Belmopan
Belize is a country on the east coast of Central America, where it borders Mexico and Guatemala. The country has a coast in the east with the Caribbean Sea.
Belmopan is Best For
Directions to Belmopan
- Belmopan
Unlike most other capital cities in the world, Belmopan, the capital of Belize, is not the first largest city, but the third largest in the country. Founded recently in 1970 as a planned community, Belmopan is one of the newest capital cities in the world. The city was built 76 meters inland from the city of Belize, the country's former capital. The destruction of the latter by Hurricane Hattie required the need to move the capital to an interior area that would be less vulnerable to hurricanes.
Belmopan CityBelmopan became the capital of Belize in 1961 after a hurricane destroyed the old government buildings in Belize City. Today, this site is home to approximately 20,000 inhabitants and is located at the junction of the Western Highway and the Colibri Highway that leads to the coastal regions of southern Belize. The town lacks tourist infrastructure compared to nearby San Ignacio, so most travelers overlook Belmopan as they head to their destination.
For those who have time in Belmopan, they can visit the open-air market place near the bus station, where there are fruit and vegetable stand and tasty and cheap meals. Here you can enjoy authentic local cuisine that has both Belize and Latin influences. Accommodation in the village is limited, but there are some hostels in the surrounding mountains where horseback riding and bird watching enthusiasts can choose to install their camps.
