While Belize City is the original capital and remains the most populated city in the country, Belmopan is the capital of Belize. Located in the Cayo District, 50 miles inland from the coast and at 250 feet above sea level, Belmopan has been the capital since 1970.

In 1961, Belize City took a direct hit from a Category 5 hurricane named Hattie. An estimated 75% of the buildings in Belize City were destroyed and virtually nothing was left undamaged. Then British Honduras experienced huge disruption of its primary port and the seat of government at the same time.  The move toward independence was well underway and national leaders saw the tragedy as an opportunity to create a new inland capital. A committee was tasked with finding a site for the new capital and in 1962 they decided the location of Belmopan.  The name of Belmopan comes from Belize and Mopan – the two main rivers in Belize.  Belmopan is also near the junction of two main roads: the Western Highway and the Hummingbird Highway.

In 1964, the development committee was attempting to secure funds from the British to help get the new capital off the ground. The story is told of how a British official was convinced to come to Belize to tour the site for the new capital. On the way to the site, they stopped to show the official a memorial established in his honor. While they never received all the funds requested, the Reconstruction and Development Corporation did receive enough to begin construction of the new capital in the foothills of the Pine Ridge Mountains.

Belmopan, which bills itself as “The Garden City”, is built around two main plazas.  In the center of town the Independence Plaza is surrounded by official buildings, including the National Assembly Building. The design of the National Assembly Building is homage to the Pre-Columbian Mayan architecture.  The Market Plaza is bordered by open air market stalls and the bus station. Here, visitors can find a variety of fresh foods and interesting handmade items.

Belmopan now boasts a population of approximately 16, 400. It has been a struggle to get foreign governments to recognize the status of Belmopan by establishing their embassies in the capital. It was 43 years after the selection of the new location before the United States opened an embassy in Belmopan in 2006. Belmopan is also the location of the main campus of the University of Belize. The Regional Language Centre in Belmopan is a place where Spanish speaking students from Central and South American countries come to learn English. 

Transportation

Visitors entering Belize usually arrive through the Phillip S. W. Goldson International Airport in Ladyville just outside Belize City. From there, visitors have several options. Cars can be rented at the airport for the 50 mile drive along the Western Highway.  Numerous transport companies specialize in taking tourists from one city to another. Bus service from Belize City to Belmopan is available for $6 US. Taxis and van transports are available in Belmopan, but the city is easily explored on foot.

The designation for the airstrip in Belmopan is BCV, regular commercial service is not available. Contact charter companies for flight information.

Hotels

There are several hotels in Belmopan and just 4 miles outside of town is the Belize Jungle Dome Resort. Using a hotel in the Belmopan as a base camp, visitors can make day trips to a variety of activities, including hiking, canoeing, horseback riding and exploring.

Attractions

Belmopan is literally surrounded by great attractions. Some of the activities require guides.

Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave

Located just a few miles west of Belmopan and the junction of the Western and Hummingbird highways, you will find the Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave. The name translates to Cave of the Stone Sepulcher. The cave is in the Tapir Mountain Reserve near the town of Roaring Creek. The cave can only be explored via a guided tour.  The Belize Tourism Board issues permits to tour guides as a means of protecting this important archeological location.

Sandals are not allowed inside the cave and guests are asked to wear socks to protect the cave floor from skin oil.  The cave is one of three in the valley and the only one available for tours. The cave entrance can’t be accessed by vehicle. Following a 3 mile hike (approximately 45 minutes); you’ll enter the cave through the hour glass shaped opening.  The cave was rediscovered in 1989 and opened to the public in 1998.

Visitors will take a short swim at the entrance to the cave. After that, water levels vary according to the season, but can usually be walked through.  During the wet season, the cave may be closed due to water levels.  As you tour the cave, you’ll see the 1400 artifacts dating from 1-1000 AD, including 14 human remains. The skeleton of a teenage girl nicknamed the crystal maiden is the most famous.    

You’ll make your way through a series of chambers ending the “cathedral”. Here you’ll see evidence of sacrifices to the Maya rain god known as Chac. Plan to take 4-6 hours visiting the cave. Food and beverage is not available on site, but is usually provided by tour guides. You will be wet most of your time in the cave. Guides usually provide lights and bags to help keep belongings dry.

St. Herman's Blue Hole National Park & Cave

You may be familiar with the offshore blue hole made famous by diver Jacques Cousteau, but Belize also  has an inland blue hole. The beautiful blue water of the 25-foot deep cenote (cave with a collapsed roof) is supplied by the Sibun River. The water flows though the cenote on the way to an underground cavern.  

The St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park is located on 575 acres just 12 miles southeast of Belmopan on the Hummingbird Highway.  In addition to the beautiful cenote, the park has two caves, walking paths and a picnic area.  The first entrance to the park is at the 10 mile marker. Trails lead from the visitor center near the entrance to the St. Herman Cave and the Crystal Cave. The second entrance, two miles further down the road, is adjacent to the blue hole and the picnic area.  The hummingbird loop trail connects the two entrances. The trails are a great opportunity to experience the beautiful birds and exotic animals who call Belize home.

The St. Herman’s Cave was a ritual site during the Classic Period of the Maya Empire. Inside the cave you’ll see the remains of the rituals including: pottery, spears and torches. The Crystal Cave is only accessible via guided tours. The cave has huge cavern with impressive crystalline formations.  

Zip-lining

 In the forests to the west of Belmopan, adventuresome visitors can don body harnesses, helmets and gloves to zip through the trees 80 feet above the jungle floor.  The zip lines connect 8 tree top platforms. The zip-lining takes approximately 60-90 minutes and ends with repealing down from the final platform.  

 

Cave Tubing

South of Belmopan on the Hummingbird Highway is the  Cave Branch River. From here visitors can go on hiking/tubing excursions. In some of the caves, visitors can simply float along admiring the stalactites and stalagmites. Visits to other caves require longer hikes and climbing through portions of the caves. 

 

Horseback riding

Horseback riding is also available in the area.  Horseback is a peaceful way to experience the rivers, flora and fauna of these beautiful foothills.

Dining and Nightlife

Some hotels in the area have their own restaurant and bars. Additionally, Belmopan has local restaurants for casual dining.

Shopping

The Market Square in Belmopan is a great place to find a little bit of everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to consumer goods and souvenirs.

Weather

The Cayo District of Belize where Belmopan is located receives less than 70 inches of rain a year. Cayo can be several degrees cooler than coastal locations. November, December and January are usually the coolest months with temperatures sometimes going as low as the mid 40s F. May through September are the warmest months.