The Best Places to Visit in Belize (Besides the Best Fried Chicken in Belize City)
Some days, you just want a Quickly escape island life and head to the mainland. This trip starts with a simple plan: leave the island, make some of your favorite stops in Belize City, and then head west to one of the best places to visit in Belize in search of jungle, rivers, and adventure.
Departing Ambergris Caye by plane (Maya Island Air)
The day begins at Maya Island Air, with the sign right behind us as a sign that we are doing this the easy way. Without long preparations, without big speeches, simply Get on the plane for an adventure to the continent..
There’s also a fun twist: the final destination remains a surprise at first. That’s part of the charm of quick trips to Belize. You can start with one goal and then end up with some unexpected favorites along the way.
A couple of simple travel notes that make days from island to mainland more peaceful:
- Keep your plan flexible if you connect to a car rental or make stops in the city.
- A short flight can turn an entire day into a multi-stop adventure, rather than a long trip.
Landing in Belize City: a quick stopover before the real adventure
Landing in Belize City (pronounced “buh-LEEZ”, but locals tend to say it quickly). This is the first stop and is more of a stopover than the final plan. The goal is to rent a car, run a couple of errands, have lunch, and then get back on the road.
There is a lot of talk about Belize City and it sometimes makes travelers nervous. The honest opinion is pretty simple: it depends on where you are, like in any city.
This is the practical way to think about it:
- Many of the places visitors really want (stores, malls, restaurants) are in areas where people move through every day.
- There are places you should avoid and the south side is the one that appears most frequently.
- There is generally no reason for a visitor to go to the south side.since the shopping and dining stops that most people want are elsewhere.
If Belize City is on your route, it doesn’t have to be intimidating. Treat it like a normal stop in town, know where you’re going, and stick to areas that match your plans.
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Rent a Car in Belize City: Crystal Auto Rental
The next stop is Cristal. Car rental in Belize City. They have two branches, one at the international airport and one in Belize City, making it easy if you arrive by plane or come by water taxi.
What stands out most is how convenient the collection is. They sacrifice free pickup from the airport or water taxi, which can remove a lot of friction from travel days when you’re juggling suitcases, time, and family schedules.
Some reasons why this place becomes a repeat option:
- Free pick up from the airport or water taxi.
- Consistent customer service
- Simple rentals, without dramas or surprises
With keys in hand and everything running smoothly, it’s time to tour Belize City the right way, quick stops, a good meal, and then head straight into the interior of the continent.
A classic Belize City errand stop: Mirab (HomeGoods Vibes + Ashley’s Furniture Upstairs)
The first stop in the city is Mirab. And yes, it’s the kind of place where you walk in saying you don’t need anything and then find something anyway.
If you are from the US and try to imagine it, Mirab looks a lot like household items. It’s the kind of store where you can browse household items, small finds, and random practical things you didn’t know you were missing. Then upstairs, change to a different category, the top floor has Ashley Furniturewith sofas and larger pieces.
That’s why it’s such a common stop for people who live in the Keys or anyone settling in Belize. You can do a quick tour and get the essentials out, or you can wander around and turn a “ten minute” stop into a full outing.
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Real Tip for Moving to Belize: Bring Your Bedding
One of the most helpful tips shared on this trip is about something most people forget until it’s too late: towels and sheets.
When people move to Belize, it’s smart to bring their own quality bedding. Thick towels like those found in nice hotels can be hard to find, and when quality ones are found, they can cost quite a bit.
Mirab has a decent selection and is a good backup when you’re in a pinch.
If you’re packing for a move (or even a long stay), this simple takeaway is worth repeating: Pack your sheets and towels, save money and hassle..
Lunch in Belize City: Friendship Chinese Restaurant and Fried Chicken Stop
Every big day of travel needs a food anchor, a place you look forward to before you even park the car. In Belize City, that place is Friendship Chinese Restaurant.
From the outside it might look like a hole in the wall. But step inside and the smell will tell you everything you need to know. It’s a popular lunch spot, so expect a constant flow of people coming and going when lunch time rolls around.
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What to order at Amistad
The main dish is fried chicken. It is described as one of the best in Belize City and is a common stop on trips around the city. There is even a rumor about the secret, a little Marie Sharp Hot Sauce in the recipe. That’s not confirmed (no kitchen tour was given), but it fits the flavor profile that keeps people coming back.
Along with chicken, another favorite order is Singapore noodles, a curry noodle dish with shrimp, pork and chicken. It’s a solid takeaway when you’re about to travel again and want something that travels well.
Why this place remains on the short list:
- The food is consistent, trip after trip.
- It’s easy to get to when you’re passing through town.
- The staff is friendly, which matters more than people think on a day trip.
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The kind of hospitality you remember
There is a personal story tied to this restaurant that says a lot about the atmosphere. After having their son Mateo, this was one of the first places they ate out. The waitresses were so welcoming that they offered to hold the baby while the parents ate. They held him while they were still serving him drinks and food.
Now, when they return, the staff still asks about him: “Where is Mateo? Where is the baby?” Even when he’s not with them.
That kind of warmth turns a simple lunch stop into a tradition. And traditions are what make traveling personal.
The Art Box: a must-see stop on the way to Cayo
Unless it’s Sunday, there is one stop that almost always happens on the way to the Cayo district: The Art Box.
It started as a cool place to find locally made crafts and items, but has grown into a full-fledged destination. It now includes a cafeteria with excellent coffee, as well as a detail that is always mentioned, the unique bathrooms.
It’s the kind of stop that breaks up the trip in the best way. Stretch your legs, grab a drink, and pick up something small and local before hitting the road again.
Some things that stand out:
- Locally made crafts and gifts.
- A cafe for a coffee and a quick reset.
- Venmo is accepted
- Bathrooms that are memorable enough to be part of the stop.
Coming to the Cayo District: one of the best places to visit in Belize for adventure
After errands in Belize City, lunch, and a stop at Art Box, the scene changes. You will arrive in the Cayo district, a lush area of Belize known for its agriculture and often called the breadbasket of the Caribbean.
If you’re the type of traveler who likes jungle views, days on the river, and nature, Cayo makes a strong case as one of the best places to visit in Belize.
What you can do in Cayo
Cayo is built for adventure. The trip highlights some of the biggest attractions:
- Jungles and rivers
- ATM Cave
- mayan ruins
- cave pipe
- Much more to fill a week, not just a day
If your dream trip to Belize includes doing something active in the morning and cooling off near the water later, Cayo matches that pace.
Cayo Real Estate and Life Options
For anyone thinking beyond vacations and into owning property on the mainland, Cayo is also a region to watch. You can browse current listings through these pages:
Reach out directly for more information on premier real estate in Cayo, using email info@lunarealtybelize.com
Conclusion
This quick tour of the continent is a good reminder that trips to Belize don’t have to be complicated to be memorable. A short flight from Ambergris Caye, a convenient stopover in Belize City (rental car, Mirab, and a fried chicken lunch), then a coffee stop and a drive into the green heart of Caye. If you are creating a list of best places to visit in BelizeThis mix of city flavors and adventure in Cayo is hard to beat. Where would you stop first, at the fried chicken counter, at the Art Box coffee shop, or right in the jungle?