Belize is located in Northern Central America facing the Caribbean Sea and bounded by Mexico to the North and Guatemala to the West and South. It is also made up of six districts, each unique in their own rights.
THE DISTRICTS
COROZAL
District capital: Corozal Town
The northernmost district of the country is home to the towns and villages of Chunox, Consejo, Little Belize, Louisville, Patchacan, Progresso, San Joaquin, Xaibe and Sarteneja. Also, explore the Maya ruins, Santa Rita and Cerros. Known for the beautiful blue waters of its bay, a trip to Sarteneja (a fishing village) is a day of adventure waiting to happen.
Must Do’s in Corozal
- Visit Corozal Town Hall + Corozal House of Culture
- Take in the view of The Corozal Bay
- Explore Archeological Sites – Cerros and Santa Rita
- Go birding at Shipstern Conservation and Management Area
- Take a day trip to Sarteneja
- Shop at the Local Market
- Visit the Corozal Museum
- Shop at Art in the Park in Central Park (a monthly event)
ORANGE WALK
District Capital: Orange Walk Town
The northwest district, Orange Walk is also known as “Sugar City” (pronounced Shuga city). Moreover, Home to other significant towns and villages like Carmelita, Guinea Grass Town, San Estevan, San Jose, San Pablo, Shipyard, Indian Church, San Carlos, and Trial Farm it is populated by mostly Mestizo people.
The Maya ruin of Lamanai and the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area, a large private nature reserve tourism are also worth a visit. Be sure to tour Belize’s largest body of water, The New River Lagoon.
Must Do’s in Orange Walk
- Enjoy birding at Rio Bravo
- Cruise the New River Lagoon on a Boat Tour
- Explore the Archeological Sites of El Pilar, La Milpa, Lamanai and Cuello
- Visit Banquitas House of Culture
- Swim and have a picnic at the Honey Camp Lagoon
- Try the famous Orange Walk tacos for breakfast
- Visit Shipyard Mennonite Village
BELIZE
District Capital: Belize City
Most of the Belize District is located in the east-central mainland of Belize; it also includes various offshore islands including Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, St. George’s Caye, and Goff’s Caye
Further, Belize City is the largest settlement in the country making the district the hub of commerce. Other major towns include Hattieville, Ladyville, San Pedro Town and Caye Caulker; the villages of Burrel Boom, Crooked Tree, and Gales Point; and Rockstone Pond. Be sure to visit the Crooked Tree and the Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuaries, Belize National Zoo (30 miles west of Belize City), as well as the ancient Maya ruins of Altun Ha while in the Belize District.
Must Do’s in Belize District
- Explore the Archeological Site of Altun Ha
- Take the Old Belize Historical Tour
- Visit the Museum of Belize
- Visit St. John’s Cathedral, the oldest church in Belize
- Learn about and taste local rum at Travellers Heritage Rum Museum
- Go on a Wildlife Cruise on the Belize River
- Sightsee and take pictures at Baron Bliss Lighthouse and the Belize Sign
- Visit the Belize Zoo
- Lastly, take the Birding and Boat Cruise at Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary
CAYO
District Capital: San Ignacio
The Western district houses the nation’s capital of Belmopan, the town of Benque Viejo del Carmen, the villages of San Antonio Cayo Valley of Peace, St. Margret’s, Teakettle, Roaring Creek, Albaina, Spanish Lookout and the district capital San Ignacio. Cayo District also contains the Maya ruins of Xunantunich, Cahal Pech, and Caracol. With two national parks, The Blue Hole (park) and Guanacaste, Cayo is, of course, the destination for the adventurous travelers.
Must Do’s in Cayo
- Ride on horseback to Xunantunich
- Visit Archaeological Sites – Cahal Pech, Xunantunich and Caracol
- Canoe inside Barton Creek Cave
- Experience caving at Actun Tunichil Muknal
- Explore Chiquibul National Park
- Shop at San Ignacio’s Saturday Market
- Swim at St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park
- Take in the view at Thousand Foot Falls in the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve
- Hike, Trek and Bird in the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve
- Interact with Green Iguanas at the Green Iguana Conservation Project at the San Ignacio Resort
- Jungle Trek to the Crystal Cave at the Blue Hole National Park
- Explore the Río Frío Caves
- Cave Tube and Zip-line around Jaguar Paw
- Swim at Big Rock Falls and Rio On Pools in The Mountain Pine Ridge
Belmopan
The relocated capital of Belize is also known as the garden city. In fact, Government buildings, embassies, banks and NGO offices dot the urban landscape. Belmopan’s charm is a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of the old Capital, Belize City. Find river lodges, Guanacaste national park, a rich market and a slower pace of affairs in the new capital.
STANN CREEK
District Capital: Dangriga
Then, the South East region of Belize, Stann Creek is known for its production of citrus and banana. The Afro-Caribbean heartland, it includes the port of Big Creek (the main port of Belize’s banana industry), the peninsula and village of Placencia (a popular tourist resort), Hopkins, the villages of Independence and Mango Creek and Mullins River. The Stann Creek District is also home to the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary (The only Jaguar reserve in the world). The highest point in the country, Victoria Peak, at 1120 meters (3,675 feet) above sea level is a wonder to behold.
Must Do’s in Stann Creek
- Take a day trip to Offshore Islands – Silk Cayes and Laughing Bird National Park
- Explore Hopkins Village and Placencia Village on bike
- Shop along the Placencia Sidewalk
- Enjoy Beachfront Walks
- Take the ‘Bunches of Fun’ Banana Farm Tour
- Go birding in Sittee River
- Relax on the Monkey River Boat Ride
- Dive at Silk Caye and South Water Caye Marine Reserve
- Visit Gulisi Garifuna Museum
- Kayak Glover’s Reef Atoll
- Jungle Hike, Zip-line and Waterfall Rappel at Mayflower Bocawina National Park
TOLEDO
District Capital: Punta Gorda
Lastly, Toledo District is the southernmost district of Belize. Important towns like Monkey River Town and Toledo Settlement, the villages of San Pedro Columbia and Silver Creek, Blue Creek as well as the Maya ruins of Nim Li Punit, Lubaantun, and Uxbenka can be found here.
Must Do’s in Toledo
- Explore the Archeological Sites of Nim Li Punit at Lubaantun
- Learn to play the drums at Warasa Garifuna Drum School
- Explore Hokeb Ha, Laguna and Tiger Cave in Blue Creek.
- Swim at Rio Blanco National Park
- Stay overnight at a Maya Village Home Stay
- Book an Organic Chocolate Making Tour
- Visit the Offshore Islands of Sapodilla Caye and Snake Caye
- Visit the Spice Farm and experience the Botanical Gardens Walking Tour
- Enjoy Garifuna Cuisine
- Shop at the Punta Gorda Market
- Afterwards, have fun as you kayak on the Moho River
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