Discover 6 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Belize. Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Holy Redeemer Cathedral (Belize City), Bliss Institute (Belize City) or Hawkesworth Bridge (San Ignacio).
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Belize.
Table of Contents
Holy Redeemer Cathedral, Belize City
Cathedral in Belize City, Belize. Holy Redeemer Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in the city of Belize City, Belize. It is canonically the mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Belize City-Belmopan. It shares the role with Our Lady of Guadalupe Co-Cathedral in Belmopan, though the Bishop's offices remain at Holy Redeemer. Pope John Paul II made the first Papal visit to Belize and visited the cathedral in 1983.[1]
Address: North Front Street, Belize City
Bliss Institute, Belize City
Theatre. The Bliss Institute is a theatre, museum, and National Arts Council in the cultural centre of Belize City. It is named after Baron Bliss.
The original construction started in 1953 and finished one year later. The architectural design was done in a modernist international style. The program consisted of a library, an auditorium, an exhibition area and reading rooms. The gallery for the auditorium resembled the prow of a ship. The trusteeship of Baron Bliss invested $251,829 dls in the construction of the building and $7,532 in furniture.
It was almost all refurbished in 2003 by a Mexican construction company, becoming the Bliss Centre for the Performing Arts, housing the headquarters of the ICA (Institute of Creative Arts).
The museum contains a number of archaeological finds from the Maya site of Caracol. The theatre stages numerous concerts and a number of artistic exhibitions and political events are held in the complex.[2]
Address: Southern Foreshore City, Belize City
Hawkesworth Bridge, San Ignacio
Bridge in Belize. Hawkesworth Bridge is a one lane suspension bridge in San Ignacio, Belize. Built in 1949 and imported from Middlesbrough, England, it crosses the Macal River linking San Ignacio to its sister-town Santa Elena. It is currently the only drivable suspension bridge in Belize. Work began in October 2012 on a new, larger bridge that will link Santa Elena and San Ignacio that will span 154 meters across the Macal River.
Another wooden bridge downstream is only a few feet above the river and is normally used for westbound traffic from the Western Highway into San Ignacio. The wooden bridge was almost entirely destroyed by Hurricane Earl, but is currently being rebuilt. In the interim, the Hawkesworth Bridge is handling intermittent traffic in both directions.[3]
Baron Bliss Light, Belize City
Lighthouse in Belize City, Belize. Baron Bliss Lighthouse is a lighthouse in Belize City. Established in 1885 on the former site of a Spanish fortress which was extremely damaged after the Battle of St. George's Caye in September 1798, it has a focal plane of 16 m and is painted white and red. It is named after one of Belize's greatest benefactors, Baron Bliss, who is known to have never actually set foot on Belizean shores but was impressed with the people's warm hospitality. He was a sailor and fisherman who traveled the world aboard his yacht the "Sea King". On March 9, 1926, Baron Bliss died leaving instructions that he be buried in a granite tomb near the sea, enclosed with an iron fence with a lighthouse built nearby. This is why this monument was constructed and also at the location where it stands today.[4]
St. Andrew's Anglican Church, San Ignacio
Anglican church in San Ignacio, Belize. Founded in 1905, St. Andrew's Church is an active Anglican congregation located on Burns Avenue in San Ignacio, Belize.[5]
Address: 33 Burns Avenue, San Ignacio
Green Iguana Conservation Project, San Ignacio
Nature and wildlife, Park
Address: San Ignacio Resort Hotel, San Ignacio