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Choosing the Right Lawyer

Whether you’re getting a divorce, drafting a will, or buying or selling real estate in Belize, it’s important to get the help of the best lawyer possible. However, the best lawyer may be hard to find. Below are some factors that will help you find the best lawyer in Belize to suit your needs.

Ensure the Lawyer is Honest

It is important to ensure that your attorney is completely honest and forthcoming with you about everything from your initial meeting and throughout the extent of your working relationship. You can certainly read a person’s character from the initial interaction, but there are some other tips that can help you identify if they are honest or not. For example, is the lawyer looking you in the eyes while speaking with you or is he looking away? People who cannot maintain eye contact usually have problems with the truth.

Be sure to ask what kind of cases they’ve worked on in the past. This can give you an idea of what type of work he or she can do and the tactics they use to defend their clients. For example if the lawyer usually defends clients that are known troublemakers, this may mean that the lawyer is used to bending the rules and finding loopholes to win his case. However, this does not deter from the fact that the lawyer may also be a good litigator.

Another question to ask the lawyer would be his or her success rate. Don’t be alarmed if they don’t have a 100% success rate. They may still have a high number of wins versus losses. But if the lawyer only raves about winning every case without any glitches at least, he or she may not be truthful as there are risks and downsides to almost every case.

Ensuring the lawyer is honest is a very important step before entering into an official relationship. As the client, you need to be confident that your lawyer is open and forthcoming with you about any and every information regarding your case. Having an honest lawyer will also ensure that he or she has a sound reputation and will always defend your best interest.

Your Lawyers Must Be Responsive                                               

Your lawyer must always be responsive and detail-oriented in every interaction with you. Before hiring a lawyer, make sure that he or she will always be available to you and willing to discuss any concerns about your case that may arise. If they don’t seem willing to facilitate your request, that might be a sign that this lawyer may have trouble answering any questions for you or defending you once the case is ongoing. Be sure to check if you’ll be given updates on the case, and if the lawyer or his paralegal will be your point of contact.

Your Attorney Should Be Affordable

Lawyers normally don’t come cheap. So you need to keep in mind costs when hiring one. This doesn’t mean that you should pay more than you can realistically afford. Ensure that the lawyer you choose to work with is in your budget. Also, it’s best to find out all charges and fees before you develop a relationship with the lawyer. You wouldn’t want to find out after the fact that you thought you’re paying your lawyer one set retainer, while you’re in fact being billed per consultation. Be sure that you finalize all costs as well as schedule and method of payment before establishing a relationship with a lawyer.

Be Sure That Your Lawyer is Experienced

Experience plays a big role in how well they will be able to defend you. If the lawyer has served previous clients with cases similar to yours, he or she should be very competent in successfully representing you in court since they will already know what the necessary steps will be to overrule the complainant and maintain your best interests.

Are you looking for a Belize lawyer or law firm in Belize to represent you?

There are many reputable lawyers and law firms in Belize. One such law firm is Courtenay Coye LLP who specializes in a wide range of the law and come with 70 combined years of experience. To see a complete list, click here.

Is Belize Offshore Banking Right for You

Many people move to Belize every year- whether it’s to retire in a Caribbean paradise, or to start a new life. While moving to Belize has many advantages, moving on a whole is a very hectic experience. Because of this, many important details may get overlooked. One such detail would be deciding what to do with your finances. Here we’ll take a look at the banking options available to you- maintaining an account in your home country, opening an account in Belize, and opening a Belize offshore account.

Maintaining an Account in your Home Country                    

When moving abroad and maintaining an account in your home country, it is still possible to access your funds and account information. Most banks provide internet and telephone banking for free, and there are debit and credit cards available to get physical cash; however the last two facilities will carry some fees and charges.

Although it is certainly possible to remain using your existing account, it may not be the most economical option for you. All cash flow movements, in and out of your account, will be in a foreign currency and be subject to foreign exchange fees.

Opening a Local Bank Account in Belize

A major benefit of opening a local bank account is to be able to access funds in the local currency. However, it may be difficult to open a local account and get credit facilities locally without any proof of residence (since you’ve recently moved and have not yet acquired permanent residential status) and have no credit history in the new country. Getting the necessary documentation necessary to open these accounts and to utilize their services may be a very frustrating task.

Opening a Belize offshore Account

A Belize offshore account will give you access to a multi-currency account and credit cards from a secure and confidential offshore services provider like Belize Corporate Services or International Corporate Services. These institutions have English-speaking (most are multilingual) customer service staff, secure internet banking, and security for your cash. They are also experts in dealing with the specific needs of international clients, making their support excellent for expats.

5 Reasons You Need a Belize Real Estate Lawyer

Real estate transactions are very sensitive and require a great deal of research and caution to ensure that you’re not setting yourself up for a loss. Here are 5 reasons you need a real estate lawyer when conducting real estate transactions.

1. You’ll need to have Contracts Drafted

There’s no running away from it. Once property is being sold, you’ll need to have the deal set out in black and white in a formal contract. A real estate lawyer will not only draft the details up in an official contract, but they’d also partake in the negotiations for you ensuring you get the best possible deal. While drafting the contract, your lawyer will then ensure that the deal adheres to all local laws reducing any liabilities for you.

2. Title Searches will need to be done

One of the most important roles of a real estate lawyer is to address any liens attached to the property. The way to do this is through a title search at the lands registry office. The purpose of this title search is to ensure that the property being sold is free from any encumbrances. The outcome of the title search is very important, because it determines if the seller has a legal right to sell the property or not.

3. Property transfers & Titles will need to be applied for

In order to secure the title after the property is bought, your attorney will be able to assist you in converting the existing property title (Deed of Conveyance in Belize) into a First Certificate of Title. This can be a very tedious process if done without the help of a real estate lawyer.

4. Real Estate Lawyers can Provide Great Advice

Apart from handling official documents on your behalf, real estate lawyers can provide excellent advice on any necessary building licenses or additional charges you may need to incur. They can also refer you to certified architects, realtors or contractors who can assist you with other phases in purchasing property.

5. A Whole Lot can Go Wrong without a Real Estate Lawyer

It isn’t a legal requirement to hire an attorney when conducting real estate transactions, but you greatly increase your exposure to liabilities without one. A lawyer’s job is to ensure that all the relevant facts about the property are disclosed and known to both parties to ensure no confusion happens. Also, without a lawyer you may not be aware of all the areas that require special permit to acquire property on. These oversights can levy fines and other repercussions against you.

When conducting real estate transactions in Belize, be sure to always consult with a Belize real estate lawyer and Belize real estate agent to avoid encountering any mishaps.

Misconceptions of Offshore Banking in Belize

  1. Only money launderers have offshore bank accounts
  2. It’s difficult to resolve issues with your account
  3. Only rich people can afford an offshore account
  4. Opening an offshore account is a difficult process
  5. Maintaining an offshore account is hard

Only Money Launderers Have Offshore Bank Accounts

This is a huge misconception. Offshore accounts and investments are normally an “under wraps” topic. Unfortunately, the only time we seem to hear about them in the news or any other public forum is when people are abusing them to facilitate illegal activities.

But offshore bank accounts are used for quite the contrary. These accounts are used to secure and grow your money is a stable and secure economy while maintaining currency diversification.

It’s Difficult to Resolve Issues with Your Account

The Caribbean and Central American countries are becoming popular destinations for opening offshore bank accounts. Although some of these countries may be “third world”, they are not lacking in communication services. Telephone and internet services are up to par with those in more developed parts of the world.

Working with established Belize offshore services providers like Belize Corporate Services or International Corporate Services will guarantee a very satisfactory experience with every interaction. The expert staff at these firms will be sure to work along with you to resolve any issues that may arise in a timely and friendly manner.

Only Rich People can afford an Offshore Account

This is another popular misconception. Offshore accounts can be opened with an opening balance of as little as USD $500. These offshore bank accounts carry many of the same services as domestic banks to make banking from your home country easy, like internet banking and a debit card to easily access account information and funds.

Opening an Offshore Account is a Difficult Process

Opening an offshore bank account in Belize is a fairly straight forward process that can be streamlined in a very timely manner. The officers at the offshore service providers will guide you through the entire process of gathering the necessary requirements and completing the application form.

Aside from opening an offshore bank account, these offshore services providers also assist in the formation of offshore IBCs, private foundations and offshore trusts. All offshore accounts in Belize enjoy tax-free status among other benefits. See more benefits of offshore investing in Belize here.

Maintaining an Offshore Account is Hard

This is quite the contrary. Offshore bank accounts often offer more competitive interest rates on deposit accounts than domestic banks, and they often provide 24 hour online and telephone banking services to easily assist with any queries the account owner may have. Account owners can also get a debit card to easily access their money from whichever country they’re in.

Learn To Make Delicious Conch Fritters

Belize is well-known for its fresh sea food. A crowd favorite is conch. There are many ways to prepare this mollusk, you can stew it, fry it up, or make it into a fresh ceviche. Here is a great recipe for mouth-watering conch fritters by El Fogon Restaurant courtessy of Ambergris Today.

Ingredients 

  • 1 lb conch
  • 1.5 tbs. baking soda
  • 1/2 lb. flour
  • 1 cup evaporated milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 small sweet pepper
  • 1 small onion
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 3 habanero peppers
  • black pepper
  • salt
  • oil for frying

Directions

  1. Place onion, sweet pepper, garlic cloves, habaneros and eggs into a food processor to finely chop.
  2. Put conch in the food process and chop into medium-sized chunks.
  3. Combine both chopped mixtures and add salt and pepper to taste along with the flour, baking soda and milk. The end result should be a semi-thick consistency. If you need more milk, don’t be afraid to add a little more.
  4. Heat oil to about 375 degrees farenheit. Drop a tablespoon of the batter into the hot oil and fry until golden brown.
  5. Remove from oil and drain.
  6. Serve immediately with tartar sauce or other dipping sauces.

Belize Boledo Gaming

It seems everyone in Belize is buying Boledo these days.  Though, no one seriously expects to retire on a Boledo winning as they are small in comparison to the lottery that can be won in other countries, it is one of Belize’s favorite pastimes.  Boledo, originally “boleto”, Spanish for ticket, is over half-a-century old and remains very popular among Belizean’s.  The Boledo is a gambling game that requires two numbers and there are as many winning strategies as there are players, but most people still rely on dreams, accidents, and even the writings of fortune-tellers like King Tut to bring them some luck.

These days, much discussion goes into the interpretation of an isolated event, dream or even when last a specific number was drawn.  For the elder Boledo buyers, noted references were the King Tut and Aunt Sally dream books.  The use of dreams is based on the Bible story of Joseph interpreting Pharaoh’s dream of seven years of famine and drought – an event heavily alluded to in the preface of King Tut’s dream book.

Though their lucky number may not play for quite some time, many buyers believe that they’ve got the right formula for the win.  It is the hope of winning that keeps them buying and until that hope dies or the Boledo disappears, numbers, dreams and coincidences will remain and daily part of the Belizean life and language.

THE EVOLUTION OF THE BOLEDO

Before there was the Boledo, there was the Drop Pan and Panama. 

Drop Pan – According to the Brukdown Magazine, the predecessor of the Panama was Drop Pan, played in the 1930’s.  Instead of numbers, the names of animals and birds were used.  Names and sketches corresponding to the names of the creatures were placed in a pan for the weekly draw.  The pan was dropped from a pole and then a woman was selected at random to draw from those names and sketches which were ejected from the pan as it hit the ground.  But it wasn’t until the Panama came to town, that gambling took a new turn.

Panama aka “Taking a Chance” – The Panama game was brought into the country by workers returning from Panama in 1944.  Numbers ranged from 00 to 99 with the winning numbers chosen on Sundays in Panama.  Keen to continue the Panama in Belize, enterprising individuals began to sell the numbers despite the $250 fine for illegal gambling.  The buyers of “Panama” were “taking a chance” as there was no guarantee of payment upon winning.  The system was based solely on trust and on the integrity of the individual seller.  Due to the popularity of the weekly Panama and the inability of the authorities to enact the law against the illegal games, it was realized that legalizing lottery could be a better outcome.  In 1945, lottery sellers were given legal sanction as they were placed under the control of an official appointed Lotteries Control Committee.  The profits go to a charity fund that support educational, cultural and sports programs.

Today’s Boledo game that plays weekly from Monday to Friday at the old Treasury Building in Belize City,  was brought to Belize from the United States by migrant workers sometime between 1946 and 1947.  With the evolution of the game came various Boledo lingoes such as PUP, Free Ticket, Rake, Five Piece, Whoppy and Back and Front all described below. 

PUP (illegal Boledo) – numbers sold on the back of tickets issued by the government or simply on scraps of paper.

Free Ticket – when a vendor gives a number on the sale of a PUP.

Rake – the winning number; the number is usually chosen based on unusual events during the course of the day.  For example:  a man falls and hits his head, the rake could be the age of the man, a number for the head based on the Doukie Skeleton.

Five Piece – the smallest Boledo ticket that can be bought. The payout is BZ $17.50.

Whoppy – when a winning number plays consecutively or more often.

Back and Front – when a ticket is bought with the number in either order; e.g. 21/12

 

Belize Boledo Machine
Belize Boledo Machine

Despite initial glitches and claims of unfair drawing, the most famous being the “frozen ball” incident, the Boledo entered Belizean psyche and the rest, as they say, is history.

Today, the actual selling of the tickets is done by individuals who receive a commission on their total sales plus an established bonus if they do not sell the winning number.  The draw has since been modernized and ticketing automated.

While the actual game is owned by the Government of Belize, Brads Gaming Company Limited privately operates the National Boledo Franchise.  Day-to-day operations are overseen by the Government’s Lotteries Commission and the Government-appointed Lotteries Supervisor overseas each drawing.  The results of each draw can be found on MyBelize.Net.

More information regarding the Boledo can be found in the Lotteries Act.

Thanks to NICH and the House of Culture for their informative display on the Boledo.

 

 

Exploring The Mayan Temples of Belize

Belize is part of the southern Mayan lowlands of the Mesoamerican culture area. The Maya civilization spread across Belize around 1500 BC and flourished until about 900 AD. The dominant Mayan population existed in Caracol, which was an urban political center that had up to 140,000 people.

Belize is estimated to have thousands of Maya ruins with few found and excavated by scientists but most are still undiscovered. Because of this, Belize is an ideal spot for archaeologists and tourists alike.

Here are some facts about the most popular Maya ruins in Belize.

Cerros

Cerros is located on the sea coast across from Corozal Town in the Bay of Chetumal. It’s name translates to “the hills”. During the late Pre-classic period, Cerros was a key commercial center for Maya traders arriving by canoe through Chetumal’s Bay, and from up the Rio Hondo and New River.

Lamanai

Lamanai means “submerged crocodile” in Maya. This ruin is located in the Orange Walk district on the bank of the New River Lagoon. It is the largest Mayan site in Belize. The main attraction in Lamanai is the mask of a Maya leader emerging from a crocodile headdress. Lamanai was occupied for over 3,000 years until the Europeans took over.

El Pilar

El Pilar, Spanish for the “watering basin”, is a Mayan archaeological reserve near the Belize-Guatemala border. It got its name for the abundance of water in the area, which is a rare trait in most Mayan sites. During its peak, El Pilar was more than three times the size of the Xunantunich Maya ruin.

Altun Ha

Altun Ha translates to “water of the rock”. This is the closest ruin to Belize City and was a major ceremonial center for the Mayas. During its peak, this ruin served as a central trading link between the Caribbean coast and Mayan centers inland during the Maya Classic Period. The famous Jade Head, that now sits in the  Museum of Belize, was found at Altun Ha.

Cahal Pech

The Cahal Pech Maya ruin stands apart from all other Mayan sites in Belize, because it sits in the midst of a bustling town. Cahal Pech translates to “place of ticks”. This site is in San Ignacio Town and was once a ceremonial center with temples, palaces and a ball court. Visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of San Ignacio and the Belize River Valley.

Xunantunich

Xunantunich means “maiden of the rock”, and was a major ceremonial site that was built on a limestone ridge during the classic period. This Mayan site has 6 plazas with over 25 temples. Xunantunich sits atop a hill which overlooks the Mopan River. It is 8 miles west of San Ignacio Town and is directly across the village of San Jose Succotz.

Caracol

Caracol is one of the most popular sites in Belize with a rich history as a rival power to Guatemala’s Tikal ruin. Caracol translates to “snail” but its name refers more to the spiral shape of the snail’s shell which resembles the winding road that leads to the ruins. Caracol is known for its elaborate city planning as it spans an impressive 65 square miles. Caracol is located deep in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve in the Mayan Mountains in Cayo.

Nim Li Punit

Nim Li Punit means “big hat” and got its name from a carving on the longest stelae in the site. There are 26 stelaes in the site. The longest stelae has a carving of a figure wearing a large headdress and stands at about 30 feet tall, making it one of the longest in the Maya world. Nim Li Punit is located near Indian Creek Village in the Toledo District.

Exploring Caye Caulker

Caye Caulker is one of the most popular islands in Belize. It is loved by visitors for its quaint simplicity and slow-paced lifestyle without sacrificing a beautiful beach and clear waters. Caye Caulker is located 21 miles northeast of Belize City and 11 miles south of Ambergris Caye. It is the second largest island in Belize.

Caye Caulker was primarily a fishing community at first, but in recent years its economy has become heavily tourism-based. The island has become a haven for snorkelers, divers, anglers and tourists who just enjoy relaxing on a beautiful beach without breaking the bank. With Belize’s great barrier reef only minutes away, great underwater adventures are abundant here.

There are many hotels and backpacking hostels available on the island, ranging from beachside luxury to budget friendly rooms. There are also restaurants with varying cuisines and small bars serving up stiff drinks.

The Caye Caulker Marine Reserve is an awesome diving spot, and ecotourism fans can enjoy tours of the rare manatees. You won’t be able to swim with the manatees on the tour, but they often times come right up to the boats so you can get a close-up view of these great creatures.

Caye Caulker is often times described as a huge sandbar atop a limestone shelf. Just below are underwater caves in the limestone. The island has a lagoon in front which meets with the barrier reef.

Not until the middle 19th century did Caye Caulker have any inhabitants. The earliest ones were refugees fleeing the civil war on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. The settlers planted coconuts and developed a thriving fishing industry. Later, around the 1960’s, tourists began visiting the island in small quantities. Since then, tourism has substantially increased and the development of a new airstrip added to this influx. Despite its growing popularity with tourists, Caye Caulker remains slow-paced and relaxing.

The Split

Caye Caulker is divided into two by the famous Split which is a separator between the more-developed southern portion from the north side which is swampy and filled with mangroves. But this area will not remain undeveloped for too long, as the increase in visitors lead to an increase in demand for land here for both sides of the island.

The Split was originally a channel that got widened by Hurricane Hattie in 1961. Now, it is a central gathering spot for locals and visitors alike to socialize along the beach. The channel is now 20 feet wide and many small boats travel through it, though many daring swimmers do swim across it.

Hotels and Restaurants

Caye Caulkers population has almost doubled in the past decade from 1,000 residents to approximately 2,000 today. Just as the population increased, so have businesses. There are now over 20 hotels in Caye Caulker ranging from luxurious penthouse suites to comfortable rooms for rent.

Aside from a variety of accommodations, you can also enjoy varying flavors while on the island. From the Creole favorite of stewed chicken with rice and beans to the freshest seafood you can find, Caye Caulker has something to wet everyone’s pallet.

Snorkeling and Diving

Caye Caulker is a great base for those seeking underwater adventures. There are several dive shops and tour operators on the island that offer dive excursions ranging from a couple hours to a full day. Tourists can enjoy dives at prime spots like the Hol Chan Marine Reserve or the Blue Hole. Some tours even offer island hopping as part of their package so tourists can also experience San Pedro. The dive shops also provide certification classes and trips to the Turneffe Islands. Experienced divers can explore the cave system beneath Caye Caulker with a local guide. Anglers can enjoy great fishing with guided trips or alone by renting a boat.

You don’t need to leave the island to enjoy great swimming. You can jump into calm, clear waters right off the golden sandy beach near the split. On the beach near the split also provides drinks and food from the sea side bar.

Getting Here

The most common way to get to Caye Caulker is via water taxi. Belize City has two- San Pedro Belize Express and Caye Caulker Water Taxi. Both provide one-way and round-trip tickets at a very reasonable price. You can also arrive at Caye Caulker by plane on one of the local airlines of Belize – Tropic Air or Maya Island Air. However these flights will be more expensive than the water taxi fare. Flights to Caye Caulker would normally take around 10 minutes from Belize City. By boat, Caye Caulker is approximately 45 minutes away from Belize City.

Discovering Stann Creek

Travelling to the southern parts of the country either from the central hub of Belize City or the nation’s capital, Belmopan, will give any travel one of the most scenic rides of any other roadway in Belize. The south is increasingly become one of the most popular destinations for nature enthusiasts and thrill-seekers visiting Belize.

Stann Creek is located 90 miles from Belize City by land and 36 miles by sea. You can also get to Stann Creek by a 20-minute flight to either Dangriga or Placencia.

Stann Creek has a small population of approximately 25,000 residents but its geographical makeup provides a wide range of tourist attractions like its beautiful beaches, Maya Mountains, the Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Preserve, and a rich cultural presence.  Stann Creek is the hub for authentic Garifuna music, food, art and culture. Many areas in Stann Creek are also filled with elements of the rich Mayan culture.

The Stann Creek district is a main fruit-producing area in the country with cultivation of bananas and citrus. These fruits are normally exported at the Big Creek port to large countries in Europe.

Culture and Art

A main town in the Stann Creek district is Dangriga, commonly referred to as Belize’s culture capital. Dangriga comes alive and is definitely the place to be every November 18/19 when celebrating Garifuna Settlement Day. Visitors during this time enjoy nonstop festivities throughout the 18th night like dances, reenactments and parades to celebrate the arrival of the Garifuna people to Belize.

However, a visit to Dangriga any time of year is sure to give guests a great idea of what the Garifuna culture entails. Visitors can take drumming lessons, eat native dishes like hudut, see reenactments of dance like the John Canoe, and even learn a Garifuna phrase or two. The town of Dangriga is most famous for its cassava root which is often used for making cassava bread, hudut and even wine.

Dangriga has become a popular base for expats that migrate to Belize because of its cultural diversity and proximity to popular sites like the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary & Jaguar Preserve, Hopkins, Placencia, Victoria Peak and Doyle’s Delight. Living in Dangriga also provides excellent water sports, as well as lower costs of beachfront homes and properties.

Discovering Belize City

Discover Belize City

Belize City is one of the main urban epicenters in the country. Its limits span to 8 miles up the George Price Highway and 14 miles up the Phillip Goldson Highway. Belize City’s coordinates are 17˚15’ North Longitude and 88˚45’ West Latitude. This city is the most populous in the entire country with over 80,000 inhabitants. Belize City offers visitors a diverse experience of Caribbean charm with unexpected modernization.

Belize City is divided into two main areas: North side and South side. Its limit on the north side is at the Haulover Bridge which sits at the mouth of the old Belize River where it meets the Caribbean Sea. The north side ends in the east at the Fort George area. Belize City south side limits extends to the outskirts of the city limits to the George Price Highway.

Often considered the safest and most prosperous are in the city, north side Belize City has many amenities and attractions like nice hotels, a casino, cruise ship terminals and the Museum of Belize. South side Belize City also has tourist attractions like St. John’s Cathedral and the House of culture, though not as popular as the north side.

There are three bridges in Belize City- Belcan Bridge, Belchina Bridge and Swing Bridge. These bridges join the north and south sides of Belize City. The Swing Bridge is the only functioning manually operated bridge in the entire world.

Because the city is built from East going inwards, most of the older colonial-style homes can be found closer to the coast. The House of Culture (formerly Government House) was formerly the home of the British governor, but it now serves as a museum displaying old artifacts from the home and the Queen. Near there is St. John’s Cathedral, the oldest Anglican church in Central America.

Belize City was originally designed by British colonizers to be used mostly by bicycles and mule-drawn carts, but now the narrow streets are congested with vehicles and motorcycles as well as bicycles and pedestrians. These streets were also designed with very poor to nonexistent drainage making them prone to pot holes and flooding when it rains.

Belize City is growing. First it was mostly populated mainly around the central ports, but now, a drive up both highways can reveal developing housing developments and businesses. Although, many areas, within city limits along the highways, remain undeveloped savannahs.

Although not a popular tourist destination in itself, cruise passengers based in Belize City are in close proximity to many popular destinations such as San Pedro Town, Altun Ha Maya ruin, the Belize Zoo, and other wildlife sanctuaries. The Phillip S.W. Goldson International Airport is just a few minutes’ drive away from Belize City. The municipal airport which provides flights nationally and regionally, as well as the water taxis that provide transportation to and from the popular Cayes (islands) are located in the city center.

Origin of Belize City

Belize City originated in the 1600’s as a lo0gging camp and export center for the mahogany industry. Originally populated by the Mayas, the British and Scottish pirates took over and used the city as a hideout in which they would loot passing Spanish ships for their treasures. With such a culturally diverse past, modern day Belize City is still filled with many different cultures including the Creole, Garifuna, Latino, Chinese, Lebanese, Hindu, East Indian and Mayans.

Getting Around

Most parts of Belize City resemble a rundown city with poorly maintained structures and pothole infested streets. However the main commercial centroid along North Front Street, Queen Street and Albert Street is has recently been updated and is home to some of the most prosperous business in the City. All of the commercial banks and most large shopping centers are found in this area.

Tourists entering from the cruise ships at the tourist village port have easy access to this part of the City as their ship docks a few blocks east of the Swing Bridge on North Front Street. Although far from a tourist attraction, a walk through downtown Belize City can give tourists a very good look at what everyday life might entail for most Belizeans. Many of the best restaurants, bars and stores are located in Belize City despite its sometimes dilapidated appearance.

If you’re in the city to explore and shop, the best way to get around is to walk. The streets are narrow and traffic is usually always hectic. With an abundance of stores side by side down Albert Street, you’ll have the most enjoyable experience simply walking along the sidewalk and browse the stores.

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