Belize City
Travel Guide Central America Belize Belize City
Introduction
Belize City was founded in the mid-17th century by British lumber jacks. Before the arrival of the British the Mayan city of Holzuz had been here. The city was located on the sea, at the mouth of several rivers and creeks used by the lumber industry. It slowly grew into what is now the economic and cultural centre of the country, with a population of about 70,000 people. It is no longer the capital, as Belmopan became the capital in 1970 after a devastating hurricane destroyed most of the city.
Neighbourhoods
The city is divided into two main areas. The Northside is bordered by Haulover Creek and bordered to the east by the Fort George area. The Southside extends to the outskirts of the city and the Port area, which includes downtown. Politically the city is divided into ten constituencies but most people just talk about the Northside and the Southside.
Sights and Activities
Events and Festivals
- Garifuna Settlement Day (November 19th)
- Belize City Carnival (September)
- Baron Bliss Day (March 9th)
Weather
Belize City has a tropical climate with generally warm to hot weather with high humidity. Temperatures usually hover around 30 °C during the day and 23 °C at night. December to April is the best time to visit because it is the dry and sunny season, while from June to November it is rainy season with occasional hurricanes possible from August onwards.
Getting There
By Plane
Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) is the largest airport in the country and is undergoing an expansion that should be completed by 2015. Once the expansion is completed the airport should be able to handle direct flights from Europe. Due to the number of tourist flying in and out of this airport there are several airlines that have direct flights to quite a few cities in North America and Central America.
- Aero Caribbean - Havana
- American Airlines - Dallas/Fort Worth and Miami
- Continental Airlines - Houston and New York (Newark)
- Delta Airlines - Atlanta
- Maya Island Air - Cancun, Caye Caulker, Caye Chapel, Corozal, Dangriga, Guatemala City, San Pedro Sula, Placencia, Punta Gorda and, Savanah and Ambergris Caye
- Pinnacle Airlines - Atlanta
- TACA - San Salvador
- Tropic Air - Belmopan, Caye Caulker, Coroza, Dangriga, Flores, Kanantik, Placencia, Punta Gorda, Ambergris Caye and Sarteneja
- US Airways - Charlotte
Philip S. W. Goldson is about 20 minutes drive from Belize City's centre, in Ladyville. The best way to get to and from the city centre is via taxi.
A taxi to Belize City costs BZ$50.00 and takes 15 to 25 minutes depending on traffic. Although an airport bus service exists, it is very infrequent and unreliable. There is also a Shuttle Service. Another option is to walk or taxi from the airport to the Northern highway (about 2.5 km) and wait for a bus.
By Train
By Car
By Bus
By Boat
Eat
Drink
Sleep
Budget
| Property | Address | Type | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor Inn | 5931 Bachelor Ave. West Landivar | Guesthouse | 72 |
| Seaside Guesthouse | #3 Prince street | Apartment | 57 |
| The Red Hut Inn | 90 Bella Vista | Hostel | 79 |
| Maya Kingdom Resort-Hostel | Alton Ha Rockstone Pond | Hostel | - |
Mid-Range
Upscale
Work
Learn
- University of Belize is the main university in Belize and has 4,000 undergraduate students.
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