Belmopan

Belmopan became Belize's capital in 1970, replacing Belize City after Hurricane Hattie. You'll find it 50 miles inland in the Cayo District, framed by tropical forests and the Belize River. The city's circular design focuses on the National Assembly Building, a concrete government complex with angular shapes reflecting ancient Maya designs. Around 25,000 people live here, many working in ministries or embassies clustered near Independence Plaza. From Belmopan, you can reach St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park in 25 minutes by car, explore the underground rivers at Nohoch Cheʼen, or visit the Xunantunich Maya ruins near the Guatemalan border.

Key Reasons to Stay in Belmopan

Use Belmopan as a base to organize trips across central Belize. Government buildings fill the downtown area, but you’re never far from nature – the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve starts 45 minutes southwest, and the Belize River runs 3 miles north. The George Price Centre displays photographs and documents about Belize’s independence movement. Walk through Guanacaste National Park to see 500-year-old guanacaste trees, some with trunks wider than a car. St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park lets you swim in a circular limestone sinkhole surrounded by jungle.

Transportation Options

Fly into Philip Goldson International Airport near Belize City, then take the George Price Highway west for 50 miles. Public buses leave Belize City’s terminal every 90 minutes; look for buses labeled “Belmopan” and expect a 75-minute ride. Shared taxis from the airport cost about $25 per person. Renting a car makes sense if you plan to visit remote areas like Caracol ruins. Within Belmopan, most hotels and restaurants sit within walking distance of the bus terminal.

What to See and Do

Begin at the National Assembly Building, where free tours explain how architects incorporated Maya motifs into 1970s concrete design. Guanacaste National Park, a 10-minute drive east, has a 1-mile loop trail passing medicinal plants and strangler fig trees. Book a cave tubing tour at Nohoch Cheʼen to float through underground chambers with headlamps illuminating stalactites. At St. Herman’s Blue Hole, hike 30 minutes through forest to reach the 25-foot-deep swimming hole. Day trips to Xunantunich involve climbing a 130-foot pyramid overlooking the Mopan River, while Caracol’s massive ruins sit deeper in the Chiquibul Forest.

Weather Patterns and Ideal Travel Months

Expect afternoon rain showers from June through December, with the heaviest downpours in June and October. February to April brings drier weather, perfect for hiking and river activities. Temperatures stay between 75°F at night and 88°F during midday year-round. Visit in September for Independence Day street parties with drum parades and fire dances. Don’t miss the Agric Show in late April, where farmers display tropical fruits like soursop and breadfruit near the civic center.

Local Meals and Food Markets

Order fry jacks (fried dough triangles) with refried beans for breakfast at street stalls near the bus terminal. The Market Square fills with vendors on Tuesday and Friday mornings selling tamales, coconut bread, and gibnut meat stews. Try Belizean-Chinese combinations like chili chicken with fried rice at Yim Saan restaurant. For quick lunches, buy panades (fried corn cakes with fish) from sidewalk carts. Evenings bring grills serving whole snapper with plantains near the National Assembly Building.

Accommodation Choices

El Rey Inn offers budget rooms with ceiling fans two blocks from the main bus stop. Garden City Hotel has air-conditioned units and serves johnnycakes with breakfast. Stay at Banana Bank Lodge to sleep in wooden cabins beside the Belize River, where howler monkeys wake you at dawn. Most lodgings can book guided tours – ask about ATM Cave expeditions or birdwatching trips to Blue Hole National Park.

Staying Safe and Managing Logistics

Belmopan has lower crime rates than Belize City, but keep valuables hidden in crowded areas. English remains the primary language, though you’ll hear Spanish and Kriol in markets. Exchange USD to Belize dollars for small purchases – $1 USD equals $2 BZD. Buses to San Ignacio leave every hour until 6 PM; confirm departure times with your hotel.

Extension Trips from Belmopan

Drive 90 minutes west to San Ignacio for its lively Saturday market and Cahal Pech ruins. Head southeast to Dangriga (2 hours) for snorkeling trips to Tobacco Caye on the barrier reef. Adventurers continuing to Guatemala’s Tikal can catch direct buses from San Ignacio, 30 miles beyond Belmopan.