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Xunantunich (Cayo District — 80 miles west of Belize City) — Set on a leveled hilltop, Xunantunich (pronounced shoo-nahn-too-neech), is one of Belize’s most easily accessible and impressive Maya archaeological sites. To reach the ruins, take the free, hand-cranked ferry across the Mopan River. From the ferry, which comes and goes on demand, it’s about […]

  Swing Bridge (downtown Belize City) – what better way to stress the country’s “back water” image among some tourists than this swing bridge that was built in the 1920s? This bridge, which replaced several wooden bridges that were built during the 19th century, connects Belize City’s north side with its south side, spanning over […]

  St. John’s Cathedral (Albert Street, Belize City) — Immediately inland of Government House stands St John’s Cathedral, the oldest Anglican church in Central America. It was built by slave labor between 1812 and 1820 using bricks brought from Britain as ballast. Notable things to see inside are the ancient pipe organ and the Baymen-era […]

Museum of Belize (Gabourel Lane, Belize City) — This modern museum in the Fort George district provides an excellent overview of the story of Belize. Housed in the country’s former main jail (built of brick in 1857), the museum preserves one cell in its original state, complete with inmates’ graffiti; if you thought your hotel […]

Maritime Museum (North Front Street, Marine Terminal, Belize City) – located along the Swing Bridge, the Maritime Museum is housed within a former fire house. The museum exists to educate visitors on Belize’s seafaring & shipbuilding past through a variety of old documents, model boars, paintings and other displays.

Laminai (northern Belize) — Perhaps the most fascinating Maya site in northern Belize, Lamanai lies 24 miles south of Orange Walk Town up the New River (or 36 miles by unpaved road). The ruins are known both for their impressive architecture and marvelous setting, surrounded by dense jungle overlooking the New River Lagoon. Most visitors […]

Image Factory (91 North Front Street, Belize City) — Belize’s most innovative and exciting art gallery, near the Caye Caulker Water Taxi Terminal, stages new exhibitions most months, usually of work by local artists. New exhibits are usually held early in the month; cocktails are served on the Image Factory’s deck, which looks out on […]

Gulisi Garifuna Museum (Stann Creek Valley Road, Chuluhadiwa Park, central Belize) — This museum, operated by the National Garifuna Council (NGC), is a must for anyone interested in the vibrant Garifuna people. The museum is 2 miles out of town, on Stann Creek Valley Rd, but is easily reached by bicycle. It brings together artifacts, […]

  Government House (Regent Street, Belize City) — Fronting the sea down at the end of Regent St, this handsome two-story wooden colonial mansion served as the residence of Britain’s superintendents and governors of Belize from the building’s construction in 1814 until 1996. The house, one of the oldest in Belize, is now a cultural […]

Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary (Crooked Tree Village, midway between Belize City and Orange Walk) – located in south central Belize, this sanctuary is home to over 250 resident bird species. The area’s bird population swells during the winter months, when species from northern lands show up to escape the harsher weather in North America. A […]