Corozal is of the last areas of Belize to be inhabited in colonial times. The first immigrants were Mestizos who fled the fighting in Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula in the 1840s.

Quick Facts About Corozal

Language:  Most spoken language in Corozal is Spanish. However, English is widely spoken.

Population: 46,472

Demonym(s): Corozaleño(a)

Economic activities: Sugar refining, rum distilling, fish processing, coconuts, and corn (maize).

Corozal Belize: The Perfect Blend For Everything

The northernmost district (state) in the country, Corozal has long been overlooked by most tourists, although that is beginning to change.

Near the district’s capital of Corozal Town can be found the Maya ruins of Santa Rita and Cerros. The ruins now known as Santa Rita once controlled vital trade routes between present-day Mexico and Guatemala. After the Caste War ended in 1901 in neighboring Mexico, thousands of ethnic Mestizos emigrated to Corozal to become farmers.

For most of Corozal’s modern history, the region was best known for its agriculture, particularly the sugar cane crop. Now that tourists have begun to explore this beautiful area, Corozal has become a leading site for eco-tourism, with visitors flocking to the fishing villages of Consejo and Sarteneja to experience an authentic taste of local life in Belize.

Corozal is also becoming a popular haven for expats and retirees from America and around the world, drawn to the town by its sleepy charm and easy access to affordable goods, high-quality medical care, and shopping opportunities just across the border in Mexico.

Things to See & Do in Corozal

Visitors are recommended to visit the nearby Mayan ruins of Cerros and Santa Rita. Cerros is located in the Bay of Chetumal, right on the coast, the only Mayan city in the world with an oceanfront view. It’s still possible to climb the steep steps of the main temple, offering visitors an unparalleled view of Chetumal, the New River, and the panorama of the Corozal District.

Another popular local attraction is visiting the fishing village of Sarteneja. Originally built by the Maya, it is now the largest fishing village in the country, home to locals who still fish the rich waters in small boats.

Birdwatchers will enjoy a trip to the Shipstern Nature Reserve, over 27,000 acres of unspoiled territory. The nature reserve is home to all five of Belize’s wild cat species, as well as more than 300 species of birds, including the endangered Baird’s Tapir.

What to Eat and Drink in Corozal

Just across the border from Mexico, Corozal is a great place to enjoy authentic Mexican food and drink. Local Belizean delicacies and snacks are also popular in Corozal, and visitors can explore the local markets to get the best in fresh produce and seafood. Roadside vendors sell some of the best fresh juice in the country, popular with locals and visitors alike.

Where to Stay in Corozal

Since Corozal is only just now being discovered by tourists, there are no large hotel chains or luxury accommodations. Quality lodgings can be found at the numerous family-owned small hotels and inns clustered on the coast or in the southern part of Corozal.

Here are the top places to stay in Corozal:

• Orchid Bay Resort
• Almond Tree Hotel Resort
• Las Palmas Hotel
• Serenity Sands Bed and Breakfast
• Royal Manor
• Cerros Beach Inn
• Casa de Shelley Unit 2 – The luxury pool house

Getting to Corozal

Most international visitors to Corozal first fly to Belize City at the Phillip Goldson International Airport. From there, taxis or shuttles can take you to any location in Corozal District.

For visitors coming in overland from Chetumal City in Mexico, public transportation on so-called “chicken buses” is the only option, which offer little in the way of comfort, but ticket prices are extremely affordable.

Top Attractions in Corozal Belize

• Corozal House of Culture
• Santa Rita Maya Ruins
• Corozal Free Zone
• Cerros Maya Ruins
• Sarteneja
• Consejo
• Corozal Town
• Shipstern Nature Reserve

Is Corozal Safe?

Yes, Corozal is a very safe destination to visit and live in Belize and crime is almost non-existent. Expats who move here are advised to not isolate from the community but to integrate and get to know people. Belizeans are extremely friendly people.

About Corozal Town

Corozal is a charming town of approximately 10,000 people located in the far north of Belize just across the border from Mexico. Popular due to its beautiful setting on the bay and close proximity to low-cost shopping across the border in Mexico, Corozal Town offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience Mestizo culture in Belize.

Why You Have to Visit Corozal Town

Approximately 90% of the historic town was destroyed in 1955 by Hurricane Janet, so the town’s lovely central district and colorful buildings have a unique look. Corozal was an important site during the days of the Maya Empire and today tourists can visit the nearby Maya ruins of Cerros and Santa Rita. Another popular attraction is Fort Barley, constructed by the British during the colonial era.

Located just across the Hondo River from Mexico, many of the residents of Corozal are descendants from refugees who fled Mexico in the Yucatan Wars of the 19th century. As such, Corozal is home to the Mestizos, the Spanish-speaking people who became displaced from Mexico.

Thanks to a special Free Zone with tax breaks, Corozal Town is popular with expatriates from North America who are attracted to the low cost of living, beautiful seafront views, and close access to low-cost retailers like Wal-Mart across the border in Chetumal, Mexico.

Where in Belize Is Corozal Town Located?

Corozal Town is the capital of Corozal District, located approximately 84 miles north of Belize City and 31 miles north of Orange Walk Town. Corozal is just nine miles south of the border with Mexico’s state of Quintana Roo and the city of Chetumal.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Corozal Town

Corozal is generally off the standard tourist track so visitors are unlikely to encounter crowds at any time of year. Thanks to cooler winds coming across from Mexico, the weather in Corozal is generally more pleasant during the hotter months than areas farther south in Belize.

Best Way to Get to Corozal Town

Domestic flights with Tropic Air and Maya Island Air connect the airpstrip at Corozal Town with the rest of the country. There are also regular transportation routes connecting Corozal Town with Orange Walk Town and Belize City as well as across the border to the Mexican city of Chetumal.

Best Way to Experience Corozal Town

Relaxed and laid-back is the state of affairs in this somewhat sleepy town that lies in the heart of Belize’s sugar district. Fishing, sailing and swimming in the bay is popular due to the calmness of the water. Corozal is also located near Shipstern Nature Reserve, known for its abundance of wildlife and bird species.

Retire in Corozal Belize

As one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world, Belize brings in visitors from around the world, attracted by the astoundingly beautiful natural areas, friendly people, and delicious food. Now, Belize is poised to become a top destination for retirees, offering expats a low cost of living, affordable property prices, and the perfect mix of modern convenience and laid-back Caribbean lifestyle.

Belize’s northern Corozal District is home to a thriving expat community. Located just a few miles from the border with Mexico, Corozal District benefits from cool temperate breezes that ensure fabulous weather all year-round. With excellent infrastructure, health care facilities, and access to familiar low-cost retailers like Sam’s Club and Wal-Mart just over the border, it’s no surprise that so many retirees from North America have chosen to live in Corozal District.

Belize is the only English-speaking country in the region, an added plus for expats who enjoy talking to the friendly locals and negotiating property contracts without needing to rely on translators. With plenty of fresh fruits and veggies grown right in Belize, and a bevy of delicious dishes ranging from Mexican to Caribbean-themed Creole food, it’s easy to see why so many retirees enjoy their new life in Belize. The low cost of living in Belize means that your dollar goes much further too, an added plus for retirees on a fixed budget.

Belize is also a country loaded with interesting and beautiful things to do and see. Whether you prefer a leisurely stroll through the rainforest and bird watching or more exciting activities like scuba diving and snorkeling, there is truly something for everyone in the Corozal District of Belize. Other popular attractions include exploring ancient Maya ruins, fishing, zip lining, white-water rafting, sea kayaking, and sailing.

Belize offers special incentives for qualified individuals wishing to retire in Belize. The Qualified Retired Persons (QRP) program imposes only a 30-day in-country residency requirement and lets eligible individuals import their personal goods, including vehicles, duty- and tax-free. Belize has a robust democratic government and property laws, and foreign ownership of land and businesses is heartily encouraged by the government. All property deeds, contracts, and documents are in English, and Belize has a transparent judicial system inherited from the long centuries of British rule.

A Brief History of Corozal Belize

For contemporary visitors coming to Corozal with more interest in water sports than this region’s exciting past, it can come as a surprise when, either by accident or intention, Belize’s history becomes a topic of conversation that reaches back around 5,000 years.

Once the home of nomadic Paleo/Archaic Maya who had grown weary of trekking from place to place in search of better topography and resources, Corozal was ultimately settled by pre-Classic Mayas who transformed this society dramatically.

Spectacular technological advances were achieved as this once nomadic populace settled their new home. Temple building, stele design and a sophisticated relationship with the cosmos provided all manner of civilization to the people, as did an expansive agricultural movement that resulted in surpluses rarely enjoyed by their ancestors.

Advances and sophistication mark the Post-Classic period

The Post-Classic period (900 to 1511 AD) saw an elevation of all things Mayan: religious practices, city-building and architectural innovation that prevailed until Spaniards arrived on the shores of Chetumal/Corozal. It took no time for these explorers to plunder and assume dominion over this lush green land located between the rivers Noh Ucum and Dzuluinicob, and along the coast of the pristine bay.

Further inland, the Spanish conquistadors found fertile soil, favorable weather and intensive agricultural practices that had allowed indigenous people to grow enough food to support a flourishing trading relationship in honey, salt and cacao beans, the source of chocolate. But Spanish greed and harsh rule lead to unrest, which is how and why Corozal became an epicenter of resistance to these conquerors.

Spaniards gain a foothold that extends to England

To add insult to injury, Spaniards brought with them disease and illnesses that had caused epidemics back home. Within a century, 90-percent of native populations throughout the region had been killed off by measles, smallpox and influenza. A Spanish Governor took control to oversee a search for gold and silver that never materialized, but logwood and dyewood plants proved to be just as valuable and access rights were stringently monitored by the governor.

During the 1500’s, pirates operated with abandon throughout the Caribbean and Belize was not spared from their assaults by sea. According to historians, pirates plundered the area most heavily between 1638 and 1662. Enter a new conquering nation at this point: Spaniards were unable to repel a British fleet. To keep the peace, a portion of the Yucatan peninsula was ceded to the Commonwealth, affording legitimacy to England via the 1763 Treaty of Paris that granted British settlers exclusive rights to harvest hardwood.

Dominating the entire Yucatan peninsula, Spaniards aligned themselves with Mestizos, triggering the Caste War of Yucatan (1847 to 1901). Mestizos were concentrated about 30 miles north of Corozal Town where a massacre lead to an unprecedented exodus of an estimated 10,000 displaced refugees. In fact, what’s now the northernmost town in Belize was officially founded by refugees surviving the Maya Indian uprising of 1848.

Ultimately, Mestizos took up residence Corozal where the unrest between them and indigenous Mayas became so contentious, by 1870, it had become a garrison town and resulted in the construction of Fort Barlee in 1870. Visitors can still see remnants of this fortress when they visit today.

Now a model of diversity, Corozal finds its place under the Belize sun

If Corozal were to be given a singular name that encompasses its current population, “melting pot” would be a good choice. An eclectic mix of Spaniards, Mayas and Mestizos, infused with a fascinating mix of Catholicism and ancient Maya religious practices, seem to have finally settled into a community—until the British came along to inflict yet another nation’s powerful dominance over the people and institutions of Belize.

By the time Corozal Town had been firmly established on an ancient past that included prosperity, rebellion, domination and extinction, the town was yet to suffer a final indignity: On September 27, 1955, Hurricane Janet barreled through Grenada before hitting Corozal Town and turning it into flattened landscape that resembled the aftermath of a war zone. Only 10 houses were left standing.

Building tomorrow from the remnants of yesterday

Having come through so many catastrophes over the centuries, the people of Corozal had no appetite for self-pity and began their rebuilding efforts just as soon as the rubble had been cleared. Today, Corozal remains an epicenter of cultural history where Santa Rita, a pyramid site located atop the vestiges of a Maya city that had thrived for 2000 years, still reminds citizens and visitors of the region’s rich past.