Belize City, Belize Destination Guide

Overview of Belize City In Belize nearly all journeys begin and end in Belize City, the country's biggest urban enclave and port of entry, although in truth not a very enticing tourist destination in itself. Belize City sits in a swamp that stretches across Haulover Creek at the mouth of the Belize River, criss-crossed with narrow streets and rather smelly canals which are lined with a jolly jumble of buildings, some little more than dilapidated shacks and others attempts at rather pretentious modern stores. In between are some pretty wooden houses and colonial landmark buildings. The city has clung tenaciously to its muddy roots since it was abandoned as a Mayan fishing camp in the 1600s and taken over by pirates and buccaneers as a logging camp. Late in the 17th century, along came the Spanish, who cut down the mahogany upriver, floated the logs downstream and exported them from the motley little encampment at the river mouth. Later the British established Belize Town, which began the city's formal, rather tragic, passage into modern times. Three times devastated by fires, scourged by disease epidemics, flattened by hurricanes and tidal waves, the city somehow survived. Today, in the new millennium, it subsists on tourism and fishing, remaining the cultural, commercial, and social centre of Belize despite the capital having been moved to Belmopan in 1969. Most visitors to Belize City come ashore on tenders from dozens of luxury cruise liners which include the city in their itineraries, mainly to allow passengers to take adventure excursions to see and experience the wonderful natural attractions of the interior and coastline of Belize. Cruise passengers are welcomed at the showpiece Belize Tourism Village, where courtyards and attractive buildings contain a variety of restaurants, souvenir shops, craft stalls, and other facilities to cater for their needs. It is the departure point for numerous land and marine tours. Independent visitors to Belize also generally start their exploration of the country in Belize City, and can find some sights of interest to fill a few days layover in the town, including the world's only manually operated swing bridge, some colonial architectural treasures like the Paslow Building, the novel St John's Cathedral built by slaves from bricks brought as ballast in ships from Europe, and the art gallery at the Bliss Institute, bequeathed to the city by British Baron, Henry Bliss, who died on his yacht in the harbour. Also well worth a visit are the Maritime Museum and Museum of Belize.

Key Facts

Language: English is the official language and the one most commonly spoken, but you will hear Creole, Spanish, Garifuna and Mayan as well. Passport/Visa: All visitors to Belize (except cruise ship passengers) must produce a passport valid for at least the period of their intended stay. We recommend, however, that passports be valid for six months after departure from holiday destinations. All visitors should also have return tickets and documents for onward travel, and funds amounting to US$50 per person per day. Visas are usually granted on arrival for 30 days but extensions are usually possible for a fee. Currency: The unit of currency is the Belize Dollar (BZD), which is fixed against the US$ as BZ$2 = US$1. Most tourist resorts, hotels, restaurants and tour operators accept US currency. Credit cards are also accepted, and most banks in Belize City and Belmopan will advance cash against Visa or MasterCard. When using credit cards most establishments will add a five percent service charge to the bill. First Caribbean International Bank has several ATMs in Belize City. Always make sure you understand which dollar rate is being quoted, either Belize Dollars or US Dollars. Electricity: Electrical current is 110/220 volts, 60Hz. Flat blades with round grounding pin or rectangular blade plugs are used. Most of the electricity is provided by Diesel/Generator Sets.

Travel guide by wordtravels.com © Globe Media Ltd. By its very nature much of the information in this travel guide is subject to change at short notice and travellers are urged to verify information on which they're relying with the relevant authorities. Travmarket cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above. Event details can change. Please check with the organizers that an event is happening before making travel arrangements. We cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above.

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Travel to Belize City Climate for Belize City

Health Notes when travelling to Belize No vaccinations are required for entry to Belize. Travellers arriving from a yellow-fever infected area require a vaccination certificate. Cases of dengue fever have occurred, and seem to be on the increase, so insect repellent is strongly advised. Malaria prevention is recommended for those travelling outside Belize City. Potable water is available in most areas of Belize but it is advisable, if in doubt, to drink bottled or boiled water. Medical facilities are poor in the city, and almost non-existent elsewhere. Cases of severe illness or injury usually require expensive medical evacuation. Adequate medical insurance is therefore vital. For divers there is a hyperbaric chamber at Ambergris Caye. Safety Notes when travelling to Belize Although most visits to Belize are trouble-free, there have been incidents of tourists falling victim to violent crime. Muggings have been reported in San Pedro, Caye Caulker, and Placencia, and in parts of Belize City. Visitors should take sensible precautions to minimise the risks. These would include not wearing expensive jewellery, keeping valuables out of sight, staying in groups, avoiding dark alleys, and not walking alone on the beach at night. It is also advisable to use qualified guides for exploratory trips off the beaten track. The country is prone to hurricanes between June and November. Customs in Belize Homosexuality is illegal and considered to be socially unacceptable. Duty Free in Belize Travellers over 18 years do not have to pay customs duty on 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250g tobacco; wines or spirits not exceeding one litre and personal goods or souvenirs to the value of 200 BZD. Restricted items include plants, meat and meat products, live animals and processed food items. Doing Business in Belize Belize has a fairly informal business style, although punctuality and politeness are appreciated. Handshaking, the exchanging of business cards and some small talk is expected before getting down to business. Dress is usually casual, but neat, with men in short-sleeved, collared shirts without a tie; however government-related business is more formal. Business hours are usually 8am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm Monday to Friday. Communication in Belize The international dialling code for Belize is +501. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). The area code for Belize City is (0)2. International Direct Dialling is available. Mobile telephone coverage is available throughout most of the country with the Belize Telemedia Ltd GSM 1900 network. Roaming costs can be expensive. For visitors staying longer than a week or two, the cheapest option is usually to buy a cheap local phone with a prepaid sim card. Wifi and 4G is widely available throughout most of the country. Internet cafes are virtually non-existent these days. Tipping in Belize Tipping in Belize is voluntary but as in any country, good services should be rewarded with a 10 percent tip. Upscale hotels and resorts may add a 10 percent service charge to guests' bills and this usually goes to the porter and maid who assisted you. Tour guides should be tipped a few extra dollars for their effort and taxi drivers should be tipped only if they help carry your bags or take you on a guided tour. Passport/Visa Note All visitors to Belize (except cruise ship passengers) must produce a passport valid for at least the period of their intended stay. We recommend, however, that passports be valid for six months after departure from holiday destinations. All visitors should also have return tickets and documents for onward travel, and funds amounting to US$50 per person per day. Visas are usually granted on arrival for 30 days but extensions are usually possible for a fee.

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Entry Requirements Entry requirements for Americans: United States citizens do not require a visa for stays of up to 180 days. A valid passport is required.

Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadians do not require a visa - immigration officials will grant a period of stay on arrival and extensions of this original allowance will be possible for a fee. A valid passport is required.

Entry requirements for UK nationals: British passport holders, irrespective of endorsement regarding national status, do not require a visa - immigration officials will grant a period of stay on arrival and extensions of this original allowance will be possible for a fee. A valid passport is required. No visa is required.

Entry requirements for Australians: Australians do not require a visa - immigration officials will grant a period of stay on arrival and extensions of this original allowance will be possible for a fee. A valid passport is required.

Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish nationals do not require a visa - immigration officials will grant a period of stay on arrival and extensions of this original allowance will be possible for a fee. A valid passport is required.

Entry requirements for New Zealanders: New Zealanders do not require a visa - immigration officials will grant a period of stay on arrival and extensions of this original allowance will be possible for a fee. A valid passport is required.

Entry requirements for South Africans: South Africans do not require a visa - immigration officials will grant a period of stay on arrival and extensions of this original allowance will be possible for a fee. A valid passport is required.

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Getting around in Belize City, Belize

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Attractions in Belize City, Belize Ambergris Caye Ambergris Caye is the largest island off the coast of Belize. The 25-mile-wide (40km) island is long and slender, averaging only one mile (1.6km) in width. The most popular attraction in Ambergris Caye is its lovely beaches, drawing visitors for activities like snorkelling, scuba diving, deep sea fishing, and sailing. The island is conveniently situated for those wanting to dive at the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the longest reef in the Western Hemisphere. Ambergris Caye has a lovely, laid back feel with a notable absence of high-rise resorts. The largest settlement on Ambergris Caye is San Pedro Town, a jumble of small hotels, dive companies and souvenir ships, with a few bars and restaurants as well.

Mayflower Bocawina National Park Mayflower Bocawina is a small, beautiful park near the village of Hopkins, a great base from which to explore. The jungle and mountains reveal walking trails, swimming holes and some interesting Mayan sites such as the pyramids of Mayflower Maya, and the unexcavated Maintzunun temple mound. There are some spectacular hiking trails, far less busy than the more popular Cockscomb National Park. Visitors can see plenty of bird life, troops of black howler monkeys, and enjoy stunning views from the top of Antelope Falls.

Mayan Ruins Travellers to the central lowlands of Belize can visit the fascinating ruins of ancient Mayan cities, dating back more than 2,000 years. The region's lush, steamy tropical jungle is an other-worldly setting in which to view the Ruins, which themselves offer astonishing insights into one of the most revered of all ancient cultures. Modern-day Belize contains (among others) the sites of Caracol, Cerros, and Cahal Pech The ruins at Altun Ha are popular due to their easy distance from Belize City. Lamanai, located in Northern Belize, is the site of some especially picturesque and interesting pyramids, as well as an ancient ball court and other structures. Other popular sites include Tikal, El Pilar, and Xunantunich.

Glover's Reef Atoll Glover's Reef Atoll is one of only four atolls (ring-shaped reefs made of coral) in the western hemisphere, and a truly mesmerising place to visit. The partially-submerged coral island, which is also a marine reserve, is 20 miles (about 32km) long, and is home to the richest variety of sea life in the Caribbean. The atoll is ringed with white sand beaches, dotted with coconut trees, and its interior lagoon boasts more than 800 coral patches with pinnacles rising above the water's surface. While Middle Caye and North Caye are uninhabited, there are luxury resorts along Southwest, Northwest, and Long Cayes. Active types can spend all day diving, swimming, snorkelling, and fishing in the turquoise-blue water. Website: www.glovers.com.bz

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary One of Belize's largest protected areas, Cockscomb is home to the world's first jaguar sanctuary, dating back to 1984. Home to a large diversity of fauna and flora, the park hosts around 50 jaguar. These are famously shy cats, but the visitors book at the entrance to the park suggests they are occasionally seen. The park is also home to pumas, tapirs, anteaters, and armadillos, the jaguar's favourite food. Visitors may see, but will certainly hear, the family of black howler monkeys that live near the visitors centre.

Blue Hole Blue Hole is a world famous dive site situated off the east coast of Belize on Lighthouse Reef. The perfectly circular, deep blue sinkhole, surrounded by the lighter shades of the reef, has become an icon of Belize tourism. Explored in 1970 by Jacques Costeau, who declared it one of the best dive sites in the world, divers from all over the world now flock here for a chance to experience the exhilarating descent into its azure depths. There is not much sea life in the hole, and the dive is relatively short, so a trip is usually combined with other dives at Lighthouse Reef.

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Belize Zoo Belize Zoo has an interesting history. It was the scene of a wildlife documentary which was filmed in the 1980's. On finishing the filming it was discovered that the animals were party tame, so the zoo was started on site. The bizarre occupants include tapirs, gibnuts, coatimundi, scarlet macaws, white-lipped peccaries, pumas and many more. Nighttime visits are advised as many of the animals are nocturnal. Most of the animals are rescue cases and attempts are made to return them to the wild if possible. The zoo is unique in that animals from the surrounding forest can and do visit their friends on the inside.

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Nightlife in Belize City, Belize

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Shopping in Belize City, Belize

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Dining in Belize City, Belize

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Airports in Belize City Belize Airport (BZE) Philip S W Goldson International Airport www.pgiabelize.com Location: Belize City Philip Goldson International is situated 10 miles (16km) from Belize City, in Ladyville. Time: Local time is GMT –6. Contacts: Tel: +501 225 2045. Getting to the city: Taxis are available at the entrance to the main terminal. They are unmetered and a price should be negotiated before hiring. Car rental: Most international car rental companies are represented at the airport, along with a myriad local companies. Airport Taxis: Facilities: The airport has duty-free shops, a bank, shops, a restaurant, and a bar. Parking:

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Currency The unit of currency is the Belize Dollar (BZD), which is fixed against the US$ as BZ$2 = US$1. Most tourist resorts, hotels, restaurants and tour operators accept US currency. Credit cards are also accepted, and most banks in Belize City and Belmopan will advance cash against Visa or MasterCard. When using credit cards most establishments will add a five percent service charge to the bill. First Caribbean International Bank has several ATMs in Belize City. Always make sure you understand which dollar rate is being quoted, either Belize Dollars or US Dollars.

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