The Mestizo capitals of Corozal and Orange Walk are a delight to visit. With the beauty of the turquoise waters of the Corozal Bay, to the flavorful tacos of Orange Walk town – visiting the north is an enriching cultural experience.
Corozal is conveniently located between Mexico and Ambergris Caye, with its own turquoise shores and diverse landscape; from beaches and historical sights to a nature reserve. In town, remnants of historical and cultural heritage are on full display.
Only an hour north of Belize City, Orange Walk, affectionately known as “Shuga City”, for its sugar cane production, is home to the majority of the country’s Mestizo population. Beyond the tempting rum factories, Orange Walk is both rustic and authentic. This is a place where it is not far-fetched to go for a morning rainforest run and spot an ocelot stealthily crossing jungle trails.
Corozal is conveniently located between Mexico and Ambergris Caye, with its own turquoise shores and diverse landscape, from beaches and historical sights to a nature reserve. In town, remnants of historical and cultural heritage are on full display. There are gun turrets at Fort Barlee used during the 19th century during the Caste War; the vibrant Corozal Town Mural depicting the district’s history, and the Maya temple of Santa Rita, where the mestizo population of Belize was born.
Located about an hour’s drive north of Belize City, you can identify this sweet town by an old tollbooth at the entrance of Orange Walk and a large town clock in the center of the town. One might wonder, why is it referred to as “Shuga city?” Orange Walk used to be the primary district that made sugar; as you will be able to see smoke coming up the stacks of the sugar mill on your visit there. If you’ve been researching Belize, then you would know the Mayas were the first inhabitants of this country; and here in Orange Walk, you can find archaeological sites and many locals who are descendants of the Mayas (Mestizos). As well as their yummy, juicy, and mouth-watering Orange Walk tacos; the absolute best in the country.