal Bus Line, Smith Bus Line, Richie Bus Line, Martinez Bus Line, Williams Bus Line, Radiance Ritchie Bus Line, and Polanco Bus Line.

The companies and drivers' unions don't have websites or published schedules. If they do, it's usually handwritten on a piece of paper or cardboard and taped to a wall or bus station window for all to see at the bus station. The buses do display the final destination or a list of major destinations served on the windshield.

By shuttle Shuttles can pick you up at the airport, your hotel or from anywhere, and transfer you much quicker to almost anywhere in the country and with much more ease since they are door to door: Belize Ground Shuttle The only shared shuttle service in Belize with daily scheduled airport service. email: Ron's Belize Shuttle. Provides private shuttle service to destinations throughout Belize. email:

Teddy Bear Shuttle. Taxi service that can be found just behind the Belize Bank in the center of San Ignacio Town.

Belize Shuttle Co. Shuttles driven by Denfield Gomez, known locally as Denny.

Williams Belize Shuttle. Airport transfer service, with door to door pick-up and drop off.

BASS. Airport shuttle service to Belize City, San Ignacio or any other destination in Belize.

Most of them are based in San Ignacio Town, east of Belize City in the Cayo District and wrote about connecting San Ignacio to the airport and other places in Belize. Therefore, you must ask them if they provide transportation originating in Belize City and going somewhere else if you don't plan to go to San Ignacio.

Get around

In Belize City, you will find plenty of local auto rental companies along with a couple of international ones. If you stay for a longer time in Belize, you can get a discount on the rental. The auto rental companies can be spotted across the parking lot as you exit the Belize International Airport. They include Hertz, AQ Car Rental, Budget Rent-A-Car, Avis Car Rental, Jabiru Auto Rentals, and Dollar/Thrifty Rent-A-Car.

See

Bliss Centre for the Performing Arts. The largest cultural centre in Belize, it also hosts the National Art Collection of Belize.

Government House. Once the residence of the British Governor General, this is now a "House of Culture" that is open for visitors.

Image Factory Art Foundation. An independent gallery and cultural centre with changing exhibitions and a small book shop. Probably the best place in Belize to learn about contemporary local art. Free parking across the street in secure parking lot.

The Museum of Belize. A former prison and now the national museum of Belize.

Old Belize. Old Belize is a landmark attraction, offering a total Belize experience for locals and tourists. At its heart is the Old Belize Exhibit, a stirring, large as life, cultural and historical display taking visitors back in time to various defining segments of Belize’s past, with authentic relics from key periods, a haunting introductory teaser to the Mayan legacy in Belize, an eerie depiction of the Belize City of Colonial days, an intimate glimpse into 18th-century logging camps, and more. Old Belize also features the only beach in Belize City, the Old Belize Marina, a full service restaurant, plus conference facilities and banquet hall.

St John's Cathedral. An Anglican cathedral that was built in 1812. The cathedral is a landmark of Belize and one of the oldest remaining buildings in the city.

Yarborough Cemetery. This cemetery was in use from 1787 to 1896. It was renovated in 1999 and has been designated an archaeological reserve in 2009.

Do

Most tourists use Belize City as a transportation hub and spend little time in the city. With that said, Belize City is still the cultural centre of the country and offers a comparably large number of cultural attractions.

Buy

If you are travelling to the cayes, stock up on your cash at the central bank, as the ATMs on the islands often run out of money on weekends. A number of merchants do recognize and accept US dollars or give change in US dollars or a combination of US and Belizean dollar bills and coins.

If you want to shop there is tourism village in the Fort George area which has jewelry shops like Diamonds International and lots of gift shops. Fort George is located on a boardwalk.

Albert Street is the main street in the Commercial District and features many shops and small shopping centres.

Tourism Village. Created to boost cruise ship tourism in Belize City, the Tourist Village is only open when a cruise ship is in town and features a variety of shops and restaurants.

Cave Tubing. Cave Tubing – Enter an exciting realm where rivers disappear into the underworld as you float on inner tubes with only your headlamp to lead the way. tours are scheduled to fit within the port time of the cruise ships arriving in Belize City.

Publics Supermarkets. There are now three Publics stores in Belize city. has most things you need.

The Belize Bank, Scotiabank and Atlantic Bank. All three banks have ATMs that take Mastercard.

Eat

Marva's. A small family-run restaurant serving good, hot breakfast within walking distance from the water taxi terminal.

Dit's Restaurant. Great watermelon juice and wonderful pastries.

Mama Chen. It's not a guesthouse anymore, but it is a nice Chinese restaurant with a familial and friendly atmosphere.

Harbour View. Very upscale dining, with a great chef.

Drink

Riverside Tavern. Owned by Belize's only brewery you can get the freshest and coldest draft beer. Also great hamburgers, and other food available.

Spoonaz Photo Cafe. Coffee shop near the water taxi terminal. Has a nice patio and A/C inside. Great place to spend some time waiting for the ferry or a night bus. Free Wi-Fi.

Sleep

Three Sisters Guesthouse. Held by a lovely Salvadorean woman. Three narrow rooms with private bathroom, wifi, no a/c. Large (somehow empty) common space. Noisy during daytime, ok at night.

Sea Breeze guest house. Central but quiet location.

Orchid Garden Eco-Village. From this tranquil, secure and beautiful home base some fourteen miles from Belize City, you just need to pack lightly to visit other interesting locations, such as Caye Caulker or San Pedro, Placencia, and San Ignacio.

The Red Hut Inn. A great place for backpackers. four bed dorm, free Wi-Fi. Cable TV, outdoor terrace, ATM nearby.

Chateau Caribbean: A great place to stay. Food is great, especially the seafood soup. The service is awesome. The hotel is a large colonial style house which was at one time a hospital. The structure could use some repairs, but if you can look beyond that it is the best deal in town, especially as it offers you a great view of the seafront while sipping on the best Baileys Colada in Belize City. Seas Guesthouse: A resort on the outskirts of Belize City on the western highway named Old Belize. It is a beautiful resort with a beach named Cucumber Beach. One can learn about life in Old Belize there. Tourists are shown the chicletos and rum makers of Belize and the importance of baymen and loggers who logged the mahogany (the national tree). There is also colonial houses, a marina, and restaurants.

D'nest Inn. There is plenty of hot water and great water pressure. Best of all, this B&B is run by the nicest couple you will meet, who will go out of their way to make your stay extra enjoyable.

Harbour View Boutique Hotel & Yoga Retreat: 14 Fort St, Belize City. A small, humble, but beautiful resort located near the port where water taxis pick up/drop off passengers in Belize City. It has a small walk filled with different plant species and a small pool. It is also where you can find one of Belize City's numerous "Belize" signs. There is also a little lighthouse called the Baron Bliss Lighthouse overlooking the harbor.