Welcome to Belmopan City – The Capital of Belize

The Capital of Belize – Belmopan City, is a beautiful destination to visit on your next Belize trip. Belmopan is located in the Cayo District, Belize and is a short 1 hour dive from Belize City.  The City is designed with a Ring Road being encompassing the central area and leading off into every other destination in Belmopan.

Belmopan became the Capital of Belize in 1962 after the former Capitial (Belize City) suffered a great destruction by Hurricane Hattie in 1961. The famous National Assembly Building (photographed above) is a beautiful structure in the main center of the City and was designed to resemble a Pre-Colombian Maya Temple.

The city is known to be a laid back and relaxing place to visit. It is also the safer of the two cities in Belize. Belmopan City is rapidly growing from a quiet destination to a thriving city in Belize as the population, businesses and activities in the city increase. Here are 3 fun activities to do while in the Capital of Belize:

Go Shopping at the Belmopan City Market Day (Every Tuesday & Friday)! Here you’ll find many Belizean made products, locally produced fruits and vegetables, clothing, and local dishes from a variety of cultures. You’ll see farmers, fishermen, artisans, mobile pet stores, tradesmen, furniture makers, and people of all cultures going about their daily activities.

Visit the Guanacaste National Park! Guanacaste is a 50 acre Protected Areas named after the big and beautiful Guanacaste Tree. Among the activities to do at the park are: bird watching, swimming, picnicking and nature trails. This national park is home to tree species such as the Mamey Sapote, Brazilian Firetree, and the Mahogany, Belize’s national tree. Many animals call Guanacaste National Park home, including the Nine-Banded Armadillo, Kinkajou, White-Tailed Deer, and Jaguarundi. It has also a great place for bird watching as over a hundred species of birds have been sighted at the park including the Black-Headed Trogon, Blue-Crowned Motmot, Belted Kingfisher, Black-Faced Antthrush and Red-Lored Amazon. The National Park operates from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm and has an Entrance Fee of BZ $5.00 (BZ $1.00 for Nationals).

Go Horseback Riding at Banana Bank Lodge! They cater to different levels of experience. They also have a nice swimming pool for adults and children. It is a lovely place to stay as well if you’re wanting to stay in a destination surrounded by the jungle!

PS – If you’re looking for a great place to eat, a favorite of mine is Formosa (Nim Li Punit Street, Belmopan City). It has a nice atmosphere and they are consistent in serving great food!