The country was founded here on the banks of Haulover Creek. In addition to boasting a rich pot of ethnic diversity, Belize District also encompasses a variety of habitats including mangroves, pine savannah, marshes, broadleaf forest, and scores of Caribbean cayes. Belize District is the most populated in the country, comprising nearly a quarter of all Belizeans.

In the middle of it all, located on a Caribbean-jutting thumb of land, Belize City is the hub of the nation, with direct access to rivers, the ocean, and most of the major roads in the country. The city is ideally located for reaching any part of Belize within a couple hours’ time. Because of this access, Belize City is also where you’ll find the headquarters of the bus lines, rental car agencies, and airlines, as well as water taxis to the cayes. For those wishing to avoid the bustle and traffic of the city however, Belize District’s outlying destinations feel utterly remote, even though they are less than an hour from the city. These include Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, the Community Baboon Sanctuary (CBS), and the Altun Ha archeological site—and don’t forget to stop by the Prison Gift Shop while touring around. On the other side of the coastline, a number of nearby islands provide both historical and ecological escapes; diving, snorkeling, and several marine reserves await, just a short boat ride away.

You’ll almost certainly pass through Belize District, whether you’re exploring some of the region’s unique reserves, plunging into Belize City itself, or just traveling between the cayes and the inland.

The Best of Belize District

• Museum of Belize
• Fort George Area
• Old Belize and Cucumber Beach
• Gales Point
• Altun Ha Ruins
• The Community Baboon Sanctuary
• Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary