Belize City Tourist Attractions

Albert Park in Belize City is a family oriented park with playground and open areas.

Baron Bliss, a great benefactor of Belize, is honored with a day in his name (March 9) and nationwide festivities. In Belize city, a regatta is held near his tomb and there are kite and cycling races.

Tips

For further information and dates, contact the Belize Tourism Board.

Battlefield Park

Battlefield Park in Belize City is usually crowded with locals sitting around on the park benches and vendors selling food and other goods. The smell of local dishes drifts through the air as you walk by.

Belize - Fiesta de Carnival

Held one week before Lent in February, the Fiesta de Carnival is celebrated nationwide. The festivities feature comparsas (special dances) competitions.

Tips

For further information and dates, contact the Belize Tourism Board.

Belize - Independence Day Festival

Belize's Independence Day is September 21, and the nation celebrates with several activities including flag-raising ceremonies, street parades and sporting events. Music, dance and food are abundant, and the crowning of Miss San Pedro takes place on this day.

Tips

For further information and dates, contact the Belize Tourism Board.

Bird Island, Belize

Bird Island is connected to the mainland by a footbridge. A recreational area is found here, including a basketball court.

Facilities

Restaurant or food service

Bliss Institute for the Performing Arts

The Bliss Institute in Belize City promotes the arts with performance halls, the National Arts Institue, galleries and more.. The Institute is home to the National Arts Council, which stages concerts, theater performances and periodic art exhibits.

Baron Bliss was an Englishman who spent his last days on his yacht fishing the waters of Belize. Upon his death he left a large bulk of his wealth in trust to the people of Belize. These funds have sponsored several worthwhile projects over the years.

Address

Bliss Institute
Southern Foreshore
Belize City, Belize
Belize

Hours

	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
Open	8:00	8:00	8:00	8:00	8:00	Closed	Closed
Close	17:00	17:00	17:00	17:00	16:00

Always opened on:

New Year's Day (January 1)
Baron Bliss Day - Belize (March 9)
Independence Day - Belize (September 21)
National Day - Belize (September 10)
Pan American Day - Belize (October 12)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)

Tips

Contact the Bliss Institute for performance schedules.

Carnival

Taking place annually in September, the Carnival festival held in Belize City features dance, music, food, pageantry, street parades and costumed bands. Festivities run from the beginning of the month through until Independence Day on September 21. It is also often refered to as National September Celebrations.

Tips

For further information and dates, contact the Belize Tourism Board.

Central

Many of Belize City's attractions are found in this region of the city, which lies on the west side of the Belize Harbor.

Commercial Center

The Commercial Center in Belize City is a large modern building holding a food market on the ground floor, while offices and shops are found above. Several vendors are found on the sidewalks surrounding the market.

Address

Commercial Center
Belize City, Belize
Belize

Hours

Always opened on:

New Year's Day (January 1)
Baron Bliss Day - Belize (March 9)
Commonwealth Day - Belize (May 25)
Independence Day - Belize (September 21)
National Day - Belize (September 10)
Pan American Day - Belize (October 12)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)

Court House

Built in 1926, the prominent Court House building was used as the headquarters for Belize's colonial administrators. Today, the Court House still serves government functions.

Farmer's Market

The Farmer's Market in Belize city offers a large selection of fresh vegetables and other produce.

Hours

	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
Open	Closed	5:00	Closed	Closed	5:00	5:00	Closed
Close		12:30			12:30	12:30

Always opened on:

New Year's Day (January 1)
Baron Bliss Day - Belize (March 9)
Commonwealth Day - Belize (May 25)
Independence Day - Belize (September 21)
National Day - Belize (September 10)
Pan American Day - Belize (October 12)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)

Fort George District - Belize Audubon Society

The Belize Audubon Society (BAS) is a non-profit, non-government organization dedicated to the preservation of the environment and the promotion of sustainable use of Belize's natural resources. It was formed in 1969 as a foreign chapter of the Florida Audubon Society and became independent in 1973. The BAS manages several of Belize's protected areas and the society offers information on wildlife reserves and national parks throughout the country.

Address

Belize Audubon Society
12 Fort Street, Box 1001
Belize City, Belize
Belize

http://www.belizeaudubon.org

Facilities

Gift shop

Fort George District - Image Factory Art Foundation

The Image Factory Art Foundation displays work by Belizean artists as well as special exhibits on history, art, Belizean culture and hurricanes. During receptions, refreshments are served on a deck that overlooks Haulover Creek.

Address

Image Factory Art Foundation
91 North Front Street
Belize City, Belize
Belize

http://www.imagefactory.bz

Hours

	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
Open	9:00	9:00	9:00	9:00	9:00	Closed	Closed
Close	17:00	17:00	17:00	17:00	17:00

Always opened on:

New Year's Day (January 1)
Baron Bliss Day - Belize (March 9)
Commonwealth Day - Belize (May 25)
Independence Day - Belize (September 21)
National Day - Belize (September 10)
Pan American Day - Belize (October 12)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)

Tips

Donations are suggested. Opening receptions are often held on the first or last Friday of the month. Call for schedules.

Facilities

Gift shop

Fort George District - Memorial Park

Memorial Park in Belize City is a pleasant area with benches and views across to the bay.

Fort George District - National Handicrafts Centre

The National Handicrafts Centre in Belize city features work made only by Belizeans and carries the work of hundreds of artisans. Featured crafts include ironwood carvings, rosewood bowls, black slate carvings, hand-made jewelry and Mayan textiles and jippy jappa baskets.

Address

National Handicrafts Centre
2 South Park Street
Belize City, Belize
Belize

Hours

	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
Open	8:00	8:00	8:00	8:00	8:00	8:00	Closed
Close	17:00	17:00	17:00	17:00	17:00	13:00

Always opened on:

New Year's Day (January 1)
Baron Bliss Day - Belize (March 9)
Commonwealth Day - Belize (May 25)
Independence Day - Belize (September 21)
National Day - Belize (September 10)
Pan American Day - Belize (October 12)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)

Tips

The center is open to groups after hours by reservation. Demonstrations can be arranged.

Fort George District - Paslow Building

The wooden-framed Paslow Building in Belize City is a colonial structure and houses Belize City's main post office. It is named for Thomas Paslow, a slave owner during the colonial days.

Fort George District - Tourist Village

Cruise ship passengers disembark at Tourist Village in Belize City, where several shops and tourist services are found.

Tips

Tourist Village was scheduled to open in early 2002.

Hindu Temple

The Hindu Temple in Belize city is a temple which houses offices on its first floor.

Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic

The Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic bike race features international participation and starts in Belize City, moves along the Western Highway around San Ignacio and returns to Belize City. The event is usually held in early April.

Tips

For further information and dates, contact the Belize Tourism Board.

Maritime Museum

The Belize Maritime Museum features displays on sea-related topics such as marine life, boats and fishing. Large crowds are often gathered at the Marine Terminal waiting to catch boats out to the offshore islands.

Address

Belize Maritime Museum
Belize City, Belize
Belize

Hours

	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
Open	7:00	7:00	7:00	7:00	7:00	7:00	7:00
Close	17:00	17:00	17:00	17:00	17:00	17:00	17:00

Always opened on:

New Year's Day (January 1)
Baron Bliss Day - Belize (March 9)
Commonwealth Day - Belize (May 25)
Independence Day - Belize (September 21)
National Day - Belize (September 10)
Pan American Day - Belize (October 12)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)

Tips

Students must have valid I.D.

Municipal Airport

The small Municipal Airport (TZA) flies to local Belize cities and the offshore cayes.

Museum of Belize

The Museum of Belize is a unique building with interesting exhibits. The museum is housed in a former prison build in the late 19th Century. While most of the museum is dedicated to history, natural history, and development of Belize, one area has been left to show the history of the building, with a jail cell.

Hours

	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
Open	8:30	8:30	8:30	8:30	8:30	Closed	Closed
Close	17:00	17:00	17:00	17:00	16:30

Cost

Adult	$ 10.00

All values are in United States Dollars

Pan America Day (Columbus Day Regatta)

Mestizo (mixed ancestry) culture is celebrated annually on October 12 with beauty contests, horse and bicycle races. Belize City's festivities culminate in yacht regatta races, all of which is known as the Pan America Day/Columbus Day Regatta.

Tips

For further information and dates, contact the Belize Tourism Board.

Philip Goldson International Airport

The Philip Goldson International Airport (BZE) supports all international flights to Belize. There are a number of shops, including duty free, restaurants, and car rental facilities located at the airport.

Placencia Mountain Bike Classic

Starting in Belize City, this international cycling competition ends in Placencia Village.

Tips

For further information and dates, contact the Belize Tourism Board.

Princess Belize Hotel

The Princess Belize Hotel also features a movie theater, marina and bowling alley. Dancing shows are featured in the evening. The hotel sits on the waterfront with views over the bay.

Address

Princess Belize Hotel
Barracks Road
Kings Park
Belize City, Belize
Belize

http://www.princessbelize.com

Hours

Always opened on:

New Year's Day (January 1)
Baron Bliss Day - Belize (March 9)
Commonwealth Day - Belize (May 25)
Independence Day - Belize (September 21)
National Day - Belize (September 10)
Pan American Day - Belize (October 12)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)

San Cas Belmopan Cycling Classic

Beginning in Belize City, this cycling race leads to Belmopan and back and is held each year in March.

Tips

For further information and dates, contact the Belize Tourism Board.

St John's Cathedral

Built in 1812, St John's Cathedral in Belize City is the oldest Anglican church in Central America. The structure was built by slaves with bricks brought on a ship from Europe as ballast. A notable ancient pipe organ and Baymen-era tombstones are found inside.

Tips

The church is often under construction due to weathering and termite damage.

Swing Bridge

Built in 1923, the Belize Swing Bridge connects Belize City's south and north sides and is the only manually operated swing bridge in the world. Each morning and evening, bridge operators rotate the bridge just long enough to let tall boats pass along Haulover Creek, halting city traffic.

Tips

The bridge is usually swung at 5:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Yarbrough Cemetery

The graves of Belize City's earliest settlers are found at Yarbrough Cemetery, some of which date to 1781.

Belize City Attractions