Overview
Take a trip to Belize City on your Belize Vacation
Located at the mouth of the Belize River on the coast of the Caribbean is Belize City, the largest city in the country, serving a trip to Belize as the country's principal port as well as its financial and industrial centre.
Once a small Maya city called Holzuz, Belize City was founded as Belize Town by British lumber harvesters in 1638. The town’s location on the water made it ideal for the British to ship and trade timber like mahogany and eventually became the home of many African slaves who were brought in to work the lumber industry. Belize City was the country’s capital until a terrible hurricane in 1961 devastated the region and the capital was moved to Belmopan located further inland.
Today, Belize City is the country’s only major urban area and is a melting pot of cultures and ethnicities. The 21st century has witnessed more tourism in the city due to a surge in cruise ship visitors on their way to explore the country’s unique attractions on a Belize vacation. There is handsome colonial architecture as well as excellent shopping, dining and beautiful seaside parks. With the country’s largest hotels found in Belize City, it is an excellent base from which to discover all that Belize has to offer.
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The Garifuna Settlement Day (November 19) is a powerful celebration of music, dance, and drumming that honors the Garifuna people’s arrival to Belize. It’s one of the most vibrant cultural events in the country.
Belize combines the Caribbean’s laid-back vibe with Central America’s cultural richness. You can snorkel the second-largest barrier reef in the world in the morning and explore ancient Mayan temples in the afternoon. Few destinations offer that contrast so seamlessly.
Globetrotters should look to visit Hopkins Village — a coastal community with strong Garifuna roots. It’s less touristy than Ambergris Caye but offers beautiful beaches, authentic culture, and easy access to both reef and rainforest.
Many assume Belize is only about the beach and reef. In reality, its inland adventures are just as extraordinary — lush jungles, hidden caves with Mayan artifacts, and wildlife encounters rival Costa Rica.
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