Thought by many to be the capital of the country, Belize City actually lost this role to Belmopan in 1970 due to its penchant for natural disasters, principally devastating hurricanes. Poking out on a peninsula into the Caribbean, the city is the largest in Belize and a major port, although it is still small and quiet by Central American standards.
With a population of less than 100,000 people, the largest settlement in Belize is no Mexico City, but what it lacks in size is made up for in a quaint friendliness. The city is picturesque and low-rise with a trinity of main canals running through its southern section. Belize City offers a distinct colonial fee in parts, particularly in and around Fort George which is home to a number of interesting tourist attractions including a national museum and the Grave of Baron Bliss, an Englishman that lived around the turn of the 19th century and the country’s largest ever benefactor.
Eating out in Belize City is a real treat for seafood lovers, with a range of inexpensive restaurants as well as the likes of Smoky George, an upscale eatery in Fort George. The Central Market is a good place to go shopping and experience hustle and bustle Belize style, where there is a selection of cheaper but still very good places to eat.
Highlights
Baron Bliss Lighthouse and Grave: a tribute to the best-loved Englishman in Belize, this spot is stunning at sun rise, facing east out across the Caribbean.
St John’s Cathedral: dating back to 1820, this is Central America’s oldest Anglican church and the only such establishment outside of the UK that has crowned a king.
Old Belize: just outside of Belize City, the historical and cultural center traces Belize’s rich history from a land of pirates through the colonial era to the multi-cultural society it is today.
Altun Ha: this impressive set of Mayan temple ruins thought to be more than 2,000 years old lies 30 miles outside the city center and is a must-see on any trip to Belize.