Museum of Belize
Museum of Belize
4
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Opening Hours Tuesday - Saturday 9:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday - Closed to the public
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Museum of Belize and nearby attractions
The area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
92 within 5 kms
Attractions
29 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
263 reviews
Excellent
101
Very good
113
Average
39
Poor
9
Terrible
1
ScouterKnotts
West Long Branch, NJ28 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Walked down from the Radisson to tour the museum. Very nice rebuild of the old Belize City prison. Exhibits included the history of slavery in Belize, colonial artifacts & history, an art gallery upstairs and some bird taxidermy. Entry fee was a very reasonable $7 US.
Written 21 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lotty79
Ulverston, UK105 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Belize Museum, well worth a visit
Powerful little place, housed in an old 2 story prison. Well worth the visit if you are in the area.
We arrived an hour before closing and could of really stayed twice as long. It's self guided with a lot of information to take in. Just wish the shop had a few more historic books available , I would of loved to take away some more information and have struggled to find it since returning home.
Powerful little place, housed in an old 2 story prison. Well worth the visit if you are in the area.
We arrived an hour before closing and could of really stayed twice as long. It's self guided with a lot of information to take in. Just wish the shop had a few more historic books available , I would of loved to take away some more information and have struggled to find it since returning home.
Written 7 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mechdesignerbill
Eden Prairie9 contributions
We had a couple of hours to kill between the water taxi ride from Caye Caulker and going to the airport, so we asked our taxi driver to take us to the museum. We paid for his admission (so we could leave our bags in the cab without wondering if he would take off with them) and he was quite enthusiastic about explaining (sometimes incorrectly) the displays to us.
The museum is housed in the old colonial prison, which is a creative use for the building. Historical information about the country is presented mainly with photos and a couple of videos. The stamp collection of Belize issues is comprehensive.
The main attraction is the beautiful collection of Mayan artifacts. I've never seen any collection with such wonderful and complete Mayan ceramics. The rather small jade collection has a good selection of different types of artifacts. Of course, the famous jade head and mask are the highlights of the jades. They are displays are done quite well. Pictures of the jade head are on the web.
The museum is housed in the old colonial prison, which is a creative use for the building. Historical information about the country is presented mainly with photos and a couple of videos. The stamp collection of Belize issues is comprehensive.
The main attraction is the beautiful collection of Mayan artifacts. I've never seen any collection with such wonderful and complete Mayan ceramics. The rather small jade collection has a good selection of different types of artifacts. Of course, the famous jade head and mask are the highlights of the jades. They are displays are done quite well. Pictures of the jade head are on the web.
Written 17 February 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ghostguy
New York State11 contributions
This is one of the 5 "must-sees" in Belize. Beautiful pottery and jade carvings are found on two floors. Death masks from excavated graves can be seen from up-close. Wonderful illustrations help bring Belizean history to life. A fascinating and colorful postage stamp exhibit can be found in an air-conditioned room on the first floor. Formerly a colonial prison, you can still see a bit of prison life because one old cell is still maintained.
Written 10 April 2007
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rickeys-Travels
San Francisco, California1,498 contributions
Jul 2012 • Couples
We really enjoyed the Belize Museum. The entrance price ($5) is very reasonable and it has a large variety of collections. I loved the history of the Belize jail, including a picture of the old gallows, the skeleton of the ancient Maya king, intact with the jade jewelry, and the pictures of the devastation of Hurricane Hattie. But in particular, it was a steamy, hot day, and the stamp room and insect room had air-conditioning, so they were especially worthy of extra investigation! If you have the time, we recommend going, you will get your money’s worth here.
Written 8 August 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
beebeebab
Waterford, Canada29 contributions
Mar 2011 • Couples
Belize City has a well-earned rep as as a city where it is best to stay off the streets at night, but in the day-time it offers some worth-while attractions. As well as the Museum of Belize, you might want to check out the National Arts and Crafts by the Tourist Village, or the Image Factory by the Caye Caulker Water Taxi Terminal for Belizean art and literature.. For shopping stroll down Albert Street and some of its side streets, or, walk down Regent Street to the Coningsby Inn or the Hotel Mopan, both first-rate budget hotels. From there, you can visit the Government House for a retrospective of Belize culture and St.John's Anglican Cathedral. At that point you are 5 minutes walk from Bird's Isle restaurant a picturesque place where many Belizean professtionals meet to eat and greet.
Belize City is a popular jump-off point for many other destinations in Belize. Choose between Caye Caulker and San Pedro Water Taxis for trips to those popular vacation spots. For transportation elsewhere go to the main bus station on Canal Street and catch a bus to the towns of Corazal, Orange Walk, Dangriga, San Ignacio, Belmopan, Placencia and Punta Gorda..
Belize City can be bustling, exuberant, congested and loud, but outside the squak and squalor there exist cocoons of calm and culture and convenient jump-off opportunities.
Belize City is a popular jump-off point for many other destinations in Belize. Choose between Caye Caulker and San Pedro Water Taxis for trips to those popular vacation spots. For transportation elsewhere go to the main bus station on Canal Street and catch a bus to the towns of Corazal, Orange Walk, Dangriga, San Ignacio, Belmopan, Placencia and Punta Gorda..
Belize City can be bustling, exuberant, congested and loud, but outside the squak and squalor there exist cocoons of calm and culture and convenient jump-off opportunities.
Written 15 August 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FrequentTraveller56
Spokane, WA80 contributions
Nov 2015 • Solo
As other reviewers noted, this museum is in the former prison. The conversion was well-done. The first floor exhibits are nothing to go out of your way for (unless you are interesting in British Honduras/Belize stamps. There is a special permanent exhibit for this.) The real gems of this small museum are on the second floor, the majority of which is devoted to Mayan history and culture. Very nice items, including the famous Jade Head. Tucked away on the second floor is an exhibit on Belizean insects - gorgeous butterflies! There is a small but nice gift shop on the first floor.
I coupled the visit to the Museum of Belize with a walk through the colonial section of Belize City. Heading south from the Museum, I crossed the river on the Swing Bridge and then continued south pass the old Colonial House and then proceeded to the old Anglican Church. None of these merit a separate visit, but taken together you can get a feel for the British colonial period as you go through pleasant neighborhoods.
I coupled the visit to the Museum of Belize with a walk through the colonial section of Belize City. Heading south from the Museum, I crossed the river on the Swing Bridge and then continued south pass the old Colonial House and then proceeded to the old Anglican Church. None of these merit a separate visit, but taken together you can get a feel for the British colonial period as you go through pleasant neighborhoods.
Written 12 November 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Myo M
Coquitlam, Canada26,940 contributions
Feb 2020
As had been the case at the national museums & national palaces visited elsewhere in South & Central Americas (with or without actually being called as those for history), it was my initial expectation of this museum to be one for the national history but which instead turned out to be some "multi-themed" kind of museum with yes history as one of the themes (specifically the colonial history with an "emphasis on slavery" as can be learned from a number of big info displays & also to see some text-and-sketch depictions of piracy in the colonial time) but also including non-history themes from modern art (not too impressive of a collection of "small paintings" though) to Mayan archaeology (just fairly few artifacts in scattered glass cases) to ecology as relating to birds & insects which are native to the country (some different species in limited numbers but some stuffed birds quite impressive to look at) with each theme just kind of "lightly touched on", I would say, so just not much time is needed to cover the two levels of this museum. And so actually, more than by the pretty average interior, I was impressed by an "outward grandness" of this long rectangular heritage-styled building with a nice lawn in front for a great view from either end of the building (definitely on a smaller scale but generally in a similar style as the Palacio Nacionals elsewhere in Central America such as those of Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala & Mexico).
And not too close to this museum but just on the same side of the Creek are "2 landmarks" of the country, namely Baron Bliss Lighthouse & the colorful 'Belize' sign (at a "serene location" right by the sea should not be missed for some great pics not just with one but with both landmarks in "the same pic"). .
And not too close to this museum but just on the same side of the Creek are "2 landmarks" of the country, namely Baron Bliss Lighthouse & the colorful 'Belize' sign (at a "serene location" right by the sea should not be missed for some great pics not just with one but with both landmarks in "the same pic"). .
Written 16 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
V W
Vancouver, Canada4 contributions
Jun 2012 • Solo
I really enjoyed the museum. It is a quiet, thoughtful place where they are happy to let you take your time and wander and read and enjoy at your own pace. I especially like the second floor history of the Mayans. The displays (throughout) are well-organized and research with information provided in managable but informative pieces. The museum is definitely worth a visit.
Written 20 July 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trek-Always
Alpharetta, GA2,522 contributions
Feb 2020
This small museum is nicely done and has good English signage. It covers slavery, history, piracy, birds, and a few other things.
You can cover all of it in an hour or so. Glad we went.
If this review is helpful then please indicate so below.
You can cover all of it in an hour or so. Glad we went.
If this review is helpful then please indicate so below.
Written 13 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What can we do on our own once we depart the cruise ship on the 28th of December? Can we walk from port to town and museum? Thanks for your help.
Gladice
Written 19 December 2016
I'd disagree with the other posters. Belize City is not the safest place, and taking a wrong turn (even in day time) can lead you to places where you might feel insecure. Take a cab (they're inexpensive).
Written 20 December 2016
Is this facility handicap accessible? One person in our party is in a wheelchair.she can do minimal stairs and slight inclines if needed.
Written 10 December 2015
YES! All areas are easy to navigate, the streets outside may be trickier though
Written 11 December 2015
Showing results 1-2 of 2
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing