Introduction
When I traveled north toward Orange Walk Town, I expected good tacos. What I didn’t expect was to step into one of the most layered, culturally rich towns in Belize — a place shaped by Maya civilization, migration, resilience, sugar cane, and border trade.
Orange Walk Town is the capital and commercial center of the Orange Walk District. It sits on the western bank of the New River, about 53 miles north of Belize City, 30 miles south of Corozal, and 43 miles from Chetumal, Mexico. It’s the fourth largest town in Belize, with a population of around 13,400 people, and the wider district holds over 45,000 residents.
But numbers don’t tell the full story.
Before it was called Orange Walk, the area was known in pre-Columbian times as Holpatin, according to historian Eric Thompson. The region is home to some of the earliest Maya settlements in Belize.
Just outside town lies Cuello, the oldest known Maya settlement in Belize, dating back to around 2000 BC. Not far away is Lamanai, one of the most impressive Maya sites in the country, whose name means “submerged crocodile.”
The Maya flourished here long before European contact in the 1530s, when conflict over land began reshaping the region.
The modern town began forming along the New River as a stop for logwood, mahogany, and chicle workers. The river served as a transportation route to the sea, and Orange Walk became a logging camp hub. After the Caste War of Yucatán (1847–1901), a massive influx of Maya and Mestizo refugees from Mexico transformed the town. Their arrival permanently shaped the culture, language, and cuisine.
In 1963, the establishment of the sugar mill brought even more growth. Today, Orange Walk is often called “Sugar City”, and you can feel that agricultural backbone everywhere.
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Despite its English name, Orange Walk feels distinctly northern and deeply Mestizo.
Spanish is widely spoken and often heard more casually than English in daily conversation. The majority of residents are Mestizo, with strong Maya heritage. The people are known for being hardworking, disciplined, and business-minded. Many residents commute to Belize City or work near the northern border.
There’s something grounded about the town. Practical. Focused. Proud.
Getting there is straightforward:
🚗 About 1.5 hours by car from Belize City via the Philip Goldson Highway.
🚌 Regular buses run north daily.
🚙 Easy access from Corozal or even Chetumal, Mexico.
Because of its proximity to Mexico, there is significant cross-border movement. Over a million Belizeans cross into Mexico annually for goods and services. The northern connection is real — economically and culturally.
Orange Walk Town is located in northern Belize on the western bank of the New River, about 53 miles north of Belize City and 30 miles south of Corozal Town. It serves as the capital and commercial center of the Orange Walk District and is often called “Sugar City” or “Sugah City” because of its strong agricultural roots. The town blends Maya heritage, Mestizo culture, and northern Belizean identity, making it one of the most culturally rich areas in the country.
This was easily the highlight of my trip.
You travel by boat along the New River, spotting wildlife — birds, crocodiles, lush greenery — before arriving at Lamanai. Unlike some other ruins in Belize, Lamanai feels alive. You can climb towering temples that rise above the jungle canopy. Standing at the top, you see endless green stretching toward the horizon.
It’s humbling to realize you’re walking through one of the longest continually occupied Maya sites in the region.
Orange Walk is famous for its tacos.
And I understand why.
The Mestizo influence dominates the food scene. Fresh corn tortillas, slow-cooked meats, onion sauces, habanero heat — everything tastes layered and intentional. The tacos here are simple but powerful. You taste Mexico, but with Belizean identity.
If you visit, do not leave without:
Tacos from a local stand (ask locals where they go).
Escabeche (onion-based chicken soup).
Garnaches or salbutes.
Food here isn’t just food — it’s migration history on a plate.
Cuello is quieter and older than most ruins people talk about. Archaeologically, it’s incredibly important — the oldest known Maya site in Belize. Standing there, I felt like I was at the beginning of something ancient.
The New River is the artery of the town. Historically, it powered trade and logging. Today, it offers calm views and a reminder of how geography shapes destiny.
Orange Walk doesn’t try to impress you loudly.
It’s not flashy like the cayes.
It’s not jungle-adventure intense like Cayo.
It’s rooted.
It’s agricultural.
It’s historic.
It’s community-driven.
It carries the story of displacement, resilience, and rebuilding. From ancient Maya settlements to refugee migration to sugar production — this town has constantly evolved.
And yet, it feels steady.
Town population: ~13,400
District population: ~45,946
Significant number of residents live abroad or commute for work
Predominantly Mestizo with Maya heritage
If you truly want to understand Belize beyond beaches and resorts, come north.
Explore the temples that predate empires.
Taste tacos shaped by war and migration.
Boat down the same river that carried logwood and mahogany to the sea.
Stand in a town built by people who refused to disappear.
Orange Walk isn’t just a stop on the map.
It’s a chapter of Belize’s identity.
And it deserves your time.
It is called Sugar City because of its strong sugar cane industry and the establishment of the sugar mill in 1963, which significantly boosted the local economy.
Top attractions include Lamanai Maya Ruins, Cuello (the oldest Maya settlement in Belize), New River boat tours, local taco spots, and cultural festivals.
The town is especially famous for its tacos, considered by many to be the best in Belize, along with traditional Mestizo dishes like escabeche and chimole.
You can reach Orange Walk Town by driving north from Belize City via the Philip Goldson Highway (about 1.5 hours), by bus, or private transfer.
Next time you’re planning your Belize itinerary, don’t skip the north. Add Orange Walk Town to your journey. Explore Lamanai. Eat the tacos. Walk the river. Talk to the people.
If you want the real story of Belize — this is where it lives.