"Belize ~ Dedicated to Wildlife Preservation" Top 5 Page for this destination Belize City by starship

Belize City Travel Guide: 237 reviews and 473 photos

Lamanai - Belize City
Lamanai
Belize City & Surrounding Countryside

Before visiting Belize, I really didn't know much about it, but all that I read indicated that this Central American country was a leader in the conservation of its wildlife, most notably its jaguars. That single fact was more than enough to entice me to want to visit Belize. What I soon learned was that Belize is a veritable wildlife paradise.

Belize is home to the Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Reserve, the only one in the world. It strives to conserve other indigenous wildlife such as Howler Monkeys and also their habitat. Approximately 40% of the Belizean land mass is dedicated to nature reserves! When I happened to find a cruise that actually had a port of call in Belize, well, it didn't take long to reach the decision to book it!

As it turned out, Belize was so beautiful and the people so welcoming and seemingly appreciative of visitors that it all just made for a fantastic visit. Unfortunately I was not able to visit Caye Caulker, or Ambergris Caye, but that leaves us something to look forward to in the future if we visit Belize again.


There were, literally, scores of excursions and tour options available from our ship or that could be booked independently and making the final decision on what to do our one day in port was really difficult----there were some great Mayan Ruins to visit, the River Cave Tubing was really appealing, snorkeling which I love too, horseback riding, and of course, the wildlife tours!! We finally decided on the wildlife tour which was great but almost everyone wished we could have taken the River Cave Tubing excursion as well!! As it was, we were able to see some of Belize City itself, then went about 50 miles inland by motorcoach to visit a museum and wildlife nearby and returned to the city by a speedy boat with a fantastic ride down the Old Belize River!

A Brief History ~

(UNDER CONSTRUCTION)

A Few Interesting Facts
A Few Interesting Facts - Belize City

Belize was formerly known as British Honduras. However, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is still the constitutional head of state and she is represented in Belize by a Govenor General who must be Belizean. There is a bicameral National Assembly (Senate & House of Representatives).

Suffrage: Universal at age 18.

Belize is home to the only Jaguar preserve in the world.

Belize has the second largest barrier reef in the world.

Belize is home of the Swing Bridge at Haulover Creek, the world's only manual swing bridge which is still being swung daily.

Belize is the only country in Central America where the official language is English.

The Belizean dollar (BZ$) is pegged at 1US$ to 2 BZ$.

Pros and Cons
  • Pros:Wildlife, Mayan Ruins, Diving, Friendly People
  • Cons:Can be more expensive than you think!
  • In a nutshell:A fabulous country to explore!
  • Last visit to Belize City: Mar 2005
  • Intro Updated May 28, 2008
  • Add to Trip Planner (?)
  • Report Abuse

Reviews (19)

Shops & Restaurants Facing Belize Harbor - Belize City Shops & Restaurants Facing Belize Harbor Shopping (1)

Belize has done a good job of providing an attractive waterfront for visitors to enjoy and also take advantage of some... more travel advice

Look Closley ~Iguana on Limb - Belize City A Great Ride on the Old Belize River Things to Do (6)

A boat ride on the Old Belize River is something that everyone should do if possible when visiting Belize--it gives you... more travel advice

Classy International Cuisine - Belize City Classy International Cuisine Restaurants (3)

If you like classy places, stop by The Smokey Mermaid situated in the inner courtyard of the Great House Hotel in the... more travel advice

The Great House (courtesy of website) - Belize City Capture the Sea Breeze at this Landmark Hotels (1)

The Great House is a Belizean landmark and a magnificent example of Colonial architecture and heritage. Built in 1927 by... more travel advice

Comments (27)

  • Reply
    toonsarah's Profile Photo
    May 20, 2011 at 5:49 AM

    We really loved our short stay in Belize so I very much enjoyed reading your equally enthusiastic page! Your river trip reminded me of ours on the New River, but I'm a little envious that you got so much closer to howler monkeys than we did!

  • Reply
    LoriPori's Profile Photo
    Nov 15, 2010 at 4:40 AM

    Wonderful page on Belize. I've heard many good things about it. Truly a nature destination.

  • Reply
    TheTravelSlut's Profile Photo
    Jul 22, 2010 at 5:55 AM

    You just reminded me that I have to return here ! :-)

  • Reply
    MalenaN's Profile Photo
    Apr 2, 2010 at 10:30 AM

    I loved Belize when I visited in 1990! Sounds like you had a great time there too!

  • Reply
    penumbra's Profile Photo
    Oct 30, 2009 at 6:16 PM

    Looks like a wonderful place to take in some Colonial architecture.

  • Reply
    evaanna's Profile Photo
    Jul 8, 2009 at 12:49 PM

    Sounds like a great holiday destination. I'd love the boat trip and exploring the Mayan sites. Interesting story of the benefactor of Belize. What a pity he never even set foot there. :( Excellent page with lots of useful information.

  • Reply
    DAO's Profile Photo
    Sep 7, 2008 at 12:39 PM

    Born in Hazard KY, educated in NC, including UNC. Go Tar Heels!

  • Reply
    Jun 13, 2008 at 6:47 PM

    Nice page

  • Reply
    Stephen-KarenConn's Profile Photo
    May 28, 2008 at 7:36 AM

    A lot of hard work and research went into this excellent page. You make me want to return to Belize - and next time we'll take a ride on the Belize River.

  • Reply
    JLBG's Profile Photo
    May 5, 2008 at 1:49 PM

    How amazing is the Bliss story! Your visit of the Baboon sanctuary seems fascinating with the presentation of local medicinal plants.

starship's Related Pages

Belize City Travel Guide

 
Explore the World
Travel Destinations
starship's Profile Photo

starship

“Any day spent traveling is a good day!”

Online Now

Female

Top 1,000 Travel Writer
Member Rank:
0 0 1 2 7
Forum Rank:
0 0 7 7 9

Badges & Stats in Belize City

  • 19 Reviews
  • 25 Photos
  • 0 Forum posts
  • 27 Comments
  • 4,681PageViews
  • See All Stats
  • See All Badges (41)

Have you been to Belize City?

  Share Your Travels  

Latest Activity in Belize City

Photos in Belize City

See All Photos (25)

Top 10 Pages

See All Travel Pages (76)

Friends

See All Friends (68)

Travel Interests

See All Travel Interests (5)

Latest Belize City hotel reviews

The Great House
64 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 16, 2013
Birds Eye View Lodge
59 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Apr 24, 2013
Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel
129 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 13, 2013
Radisson Fort George Hotel And Marina
255 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 16, 2013
Caye Chapel Island Resort
68 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Apr 1, 2013
Glover's Atoll Resort
77 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 29, 2013
Princess Hotel And Casino Belize
108 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 18, 2013
Barefoot Beach Belize/Seaview Hotel
179 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 16, 2013
THE RED HUT INN
59 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 31, 2013
Belcove Hotel
71 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 6, 2013
Mopan River Resort
1 Review & Opinion
Hotel Mopan
52 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 7, 2012
Seaside Guest House
27 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Dec 25, 2012
Blackbird Caye Eco-Resort
180 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 13, 2013