Belize City and Beyond

Gaining its independence in 1981, this is the only Central American country to feature English as its official language   . . . 

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Adventuring through the Rainy Season of Belize

​Once home to a thriving Mayan population, this rain forest landscape eventually became dominated by the British in an effort to harvest mahogany for shipment back across the Atlantic. Slave labor would be the driving force of this lucrative trade throughout the land that they would call British Honduras. This influx of outside influence mixed with an indigenous foundation would eventually lead to the formation of modern-day Belize City. 

Let's take a walk around and check it out!

Around Town in Belize City

On my first day I awoke early in the morning for the chance to capture a few sunrise shots. To get to the heart of the action and history, I soon headed south across Haulover Creek by way of The Swing Bridge. This interesting construction can be opened by the physical effort of four strong individuals but is only done so in times of emergency, such as when boats must me brought further up stream during hurricane season. 

In this part of town you will find historic sites like the St. John's Cathedral. This Anglican church was completed in 1820. Composed of bricks once used as ballasts in ships, it was the first church of its kind in this the British colony. Located just behind the cathedral is The Government House. Constructed in 1814, this colonial abode was home to the British seat of power and served as the governor's residence until Hurricane Hattie of 1961. At this time the capital would be relocated around 50 miles further inland to the town of Belmopan to protect important government structures from future storms.

All over town you will see a mixture of a few wooden colonial buildings and many of the more modern concrete structures. Why the change in construction styles? Over the years those devastating tropical storms have left behind a great deal of visible damage and unfortunately a large death toll as well. The need to fortify against these disasters has since become a priority. 

Early in the morning may be a great time for sunrise photos of the ocean, but you will notice that the town is not exactly bustling at this time. Later in the day things come to life and you will be greeted by many friendly locals. They love to show off the town while talking about the history of Belize and their own personal backgrounds, though some may request a tip in exchange for information. 

The Culture of Belize

As I passed by the port area on my way to more thoroughly explore the north side of town, I had the opportunity to watch a very talented local artist working on a mural. Each skillfully painted panel represented one of the many ethnic groups that make up modern-day Belize.
​Let's have a look! 

• Over half of the population identifies as Mestizo which is a mixture of European and Indigenous American ancestry. 
• Around a quarter are Creole (Kriol), those with African roots whose ancestors arrived during the colonial slave trade and have since mixed with European influence. 
• Just over ten percent are Mayan. This includes people of the Kekchi, Mopan, and the Yucatec of Mexico.
• A slightly smaller percentage identify as Garifuna. This is the Caribbean culture that is a combination of the African and indigenous Arawak people. 

But the ethnic melting pot doesn't stop there. In the countryside you may also notice neighborhoods composed by people of Germanic descent. These are Mennonite communities that have settled their roots here with an even larger population of old school Amish folk that still hold true to their modest horse and buggy ways. In more recent years, immigrants from eastern countries such as China and India have also begun to arrive in search of a new life in the western world. 

What about Food in Belize?

All those different cultures coming together have created an interesting assortment of menu options for visitors to Belize. You will often hear of how the Maya laid the foundation with a corn based diet. This is why many of the foods you see in Central America incorporate the use of tortillas. With influences now coming from Europe and other parts of the Caribbean, there is now an even larger variety of ingredients found in the Belizean diet. Agriculture is actually the country's number one industry. The variety fruits you will encounter are some of the best around, and they export their impressive produce internationally. 

One of the most iconic traditional Belizean dishes seems to be stewed chicken with beans and rice. This is often served with a mix of vegetables or sometimes coleslaw. Pork and beef are also common choices of meat, and let's not forget all that amazing seafood. Most restaurants will have hot sauce at the table, and some will even have their own homemade toppings like habanero diced onions to add an extra kick. 

As you explore Belize you may encounter many more exciting culinary experiences such as cow foot soup and ox tail sushi. I recommend you try everything! 

And be sure to check out 
Dario's Famous Meat Pies.
They are amazing!

The Museum of Belize

To get a more in-depth look at how this interesting country came together, you will definitely want to stop by The Museum of Belize. Located on the north side of town, this building was constructed to serve as a prison in the 1850s. In 1998 the prison was relocated and rights to the building were transferred to the National Institute of Culture and History. It has since been converted into a museum to display the country's complex history. 

With an admission fee of only $14 bz ($7 us) this is an attraction you definitely don't want to miss. Inside of this two story museum you will learn of the British colonization, slave trade, and ultimately emancipation. There are also exhibits on modern-day art and music. You will even see a display on the large variety of birds native to Belize. Upon exit, don't forget to check out the gift shop that features hand crafted items. 

Barron Bliss Lighthouse

The entirety of Belize City is packed with picturesque locations that look absolutely magnificent at sunrise. The Barron Bliss Lighthouse is one of those landmarks that really stands out in the Belize City landscape. You'll find it located near the Belize sign of the tourism port.

​So, here's the story - 
Barron Bliss was a wealthy traveler who fell in love with the culture of the Belizean people. Upon his death in 1926 he left his fortune of around two million to the city. The instructions were that he was to be buried by the sea near a lighthouse. This location is now named in his honor and it has become somewhat of a symbol to the area, even having a local beer themed after it. 

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What about all that Rain?

Though it was the rainy season during my trip to Belize, the weather was actually pretty good. There were only two days of rain that week, with only one being severe. It seems to blow over pretty quick leaving you with the rest of the day to roam about as you please. I recommend to keep a poncho handy just in case you get caught in a downpour. On extreme weather days there is always the possibility that some activities may be cancelled due to flooding. Also note that cruise ships may not be tendering passengers to the terminal in certain situations. 

Travel Tip:
Even in the rainy season you are going to need sunscreen, shades, and a hat.
​It will be hot and humid, so keep adequately hydrated as well. 

Tours and Excursions in Belize

You may hear others say "Do not book your tour in advance". This statement is absolutely true, especially for a solo traveler. Many of the tours may depend on factors such as weather or number of guests in the group. The best way is to get up early and make your way down to the tourism village around 7 am. As tourists begin to arrive on boats, there will be many workers hustling about trying to put groups together. These people can be very helpful, and you may even be able to strike a deal. The main days for these types of activities around the cruise terminal seem to be mid week, but if you have a group of your own it should be possible to book a day in advance with the help of your hotel or a local tourism agency. 

There are many types of activities to enjoy.

• City and Food Tours
• Mayan Archaeological Sites
• Kayaking, Cave Tubing, and Zip Lining 
• Nature and Wildlife Safaris 
• Snorkeling Adventures ... and more 

Being the archaeology nut that I am,
​I opted for visits to the Mayan ruins of
​Xunantunich and Altun Ha. 

Click the below image for the full story.

I also recommend having a relaxing beach day
​by taking one of the two water taxi services
​to Caye Caulker or San Pedro. 
You can book one here!

And as they say on the islands
"Go Slow"

You Better Belize It !!!