Best Places to Visit in Belize (Plus Belize City’s Best Fried Chicken)
Some days, you just want a quick escape from island life and head to the mainland. This trip starts with a simple plan, get off the island, make a few favorite stops in Belize City, then head west to one of the best places to visit in Belize for jungle, rivers, and adventure.
Leaving Ambergris Caye by Plane (Maya Island Air)
The day kicks off at Maya Island Air, with the sign right behind us as the cue that we’re doing this the easy way. No long build-up, no big speech, just hop on the plane for an adventure to the mainland.
There’s also a fun twist, the final destination stays a surprise at first. That’s part of the charm of quick Belize trips. You might start with one goal, then end up with a few unexpected favorites along the way.
A couple simple travel notes that make island-to-mainland days feel smoother:
- Keep your plan flexible if you’re connecting to a car rental or making stops in town.
- A short flight can turn a whole day into a multi-stop adventure, instead of a long travel slog.
Landing in Belize City
A Quick Layover before the Real Adventure
Touchdown in Belize City (pronounced “buh-LEEZ,” but often said fast by locals). This is the first stop, and it’s more of a layover than the final plan. The goal is to grab a rental car, run a couple errands, get lunch, then get back on the road.
Belize City gets talked about a lot, and sometimes it makes travelers nervous. The honest take is pretty simple: it depends where you are, just like any city.
Here’s the practical way to think about it:
- Many of the places visitors actually want (stores, shopping, restaurants) are in areas that people move through every day.
- There are places you should avoid, and the southside is the one that comes up most often.
- There’s usually no reason for a visitor to go to the southside, since the shopping and dining stops most people want are elsewhere.
If Belize City is on your route, it doesn’t have to be intimidating. Treat it like a normal city stop, know where you’re going, and stick to the areas that match your plans.
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Renting a Car in Belize City: Crystal Auto Rental
Next stop is Crystal Auto Rental in Belize City. They have two branches, one at the international airport and one in Belize City, which makes it easy if you’re arriving by air, or if you’re coming in from the water taxi.
What stands out most is how convenient they make pickup. They offer complimentary pickup from either the airport or the water taxi, which can remove a lot of friction from travel days when you’re juggling bags, timing, and a family schedule.
A few reasons this spot becomes a repeat choice:
- Complimentary pickup from the airport or water taxi
- Customer service that stays consistent
- Rentals that feel simple, no drama, no surprises
With the keys in hand and everything going smoothly, it’s time to do Belize City the right way, quick stops, a good meal, then straight out to the mainland interior.
A Classic Belize City Errand Stop
Mirab (HomeGoods Vibes + Ashley’s Furniture Upstairs)
First stop in the city is Mirab. And yes, it’s the type of place where you walk in saying you don’t need anything, then you find something anyway.
If you’re from the US and trying to picture it, Mirab feels a lot like HomeGoods. It’s the kind of store you can browse for house items, little finds, and random practical things you didn’t know you were missing. Then upstairs, it shifts into a different category, the top floor has Ashley Furniture, with couches and larger pieces.
This is why it’s such a common stop for people who live on the cayes, or anyone setting up a place in Belize. You can do a quick run through and come out with essentials, or you can wander and turn a “ten minutes” stop into a whole outing.
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A Real Tip for Moving to Belize: Bring Your Linens
One of the most useful pieces of advice shared on this trip is about something most people forget until it’s too late: towels and sheets.
When people are moving to Belize, it’s smart to bring your own quality linens. Thick towels like you find in nice hotels can be hard to find, and when you do find quality, it can cost quite a bit.
Mirab does have a decent selection, and it’s a good backup when you’re in a pinch.
If you’re packing for a move (or even a long stay), the simple takeaway is worth repeating: pack your sheets and towels, save money and hassle.
Lunch in Belize City:
Friendship Chinese Restaurant and the Fried Chicken Stop
Every great travel day 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 tells you everything you need to know. It’s a popular lunch spot, so expect a steady flow of people coming and going when you hit lunch hour.
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What to Order at Friendship
The headline item is the fried chicken. It’s described as some of the best in Belize City, and it’s a regular stop on trips through town. There’s even a rumor about the secret, a little Marie Sharp hot sauce in the recipe. That’s not confirmed (no kitchen tour happened), but it fits the flavor profile that keeps people coming back.
Along with the chicken, another favorite order is Singapore noodles, a curry noodle dish with shrimp, pork, and chicken. It’s a solid “to go” meal when you’re about to get back on the road and you want something that travels well.
Why this place stays on the short list:
- Food is consistent, trip after trip
- It’s easy to reach when you’re passing through the city
- The staff is friendly, which matters more than people think on a travel day
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The Kind of Hospitality You Remember
There’s a personal story tied to this restaurant that says a lot about the vibe. After having their son, Mateo, this was one of the first places they ate out. The waitresses were so welcoming they offered to hold the baby while the parents ate. They held him around while still serving drinks and meals.
Now, when they come back, the staff still asks about him, “Where’s Mateo? Where’s 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 travel feel personal.
The Art Box: A Must-Stop Break on the Way to Cayo
Unless it’s a Sunday, there’s one stop that happens almost every time on the way toward the Cayo District: The Art Box.
It started as a cool place to find crafts and locally made items, but it has grown into a full destination. Now it includes a cafe with great coffee, plus one detail that gets mentioned every time, the unique bathrooms.
It’s the kind of stop that breaks up the drive in the best way. Stretch your legs, grab a drink, and pick up something small and local before you get back on the highway.
A few things that stand out:
- Locally made crafts and gifts
- A cafe for coffee and a quick reset
- Venmo is accepted
- Bathrooms that are memorable enough to become part of the stop
Arriving in the Cayo District:
One of the Best Places to Visit in Belize for Adventure
After Belize City errands, lunch, and the Art Box pit stop, the scenery shifts. You arrive in the Cayo District, a lush part of Belize that’s well-known for agriculture and often called the bread basket of the Caribbean.
If you’re the type of traveler who likes jungle views, river days, and getting out into nature, Cayo has 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 calls out some of the biggest draws:
- Jungles and rivers
- ATM Cave
- Mayan ruins
- Cave tubing
- Plenty more to fill a week, not just a day
If your dream Belize trip includes doing something active in the morning and cooling off near water later, Cayo matches that pace.
Cayo Real Estate and Living Options
For anyone thinking past a vacation and into owning property on the mainland, Cayo is also a region to watch. You can explore current listings through these pages:
- https://www.lunarealtybelize.com/state/cayo/
- https://www.lunarealtybelize.com/cayo/
- https://www.lunarealtybelize.com/carmelita-gardens/
Reach out directly for more information about prime real estate in Cayo, using the email info@lunarealtybelize.com
Conclusion
This quick mainland run is a good reminder that Belize trips don’t have to be complicated to be memorable. A short flight off Ambergris Caye, a practical Belize City layover (rental car, Mirab, and a fried chicken lunch), then a coffee stop and a drive into the green heart of Cayo. If you’re building a list of the best places to visit in Belize, this mix of city flavors and Cayo adventure is hard to beat. Where would you stop first, the fried chicken counter, the Art Box cafe, or straight into the jungle?
