Belize City is known as one of the most dangerous towns in Central America, according to some guide books. Most people use it as a quick stop before heading off to the beaches, or cruise passengers simply spend their time shopping in the terminal or heading off on an organized tour.
It is worth it however to spend a day or two exploring this bustling town. So before you judge Belize City, ignore what the guide books have to say and check it out for yourself. The largest city in the country, it is filled with friendly people great food and a fun atmoshpere.
Belize is steadily growing as a popular stop for Cruise liners. The terminal is one of the nicest buildings in the city filled with shops and eateries. Passengers rarely leave here unless they are running off on a tour to see the sites. It is too bad for Cruisers, they never really see the real Caribbean cities that they visit. Each Terminal looks and feels like the last and yet to walk around the downtown area, you will find a unique energy and vibe.
Settled by the English in the late 16th century, Belize City is a mix Colonial buildings and Creole Culture. Eat international cuisine, or enjoy the local fare at Jembel's Jerk Pit or Big Daddy's Diner. Music pumps from inside shops as smiling people great you speaking perfect English, only to turn to their companion and talk in rhythmic Creole. The official language of Belize is English, but you will often hear a mix of Spanish, Creole, Mayan and German throughout the land.
You are now free to move on knowing that you gave the city a chance and you can book a water taxi right from downtown to take you out to an island on the Caribbean Sea. The Cayes of Belize are a popular destination and for only $10 you will be zipped out to Ambergris Caye or to it's smaller and more relaxed neighbour, Caye Caulker.
The laid-back vibe of the island has an air of Jamaica, and reggae booms from bars and restaurants. Walk along the dirt roads to look for a beach front hotel and you can spend as little as $20 for a room. Only golf carts drive on the island, so you won't have to worry about exhaust pollution or noise. The resident's work hard to preserve their culture and large-scale development is not in its future.
While there, you have to take in the sites and the number one excursion is to hire a guide and boat to take you out to Shark Ray Alley. Located 1 mile from shore is the Belize Barrier Reef. A protected marine preserve for since 1996, it has a healthy stock of marine life and coral. The highlight of the trip however is having the chance to swim with a group of nurse sharks and manta rays that inhabit the reef.
Many divers in the world travel to Belize for one reason only, and that is to dive the famous Blue Hole. Jaques Cousteau introduced it to the world and it is an awesome site. A collapsed cave in the middle of the sea attracts divers that want to go deep. Drop down to 150 feet and dive under overhangs as hammerhead and reef sharks swim in the chummed waters above. This dive is not for new divers.
If getting into the water with natural predators isn't your cup of tea, take a sailing trip to visit other Islands. Belize has several islands and you can take a trip to have a picnic lunch on the beach or enjoy an island drink at an upscale resort on Ambergris Caye. You can find a company to go with by simply walking down the main sandy street where operations line the path.
After your day exploring, you will be needing some great food and drinks and Caye Caulker has its fair share of restaurants. From fresh catches of the day to Italian or Jamaican Jerk, you will find something to satisfy your pallette. After dinner, head down to the beach and enjoy a cocktail as you listen to a band and find yourself content to just be.
Belize is certainly full of many more sights. It boasts rainforest's and islands, and the largest cave system in Central America. It is teeming with wildlife from Howler Monkeys to Jaguars. Like its surrounding neighbors, it has Mayan Ruins scattered throughout the country for you to enjoy and beautiful beaches can be found everywhere, the best being in Placencia on the mainland.
Belize is not a country that most people think of when they decide to take off to a warm Caribbean destination, but it is growing in popularity every year. Book your trip soon to experience this untouched paradise. It won't be long until the rest of the world follows and it will never be the same.
It is worth it however to spend a day or two exploring this bustling town. So before you judge Belize City, ignore what the guide books have to say and check it out for yourself. The largest city in the country, it is filled with friendly people great food and a fun atmoshpere.
Belize is steadily growing as a popular stop for Cruise liners. The terminal is one of the nicest buildings in the city filled with shops and eateries. Passengers rarely leave here unless they are running off on a tour to see the sites. It is too bad for Cruisers, they never really see the real Caribbean cities that they visit. Each Terminal looks and feels like the last and yet to walk around the downtown area, you will find a unique energy and vibe.
Settled by the English in the late 16th century, Belize City is a mix Colonial buildings and Creole Culture. Eat international cuisine, or enjoy the local fare at Jembel's Jerk Pit or Big Daddy's Diner. Music pumps from inside shops as smiling people great you speaking perfect English, only to turn to their companion and talk in rhythmic Creole. The official language of Belize is English, but you will often hear a mix of Spanish, Creole, Mayan and German throughout the land.
You are now free to move on knowing that you gave the city a chance and you can book a water taxi right from downtown to take you out to an island on the Caribbean Sea. The Cayes of Belize are a popular destination and for only $10 you will be zipped out to Ambergris Caye or to it's smaller and more relaxed neighbour, Caye Caulker.
The laid-back vibe of the island has an air of Jamaica, and reggae booms from bars and restaurants. Walk along the dirt roads to look for a beach front hotel and you can spend as little as $20 for a room. Only golf carts drive on the island, so you won't have to worry about exhaust pollution or noise. The resident's work hard to preserve their culture and large-scale development is not in its future.
While there, you have to take in the sites and the number one excursion is to hire a guide and boat to take you out to Shark Ray Alley. Located 1 mile from shore is the Belize Barrier Reef. A protected marine preserve for since 1996, it has a healthy stock of marine life and coral. The highlight of the trip however is having the chance to swim with a group of nurse sharks and manta rays that inhabit the reef.
Many divers in the world travel to Belize for one reason only, and that is to dive the famous Blue Hole. Jaques Cousteau introduced it to the world and it is an awesome site. A collapsed cave in the middle of the sea attracts divers that want to go deep. Drop down to 150 feet and dive under overhangs as hammerhead and reef sharks swim in the chummed waters above. This dive is not for new divers.
If getting into the water with natural predators isn't your cup of tea, take a sailing trip to visit other Islands. Belize has several islands and you can take a trip to have a picnic lunch on the beach or enjoy an island drink at an upscale resort on Ambergris Caye. You can find a company to go with by simply walking down the main sandy street where operations line the path.
After your day exploring, you will be needing some great food and drinks and Caye Caulker has its fair share of restaurants. From fresh catches of the day to Italian or Jamaican Jerk, you will find something to satisfy your pallette. After dinner, head down to the beach and enjoy a cocktail as you listen to a band and find yourself content to just be.
Belize is certainly full of many more sights. It boasts rainforest's and islands, and the largest cave system in Central America. It is teeming with wildlife from Howler Monkeys to Jaguars. Like its surrounding neighbors, it has Mayan Ruins scattered throughout the country for you to enjoy and beautiful beaches can be found everywhere, the best being in Placencia on the mainland.
Belize is not a country that most people think of when they decide to take off to a warm Caribbean destination, but it is growing in popularity every year. Book your trip soon to experience this untouched paradise. It won't be long until the rest of the world follows and it will never be the same.
About the Author:
Deb Corbeil and Dave Bouskill are an adventure travel couple from Canada. Together they have trekked, hiked, biked and climbed to over 30 countries all over the world. Visit their website theworldd.com for more tips, advice and information on travel and adventure destinations. To see their photography gallery from their world travels go to picturetheworld.com
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