Corozal Town
5/24/09 – 5/31/09
Just across from Chetumal on the Mexican border lies Corozal Town which is a convenient base for exploring the northern part of Belize while enjoying the beautiful protected waters of Corozal Bay. During our week-long stay in Corozal, we took day trips to Cerros Ruins, Shipstern and Sarteneja, Ambergris Caye, Honey Camp, Orange Walk and Lamanai. There is bus service to all major towns, a Thunderbolt water taxi to Sarteneja and Ambergris Caye and an airport with flights to Belize City and San Pedro. The town is a mix of Mexican, Mayan, Creole, British and Chinese cultures which provides for some delectable and varied cuisine. Corozal is situated on the bay, so swimming and fishing are obviously favorite pastimes. On the weekends the green space facing the water is filled with local families enjoying the bay.
Corozal Bay
Corozal Pier/Thunderbolt Ferry Dock
Local Fishing Boats
Corozal has a Texaco, small “super” markets and several local stores, boutiques and vendors. In comparison to the rest of the country, Corozal has more reasonable prices than the more tourist-oriented destinations. However, prices and availability are much better in Mexico, so stock up before entering Belize! If you want to go to the Corozal Free Zone make sure you go before you cross into Belize. Otherwise you would have to pay your Belizean entry and exit fees again, which makes the trip to the Free Zone not at all worth it.
Corozal Town
Corozal Main Highway
Restaurants in Corozal:
Patty’s Bistro – 4th Ave – delicious Mexican/Belizean specialties, bring mosquito repellent for patio
RD’s Diner – 4th Ave – tasty Mexican/Belizean/American cuisine, open for breakfast, air-con
Vamp’s Chill and Grill – 1st Ave – excellent views, good beer prices and Belizean daily specials
Cactus Plaza – 6th Street South – open Thurs–Sun, good beer prices, excellent Mexican food
Butchie’s Bar and Grill – 4th Street North – local hangout – order the surprise tostados – yum!!
Tony’s Inn – Main Hwy South – nice views, expensive beer, great American breakfast, bad steak fajitas
Corozal Bay Resort – Main Hwy South – erratic hours, decent food, expensive beer, swimming pool
Chetumal Chinese Restaurant – Main Hwy – cheap and delicious!
View of Corozal Bay from Vamp’s Chill and Grill
We got a weekly rate at the Maya Hotel which has nice rooms and great views at the best prices in town. They have off street parking and the owner is very helpful with local recommendations and tour arrangement. Downsides of the Maya are the noise from the traffic and the dog next door and that the water pressure comes and goes. We liked Room 11 on the third floor for the views and the breeze, but some of the other rooms have A/C, for a higher price.
Maya Hotel Room 11
Other hotels and accommodations in Corozal:
Hok’ol K’in – great in-town location, street parking, excellent staff
Mark Anthony Inn – north town location, street parking, quiet neighborhood
Las Palmas – courtyard parking, decent rooms
Mirador Hotel – nice in-town location, tallest building in town
Tony’s Inn – secured parking, out of town location, resort-style setting
Corozal Bay Resort – secured parking, out of town location, resort-style setting
Just across from Chetumal on the Mexican border lies Corozal Town which is a convenient base for exploring the northern part of Belize while enjoying the beautiful protected waters of Corozal Bay. During our week-long stay in Corozal, we took day trips to Cerros Ruins, Shipstern and Sarteneja, Ambergris Caye, Honey Camp, Orange Walk and Lamanai. There is bus service to all major towns, a Thunderbolt water taxi to Sarteneja and Ambergris Caye and an airport with flights to Belize City and San Pedro. The town is a mix of Mexican, Mayan, Creole, British and Chinese cultures which provides for some delectable and varied cuisine. Corozal is situated on the bay, so swimming and fishing are obviously favorite pastimes. On the weekends the green space facing the water is filled with local families enjoying the bay.
Corozal Bay
Corozal Pier/Thunderbolt Ferry Dock
Local Fishing Boats
Corozal has a Texaco, small “super” markets and several local stores, boutiques and vendors. In comparison to the rest of the country, Corozal has more reasonable prices than the more tourist-oriented destinations. However, prices and availability are much better in Mexico, so stock up before entering Belize! If you want to go to the Corozal Free Zone make sure you go before you cross into Belize. Otherwise you would have to pay your Belizean entry and exit fees again, which makes the trip to the Free Zone not at all worth it.
Corozal Town
Corozal Main Highway
Restaurants in Corozal:
Patty’s Bistro – 4th Ave – delicious Mexican/Belizean specialties, bring mosquito repellent for patio
RD’s Diner – 4th Ave – tasty Mexican/Belizean/American cuisine, open for breakfast, air-con
Vamp’s Chill and Grill – 1st Ave – excellent views, good beer prices and Belizean daily specials
Cactus Plaza – 6th Street South – open Thurs–Sun, good beer prices, excellent Mexican food
Butchie’s Bar and Grill – 4th Street North – local hangout – order the surprise tostados – yum!!
Tony’s Inn – Main Hwy South – nice views, expensive beer, great American breakfast, bad steak fajitas
Corozal Bay Resort – Main Hwy South – erratic hours, decent food, expensive beer, swimming pool
Chetumal Chinese Restaurant – Main Hwy – cheap and delicious!
View of Corozal Bay from Vamp’s Chill and Grill
We got a weekly rate at the Maya Hotel which has nice rooms and great views at the best prices in town. They have off street parking and the owner is very helpful with local recommendations and tour arrangement. Downsides of the Maya are the noise from the traffic and the dog next door and that the water pressure comes and goes. We liked Room 11 on the third floor for the views and the breeze, but some of the other rooms have A/C, for a higher price.
Maya Hotel Room 11
Other hotels and accommodations in Corozal:
Hok’ol K’in – great in-town location, street parking, excellent staff
Mark Anthony Inn – north town location, street parking, quiet neighborhood
Las Palmas – courtyard parking, decent rooms
Mirador Hotel – nice in-town location, tallest building in town
Tony’s Inn – secured parking, out of town location, resort-style setting
Corozal Bay Resort – secured parking, out of town location, resort-style setting
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