Shipyard Travel Guide

City City in Orange Walk District, Belize

Shipyard is a Mennonite community in Orange Walk: expect woodworking shops, dairy farms and a deliberate quiet. Travelers come for home-produced cheeses, woodcraft and glimpses of traditional Anabaptist life.

Costs

Around $30-$50 per day

Low-cost local food and simple lodgings.

Safety

Generally safe but socially strict

Very conservative community; respect local customs.

Best Time

Best: November-April

Dry season is easiest for travel on unpaved roads.

In This Guide

Why Visit Shipyard?
Top Things to Do
Plan Your Visit
Where to Stay
Where to Eat

Time

—

Weather

—

Population

4,070

Infrastructure & Convenience

Limited tourist services, unpaved roads, few shops; respectful behavior required.

Popularity

Extremely low tourist numbers; of interest to cultural visitors.

Known For

Old Colony Mennonite community, horse-and-buggy transport, dairy and farming, woodworking, traditional dress, simple lifestyle, agricultural production

Shipyard is an Old Colony Mennonite settlement where horse-drawn buggies remain a common sight.

Why Visit Shipyard? #

Shipyard is one of Belize’s Mennonite settlements where travelers interested in traditional rural life can observe horse-drawn buggies, wooden workshops, and simple, community-focused routines. Bakeries and dairies produce hearty breads, cheeses and smoked hams; visiting markets offer fresh produce and handcrafted furniture. Close New River boat trips to the Lamanai Mayan ruins provide an archaeological counterpoint, and the surrounding agricultural landscape highlights a quietly industrious way of life very different from Belize’s coastal resorts.

Top Things to Do in Shipyard

All Attractions ›

Altun Ha

Ancient Maya city with ceremonial plazas and pyramids

Archaeological Site

Lamanai

Riverside Maya ruins occupied from Preclassic through Colonial

Archaeological Site

Cuello

Preclassic Maya archaeological site with early agriculture evidence

Archaeological Site

Nohmul

Ancient Maya archaeological site with large earthen mounds

Archaeological Site

Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary

Protected wetlands in Belize supporting birdlife

Wildlife Reserve

Don't Miss

Shipyard community canoe tours - Paddle traditional waterways with local guides to see birds and river life.
Shipyard local market - Small market selling handmade crafts, fresh produce, and Belizean snacks.
Shipyard fishing cooperative - Observe traditional net-fishing practices and seasonal catch processing with locals.

Hidden Gems

Bermudian Landing (Community Baboon Sanctuary) - Small reserve protecting howler monkeys with community-guided walks and interpretive signs.
Traditional boat builders of Orange Walk - Small workshops handcraft wooden boats using techniques passed down generations.
Shipyard community murals - Colorful murals depicting river life and Garifuna folklore painted by residents.

Day Trips

Lamanai Archaeological Reserve - Extensive Maya site reachable by river boat, featuring towering temples and jungle paths.
Rio Bravo Conservation Area - Private reserve with rainforest hikes, wildlife viewing, and canopy research stations.

Best Time to Visit Shipyard #

Visit in the dry season (December-April) for lower humidity, good wildlife viewing, and easier access to archaeological sites. The wet season brings heavy rains and occasional storms.

Wet Season

June - November · 24-31°C (75-88°F)

Frequent heavy afternoon downpours, high humidity, and muddy trails; jungle and rivers look spectacular but expect travel delays and mosquitoes.

Dry Season

December - April · 21-29°C (70-84°F)

Warm, sunnier days with lower humidity make this prime time for Maya sites, birding, and boat trips - busiest, so book early.

Hot Season

March - May · 24-34°C (75-93°F)

Temperatures climb, humidity becomes stifling before rains return; great for early-morning wildlife outings but afternoons are often unbearable and sticky.

Best Time to Visit Shipyard #

Climate

Shipyard's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 17°C to 34°C. Abundant rainfall (1566 mm/year), wettest in September.

Best Time to Visit

MarchFebruaryJanuary

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

42°

Warmest Month

10°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 17°C. Regular rainfall (84 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

81 Excellent

Comfort

23°

Feels Like Mild

23°C

Temperature

17° – 29°

82%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

84 mm

Rainfall

2.0 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.4

UV Index

High

11.1h daylight

February

February is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm).

87 Excellent

Comfort

24°

Feels Like Warm

24°C

Temperature

18° – 30°

77%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

45 mm

Rainfall

2.3 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.7

UV Index

Very High

11.5h daylight

March

March is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 19°C. Moderate rainfall (43 mm).

89 Excellent

Comfort

25°

Feels Like Warm

25°C

Temperature

19° – 32°

69%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

43 mm

Rainfall

2.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.1

UV Index

Extreme

11.9h daylight

April

April is warm with highs of 33°C and lows of 20°C. Moderate rainfall (41 mm).

81 Excellent

Comfort

27°

Feels Like Warm

27°C

Temperature

21° – 33°

65%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

41 mm

Rainfall

2.9 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.3

UV Index

Extreme

12.4h daylight

May

May is the hottest month, feeling like 30°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (101 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

71 Very Good

Comfort

30°

Feels Like Hot

28°C

Temperature

22° – 34°

70%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

101 mm

Rainfall

2.6 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.2

UV Index

Extreme

12.8h daylight

June

June is the hottest month, feeling like 32°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (220 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

61 Good

Comfort

32°

Feels Like Hot

28°C

Temperature

23° – 33°

85%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

220 mm

Rainfall

2.3 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.1

UV Index

Extreme

13.0h daylight

July

July is hot, feeling like 31°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (208 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

61 Good

Comfort

31°

Feels Like Hot

27°C

Temperature

22° – 32°

86%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

208 mm

Rainfall

2.2 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.1

UV Index

Extreme

12.9h daylight

August

August is hot, feeling like 32°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (180 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

67 Good

Comfort

32°

Feels Like Hot

27°C

Temperature

22° – 33°

86%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

180 mm

Rainfall

1.8 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.2

UV Index

Extreme

12.6h daylight

September

September is hot, feeling like 32°C with oppressive humidity. The wettest month with heavy rain (234 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

61 Good

Comfort

32°

Feels Like Hot

27°C

Temperature

22° – 32°

89%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

234 mm

Rainfall

1.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.1

UV Index

Extreme

12.1h daylight

October

October is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Significant rainfall (190 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

63 Good

Comfort

26°

Feels Like Warm

26°C

Temperature

21° – 32°

91%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

190 mm

Rainfall

1.6 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.7

UV Index

Very High

11.6h daylight

November

November is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 19°C. Significant rainfall (120 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

71 Very Good

Comfort

25°

Feels Like Warm

25°C

Temperature

19° – 31°

89%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

120 mm

Rainfall

1.6 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.4

UV Index

High

11.2h daylight

December

December is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 18°C. Regular rainfall (100 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

79 Very Good

Comfort

24°

Feels Like Mild

24°C

Temperature

18° – 30°

86%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

100 mm

Rainfall

1.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.3

UV Index

High

11.0h daylight

How to Get to Shipyard

Shipyard (Orange Walk District) is reached via Belize City, with most international travellers flying into Philip S. W. Goldson (BZE) and continuing by bus or private transfer north to Orange Walk. There is no passenger rail in Belize; buses and taxis are the main overland options.

By Air

Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE): BZE (near Belize City) is the main international airport for Belize and the typical arrival point for Orange Walk District. Road travel from BZE to Orange Walk Town is about 1.5-2 hours by highway; shared buses and shuttles run from Belize City to Orange Walk and onward local taxis cover shorter hops.

Local airstrips: Orange Walk has small airstrips used for charter or agricultural flights, but scheduled commercial flights are routed through BZE; these local strips are not generally used for international arrivals.

By Train & Bus

Train: Belize has no passenger rail network.

Bus: Regular bus services run from Belize City to Orange Walk Town and other northern destinations. Buses and minibuses (often run by private operators) are the low‑cost option for travel to Orange Walk and then local taxis/collectivos serve smaller settlements like Shipyard. Expect a journey time from Belize City of around 1.5-2 hours by bus.

How to Get Around Shipyard #

Shipyard is a rural community in Orange Walk District best reached by private vehicle or taxi from Orange Walk Town. Local travel tends to be on foot or by bicycle within the settlement; many access roads are unpaved. Public transport is sparse, so plan transfers in advance and expect limited scheduled services for longer trips.

Where to Stay in Shipyard #

Budget

Orange Walk town - $20-70/night

Shipyard is a small Orange Walk District settlement with very few formal hotels. Budget stays usually mean basic guesthouses in Orange Walk town or ecolodges nearby.

Lamanai Outpost Lodge - Riverside ecolodge near ruins
Orange Walk town guesthouses (various) - Small local guesthouses and B&Bs

Mid-Range

Orange Walk / Lamanai area - $80-180/night

Mid-range choices are mainly ecolodges and jungle lodges in the region; services are rustic but comfortable. Expect to travel from Shipyard to reach them.

Chan Chich Lodge - Remote rainforest lodge (Cayo District)
Lamanai Outpost Lodge - Comfortable jungle lodge near archaeological site

Luxury

Belize high-end lodges (travel required) - $200+/night

There are no true luxury hotels in Shipyard itself. For high-end lodges or boutique resorts you'll need to base in larger hubs and travel into the district.