Corozal Town
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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.
Understand
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. There are very few tourists, so it is a good place to see Belize off the beaten track, and consequently accommodation, food and drink, and other items are cheaper than in better known places.
Get in
- 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$1.25.
- 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.
Get around
Corozal is small enough to go around on foot. There are also taxis at the bus station.
Do
- Visit a nearby butterfly farm
- Visit the small Maya Ruins of Santa Rita, 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).
Buy
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.
Eat
- Rainforest Restaurant at the Corozal Bay Resort, Al Fresco Dining or Under the Huge Thatch Roof by the Beach & Pool. Local and International Cuisine. Vegeterian meals on request. Burgers, Steaks, Pork Chops, World Famous Chicken Botana, Seafood, Salads. Open 11AM until Midnight Daily. Breakfast for hotel guests or walk ins, 7AM until 11AM. Only open for breakfast if there are guests in hotel. Call: 402-0078. Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover are accepted. http://www.corozalbayinn.com]
- 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.
- Marisol, beside Esso Gas station. Mexican.
- RD's Diner (501) 422-3796 rds_diner@hotmail.com http://www.rdsdinerbelize.com 7AM to 10PM, Closed on Sundays All foods prepared with EVO and high grade vegetable Oil. All foods are prepared fresh as you order. Dine in an air conditioned, elegant and non-smoking atmosphere. Situated on #7-4th Avenue Corozal town. Accepts all major Credit cards.
Drink
There are several bars around the town, beers cost around $2.50 BZD for a half English pint bottle (284ml).
- Cactus Plaza 6 6th street (501) 422-0394
- Patty's Bistro (Authentic Belizean and Caribbean Cuisine) 13 4th Avenue On the main drag 402-0174 10AM - 9PM M-Sa Some of the best home cooked meals you'll find in a small restaurant town. Patty's has been serving locals and tourists alike in the town of Corozal since 2003. When in town stop in and say hi, the welcoming staff, as well as Patty, the owner, will always greet you with a warm and friendly smile. Prices are very reasonable and the her appetizing food is always served fresh!>
Sleep
As Corozal is easily reached from Mexico, many travellers from Mexico will cross the border to here, in order to re-enter Mexico and obtain a new tourist visa for additional time there. Corozal therefore has a very large amount of accommodation relative to its size and attractions. Since the town is not very big, one is sure to find several places after wandering around the center for a few minutes.
Budget
- Corozal Guest House: One of the cheapest accommodation in the town, and located opposite the bus station. A double room costs around Bz$45 (US$23), but if it's quiet you can haggle this down. The rooms are fairly clean, if basic and somewhat run down. You may get bitten by mosquitoes during the night, so if you find a lizard in the room, leave it there to eat them.
- Sea Breeze Hotel 23, 1st Avenue 422-3051 gwyn_lawrence@yahoo.com http://www.theseabreezehotel.com Double from Bz$35, breakfast Bz$9Located on the shoreline, this friendly hotel has 6 rooms with queen-size beds, en suite bathrooms with hot water, Internet WiFi and, upstairs, a beautiful wooden bar and a balcony where you can enjoy the view of the Corozal Bay while having your breakfast.
- Mirador Hotel, Tel: 4220189, email: info@mirador.bz, [4]. A new hotel 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. 24 rooms. Facilities: restaurant, tours arranged, internet cafe, terrace, free wake up service,Parking, and phone booth.
- The Hok'ol K'in Guest House costs Bz$90 (US$45) for a double with air conditioning and a view of the bay. Clean, quiet, and friendly, right on the street that runs along the waterfront. 89 4th Avenue, www.corozal.net, 422-3329 (as of July 2007).
- Corozal Bay Resort 501-422-2416 relax@corozalbayinn.com http://www.corozalbayinn.com US$87.50Free Breakfast Included, Waterfront, Thatched-Roof Cabaña Rooms. Air-Conditioned, Cable TV, Mini-Fridge, Private Bath with Hot Water and walk in showers, Private Veranda, High Speed WiFi Internet, Swimming Pool, Sand Beach, Restaurant and Bar service.
Cope
Internet:
- Mirador Hotel offer internet service for the public $2.00 u.s a hour and free wifi access in room for guest accommodating in the hotel .
- Hok'ol K'in also has wireless internet available.
- Corozal Bay Resort Free High Speed Wifi Available for Restaurant or Bar Customers.
- Sea Breeze Hotel also has free Wifi for guests.
Banks:
- Atlantic Bank Corner 5th Avenue & 1st Street North (501) 422-3473 atlantic@altabank.com http://www.altabank.com
- Belize Bank (501) 422-2087 bblcz@belizebank.com (501) 422-2738 http://www.belizebank.com With ATM Machine and pesos, provide passports or permits
- Scotia Bank 4th Avenue (501) 422-2046 (501) 422-2998
Get out
The area next the Mexican border, 9 miles from the town features a large casino and hotel, as it is free of some taxes.
Related Information
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