4 Things to do in Orange Walk: Combining Food, History and Adventure

If you’re only passing through Orange Walk on your way somewhere else, you might be missing the point. Tucked into northern Belize, this lively district offers a little bit of everything. There are ancient Maya cities hidden in the jungle and winding rivers filled with curious wildlife. On the other hand, there’s also a colorful local culture and, of course, tacos worth making a detour for. Despite what many may think, Orange Walk is more than just a pitstop for tacos on the way to Chetumal. Here are five things one can do in this quaint district.

When talking about Belizean history, the most mentioned keywords are the Baymen, the Garinagu people, and of course, the Mayas. But Belize is more than just its Maya temples. Perched right on the banks of the New River is Las Banquitas House of Culture. While it does talk about the Mayas who once lived in Belize, it also talks about the livelihoods that existed among the settlers. Belize has humble beginnings, and Las Banquitas has exhibitions showcasing the lives of the chicleros who once called this district home. 

After learning about how Orange Walk came to be, take a further step back in time while gliding down the New River. While Banquitas may have tickled your imagination with its depiction of our history, it’s time to see it all in person with your own eyes. This time, you’ll be heading to Lamanai. Its name means “submerged crocodile,” more than likely since the New River is home to these reptiles. One can visit this Maya ruin either by boat or by car. However, taking the scenic boat tour includes some quirky animal sightings, like howler monkeys, manatees or the crocodiles themselves.

While some may know that Belize undoubtedly has big cats living in its jungles, not many know that they live outside the Chiquibul Reserve. In Orange Walk lies the impressive Rio Bravo Conservation &Management Area. The reserve itself has a whopping size of over 100,000 acres, being the largest in Belize. Here, one comes to be one with nature. Early morning birdwatching is daily, and at night, one can book a walk in the reserve to spot nocturnal creatures. Try to see how many of Belize’s big five cats you can spot: Jaguar, Puma, Ocelot, Margay, and Jaguarundi.

Now comes a debate many Belizeans can’t help but partake in: which tacos place is the best? For Orange Walk locals, there will be very specific recommendations, but ultimately, it all depends on preferences. Our advice? Try a few tacos from multiple different spots. After all, a dollar’s worth gets you three tacos! Turn it into a mini-food diary and at the end of your trip, compare which tacos you thought were best. Simply walking around the town, you’ll find tacos stands everywhere. A common activity is to walk around the town’s farmers market and get some fruit, natural juice, and a nice, filling breakfast.