Belize

Where Is Belize Located?

Belize is a country on the Caribbean coast of Central America, and this Belize travel guide begins with where it sits. It borders Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the west and south. The capital is Belmopan, and the largest city is Belize City. The country covers about 22,966 square kilometers (8,867 square miles).

Last checked: November 2026.

The Caribbean Sea lies to the east, and the Gulf of Honduras meets the southern coast. Belize is slightly larger than the US state of Massachusetts, but the landscape changes quickly. Mangroves, lagoons and flat plains cover much of the north, the Maya Mountains rise in the south and southwest, and rainforest, rivers and limestone caves fill the interior.

Offshore, the Belize Barrier Reef runs along the coast, with hundreds of small islands called cayes (pronounced like keys). Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker are the best-known islands, and the Great Blue Hole lies on Lighthouse Reef. The country uses Central Standard Time (UTC-6) all year and doesn’t observe daylight saving time.

Distances look short on a map, but roads and boats are slower than they seem, so our guide to getting around Belize helps with routes. The best places to visit in Belize are spread across the islands, the Cayo District and the south.

Belize Travel Guide: An Introduction to the Country

Belize is known for the Belize Barrier Reef, Maya archaeological sites and rainforest. It’s the only country in Central America where English is the official language. The currency is the Belize dollar (BZD), pegged to the US dollar at 2 to 1, and the government is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy.

About 418,000 people live in Belize as of 2025, according to a Statistical Institute of Belize estimate. That figure is for the whole country, not a single city. Belize has one of the lowest population densities in Central America.

King Charles III is the head of state, represented locally by a governor-general, and a prime minister leads the government. Belize has belonged to the Commonwealth since independence in 1981. A common mix-up concerns the capital: Belize City is the largest city and main port, but Belmopan has been the capital since 1970.

The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System is the country’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was inscribed in 1996, covers seven protected areas and was taken off the in-danger list in 2018. Reef, Maya cities, caves and rainforest sit within a few hours of each other, which makes short trips practical.

For a first trip, the Belize itineraries show how to combine these areas, and the flights to Belize guide explains the only international airport. Entry rules depend on nationality, so check the Belize visa guide for tourists early.

History of Belize: From the Maya to Independence

Belize’s history begins with the ancient Maya, who built cities such as Caracol and Lamanai. British settlers later cut timber on the coast, and the territory became the colony of British Honduras in 1862. Belize gained independence on 21 September 1981 and is now a parliamentary democracy.

The Ancient Maya

Maya communities lived in what’s now Belize for more than 2,000 years before Europeans arrived. The Classic period, roughly AD 250 to 900, saw large cities such as Caracol, Xunantunich and Altun Ha. Lamanai stayed occupied far longer than most sites, into the Spanish colonial era.

Many Maya people still live in Belize today, mainly in the Toledo and Cayo districts.

Colonial Era and British Honduras

English woodcutters settled on the coast from the 1600s, cutting logwood and later mahogany with the labor of enslaved Africans. Spain claimed the area and contested the settlement. The Battle of St. George’s Caye on 10 September 1798 was the last major Spanish attempt to take it, and Belize still marks the date as a public holiday.

In 1862, the settlement was declared the British colony of British Honduras. Hurricane Hattie struck Belize City in 1961 and caused severe damage, so the government built a new capital inland. Belmopan became the capital in 1970.

Independence and Modern Belize

British Honduras gained internal self-government in 1964, was renamed Belize in 1973 and became independent on 21 September 1981. George Price led the independence movement and became the first prime minister.

Guatemala has long claimed part of Belize’s territory, and the dispute is now before the International Court of Justice. Hearings in the case are scheduled for 22 to 26 February 2027. Tourism, agriculture and services are the main parts of the economy today.

Belize Culture: People, Languages and Traditions

Belizean culture blends Creole, Mestizo, Maya, Garifuna and other communities. English is the official language, and Kriol and Spanish are widely spoken. Most people are Christian, and public holidays such as 10 September, 21 September and 19 November reflect the country’s history.

Family, village life and community events matter in daily life. Farming, fishing and tourism provide many jobs, and sugarcane, bananas and citrus are major crops. Light cotton clothing suits the climate, while traditional dress appears at festivals and in some Maya villages.

Language

English is the official language and the language of schools and government. Kriol, an English-based creole, is the everyday language for many people and the common tongue between communities. Spanish is widely spoken, especially in the north and west, though a common assumption is that it’s official here, and it isn’t. Garifuna and Maya languages such as Yucatec, Mopan and Q’eqchi’ are spoken in their own communities.

Religion

Christianity is the main religion, with Roman Catholic and Protestant churches in most towns. Mennonite farming communities, such as those around Spanish Lookout, keep their own traditions and dress. Maya spiritual practices remain important in some communities, and smaller Hindu, Muslim and other communities live in the country.

Festivals

Public holidays follow the calendar of national history. St. George’s Caye Day falls on 10 September, Independence Day on 21 September and Garifuna Settlement Day on 19 November. The biggest Garifuna Settlement Day celebrations are in Dangriga, Hopkins and Punta Gorda, with drumming, dance and a re-enactment of the Garifuna arrival by boat.

For month-by-month dates and weather, see the guide to the best time to visit Belize, and check the Belize Tourism Board for local events.

Etiquette

Greet people with Good morning or Good afternoon before asking a question. Handshakes are common, and a polite tone matters. Ask before taking photos of people, and dress casually in towns but cover up away from the beach or when visiting a church. Maya sites and caves are protected, so follow your guide’s instructions and never take anything from them.

Music and Arts

Punta is a Garifuna dance music built on drums and call-and-response singing. UNESCO lists Garifuna language, dance and music as intangible cultural heritage. Brukdown is a Creole folk style that grew out of the logging camps, and marimba music is part of Maya community life in the south. Wood carving, basketry and embroidery are common crafts.

Belize Food: Staples, Signature Dishes and Drinks

Belizean food combines Creole, Maya, Garifuna, Mestizo and Mennonite influences. Rice and beans with stewed chicken is the everyday plate, and seafood is easy to find along the coast. Fry jacks, hudut and tamales show how different communities shaped the menu.

Staples

Rice and beans is the everyday base of the cuisine. Belizeans cook the rice and beans together, often with coconut milk, and serve them with stewed chicken, fish or pork. Stew beans and rice is a different dish, with the beans served as a stew over plain rice. Corn tortillas, fry jacks, plantain and cassava also appear across the country.

Signature Dishes

• Rice and beans with stewed chicken: the everyday plate, with chicken stewed in a red recado seasoning paste.
• Hudut: a Garifuna fish stew in coconut broth, served with mashed plantain.
• Boil up: a Creole bowl of eggs, fish, root vegetables and plantain with a tomato sauce.
• Escabeche: a chicken and onion soup with vinegar and spices.
• Chimole: a dark chicken soup flavored with burnt recado and boiled eggs.
• Fry jacks: puffed fried dough eaten at breakfast with beans, eggs or cheese.
• Johnnycakes: soft Creole breakfast breads, often split and filled.
• Tamales: corn dough with seasoned chicken or pork, steamed in banana leaves.
• Conch ceviche: conch cured in lime juice with onion and tomato.
• Lobster: grilled or stewed, but seasonal, so menus may not list it all year.

Food changes by region. Creole cooking is strongest in Belize City, Garifuna dishes appear in the south, Maya and Mestizo flavors stand out in the north and Cayo, and seafood leads on the islands. Many island guesthouses and jungle lodges serve local dishes, and the guide to where to stay in Belize compares areas.

Street Food

Salbutes are puffed fried tortillas topped with shredded chicken, cabbage, tomato and onion. Garnaches are crisp tortillas with beans, cheese and a sauce. Panades are fried corn-dough turnovers filled with fish or beans, and meat pies are sold at bakeries and roadside stalls.

Drinks

Belikin is the national beer brand, and local rum is common. Seaweed shakes are blended milk drinks flavored with cinnamon and nutmeg. Fresh fruit juices and cashew wine, made in some rural villages, are other local drinks.

Desserts

Coconut tarts and tableta, a chewy coconut or peanut sweet, are common treats. Bread pudding and fresh tropical fruit such as mango, papaya and pineapple often finish a meal.