Top 10 Things to Do in Belize
San Ignacio
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Xunantunich
Contact:
Location:
- San Ignacio
Description:
Xunantunich is the site of some of the most impressive Mayan ruins in Belize. Just outside San Ignacio near the Guatemalan border, the collection of excavated temples, royal residences, and ball courts are a must-visit site for any amateur archaeology or history buff.
© Josh -
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Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave
Contact:
Location:
- San Ignacio
Description:
Wading through the Roaring Fork River, you can work your way deep into the cave, where you'll find the remains of Mayan pottery, and even skulls and bones! It's a truly unique experience that will make you feel like Indiana Jones. Just make sure to go with a licensed, reputable guide.
© Josh Belize City
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St. John's Cathedral
Contact:
- 227-2137
Location:
- At the corner of Albert and Regent sts
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Map
Description:
This old brick church is the oldest Anglican cathedral in Central America, and the oldest standing structure in Belize. Built in 1812 by slaves using bricks brought over as ballast, it is also the only Anglican church outside of England where kings have been crowned -- during the 1800s four Mosquito Indian kings held their coronation ceremonies here.
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Bliss Institute of Performing Arts
Contact:
- 227-2110
Location:
- Southern Foreshore, between Church and Bishop sts
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Map
Description:
Totally rebuilt and reopened in 2005, the Bliss Institute is a busy little complex that is the cultural heart of Belize City. Housing a performing arts space, rehearsal halls, a cafeteria, the National Institute of the Arts, and a couple of gallery spaces, this is the place to check for live theater, dance, and music performances while you're in town. It's also a good place to stop and see if there's an interesting exhibit of art or photography. The main building's circular design takes advantage of the complex's setting, with large picture windows overlooking the Belize Harbour. The gallery spaces are fairly small, so you will only need about a half-hour, possibly less, to tour the institute.
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National Handicraft Center
Contact:
- 223-3636
Location:
- 2 S. Park St
Description:
This place still houses a wide selection of local and regional crafts and souvenirs all under one roof, but it's no longer the main game in town. In fact, it's lost a lot of its luster and traffic to the Belize Tourism Village. Still, you'll find a decent selection of Mayan stone carvings, coconut shell jewelry, and wooden knickknacks, as well as some oil paintings, prints, and a small selection of books. Moreover, the prices here are slightly better than those at the Belize Tourism Village, and if you see something you really like, you might even be able to bargain for it.
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Old Belize
Contact:
- 222-4286
- visit website
Location:
- Mile 5, Western Hwy
Description:
This attraction aims at providing a comprehensive experience of the natural, cultural, and political history of Belize, with exhibits recreating everything from a rainforest, to a Mayan ceremonial cave, to a logging camp, to a GarÃfuna home. Admission includes a 45-minute guided tour, but you'll probably want to stay longer to explore some exhibits on your own, visit the gift shop, or eat at the restaurant here. There's even a pretty decent little beach here, with a waterslide and children's playground area, and separate zip-line cable adventure. Plan on spending between 1 and 2 hours here -- more if you're going to eat or hang out at the beach. While certainly touristy, if you only have a limited amount of time in Belize City, or the country in general, this place does give a good overview.
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The Image Factory
Contact:
- 223-4093
- visit website
Location:
- 91 North Front St
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Map
Description:
This is Belize City's top art gallery. With a large stable of local and regional artists to choose from, this non-profit gallery and arts organization has regularly rotating exhibitions, as well as a semi-permanent collection of art, photography, sculpture, and craft works.
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Maya Jade
Contact:
- 203-1222
Location:
- 8 Fort St
Description:
This place bills itself as a museum and gallery, and while there is a whole room of museum-style displays explaining the history of Mesoamerican Mayan jade use and artistry, this is nonetheless predominantly a retail operation. That said, the small selection here includes some very well done necklaces and earrings that you won't find elsewhere.
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Belize Handicrafts & Gift Center
Contact:
- 227-0565
Location:
- 24 Albert Street
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Map
Description:
This place features the wooden sculptures of Stephen Okeke. Okeke works in both large and small formats, in one-off and commissioned designs. He carves wood directly, but also puts out limited editions of molded pieces made from a combination of sawdust and resin. The gallery also carries a wide selection of mass-produced wooden sculptures and craft items, as well as a smaller collection of assorted local crafts and jewelry, books, and of course hot sauces.
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Fine Arts
Contact:
- 223-7773
- visit website
Location:
- 1 Fort St
- Next to the Belize Tourism Village
Description:
This is the best gallery and gift shop I've found in Belize. They have a large selection of original art works in a variety of styles, formats, and sizes. Browse primitivist works by Walter Castillo and Pen Cayetano, alongside more modern abstract pieces, traditional still lifes, and colorful representations of Belize's marine, natural, and human life.
