Belize City, Belize

Belize City, Belize
The largest city in the Central American country of Belize and was once the capital of the former British Honduras.  Belize City was founded (originally as "Belize Town") in 1638 by British lumber harvesters. It had previously been a small Maya city called Holzuz.  Belize Town was ideal for the British as a central post because it was on the sea and a natural outlet for local rivers and creeks down which the British shipped logwood and mahogany. Belize Town also became the home of the thousands of African slaves brought in by the British to assist in the forest industry.


Belize City is a cultural capital, busy during the day, as you'd expect, with a city the size of 70,000+ people.  Additionally, a high percentage of people speak English (well), which I would imagine is a result of the colonial history of the city and region.
There seems to be two types of Belize City, and they're dynamically very different.

Tourist Belize City
The tourist side which has its waterside hotels, tourist area on the docks, and boating and diving tours.  While this trip to Belize I hadn't planned any resort / water type activists, I did spend some time on the waterfront eating and drinking.


It's a holiday / party type of atmospher, and it's very easy to chill, meet some other tourists (westerners) and enjoy the tropical warmth.  But it shelters you from the rest of the city, ....

Local Belize City
Cross the bridge and walk along downtown Regent street to take in some of the local attractions, and you quickly notice the rundown nature of the streets and buildings.  Along with this is the attention you'll attract from what would seem numerous less fortunate locals trying to make a living, from offering their taxi services, to reciting poetry, to just plain asking for money (begging).  It's a downside, but not necessarily a true reflection of the people of Belize City, most people I meet work hard and are genuine and friendly by nature.




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