For over 20 years, Pamela Lanier's Belize City, Belize Travel Guide has been your connection to Belize City's tourism community with invaluable details on local attractions, restaurants, shopping, museums, history, outdoor recreation and more.
The Beat of Belize
Performances and entertainment in Belize City is somewhat varied, ranging from concerts, dance performances and plays, to the ever present casino and bars. The performances are spread out through the year, so make sure to call your bed and breakfast innkeeper to find out what will be happening during your stay. The Princess Hotel & Casino is the only casino in the city but is more than capable of satisfying any gambling urges the bed and breakfast traveler would feel. It also hosts two restaurants, one of which turns into one of the few hopping bars in Belize City come nightfall. The bars tend to hug the coast and cater to both tourists and locals.
Belize City has its own special festivals to observe; Garifuna Settlement Day, Belize City Carnival, and Baron Bliss Day. Garifuna Settlement Day, on November 19th, celebrates the first appearance of the Garifuna in the Caribbean. They were originally shipwrecked slaves, who then mingled with the native Caribs, and gave birth to a very unique cultural group. Belize City Carnival is held in September and consists of brightly costumed locals dancing their hearts out to the beat of Afro-Cuban music. Venders have a hay-day and locals and visitors alike join in this celebration of the cultures that make up Belize City. Baron Bliss Day, held on March 9th, commemorates the generosity of Baron Henry Edward Ernest Victor Bliss, who upon his death left Belize a trust fund to be used for the betterment of Belizeans. He is considered Belize’s biggest benefactor and numerous buildings, parks and memorials are dedicated to him. Baron Bliss Day is celebrated by an annual boat regatta in Belize City, and smaller boat races in other cities around Belize.
