Orange Walk has a few activities that might be worth ☝️ a day trip. The third-largest Mayan Ruin, Lamanai 🗿 and one of the biggest rum distilleries 🍹 are based here.
Many tourists think Orange Walk's only activity is Lamanai, but this little town actually has some charm. Did you know it's also a solid foodie town?
Locals love eating tacos, tamales and garnaches here. And only those from my hometown know this, but Belizeans love partying here. It makes sense since rum is produced here.
Here are all the interesting things you can do in Orange Walk: 👇
Free Things To Do
Cuello's Rum Distillery Tour
- Free
- 8 Mins Away
- 8AM–5PM
One of the biggest rum producers in Belize is Cuello's Distillery. And while they don't offer official tours, you can go to their office on the Main Street and ask for a tour.
As a bonus, the same compound has an undeveloped site with a small temple called Cuello Mayan Ruin.
Banquitas House Of Culture
- Free
- Walkable Distance
- 8:30AM–5PM
This tiny museum gives visitors a good history of Orange Walk and the Maya people. If your'e interested in History and want a chill with a river view, this is an excellent addition to your day trip.
Visit Town Murals
- Free
- Walkable Distance
- Always Open
Orange Walk might have very little to do but it has beautiful murals painted by local artists. If you walk around the Town Council building, there are a few murals that represent the cultural mix in Belize.
The town clock on the same Queen Victoria Avenue is also an iconic landmark for Orange Walk Town if that interests you.
Walk At Central Park
- Free
- Walkable Distance
- Always Open
One of the most interesting things you can do in a small town is visit the local central park. This one is called Queen Elizabeth Park because of our previous relationship with the UK. During Christmas, this park comes to life as one of the best decorated in the whole country.
During the day, you can see plenty of people from neighboring villages visiting and at night you can try Garnaches from a stall around the park.
Swim At Honey Camp Lagoon
- Free
- 1 Hour Away
- 11AM–6PM
Despite having a river running through beside the town, locals can't swim in it because of recent pollution and crocodiles. So, the next best place to swim is at a lagoon called Honey Camp. Since it's not close to town, it might be best to drive there.
One of the most popular places is called Honey Camp Beach located at the entrance of the lagoon. They offer free entrance and are open on Sundays.
Go Birding At Crooked Tree Village
- Free
- 1 Hour Away
- Always Open
Did you know the best birding spots in Belize are in the North? Crooked Tree Village is close to Orange Walk and a true hidden gem. The village is swamp land and home to the striking prehistoric looking bird, the Jabiru Stork, which is the largest flying bird in Central & South America.
Because the region is largely swamp & marshland, the best time to visit is in the dry season between November & May.
Unique Things To Do
Lamanai River Tour
- $65.00 USD
- 2-Hour Tour
- 1.5 Hours Away
- 8AM–5PM
One of the main reasons to visit Orange Walk Town is to do the Lamanai Tour. It's a unique boat tour up the New River all the way to the Ruins.
On good days, you can spot incredible flora & fauna like crocodiles, iguanas, orchids and a variety of birds.
Altun Ha Mayan Ruin
- $5.00 USD
- 1.5 Hours Away
- 8AM–5PM
A little over an hour from Orange Walk is one of the most popular Mayan ruins in the country. The famous Jade Head was discovered at this site.
The only downside of this Mayan Ruin is that it gets a lot more traffic than most sites since it's a stop for cruise shippers.
Try All The Local Dishes
- $5.00 USD
- Walking Distance
- Always Open
It may come as a surprise but Orange Walk has a wide spectrum of local dishes to try. Besides being famous for the local tacos, there are a so many Mestizo dishes.
What's better is that a lot of the restaurants are run by locals and the food is homemade with grandma's recipe. I would recommend trying anything made using a fire heart (outdoor cooking).
Visit A Nearby Village
- $1.50 USD
- 20 Mins Away
- Always Open
Orange Walk is essentially a conglomerate of villages (a big village). Because the majority of people are from villages, it makes sense that the district has a handful of surrounding villages. San Antonio Village is nearby and has a nice river which is also accessible by bike and bus.
A few other nearby villages include San Estevan, Yo Creek, Chan Pine Ridge. If you're feeling extra adventurous there's a mennonite community called Shipyard that is about 1 hour away. The entire road is paved.
Party Like The Locals
- $10.00 USD
- Walking Distance
- 6PM–6AM
What happens when a small little town is one of the main producers of rum in the country? Night clubs happen... Orange Walk has a handful of night clubs and locals love partying here on weekends.
If that's your style, you can stay for the weekend, party all night and have tacos the day after to cure the hangover. That's how the locals do it here. One of the infamous clubs is called Hi-5 Club.
About Author
Everything written on this blog is based on first-hand experience or knowledge as a local living in Belize. No fluff, just honest information.
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