Plizio Visual Lab

Hattieville

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

City

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Practical info — Hattieville

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🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

Note that this is a small transit town; bring enough cash with you.
Use the public buses along the Western Highway for onward travel.
It's best to explore the area during the day when the small shops are open.
Expect a very relaxed, local atmosphere away from mass tourism.

🍽 Food

🍽

Rice and Beans

A traditional Belizean dish found in simple eateries along the main road.

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Fry Jacks

Deep-fried pieces of dough sold in the morning at small food stands.

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Fresh fruit juices

Buy fresh juices straight from local street vendors.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

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Local grocery stores

Buy basic supplies and local snacks here for your onward journey.

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Street stalls

Occasionally you'll find handmade trinkets from locals.

🧘

Banks of the Belize River

Take a short walk near the river for a bit of nature.

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Village Square

A quiet place to rest and observe the leisurely village life.

Hattieville is a historically significant village in the Belize District, established in the aftermath of the catastrophic Hurricane Hattie in 1961. Originally planned as a temporary refugee camp for displaced residents from Belize City, the settlement rapidly evolved into a permanent community situated along the George Price Highway. The village's name stands as a lasting memorial to the devastating storm that eventually led to the relocation of the national capital to Belmopan. Today, Hattieville is widely recognized across the country as the site of the Belize Central Prison, managed by the Kolbe Foundation, which plays a major role in the village's social and economic landscape. Despite its origins as an emergency encampment, Hattieville has developed into a stable village with its own infrastructure, including schools and small businesses. Its location between the coast and the inland capital makes it a key transit point for domestic travel. The surrounding terrain features pine savannas and wetlands typical of central Belize's lowland geography. In recent years, the village has benefited from improved transportation links, attracting new residents seeking a quieter environment outside the bustle of larger urban centers.

Location: Belize
Nearby: San Joaquin (Corozal) (5 km)
Population: ~2.184 (2025)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jan–Mar.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	23	24	26	28	28	27	27	27	27	25	24	23
Rain mm	101	55	45	34	118	230	149	174	198	243	170	126

Geography

Population

2,184 (2025)

Coordinates

17.45000, -88.40000

Facts

Hattieville was founded in 1961 as a refugee camp following Hurricane Hattie.
The village is located on the George Price Highway in the Belize District.
It is the site of the Belize Central Prison, the nation's only correctional facility.
The settlement is situated about 16 miles west of Belize City.
Hattieville was originally designed to house up to 10,000 displaced persons.
The surrounding landscape is dominated by pine ridge savannas.