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Tacogirl Belize blog Est. in 2007

You came to the right place for Belize Resources and Information.

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About Belize

by tacogirl 13/03/2017
About Belize
Many people know little about Belize, let alone know where it is. I wrote this page to try and answer most of your questions on this interesting widely varied country. Belize is located south of Mexico, north, and east of Guatemala, on the coast of the Caribbean Sea. It is only a 2-hour flight from Houston or Miami, making it a convenient vacation destination. It is one of the smallest countries in the world, being only 8,867 square miles or 174 miles long by 68 miles wide. For comparison, it is approximately the same size as New Hampshire or Wales if you’re from the U.K. Though small in size, it is large with adventure. There are only about 370,000 people living in Belize. The country is made up of dense tropical jungles, mountains, ancient ruins from lost civilizations, some of the best scuba diving in the world, the second longest reef on Earth as well as hundreds of tropical Caribbean islands to explore. English is widely spoken, especially in places where tourists go. The Belizean Dollar has been pegged to the US Dollar at 2 to 1 since 1973. This means if a coke costs $2 BZD it is $ 1USD or just cut the price in half. Also, the US Dollar is accepted just about everywhere. The average temperature year-round is 85° F (29’° C) and the humidity is usually around 85%. Upon arrival, everyone is given a 30 day Visa passport stamp, which is renewable for another 30 days for $50 BZD for the first 6 months and then it becomes $100 BZD. See my page on living in Belize, for more immigration-related information.

 

History of Belize

The Mayan culture dates back to 1500 BC. They then ruled the area for 2500 years and then quite mysteriously, disappeared. The Mayans built huge cities like Caracol that had over 140,000 people or the political center and temple, Lamanai, which boasted a population of over a million people. Belize is home to several magnificent, Maya archaeological sites and to this day, a large portion of the country is designated as protected land. The Spanish were the first Europeans to arrive, in 1506. Although they chose not to create a settlement, they did lay claim to the area and declared it a Spanish Colony. It wasn’t until the 1700’s that the Baymen (English & Scottish settlers & pirates) began arriving and settled in Belize. They mostly lived along the coast and survived by harvesting wood and dyes for the Spanish. During that time, the primary industry was the exporting of mahogany. Today, in addition to mahogany, Belize also exports sugar and fruit. The British arrived in the 1800’s and declared the area a colony in 1862 naming it British Honduras. It was renamed to Belize in 1973. The British ruled until 1981 when Belize was given its independence on September 21st, although it is still part of the Commonwealth.

 

Lay of the Land

Belize is divided into six unique Districts with a varying geographical terrain. The mainland consists of lush jungles, hills, hundreds of Mayan ruins and dozens of breathtaking waterfalls among the 35 rivers crisscrossing its land. The entire coast of Belize has a vibrant, coral reef that runs parallel to it with about 200 tropical islands (Cayes), surrounded by clear blue waters, contained within it. As I travel around the country, I am constantly amazed at how widely varied it is and the cool things I discover. Recently, my friend and I walked from the hotel we were staying at to some amazing Mayan ruins in the San Francisco-like hills of San Ignacio. See other traveler’s reviews on best things to do in Belize for ideas and travel planning help.

 

Belize District

This District was the first part of the country to receive a settlement, largely due to the rivers that provided the settlers with inland transportation. It includes Belize City, the most populous city and the first capital of the country until Hurricane Hattie largely destroyed it in 1961, as well as the two most popular islands: Ambergris and Caye Caulker. These two Cayes are highly recommended for visiting and staying at while Belize City is not.

 

Ambergris Caye

This is the most populated Caye with over 20,000 residents as well as the most popular among tourists. There are dozens of beautiful, beachfront resorts to choose from, each with its own style, all with spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea. A couple highlights of the island are its Marine Reserves, which are protected for future generations: Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve, which is a designated World Heritage site, at the north end of the island and Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley to the south. Both sites are great for seeing underwater wildlife and each is about a 20-minute boat ride from the middle of San Pedro. Another highlight is Marco Gonzalez Maya Site, a 2000-year-old Maya archaeological site to the south, which is also worth visiting. The beach is always just a few steps away and is a great place for people watching or simply sitting on a dock and enjoying the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. If you are an early riser, the island offers some of the most beautiful sunrises on the planet. You may find my page on Sightseeing in San Pedro useful for planning your trip or visit TripAdvisor’s page on Ambergris Caye Activities. Ambergris Caye has a nice variety of restaurants. You can experience everything from delicious, budget-friendly, local food (traveler’s tip on local food: always go where the longest line is) to fine dining on the beach. Tacos, flauta’s, and tostadas are some of my favorite, inexpensive, San Pedro treats, which can be found around town and at the park at night. San Pedro even has a great food tour, which I did with my friend Aimee and we both really enjoyed the experience. Along the way, we visited El Fogon and got to try an infamous local delicacy known as Gibnut, aka Royal Rat, nicknamed after the Queen of England tried it on her last visit. Click through to read “ Eating our way around San Pedro with the new Belize Foods Tour.

 

Caye Caulker

The island motto is “Go Slow” for a reason. This island is definitely a must do if you want to experience a laid-back, tropical lifestyle. Most people agree that this is what San Pedro was like 20 years ago with its sandy streets and slow-paced, old school, tropical vibe. You may find it quite refreshing in this fast-paced, modern world. Click here to read about a funny Caye Caulker trip for my cousin Erin’s birthday party. She and her husband Rudy were in town on a cruise ship so I had my friends Mary and Denis island hop with me to throw her a birthday party. Between the lunch at the Lazy Lizard, street food, and 2 taxi rides around the island, we made some adventurous memories. If you are considering a visit to  Caye Caulker you may also like this write-up “ Flying to Caye Caulker on a Mission and 3 Travel Light Taco Tips. Click here for TripAdvisor’s list of favorite Caye Caulker Activities. 

 

Belize City

Most people will tell you to avoid Belize City except to travel through it. While I am in agreement on this, it does offer some good shopping, a rich history, and even some nice architecture. If you decide to visit, here are my recommendations on Belize City Attractions. You can also click through and see all the write-ups I did for the Belize Tourism Board, which got a full-page feature in Reporter News. Or click here to see TripAdvisor’s list of best things to do in Belize City. 

 

Corozal

Corozal is a District known for its agriculture, growing sugarcane and fruit such as papaya.  Its main city is Corozal Town, a sleepy coastal town that is a common stopover for travelers before heading on to other parts of Belize. Mexico is a short 9 miles from Corozal Town, which has a population of over 10,000. The area is rich in Mayan archaeology, but very few of the sites have been excavated. One that has been dug is the Santa Rita ruins and it is open to the public. Read about Corozal Town here – The Best Tortilla Chips on Ambergris Caye come from Corozal Belize and Cerros Ruins in Corozal District. The Best Tortilla Chips on Ambergris Caye come from Corozal Belize and Cerros Ruins in Corozal District. Or you can find a list on TripAdvisor of  Things to Do in Corozal.

 

Orange Walk

Orange Walk is the second largest District in terms of area, sharing its border with Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the west. Orange Walk Town is the main city in the District, with a population of nearly 10,000. It is the starting point for the river tour to Lamanai ruins. If you have a need for speed, read Fastest way to Lamanai, a great contribution by Barbara Hickman. She and her crew opted to do the Tropic Air Tour of Lamanai Maya Ruin versus a longer day taking the tour by boat. Thousands of Mennonites have settled in Orange Walk and farm the land, doing dairy, growing vegetables, soya, and sugarcane. It is a beautiful sight to see tall stalks of sugarcane growing across the road from the airport. Another fascinating feature of this district is that it is home to over 400 different species of birds, making it a paradise for Ornithologists. It is also a great place for crocodile spotting and Lamanai actually means Land of the submerged crocodile.

 

Cayo

Located in western Belize, on the border with Guatemala, Cayo is the largest by area and the third-most densely populated District. The Capital of Belize, Belmopan, is located in this District, but the most populated city is San Ignacio. San Ignacio is known for its rolling hills, beautiful forests, and many tourist attractions. There are several Mayan ruin sites in the district, with the two most popular being Xunantunich and Cahal Pech. You may choose to go cave tubing down a couple different rivers and explore some caves and ancient ruins. Or you can read some excellent reviews for San Ignacio Restaurants on this TripAdvisor list. The current top three activities according to TripAdvisor are; Green Iguana Conservation Project, Cahal Pech Mayan Ruins and the San Ignacio Market. Click through to browse all San Ignacio Activities.

 

Stann Creek

Stann Creek District is to the south of Belize City and gets its name from the old world term stanns which means safe haven. Its most populous city is Dangriga, which is known as the cultural center of Belize due to the settlement of the Garifuna people. The Garifuna are rich in culture with their food, music, and dance. They are the descendants of two slave ships that wrecked in 1635. Placencia is also located here and is a major tourist spot as well as a retirement destination. It is located on the coast on a peninsula known to have some of the best white sand beaches in Belize, which gives it an island feel. Click here for my Useful Placencia Vacation Information. You will find no shortage of Things to do and see in Placencia on the traveler review list. Just north of Placencia is Hopkins, a small fishing village, and the site of a few future, beachfront housing developments. It too is known for its incredibly beautiful, sandy, white beaches. It is worth a trip to one of these towns to experience the true Belizean culture. Click here for a list of things to do in Stann Creek.

 

Toledo

Toledo is the southernmost District in Belize with Punta Gorda as its main city and also home to a Mayan Cacao (chocolate) factory. It is also the least developed District in the country; however, true adventurers will enjoy the extensive cave networks, coastal lowland plains, unspoiled rainforests, and offshore cayes. Sometimes the least developed areas are where you find true freedom and have the best fun away from the fast-paced world we are bound to. Click here for TripAdvisor’s list of things to do in Toledo.

 

Traveling Within Belize

The main highways are paved and have bus services connecting cities and towns. Car rental can be found at the international airport and in Belize City. The fastest way, of course, to get to all these great places in Belize is to fly. Read Best way to get to Ambergris Caye and other great traveler reviews on the 17 minute Tropic Air flight from Belize City to everyone’s favorite island destination.
 

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Delvin Kelly
Delvin Kelly
18:38 22 Jun 22
I just returned from my trip to Belize in mid-June 2022. I had been planning the trip weeks / months in advance and... Laurie (taco girl) wasextremely helpful in preparation for my trip. Her intimate knowledge as an expat who was ONCE a tourist, really helps because she is able to share first hand knowledge of how a tourist can explore Ambergis Caye like a "temporary local". An example of this, was she recommended 2 yoga classes for my wife to enjoy while on vacation that we would not have known about otherwise and the class was far better than a class arranged by a hotel, as you get the local experience not a staged one. In addition, she was helpful in providing recommendations for dinner and sharing some discounts she has arranged with local retailers. Reviewing the taco girl blog and reaching out to Laurie is like having a tour guide, but more important a tour guide that KNOWS Belize.read more
G
G
22:52 16 Jun 22
From the perspective of a couple preparing for a permanent move to Belize, Laurie has been enthusiastically helpful in... both answering our questions and connecting us with local resources for our move. Highly recommend you contact her and make use of her valuable services!!!read more
Darrell Moore
Darrell Moore
13:15 18 Apr 22
Laurie was super helpful in providing places to eat, things to do and best yet had ongoing blogs that allowed us to... look back on other places that she pointed out. A fantastic resource for both first time and return visitors of Ambergris Caye!read more
B W
B W
18:01 08 Feb 22
Fantastic service .I needed to find a place where I could buy a local sim card as my UK sim doesnt work in belize and... Tacogirl put me on the right path .Decided to walk across town and discovered so much more in beautiful San Pedro.Many thanks.BWread more
Kristi Palm
Kristi Palm
20:40 12 Oct 21
We have been using TacoGirl for what feels like decades when planning our trips to Belize! It has only been a few... years but she is the first place we stop to see what is happening in our favorite vacation spot. She knows all the best spots to get away and do so many fun things - whether it is relaxing or exploring! We are planning our next trip with our twins and she was the first person I reached out to. Knowing we have a resource like her, makes trip planning a breeze!read more
D Zep
D Zep
12:39 01 Oct 21
Found tacogirl while doing some research on an upcoming trip to Belize. This is the place for all the information you... need to plan your vacation. Incredibly helpful and responsive. I sent an email with lots of questions and received a very quick and detailed response that helped us finalize our plans.read more
Kelley Adams
Kelley Adams
20:19 21 Sep 21
We have been following TacoGirl for years now and before booking any trip to San Pedro we check to see what is... currently happening. We love the emails to let us know when a new blog has been posted. Keep up the great work Laurie, we feel like we know you.read more
Pamela Nixon
Pamela Nixon
18:36 20 Sep 21
I first got my Passport in 2012 and Taco Girl was my first connection back then Great then and Marvelous Now! She's... blossomed and developed into a wonderful contact for any and all information Belize. She goes above & beyond to respond with information that you need whether visiting Belize or relocating! I wasn't able to fund the move then but now that I have much more equity I am doing it.This time she was the 1st person I reached out to! Now I am selling and moving to Belize. She responds immediately! Like I do in my Pet Sitting Business! I was so impressed I followed her all this time. And was not disappointed!Pamela Nixonread more
Chris S
Chris S
17:12 17 Sep 21
Wanted to give a shout-out to tacogirl belize for helping us! She is a plethora of knowledge and was super helpful and... responsive in helping us find longer term stay on the island. Thank you so much for your help!read more
Ty Willingham
Ty Willingham
01:47 20 Aug 21
I've spent the last month exploring Belize. I'm retired & seriously considering moving down to Belize permanently from... the US. I contacted the local San Pedro expert "Taco Girl" to help me get started in finding an apartment to rent. With her help, I've located several places that meet my needs & budget requirements. Thank you Laurie!read more
Greg Cox
Greg Cox
18:58 04 Aug 21
I am very glad I found you and asked you a question about a spice in Belize. You helped me figure out the name of it... and where i could buy it. You went above and beyond to help. Thanks again.read more
Katherine Jones
Katherine Jones
18:41 02 Aug 21
I am so grateful for the time and energy Laurie has taken to share about her experiences traveling to and living in... Belize as well as provide thorough recommendations for planning a trip there. I was so thankful (and honestly surprised) that Laurie took the time to respond to several of my questions via email. I highly recommend reading Laurie's blogs and helping to support her business. Thank you Laurie!!read more
Greg R
Greg R
02:12 29 Jun 21
tacogirl was very nice to share her knowledge with us and assisted with planning our trip to Belize; thank you for the... help and info, it was helpful and allowed us to plan utilize our time accordingly while both on the mainland and islands of this great country.read more
Katherine Carlson
Katherine Carlson
18:46 02 Jun 21
As a Canadian—tired of long winters—I cannot wait to spend some time in Belize. I haven't set foot yet, but I am... yearning for lots of Caribbean adventure. Thanks so much to tacogirl for her endless enthusiasm and generosity of spirit. She is a constant stream of up-to-date information. Her knowledge and love of the area is priceless, and I will need her expertise for future endeavours!read more
Kathleen Ward
Kathleen Ward
18:29 02 Jun 21
We started coming to Ambergis Caye in 2014 and stumble on to Tacogirls blog, so glad we did! We used her 15% discount... at The Premier Duty-Free shop in the airport! It worked great all we did was let them know we read it on her blog . She has great information awesome pictures, we have tried several places she has recommended, all were amazing. Highly recommend reading her blog. Kathleenread more
ksniegoc1
ksniegoc1
17:45 02 Jun 21
It was my first time visiting Belize and San Pedro so naturally I had a ton of questions when it came time to planning... the travel. Taco Gril's blog was an invaluable source of information for all the travel questions in Ambergris Caye. I was able to learn a lot of basic information, as well as many tips and tricks. In addition when I reached out to Taco Girl for advice on finding a local photographer and a restaurant recommendation, she was very quick to respond and gave me many helpful suggestions. She also provided a lot more information from a local's point of view, which was much for valuable than than a typical guidebook. Thanks to her helpful suggestions we were able to celebrate my daughter's birthday at a nice restaurant, and had a great photo family session with a local photographer. I'm very thankful for all her resources and knowledge.read more
Myra F
Myra F
01:30 25 Mar 21
I started coming to San Pedro Belize in 2007 and that is when I met the online presence of Taco Girl. Her blogs on the... island and area are very personable and informative. She gives out promo codes from time to time so watch out for those. You cannot go wrong with someone who was a tourist and now lives here for quality info. Thanks Taco Girl for helping make my trips memorable!read more
Corey Holm
Corey Holm
04:38 25 Feb 20
I take the seniors from our academy to Belize every year for their senior trip. One of the first people I contact when... I start planning the trip is Laurie with TacoGirl Belize. She knows the island of San Pedro better than anyone else out there. Trust me, I have looked. If you are looking for the best restaurants, hang outs and shops then Laurie help plan your vacation.read more
Carol Taylor
Carol Taylor
15:53 24 Feb 20
Love Taco Girl Blog @LaurieNorton!I've been reading this blog since I started visiting Ambergris Caye in Belize almost... 10 years ago. It is filled with helpful up-to-date information and recommendations that I wouldn't necessarily find on my own. Laurie Norton's knowledge and extensive network on the island provides her with the ability to share perks/discounts/coupons with her readers, which come in handy year after year. Things on the island change daily - new businesses pop up constantly and LaurieNortonstays on top of these developments. Whenever I plan my return trip to the island, I always check her blog first - and I recommend you do the same. Trip Advisor ain't got nuttin' on Taco Girl!read more
Heidi
Heidi
20:01 20 Feb 20
Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s always nice... to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. There is so much information it's amazing! Thank you Laurie!!!read more
Nick Goodman
Nick Goodman
21:23 30 Nov 19
I am considering a move to Belize and I have serendipitously found tacogirl.....what a treasure! She is full of great... advice, helpful hints.....knows everybody on Ambergris Caye and has a thousand useful recommendations and suggestions. Whether you are planning a vacation or relocating, you should make use of the many services she has to offer…..read more
KellyDivePhotography
KellyDivePhotography
20:58 30 Nov 19
I’m so pleased to see tacogirl's blog on Google. Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and local... information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. I especially enjoy her guest articles, providing a different perspective of all things San Pedro. Her tipping quide is a classic, and don’t forget her Tropic Air flight code and on-island discounts. You’re not up-to-date with what’s going on in San Pedro if you’re not regularly reading tacogirl's blog.read more
Sandra Godfrey
Sandra Godfrey
15:58 23 Nov 19
I have known Laurie (Taco Girl) for several years. She has been a wealth of good information for me in all of my... pursuits in Belize. I highly recommend her for any services you may require.read more
William Jones
William Jones
13:39 06 May 19
Do yourself a favor. Read this BEFORE any trip to San Pedro - Ambergris Caye or Belize in general. Not saying “do what... everyone else says”, but Laurie has frank and honest info which will make your stay in country a little more fun, a little more informative, and often at a great cost savings. Best thing: it’s unbiased, honest, and factual. Personal note: thank you for your personal tailored help in answering mine (and my wife’s) questions.read more
Kimberly Robinson
Kimberly Robinson
18:28 03 May 19
Taco Girl (Laurie) is amazing. She has so much knowledge about Belize and has great connections with many of the... businesses in Belize. Because of her connections she is able to offer many perks and discounts that you wouldn't have been able to find otherwise. She is super responsive and I always go to her for all my travel needs. From golf cart rentals, to spas, to places to eat. She's got the inside scoop on all!read more
Michael Rieck
Michael Rieck
20:22 21 Apr 19
Since 2003, my wife and I have been to Ambergris at least once a year to experience the fantastic diving. About twelve... years ago we me Tacogirl on a blog giving us discounts on golf carts, local airfares, and restaurants. Over the years we have grown a friendship and I look forward to her weekly blogs about he changes on my favorite home away from home. The island changes every year, and she always shows you what to see, do, and eat.read more
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Belize Blog Est. 2007

belize travel specialist

ABOUT ME

I took the plunge and moved to San Pedro Town on the Island of Ambergris Caye, off the coast of Belize, Central America. Originally from Canada, I made the life-changing move to escape winter for good (in 2006) after one three week vacation. If you have any questions or want Belize help planning and booking, please feel free to contact me.

SPARKING MY DESIRE

A few childhood memories that shaped my desire to move to Belize from a young age. Sailing in the Virgin Islands, seeing a rainbow out the window of an island hopper as we flew from Virgin Islands to Puerto Rico, Christmas in Hawaii and many trips to Florida.

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