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If you fly into Belize, there is a good chance your first stop is Belize City. This busy coastal city sits on the Caribbean Sea, at the mouth of the Belize River, and connects the mainland with the famous cayes. It’s a great jumping off point to just about anywhere else in Belize, either by air or road.
And most travelers can’t get out of Belize City fast enough, instead rushing straight to Caye Caulker or San Pedro. I want you to know that if you happen to find yourself with some time in Belize City, whether by choice or not, you can actually find a few interesting activities.
People don’t have a lot of nice things to say about Belize City. So I had to check it out for myself! I spent a few days exploring downtown Belize City trying to discover a few gems.
It turns out there are quite a few things to do in Belize City that are affordable, safe, and fun. You can walk the waterfront, learn about Belize’s history, taste local food, and visit some historic buildings and local museums.
If you are using Belize City as a base, there are also a few easy day trips to ruins, jungle, or reefs a short distance from Belize City.
That doesn’t mean Belize City doesn’t have some rough spots, so it pays to stay aware and stick to central areas. With a bit of planning, you can see a lot in one or two days and still feel relaxed. This guide focuses on culture, history, food, and local adventures perfect for first-time visitors.
Belize City Waterfront
A self-guided walk along the waterfront is one of the best ways to introduce yourself to Belize City. You get views of the Caribbean Sea, colorful wooden houses, small fishing boats, and people going about their day. Breathe in those tropical vibes—you are finally on vacation!
The waterfront area offers the highlights of Belize City. If you only have a day or half day to visit, spend it here.
You can start with a walk across Swing Bridge to the waterfront, visit the Museum of Belize, and end near the Belize Sign Monument and Baron Bliss Lighthouse. All three areas are close enough to visit together by taxi or a relaxed walk, depending on the heat, humidity, and your energy level.
Before you walk anywhere, make sure to look down frequently as you walk, because Belize City sidewalks often perform a disappearing act. There are frequent gaping holes in the sidewalks, and stepping in one would put a real damper on your vacation plans.
If your schedule allows, go in the morning or late afternoon when it is cooler and there are more people on the streets. Keep your phone and wallet tucked away (as you would in any busy city), avoid quiet side streets, and stick to the main roads along the water.
Walk the Belize City waterfront and Swing Bridge area
Starting in the heart of downtown, the historic Swing Bridge crosses Haulover Creek. It is one of the oldest manually operated swing bridges in the region and is used to open to let boats pass.
Even if you never see it moving (I never did), it is a local landmark and a good point to get your bearings. There are protected pedestrian walkways on either side of the bridge so you can feel safe crossing (just don’t look at the rusting infrastructure!).
Visit the Museum of Belize
The Museum of Belize offers a great crash course in Belize history, covering its Mayan and enslaved African roots and British colonial history in some detail. If you don’t know much about Belize, it’s a great place to get your bearings.
They have some interesting pottery, tools, artifacts and photos that help paint the picture of the country’s heritage. They also have a weirdly interesting display of stuffed birds of Belize—a surprising number of them died from being hit by a car (not putting those wings to good use).
The museum is in a former colonial prison, so the building itself tells a story. There is a little information about the building, but I left wanting more (what can I say, I have a strange obsession with former prisons!)
The museum is perfect for hot afternoons or rainy days since it’s indoors and air-conditioned.
It is small enough that you will not feel worn out, yet rich enough that you leave with a better sense of the country. You can move through the museum in about an hour, depending on how much/fast you read.
Just note the museum closes at 4pm, so work that into your schedule.
Get your Belize Welcome Sign photo op
Nothing says you were there like a picture next to the colorful PLACE sign. Belize has your back. Sort of.
Head to the end of the point to find the Belize Welcome Sign. (That’s what it’s called on Google Maps — not to be confused with The Belize Sign Monument, which is also nice, but is much further away.)
The bright letters, each one brightly decorated with plants and animals of Belize, stand right on the waterfront with the Caribbean as a backdrop.
While the views are pretty, the light is never good for a picture of this sign as you have to face south to look at it. Aim for morning or afternoon to get that side light. And of course it’s cooler.
Admire the Baron Bliss Lighthouse
The Baron Bliss Lighthouse is right next to the Belize sign. It is a white and red lighthouse that honors Baron Bliss, a British benefactor who left a large part of his fortune to Belize.
The area is a nice place to just hang out and take in those Caribbean breezes. If you need a little shade, there is a cute park right across the street with some information on Belize’s protected areas.
Go shopping at the Belize City Artisan Market
If you are looking to buy hand-crafted souvenirs directly from the artisans who make them, make sure to stop by the artisan market on Fort Street (look for Mr. Belize Adventures on Google maps), strategically near the cruise port. There’s plenty of conch jewelry, other jewelry, and wooden carvings and bowls. Some ticky tacky stuff, some unique items—something for everyone!
I get the sense that they time their opening hours to when the cruise ships are in. So the number of shops open when you visit will vary.
If you find yourself hungry around this time (and aren’t on a budget), stop into Martha’s Café. It’s a short walk from the Belize sign. They have delicious fresh food, including vegetarian and vegan options. Try to get a seat on the balcony for calming views of the harbor.
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Belize City Downtown
If you’ve got a few hours, you can hit all the highlights of the maintain downtown area. It’s a little short on charm, but there are a few standout buildings to explore.
Like much of Belize, Belize City is a mix of cultures: Kriol, Garifuna, Maya, Mestizo, and others. You will hear English and Kriol, and sometimes Spanish as you wander the busy streets of downtown. People are also very friendly, wishing a “good day”…but there can also be a bit of unwelcome catcalling for the ladies.
There are also lots of sad-looking stray dogs around town. And you’ll pass a lot of people down on their luck and/or asking for a few dollars. I was told that drug use is a big problem around here (nobody offered me anything!)
It’s also recommended that you don’t wander too far off from the downtown area. I didn’t have time or feel the need to venture further, so I don’t have any first-hand experience of any danger.
If you don’t feel comfortable touring Belize City on your own, or are short on time, sign up for a 2-hour Belize City tour that will zip you around town and hit all the highlights, including a tour of the rum factory!
I don’t say any of that to scare you! I felt totally fine walking around downtown. (I’m also a city girl, so I am used to a little grit.)
Supreme Court of Belize and Battlefield Park
The original Supreme Court building (called High Court on maps) that stood in this spot burned down in 1918. The replacement was built in the same British Colonial style in 1926, with decorative “New Orleans style” iron railings and a clean white façade.
Perhaps its most notable feature is the clock tower with four clocks each facing its own cardinal point.
Since it is still a functioning court, you’ll generally have to admire this one from the outside. Although when I was passing by, the security guard invited me in to take a look at the courtrooms. They were honestly somewhat boring, modern courtrooms, so don’t feel bad if you can’t get inside.
The Supreme Court building faces Battlefield Park, which is a nice place to stop and rest and admire a few statues to notable Belizean leaders.
- Antonio Soberanis Gomez: father of the Belizean labor movement
- George Cadle Price: considered the father of the Nation, Price was the principal architect of Belizean independence, serving as the first minister and premier under British rule, and the nation’s first prime minister after independence in 1981.
Step into Belizean history on Albert Street
Albert Street is one of the main commercial streets in central Belize City.
I’m honestly not sure why people think it’s special—it seemed like a lot of other streets in Belize City. But it is the historical main street, so I suppose it’s worth a stroll.
Albert Street is lined with colorful colonial-style buildings with balconies, small shops, fruit vendors, and people lining up at snack spots. Some older homes and offices still show wooden details and shutters that hint at earlier days.
Just watch your step for those uneven sidewalks, and watch for cars and delivery vehicles. If your experience is like mine, you’ll also come across quite a few people asking for money.
Walking down Albert Street is the best way to get to St. John’s Cathedral.
Tour St. John’s Cathedral and the old colonial neighborhood
St. John’s Cathedral, built in the early 1800s, is the oldest surviving heritage building in Belize City and one of the oldest Anglican churches in Central America. It is located in a quieter part of the old city, surrounded by historic houses and trees.
The church was built by enslaved Africans, constructed with brick that was used as ballast in ships brought from England. They would then load up the ships with mahogany and other treasures and head back to England.
Inside the church is…what feels like a regular church. You will find wooden pews, old plaques on the walls, an organ, and symbolic statues bathed a calm light. Even if you are not religious, it is easy to appreciate the feeling of peace in the building.
Plan about 10 to 20 minutes for a visit, on the longer side if the nice lady is there to tell you about the history and details of the church.
The church suggests a BZ$4 donation; feel free to donate more or less as you wish.
Government House: Belize’s New Art Museum
Government House was constructed in 1814 to serve as the seat of government during British colonial times. It is said to be one of the grandest buildings in Belize and has the distinct honor of having hosted Queen Elizabeth II.
Perhaps more notably, the Belizean flag ceremoniously replaced the Union Jack atop this building at midnight on September 21, 1981 to celebrate the birth of independent Belize.
When the seat of Belize government moved to Belmopan after Hurricane Hattie in 1961, the house was officially renamed the Belizean House of Culture and was used for special VIP functions. People still seem to refer to it as Government House though!
It was eventually converted to a historical museum. After being closed for some time, it recently reopened as the Museum of Belizean Art (MOBA). It is the first art museum in Belize, dedicated to showcasing the nation’s traditional and contemporary art and artists. It doesn’t take long to visit the gallery and there are some really nice pieces in there!
Entrance to the museum is BZ$20 (US$10) for non-residents. It might seem steep for a short visit, but I like to support the arts. And it’s the only way to get access to the Government House grounds as well.
It is open weekdays, 9am to 4pm. When I went (close to closing), they said I was the second visitor that day. Show them some love!
Travellers Liquors Factory tour and rum tasting
The Travellers Rum factory is right in town, on Philip Goldson Highway. They offer tours Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm (BZ$30 / US$15) that include a bit of history, touring the distillery and the aging room, and a tasting of five rums.
If you are going on your own, try to avoid cruise ship days and the rush between 11am and 1pm.
You can also visit on Saturday, but they don’t offer tours—I learned this the hard way. You can only look at the little museum and artifacts and purchase a tasting of two rums for BZ$2 (optional). This is a good option for budget travelers (even on a weekday)!
People really like the tour but have mixed feelings about the rum itself (and some also warn that you can buy it much cheaper at a regular store). You be the judge!
It’s easiest to visit as part of a tour, but if you want to arrange your own logistics, you can take a taxi (probably around BZ$25-30) or for the more adventurous, take the local bus. Go to the Pound Yard (across from the Puma station near the bus terminal) and hop on a black and white school bus headed to Belama or Ladyville, ask to get off at Travellers (BZ$2). It only takes about 10 minutes. If you don’t want to have to climb over a concrete barrier on a busy road (highly not recommended), ask to get off at the roundabout just before Travellers, and cross more safely on the crosswalk. To head back into town, hop on the same bus going back to the Pound Yard; there is a bus stop just down the street from Travellers.
Belize City Market and Conchshell Bay Fish Market
I’m actually mentioning this here to say these markets are not really worth your time. Supposedly Saturday is the big market day, but I went by on a Saturday and there was not much going on at all. It was the same as any other day, with a small assortment of vendors selling the same fruits and veggies. Buuut…it’s possible I wasn’t in the right place. If you want to give it a go, head to “Michael Finnegan farmers market” on Google maps (not where I went)—maybe you’ll have better luck!
There’s also a fish market down the street that looks promising, but is just a bunch of guys hanging out (it’s probably busier when the fish is coming in). If you actually want to buy fish, they have it in coolers ready to go.
I know I’m a bit of a market snob, but trust me, give these a pass unless you are curious and have nothing else to do—or you actually need some fruits and veggies or fish.
Practical Tips for Enjoying Belize City Safely and Comfortably
A little planning makes Belize City feel less stressful and more enjoyable. These tips cover safety, transport, and what to bring so you can focus on enjoying your time.
Is Belize City safe for tourists?
Belize City has some crime, mainly in certain residential areas that most tourists never visit. Central, tourist-friendly zones near the waterfront and main sights are where visitors usually stay, and usually don’t have any issues.
From everything I have heard, you should avoid the south side of the city, as there can be gang violence there. Though I’m not sure exactly where the line is for the south side…
But of course, use the same street smarts you would in any city. Keep cash and passports in your hotel in a safe place, carry only what you need, and keep your phone secure. Avoid walking in quiet areas at night; use licensed taxis or trusted tour operators instead.
If you are unsure about a street or area, ask hotel staff or a local guide. They can typically point you toward places that feel comfortable for visitors.
How to get around Belize City
In central areas, many attractions are close enough to walk to from one another, though on dodgy sidewalks.
For longer stretches, or when the heat is too much, taxis are a good option (though air conditioning is certainly not guaranteed in a taxi). There are no Ubers in Belize, so taxis are basically your only option. Use licensed taxis with green license plates and agree on the fare before you start the ride.
Planning your activities
I think you can see that there is more to do in Belize City than you thought!
Group your activities by area so you are not crossing the city many times in one day. For example, spend a morning downtown, have lunch nearby, then visit the Belize Sign and lighthouse in the late afternoon. Or vice versa.
If you only have half a day, I’d focus on the waterfront activities—unless you are a history or architecture buff, then do the downtown circuit.
Tuktuk Tours of Belize also offer a variety of fun tours where you get to zip around in a bright turquoise tuktuk for one or two hours. They’ve got reasonably-priced history tours, food tours, and general sightseeing tours. I hear these are a lot of fun!
You could book a two-hour Belize City tour that will get you around to all the highlights a lot faster with a guide to share interesting facts, but those tours likely won’t include time in museums.
If you have a whole day, you can probably do it all on your own. Just remember the museums close at 4pm, so if they are on your Belize City bucket list, make sure to schedule your itinerary around them.
And if you have an extra day, consider taking one of several exciting day trips from Belize to see Maya ruins, jungles, or the reef.
What to pack for a day in Belize City
Belize City is hot and humid most of the year. Light, breathable clothing will help you stay comfortable as you move between sun and shade.
- Light T-shirt or breathable top and shorts or thin pants
- Hat or cap and sunglasses
- Sunscreen and insect repellent (people swear by picaridin are Avon Skin So Soft to fend off the infamous Belize bugs)
- Refillable water bottle
- Comfortable walking shoes or sandals with grip
- Small backpack or crossbody bag that closes securely
- Light rain jacket, poncho or small umbrella
And rainy season or not, afternoons can bring sudden showers—but they usually pass quickly. You might also want a small dry bag or plastic pouch for your phone and money in case you get caught in the rain.
You don’t really have to worry about modesty here (some of the locals wear some tiiiiight clothes!), but the ladies should not be surprised to get some catcalls.
Key Takeaways on Visiting Belize City
Would I say Belize City is a must-see? Definitely not.
But it’s also not a terrible scary place with nothing to offer.
With a little effort, you can learn about the history and culture of Belize before you head out to explore the rest of the country.
Use the ideas in this guide to build a simple plan that fits your schedule, budget, and comfort level. Maybe that means waking up in your waterfront hotel to spend your morning by at the Museum of Belize and a photo at the Belize Sign, followed by an afternoon meander down Albert Street to St. John’s Cathedral and the new art museum at Government House.
Then follow your full day in town with a day trip to some Maya ruins or a jungle adventure.
There are some great places to stay in downtown Belize City and by the waterfront to make your trip special.
Belize City doesn’t have to be just a quick stop between the airport and the jungle or the coast. If you decide to give Belize City at least part of a day on your Belize trip, you might be surprised how much you can see and learn in a short time.
