famous road
Hummingbird Highway
Belize's most beautiful road, winding 87 km from Belmopan to Dangriga past citrus groves, jungle karst hills and the swimmable St. Herman's Blue Hole right beside the tarmac.
14 km · about 25 min drive
North AmericaBelizeCayo District
Belmopan
Cayo District, Belize · North America
About Belmopan
Belmopan is worth a stop: 10 minutes from Cotton Tree, 14km from Hummingbird Highway.
Belmopan is in Cayo District, Belize, with about 13,000 people. The nearest town is Cotton Tree, about 6 km away.
Belmopan () is the capital city of Belize. Its population in 2022 was 20,754. Belmopan is the smallest capital city in the continental Americas (by population) and the second-largest settlement in Belize, behind the former capital Belize City. Founded as a planned community in 1970, it is one of the newest nationalRead more
capital cities in the world. Since 2000, Belmopan has been one of two settlements in Belize to hold official city status, along with Belize City.
Belmopan is located in Cayo District at an altitude of 76 metres (249 feet) above sea level. Belmopan was constructed just to the east of the Belize River, 80 km (50 mi) inland from the former capital, the port of Belize City, after that city's near destruction by Hurricane Hattie in 1961. The government was moved to Belmopan in 1970. Its National Assembly Building is designed to resemble a Pre-Columbian Maya temple.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Belmopan?
Within an hour or so of Belmopan: Hummingbird Highway (14 km), Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM Cave) (17 km), Xunantunich (44 km), Lamanai (57 km).
Are there any good drives near Belmopan?
The nearest famous roads are Hummingbird Highway.
Where is Belmopan?
Belmopan is in Cayo District, Belize, about 6 km from Cotton Tree.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 13,381
- Continent
- North America
- Country
- Belize
- Region
- Cayo District
- Timezone
- America/Belize
- Coordinates
- 17.2538, -88.7640
Tags
Worth the detour from Belmopan
4 notable places within an hour's drive.
natural wonder
Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM Cave)
A sacred Maya cave with crystal-encrusted skeletons and ceremonial pottery, reached by swimming through an underground river.
17 km · about 20 min drive
ancient ruins
Xunantunich
An ancient Maya archaeological site featuring El Castillo pyramid with panoramic views across the jungle to Guatemala.
44 km · about 50 min drive
ancient ruins
Lamanai
A Maya site reached by river boat through jungle and lagoons, with the impressive Mask Temple and howler monkeys in the surrounding canopy.
57 km · about 65 min drive
Driving roads near Belmopan
- Right hereHummingbird HighwayBelize's most beautiful road, winding 87 km from Belmopan to Dangriga past citrus groves, jungle karst hills and the swimmable St. Herman's Blue Hole right beside the tarmac.
When to drive here
Year-round
Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.
Nearby Destinations
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