Belize City is the largest city in Belize. It is located on a small peninsula protruding into the Caribbean Sea. It was the capital city until flooding and other damage from a hurricane prompted the government to relocated to Belmopan, nearer the geographic center of the country. Belize City’s population is about 75,000.Most locals will warn you that Belize City is only safe in the northern part (approximately the part north of the river). The city has been the subject of several gang-related turf wars with shootings and violent crime, happening mostly at night in the southern part of the city. Don’t go around alone and try to always use a taxi if you absolutely must go to the southern parts of the city.The international airport (Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport[]) for Belize is located in Belize City. Philip S. W. Goldson is about 30 minutes drive from Belize City’s center. The best way to get to and from the city center is with a taxi. Although an airport bus service exists, it is very infrequent and unreliable. BZE (Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport) is served by most major US airlines (American, Delta, United, and Southwest) as well as a couple regional carriers (Honduras, Maya, and Tropic).San Pedro Express and other water taxi companies have boats going out to Caye Caulker and San Pedro from the city often. Remember if you buy a round-trip ticket, you will have to use the same company going back as you took going there.From Guatemala City (travel time: 10 to 12 hours), you have the following options to Belize:Autobuses del Norte (ADN) .Linea Dorada , first class buses leaving Guatemala City at 9:00pm for US$30,”first class” buses at 10:00am and 12:00pm for US$22 and an economy bus leaving at 10:00pm for US$16. Fuente del Norte has 15+ departures from Guatemala City per day. Most of these are local runs with second-class buses (older pullman coaches without air conditioning), but they also operate a few first-class express buses (with toilets and air conditioning) leaving from Guatemala City at 10:00am, 2:00pm, and 10:30pm, and a deluxe bus leaving from Guatemala City at 9:00pm.From Flores, Petín, take a micro (small bus) to Melchor from either the new big bus terminal or the old terminal in the market (30Q). From Melchor, walk across the border and take a shared taxi to Benque (BZ$3). From Benque, take a novelo (local bus, similar to Guatemala’s camionetas) to Belize City, which leave every half hour. The regular bus fare is BZ$10, and the express (slightly faster) fare is BZ$11.Acting as the main point of entry to the country Belize City has many ways of getting around and well as in and out. To travel and see more at your own pace, you may want to consider a private shuttle transfer to and from Belize City and arrange to stop at a certain point of interest.Due to the shallow waters near Belize City, most cruise ships will dock roughly 4 miles away to the Southeast. Tender boats will bring passengers from the cruise ship to the pier. The drop-off pier will be at the Tourism Village along Fort Street. Walk inland, past the covered shops, to reach Fort Street.Use a taxi. If you want to get out of Belize City, use the taxi, bus, or even the little airplanes which take you to other destinations in Belize for less than US$100.If you arrived via cruise ship, walk past the shops in the Tourism Village to reach Fort Street. You can walk downtown by turning left on Fort Street, turning left again on Front Street, and crossing the swing bridge once you reach Queen Street.Getting to and Around the CayesBelize is undoubtedly the it  place in travel and tourism in Central America and the Western Caribbean. Not only is the culture attractive for foreigners as an English speaking nation, navigating to and around the Cayes of Belize has become very easy. For those wanting a truly Belizean experience, take the water taxis from destination to destination. San Pedro Water Taxi departs from the Brown Sugar Terminal in Belize City with 10 scheduled runs per day to San Pedro and Caye Caulker.Departure to Caye Caulker and Belize City from San Pedro Town pier on Black Coral Street next to Wahoo’s Bar and Grill and departs 10 times per day, starting from 6:00am.There are boats departing from Caye Caulker to both Belize City and San Pedro Town and they leave from the pier in front of the Basket Ball Court. Caye Caulker to Belize City runs 9 times per day, and Caye Caulker to San Pedro runs 9 times per day. The schedules are posted in numerous locations.Rates: Belize City to San Pedro, San Pedro to Belize City: $40 Belize or $20 US (one way), $70 Belize or $35 US (round trip) Caye Caulker to San Pedro, Belize City to Caye Caulker: $20 Belize or $10 US (one way), $35 Belize or $17.50 US(round trip)Eco-museum Belize, located at 14.5 Mile, Western Highway, is a living museum of Belize tropical treasures. Here, they show you how Belizeans utilize and recycle natural resources in the construction and decoration of the museum. The Eco-museum is dedicated to show visitors the beauty of nature in harmony with the Belizean culture.St. John’s Cathedral is located between Albert and Regent Street, south of Berkley Street, near the southern most part of downtown. The Anglican Cathedral was built between 1812 and 1820 using bricks from ship ballast. Adjacent the Cathedral is the oldest cemetery in Belize, Yarborough Cemetery.The Belize Museum, is a former gaol located on the corner of Gabourel Lane and Queen Street. It houses displays on the mayan civilizations, insects, the battle of St Georges Caye and the development of Belizeeuan independence. The Museum also has a small but interesting gift shop.Government House/House of Culture Museum. Originally, the Government House was the first colonial building in Belize. Now, it is the House of Culture museum. Open Monday-Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.There are also many tour minutes or a couple hours away from the City, many tour operator in the area or at the Cruise Terminals are more than ready to take you to these destination. Tours and Activities includes: Mayan Ruins, The Belize Zoo or Nature Trail on ATV.Most places accept US Dollars as the Belizean Dollar is pegged to the US dollar at 2BZD = 1 USD. If you are traveling to the cayes, stock up on your cash at the central bank, as the ATMs on the islands often run out of money on weekends.If you want to shop there is tourism village in the Fort George area which has jewelry shops like Diamonds International and lots of gift shops. Fort George is located on a boardwalk. There is a cruise terminal there that receives Carnival Cruise Line ships.The Western Highway leads to Belize West or the Northern Highway to Belize North. Buses to Belmopan leave hourly, finishing starting early in the morning and finishing around 8 pm at night.Water taxis regularly run from the main terminal to Caye Caulker, a 25 minute trip, and Ambergris Caye, a 75 minute trip.San Pedro Belize Express departs from the Brown Sugar Terminal in Belize City with scheduled runs at 9:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, 3:00 p.m. 5:30 p.m. to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker.Rates: Belize City to San Pedro, San Pedro to Belize City: $30 Belize or $15 US (one way), $55 Belize or $27.50 US (round trip), Belize City to Caye Caulker: $20 Belize or $10 US (one way), $35 Belize or $17.50 US(round trip)Green River in the south to experience the rain forest and a week-long trip to the coral reefs to experience the reefs.If you are heading to Chetumal (Mexico), be aware that there are only chicken buses which take 4-6 hours. On Sundays there are very few connections, but at least they take you to Mexico. If you arrive at the border by other means of transportation, you either have to take a taxi from the Belize Immigration building to the border station to Chetumal (40 US-$), or walk to the Mexican post (15-20 minutes), and try to get a cheaper onward transport there.

Airport: BZE Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport Cities in Belgium

Country: Belize