TravelTips24 : North America : Central America : Belize : Northern Belize : Corozal Town

Corozal Town

Corozal Town in Northern Belize lies on the Caribbean Sea, 9 miles from the Mexican border. It has a population of approximately 8,100, and is the capital of the district of Corozal.

Culture and History

The people tend to be very friendly. If you are young or have long hair you are likely to be offered marijuana regularly, some people may even offer to take you back to their plants in the jungle for smokes and beers. They may seem to be a little insistent, but don't worry about telling them no, or "not in Belize", they are just being friendly, and are not part of some huge drug cartel.

Corozal is a small and sleepy town with great views of the bay. If you want to rest, this is a great stop. If you arrive on Sunday, you'll find most businesses closed, although a few of the small restaurants and general stores will be open.

Language 

Official language in Belize is English

English, Spanish and Kriol are the most common language use in the Town.

Travel to Corozal Town & Visa Requirements

  • Very regular buses are available between Corozal Town and Chetumal in Mexico, running about every 20 or 30 minutes during thhe day. The journey lasts about 1 hour and costs around US$4.
  • Fairly regular and inexpensive buses are also available to and from Belize City and Belmopan, as well as other destinations in the country.
  • Tropic Air[1] and Maya Island Air[2] offer flights on smaller prop-driven aircraft between Corozal and Belize City, San Pedro, and Caye Caulker, as well as many other less-traveled Belize towns.
  • The Thunderbolt Ferry[3] runs between San Pedro and Corozal (also stopping in Sarteneja if requested), twice daily in each direction. The trip takes about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Corozal Town city tours

  • Visit a nearby butterfly farm
  • Visit the small Maya Ruins of Santa Rita[4],[5], minutes away.
  • Boat trips to nearby islands (Some leave from the Thunderbolt Dock.)
  • Rest and Relaxation
  • Visit the Cerros Ruins across Corozal Bay. The easiest way to reach the ruins is by boat, usually hireable at the main dock east of downtown, but the site can also be reached by road. Follow the Cerros Ruins signs on the road to Copper Bank and Sarteneja, but be careful, it is a ~10-mile dirt road which can be very washed out following bad weather, especially hurricanes. The direction to Cerros may also not be terribly well marked, but if you take the left path at major forks in the road, you should find it fairly easily. Again, hiring a boat in Corozal will definitely be quicker and easier, but taking the road will give you a chance to ride one of the hand-cranked ferries seen throughout Belize (no charge for the ferry, but feel free to tip or buy juice or snacks the ferry pilots have for sale).

Corozal Town souvenirs & shopping

The town has a fairly wide selection of shops, it is possible to buy clothing, food, kitchen and garden equipment, electronic goods, bicycles and more. During the day there is a market close to the bus station selling a variety of local products, such as fruit.

There are three banks in Corozal, two of them foreign with ATMs, but these will only accept Visa or Mastercard. The local 'Belize Bank' also has an ATM and will accept other cards such as Maestro, but it's reliability is questionable; you may end up having to wait inside the bank for an hour before they give you back your card and tell you its not working today. Within the banks you are likely to find very long queues.

It is possible to change Mexican and Belizean money on the street here, and this is legal and certainly safe if you do it next to the border checkpoint. You can also change money inside the customs office, but the rates are often less good, cash advances on credit cards are available here but a large "handling" fee is charged. If you are leaving the country and need to pay the exit tax it is a good idea to take money out in Corozal instead. Without a credit card you will have to withdraw money at the Belize Bank in Corozal or take out Mexican Pesos on the other side of the border, and change this into Belize dollars.

Restaurants

  • Romantic Restaurant, located in Hotel Mirador, Chinese restaurant (takeaway also available), tel:4220013. 10AM-11PM. Prices from US$2.50 to US$12.50 plenty of food is served.

  • Cactus plaza Mexican food, #6 6th street, tel:4220394/4220281.

  • Patty's Bistro, Belizean and Mexican food #13, 4th Avenue, Tel:4020174.
  • Venky's Kabab Corner, 5th Avenue, tel: 4020 536. Provides vegetarian and non-vegetarian Indian food in large quantites. $15 Belizean ($7.50 US) for more than one person could eat. Opposite the immigration office, within a couple of blocks of 4th Street, not far from the Hok'ol K'in Guest house.

  • Marcelo's Pizza, #25 4th Avenue, tel:4223275. Delivery.
  • Al's Cafe. Belizean and Mexican.
  • Vamps Bar & Grill. Belizean.
  • Marisol, beside Esso Gas station. Mexican.
  • Sports Bar, American.

  • 'RD'S DINER (International & Belizean Cusine)

Dine in an air conditioned, elegant and non-smoking atmosphere. Situated on #7-4th Avenue Corozal town We accept all major Credit cards

Phone/ Fax (501)422-3796 E-MAIL: rds_diner@hotmail.com Website" www.rdsdinerbelize.com

APPETIZER BREAKFAST ** LUNCH ** DINNER FAST FOOD/SEAFOOD / STEAKS Opening hours: 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. CLOSED on Tuesdays

Corozal Town nightlife, bars, clubs & pubs

There are several bars around the town, beers cost around $2 BZD for a half English pint bottle (284ml).