Belize City
     A city of 50,000 people, with another 10,000 in the "suburbs," will likely figure in a travelers' itinerary (because of the international airport). Belize City is small, crowded and undergoing improvements, with it's historic interest (merits a day's tour). Some old frame houses on stilts are being fixed up, and several Victorian mansions have been converted into small bed-and-breakfast inns with restaurants. The city's three major hotels also have been renovated. Even so, Belize 's biggest city has a long way to go before it will be considered charming. Most visitors who overnight there stay in the northern part of the city in Fort George , considered the nicest neighborhood. The area has a small lighthouse and a park with good views of the water. To reach the heart of the city, you'll cross the Swing Bridge , one of the few manually operated bridges still in use. Nearby is the Belize Commercial Center, which has produce and fish markets as well as arts-and-crafts stands. Farther south is the Bliss Institute, which contains a library and several Maya exhibits and artifacts; St. John's Cathedral, the oldest Anglican cathedral in Central America; and the House of Culture, formerly Government House (built in 1814). Near the U.S. Embassy is the new Museum of Belize , featuring Maya exhibits from the Archeological Department in Belmopan as well as historical artifacts from Belize City .
      Travelers wanting to get to Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker by boat go to the harbor area near the Swing Bridge , where vessels leave about every hour and a half daily. (Going by boat can be wonderful, but don't attempt it in rough weather) And the Belize Zoo, on the road to Belmopan , can be reached by taxi or bus. Although you can see many of the country's indigenous animals in the wild, we didn't get to see all of them until we visited the zoo (the zoo is really a kind of wildlife preserve, with more than 100 animals residing in spacious habitats lush with vegetation. The jaguar's enclave is so dense with flora that we waited for several minutes before the sleek cat appeared, posed for a few pictures and then slunk back into the greenery). The zoo is a must-see if your interests include native animals. Morning is the best time to visit; afternoons can be steamy.