Find a haven of tranquility in this slow pace, easy going town ....

One of Belize's best kept secrets, Corozal Town, situated alongside beautiful Corozal Bay, is the northern most town in Belize. Corozal is located nine miles from the Mexican border and Chetumal, capital of Mexico's Quintana Roo.

With a population of around 10,000 residents, the town is situated between two scenic
rivers, the New River and Rio Hondo, about
85 miles North of Belize City.

The area boasts a rich Mayan heritage with ruins and artifacts still being discovered. Savannah covers the landscape, and sugar cane and livestock production are the economic mainstays. However, an emerging economy in Corozal is increasingly based on services and importing goods to the more than 200 outlets within the Duty-Free-Zone, located at the Mexican border. Additionally, the area is increasingly earning more income from real estate and tourism.

Because of it's close proximity to the Mexican border, Corozal Town has a distinctly Latin feel, and Spanish is the native tongue for many, although most everyone speaks English or the indigenous English-Creole dialect. Corozal District is Belize's fourth largest populated area, with 35,000 residents and home to a growing community of North American retirees.

Around Town
One of the hallmarks of Corozal Town is the Clock Tower, located in Central Park. Government buildings, banks, a library, a small police station, and two churches surround this well-landscaped park. The park is also a favorite meeting and gathering place for the towns people. There are shady spots and benches for resting, and there are food stands where you can get your tacos and even fresh squeezed orange juice.

Nearby look for a wall -size Mural, painted by Manuel Villamor Reyes, highlighting important moments in Corozal´s history . It is a collage of images, including the massacre at Bacalar, Mexico, exploitation during the colonial era, and the plight of the struggling Maya. The mural is best viewed during the week when the Town Hall is open, although it can be seen from the outside on week-ends and holidays.

In Corozal everything is close to the sea, including several seaside parks, the market and Corozal's history museum. One particular museum exhibit displays Maya artifacts in a traditional 1800's market setting. 

A long and well maintained stretch of beach, linked to Central Park, provides picnic tables, rain shelters, and a playground.

Like everywhere else in Belize, the multi-national blend is evident everywhere: Mestizo, Maya, Creole, Garifuna, East Indian, Mennonite, Asian and American Expats all call this tranquil, seaside-community home.

THINGS TO DO

Corozal is a convenient base for day trips to Chetumal and the beaches of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico as well as numerous Maya ruins and Wildlife Sancturaries in Belize. Ambergris Caye, Belize's most popular destination for scuba divers and snorkelers, is 15 minutes by air from the Corozal airstrip.

Maya Archeological Sites

Santa Rita - Much of the present day Corozal is built over this ancient Maya trading city. What remains can be seen by walking a few minutes from the town's center. Its also the highest spot in Corozal. Of the many original buildings of Santa Rita, only one still remains. Two of the 4 rooms, which were once used as living quarters, remain intact and are open for exploration.

Cerros - Also easily accessible, Cerros was an important Mayan trading center during its heyday from 400 B.C. to 100 A.D. Cerros, is a short boat ride of approximately fifteen minutes from Corozal Town. Recent developments provide a place to picnic while trails wind through the site.

Lamanai - The Maya Site of Lamanai, one of Belize's largest ceremonial centers, is located on the banks of the New River. Getting to Lamanai is half the fun. A scenic boat ride 26 miles up-river is the easiest way to get to there. Along the way see crocodiles floating near the river's edge, turtles, camouflaged bats and the "Jesus Christ Bird" walk on water.

Nature

Crooked Tree Wildlife Saturday - Literally thousands of birds congregate within Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary during the dry season, taking advantage of shallow water and easy food resources. Black Howler Monkeys, Morelet’s Crocodiles, and freshwater turtles can also be found within the sanctuary. Though Bird watching is by far the most popular activity, the creole village is also famous for its cashews. Cashew trees grow in abundance here, yielding cashew nuts, cashew wine, and stewed cashew fruit.

Community Baboon Sanctuary -The Community Baboon Sanctuary is a unique conservation effort bringing together eight villages to protect the population and the habitat of Black Howler Monkey. It’s always a thrill to watch the Black Howlermonkey as it sits within five feet of you on a wild-lime tree branch, contently munching on its leaves. Special trails are cut through the forest so that visitors can see it all at it's best. And there are enough trails, rivers, and guided tours to keep you busy here for a couple of days.

Sarteneja & Shipstern Nature Reserve - Forty minutes by boat gets you to the picturesque fishing village of Sarteneja with its impressive display of hand-crafted wooden sailing boats. Shipstern Nature Reserve is about three miles before the village and covers 22,000 acres of unspoiled, savannah water-logged jungle,and mangrove swamp. Shipstern is also home to a Butterfly Breeding Center located at the reserve's headquarters.

Fishing

Tarpon, bone fishing or deep-sea fishing - Corozal Town, as well as Sarteneja offer excellent sport fishing to anglers looking to avoid crowded shores. The waters of Corozal bay provide endless opportunities for enjoyment. For the fisherman, barracuda, crevalle, tarpon, permit are just a few of the fish waiting for you to throw in your line.The largest tarpon in the country swim through the northern lagoons, rivers, and estuaries. Trips can be arranged with local fishing guides. Contact Us for more information.

Recreation 

Four Mile Lagoon is located between Corozal and the Mexican border and the lagoon empties into the Rio Hondo just before this river empties into Corozal Bay. Here is where you will find a number of inexpensive beach spots for swimming, RV's and camping including Kishpanha, a great place for swimming and relaxation. This place resembles a theme park with the lagoon as the main attraction. This popular place is ideal for groups.

The Lagoon Campground is perhaps the best RV park in Belize. The grounds are spacious and clean, with tall trees providing cool shade for your vehicle, tent, or picnic table. The lagoon is great for canoeing.

Retirement

Most visitors to Belize either never get to Corozal or pass through quickly
while heading somewhere else. However a lot has changed and the Corozal Town area and nearby Consejo offer a lot for those looking to stay awhile – with low prices, friendly people and the beautiful blue water of Corozal bay. An extra plus is having Mexico right next door for cheap shopping.

No one knows exactly how may foreign retirees and US expats live in the Corozal area, but the best estimates are that the total is around 300 - 400. Some live in Corozal Town proper, and others live a few miles north in the Consejo area or in other nearby communities.

In Corozal there are no malls, movie theaters, Wall-Marts, fast food places or other trappings that you would look for in a developed area. However, all of these can be found, including a wide range of modern up-to-date medical facilities and services, in Chetumal, a prosperous middle class city of 250,000, just on the Mexican side of the border, a short 9 mile drive or a quick boat ride away.

Consejo Village - Along the Corozal Bay, 7 miles north east of Corozal Town, at the end of a bumpy road, is the peaceful and quiet community of Consejo Village. Belizean's, and retirees enjoy its serenity. There are several small expatriate communities near Consejo Village, including Consejo Shores, Wagner's Landing and Mayan Seaside.

Activities in the immediate area include snorkeling, canoeing and fishing; boat trips to Bacalar Chico National Park, Cerros, Sarteneja or Ambergris Caye; and day trips to neighboring Chetumal in Mexico.

SERVICES

AREA TOURS - For part of your stay in Belize, consider Corozal Town as your base to explore the north of Belize. See our Packages & Tours from Ambergris Caye to Corozal, with excursions to all the popular "Belize North" area attractions.

Where to Stay in Corozal ....

Whether you are spending a night or planning a longer stay, make Corozal your hub to explore the north; Corozal Town has a variety of accommodations to choose from and at affordable prices. May we suggest the following ....

	Mirador Hotel New 24 room facility in front of the bay offers clean and spacious rooms at very reasonable prices. A room for a couple with fan cost US$35.00 and air condition US$50.00 all rooms have private bath (hot/cold), television, and free wireless internet access. restaurant internet cafe, terrace, free wake up service, Parking.
	Tony's Inn Tony’s Inn & Beach Resort is a family oriented resort, surrounded everywhere by lush tropical gardens. The Spanish style resort and its beautiful ambiance features 24 deluxe guest rooms. You will enjoy the comfort of their spacious rooms, each tastefully decorated with furnilture made from mahogany and other tropical hardwoods.

Getting to Corozal ....

AIR
The scenic flight from Belize City stops first in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye en route to Corozal Town. The short trip takes approximately 20 minutes from San Pedro

WATER TAXI
Water Taxi service leaves San Pedro, Ambergris Caye every day at 7am for Corozal with return at 3 p.m. The cost is $23 each way. The boat has comfortable airline-style seating and can carry approximately 40 passengers. The trip takes approximately an hour and a half.

PRIVATE VEHICLE
Northern Highway runs from Belize City to the Mexican border and is paved with good gas availability. The 85 mile drive from Belize City, takes an hour and a half to 2 hours.

BUS
Public buses have frequent scheduled services along the Northern Highway from Belize City to Corozal and on to the Mexican border town of Chetumal and beyond.

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