Belize City
The main transport hub of Belize — a transit city connecting the cayes, the western sites, and the international airport.
Belize City is Belize's largest city and the country's principal transport junction — not a destination in itself, but unavoidable as a transit hub. Most travellers pass through quickly: buses to San Ignacio depart from the main terminal on Cemetery Road; water taxis to Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye leave from the Marine Terminal on the waterfront; and Philip Goldson International Airport (BZE) is 16 km north. The historic Swing Bridge and Fort George neighbourhood are worth a brief explore if you have a layover.
Nearby Maya Archaeological Sites
Sites most commonly visited from Belize City
Town Highlights
- Swing Bridge — the world's only manually operated swing bridge still in regular use
- Water taxi to Caye Caulker (45 min) and Ambergris Caye (1.5 hr)
- Museum of Belize — small but informative Maya artefact collection
- Lamanai river tour — best done as a day trip from here or from Orange Walk
Getting to Belize City
Philip Goldson International Airport (BZE) serves the US (American, Southwest, United), Central America, and the Caribbean. Buses from San Ignacio (2 hr), Chetumal/Mexico border (3 hr), and Flores/Guatemala (5–6 hr).
Getting to the Sites
Altun Ha: 55 km north, 1.5 hr by tour (no reliable public transport). Lamanai: 3 hr north by road or 2.5 hr up the New River by boat — strongly recommended as a day tour from Belize City.
Best base for
Transit hub for the entire country; gateway to the Northern Cayes by water taxi
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