Take Your Trip to Belize One Step More Exciting: Transferral & Touring Services!

Belize City, with a population of 70,000, is a bustling, fascinating place, the country's biggest city and former capital. Located on the east coast in the heart of the country, it is a gateway to Belize's historical and cultural points.

Places worth a visit while in Belize City include St. Johns Cathedral, the oldest Anglican Cathedral Church in Central America. It was built in 1812 from bricks brought as a ballast from European sailing ships, and two Mosquito Coast Kings have been crowned in it. Opposite the Cathedral is the Government House, a beautifully preserved, white-painted colonial building dating from 1814, and the residence of Belize's governor-general. A block southwest from there is the Yarborough Cemetery, with gravestones that outline the turbulent history of Belize back in 1781. Towering over the harbor entrance at Fort George point is the Lighthouse monument, which was built from money donated to the country by Belize's greatest benefactor - Baron Bliss, the 5th baron of Portugal. At his request, he was entombed in front of the lighthouse which he designed himself prior to his death. If you are interested in learning more in-depth history of the city, tours are available.

On the north side of the Swing Bridge, the world's only manual swing bridge which is still being swung daily, you can find the Marine Terminal, a beautifully restored former Belize City Fire Station. It now houses two of Belize's new coastal and maritime museums. Art enthusiasts can visit the Image Factory, an art gallery featuring work by Belize's contemporary artists. The gallery holds outstanding, often provocative exhibitions and you can sometimes get a chance to discuss the work with the artists themselves. The Bliss Institute on the Southern Foreshore is the cultural center of the city and sometimesfeatures performances by visiting dance or theatre companies. Also of interest is the National Handicraft Center on North Front Street, which sells high-quality Belizean crafts including beautiful carvings made from zericote, a two-toned wood found only in Belize.

Belize City is also a good starting point for other destinations, such as the Community Baboon Sanctuary or Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, the incredible Cockscomb Basin and Jaguar Preserve, Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve, the cayes and Barrier Reef, and Mayan archaeological sites such as Caracol and Xunantunich.

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