Belize City

To talk about Belize city.is a mix of feeling,that leans towards dispair. The violence is rampant and beyond the control of local goverment.


I will be adding news and points of interest on my blog also alfyone@blogspot.com will be having more insite on local matter as they develop.Lots of history in the city.The city is great starting point for a tour through out the country. Anyone who likes archaeology, wildlife viewing or water sports will love visiting Belize. Even with the high rate of violence, in the city, the people are friendly and warm toward the visitors to our shores.

San Pedro

Sitting on the world second largest Barrier Reef. San Pedro is the Mecca of tourisim in Belize. Beautiful white sand, countless coconut trees, Lets drink some One Barrel Rum and tumble down.
No Shoes,No Shirt No Problem. Thats the moto on the island. Beautiful hotels and Resorts line the

length of the island. All types of accomodations to choose from,to fullfill all budgetary needs.From the airport a short flight on the local airlines will have you on the island in about twenty minutes.

Orange Walk District

Orange Walk bustles around a distinctly Mexican-style, formal plaza, shaded by large trees, and the town hall across the main road is called the Palacio Municipal, reinforcing the strong historic links to Mexico. The town isn't heavy on sights, but, on the riverbank just north of the centre, it does feature the Banquitas House of Culture (Mon– Fri 8.30am–5.30pm), a well-run museum and cultural centre overseen by the National Institute of Culture and History.

Hourly buses from Belize City and Corozal pull up on the main road in the centre of town, officially called Queen Victoria Avenue but always referred to as the Belize– Corozal Road, and head north on the hour and south on the half-hour. Services to and from Sarteneja stop at Zeta's store on Main Street, a block to the east, while local buses to the surrounding villages (including Indian Church, for Lamanai) leave from around the market area, near the centre of town behind the town hall and fire station.Great tamales right as you get off the bus,hot spicy delicious.  

Orange Walk was founded by mestizo refugees fleeing from the Caste Wars in Yucatán in 1849, who chose as their site an area that had long been used for logging camps and was already occupied by the local Icaiché (Chichanha) Maya. Orange Walk has traditionally thrived on its crops, first with the growth of the sugar (and the consequent rum distillation) and citrus industries, and after the fall in sugar prices, with profits made from marijuana. In the 1990s, however, pressure from the US government forced Belizean authorities to destroy many of the marijuana fields, and today the town has less of a Wild West atmosphere than it did several years ago. The land around the satellite villages of Blue Creek and Shipyard has been developed by Mennonite settlers, members of a Protestant religious group who choose to farm without the assistance of modern technology. You'll often spot them, the men in wide-brim hats and the women in ankle-length dresses, shopping for supplies in town.

Unique on its own, beautiful and relaxing, with the sweet smell of sugar cane fill the air, Orange Walk a jewel on its own. Also the home of the best rum in the world.

Corozal District

 

Let’s start with the north. The most northern District is Corozal, Its location near the mouth of the New River enabled the ancient Maya to prosper here by controlling river and sea trade, and two archeological sites – Santa Rita and Cerro’s – are within easy reach. The town was founded in 1849 by refugees hounded south by the Caste Wars of Yucatán, and underwent substantial reconstruction after Hurricane Janet in 1955; today it's an intriguing mix of Mexican and Caribbean culture, with mestizos in the majority. This is a fertile area – the town's name derives from the cohune palm, which the Maya recognized as an indicator of fecundity – and much of the surrounding land is planted with sugarcane.

Until recently, there's been little to do in the area except transit through on the way to or from the Mexican border, but improved roads and local efforts to attract tourism are gaining Corozal more attention. It's an agreeable, hassle-free and relaxed town to spend a few days in and perhaps use as a base for day-trips throughout northern Belize, though the atmosphere is much more lively on Pan American Day (October 12; also known as Columbus Day), an occasion that merges the Mexican fiesta with Caribbean carnival. Palm trees shade Corozal's breezy, shoreline park, and the town hall is worth a look inside for a mural's vivid depiction of local history. The block northwest of Central Park, now containing the post office and police station was previously the site of Fort Barlee, built in the 1870s to ward off Indian attacks; the brick remains of the fort's corners are preserved as historic landmarks.

Belize has it all

The right bangs for your buck, when planning the next vacation. This is the most diverse destination in this region a virgin rain forest with countless Maya ruins that spring up from the forest floor. There are countless numbers of Small Island (call Cayes). Let’s start with the basic facts.

Country Size: 8,867 sq. miles, including 266 sq. miles of offshore islands

Climate: The climate is subtropical with prevailing winds from the Caribbean Sea.

The annual temperature averages 27° Celsius / 80° Fahrenheit.

Government: Belize is an independent country since 1981, with a democratically elected parliamentary government and is a member of the British Commonwealth.

Population: The population of Belize is approximately 311,480 comprised of over ten diverse ethnic groups include Creole, Garifuna, Mestizo, Spanish, Maya, English, Mennonite, Lebanese, Chinese and East Indian.

Languages: The official language of Belize is English however because of the diverse mix of cultures, other languages include Creole, Spanish, Mayan (Mopan, Ketchi & Yucatec), Garifuna, German (Mennonites) and Mandarin.

Time Zone: Belize occupies time zone GMT-6 or US Central Standard Time however, Daylight Savings Time is not observed.

Currency: The Belize Dollar has a fixed exchange rate to the US dollar (BZ $2 = US $1). Other currencies such as £ Pounds and € Euros can be exchanged at most banks. ATM machines are available in major towns and cities. American Express, Visa and Master Card are widely accepted, however, cash is preferred in most shops.

Clothing:Light, cotton clothing is recommended during the day with a thin jacket or long sleeved shirt for cool evenings. For jungle trekking, pack long pants, long sleeved shirts and comfortable shoes.   Binoculars insect repelent sunscreen, and hats are essential to tropical travel.

 Cuisine: Hotels and restaurant choices include an eclectic combination of local and international cuisine. Tasty local favorites include rice and beans, fish simmered in coconut milk, spicy chicken escabeche with fresh corn totillas and refreshing tropical fruit.

Water: Tap water in Belize is treated and drinkable; however bottle water is readily available.

Passport and Visas: All visitors to Belize require a valid passport with proof of a return ticket. Visitors from the United States, United Kingdom and most Caribbean countries do not require visas for stays less than thirty days. Many other nationals do. Check with the Belize Embassy in Washington DC, Belize High Commission in London and the Belize Consulate in Canada.

 Departure Fees: Visitors departing via the Belize International Airport pay US $39.25 per person. Fees via the borders with Mexico and Guatemala are US $18.75.

Taxes: Hotel Room Tax is 9%, the General Sales Tax (GST) is 12.5% on other goods and services.

Tipping: 10-15% is the standard gratuity for most restaurants and tour guides. Establishments may add a service charge.

Safety: Belize has a good visitor safety record; however, basic safety tips should be followed wherever you go in the world. Ask your hotel manager or local guide for specific advice on local areas.

Health Services: There are three hospitals in Belize City; one public and two private. Several private doctors are also available. The district towns and larger Villages also have hospitals or clinics. It is recommended that all international travelers purchase medical insurance prior to travelling.