Want to see the real face of Belize? A trip to the northern district of Orange Walk, where sugar is king and Mestizos set the cultural tone, offers a symphony of sites, fragrances and sounds that you won’t find elsewhere in this diverse nation. Cuisine and architecture rely heavily on Spanish influences because the populace in this area are mainly descendants of Spanish and Maya settlers. It’s an exotic place–a land where hardwood trees coexist with sugar crops. Drive here. Take a bus. Book a guided tour. No matter how you get here, prepare to be fascinated.
How to get to Orange Walk
If you’re coming from Belize City and have access to a car, use the Northern Highway (once the Belize-Corozal Road and now the Philip Goldson Highway) to make the quick journey to Orange Walk or grab inexpensive, round-trip bus tickets if you have no car. The bus will let you off at a stop outside the Banquitas House of Culture on Main Street. Eager to have someone else take care of your visit to Orange Walk? Tour companies offer guided trips to and from the District, so put your visit into their hands and you are sure to see the most distinct sites and landmarks.
What to see and do in Orange Walk Town
The Orange Walk downtown area a casual stroller’s dream. Visit the market between Corozal Road and Main Street early in the morning and then browse shops or check out restaurants. Sample signature breakfast tacos from street carts and shop to your heart’s content using U.S. dollars, but if a shop will only take Belize bucks, the Belize Bank on Main Street will give you the best conversion rates. If you stay busy enough, your appetite will return fast, so turn again to street vendors to nibble on local dishes like Salbutes, tortilla-wrapped barbecue chicken or any of the ethnic cuisines represented at the Fort Cairns market square. If you require a sit-down meal because you’re just that exhausted, try the San Francisco Restaurant, Juanita’s or Nahil Mayab.
What to see and do out of Orange Walk Town
No visit to Orange Walk is complete without visiting Lamanai, Mayan ruins set deeply into the jungle that’s reached by river. Along the route, see if you can spot the locals: crocodiles, spider monkeys, fruit bats and herons. Guided tours to Lamanai and/or Corozal where more ruins, a gorgeous bay, the Progresso Lagoon and access to Chetumal, Mexico give you plenty of sightseeing choices, so bring your passport. Expand your Orange Walk District tour by visiting August Pine Ridge, San Pablo and San Narciso, home to Belize Mennonite communities that are another example of this area’s diverse cultural mix. Haven’t had your fill of nature? The Rio Bravo area covers nearly a quarter-million acres of forests, savannas and marshes. If you decide to roam around here, bring a supply of those tasty, street vendor-made tacos along for sustenance.
Where to stay in Orange Walk Town
How about a romantic river side cabin that’s just a short walk to the downtown area? Book your Orange Walk accommodations at El Gran Mestizo Riverside Cabins for the charm, amenities and tranquility. Standard and premium cabins may require advance registration, because these affordable lodgings book fast. Every cabin is decorated in regional style; even the beds are handcrafted of Tinta and Negrito woods harvested nearby. A surprisingly eclectic menu of dishes cooked to order by the Maracas Bar & Grill staff are so international in their variety, you won’t want to dine elsewhere once you sample daily menus. A fully-stocked bar and some of the friendliest faces in Belize will spoil you if stay here on the historic New River where the gentle flow of the water has been known to sing a lullaby to guests staying the night.