Plizio Visual Lab

Valley of Peace

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

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Practical info — Valley of Peace

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🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

Spanish is widely spoken here due to the community's Salvadoran roots; a few basic phrases will go a long way.
The village is quite rural; ensure you have enough cash as ATMs are not readily available.
Roads to and within the village can be unpaved, so a sturdy vehicle is recommended if you're driving.
It's a wonderful place to experience a fusion of Belizean and Central American cultures.
Look out for small community events or weekend markets where locals gather.

🍽 Food

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Authentic Pupusas

You must try the traditional Salvadoran pupusas filled with cheese and beans at local small eateries.

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Fresh Empanadas

Ask around for vendors selling freshly fried empanadas in the village center.

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Tropical Fruit Frescos

Refresh yourself with homemade fresh fruit juices sold by local families.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

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Village Tiendas

Visit the small community shops for basic snacks and Central American imported goods.

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Local Farm Produce

Buy fresh vegetables and fruits directly from the farmers or small village stalls.

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Agricultural Outskirts

Take a quiet walk along the paths bordering the lush farming fields surrounding the village.

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Village Center

Relax near the local church or central meeting area during the quiet mid-afternoon hours.

Valley of Peace is a unique agricultural community in the Cayo District of Belize, established in 1982 as a joint project between the Belizean government and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The primary objective of the settlement was to provide a new home and a sustainable livelihood through farming for refugees fleeing the civil war in El Salvador. Located north of the capital, Belmopan, the community has evolved since its inception into one of the most productive agricultural areas in the country. Valley of Peace supplies a significant portion of the vegetables and staple crops found in the markets of the capital and across Belize. Through immense hard work, the residents transformed tropical jungle into fertile farmland while establishing sustainable cultivation practices. Despite early challenges, the community is now deeply integrated into Belizean society, with both Spanish and English widely spoken. The settlement is characterized by a strong cooperative structure and a profound sense of social cohesion. Valley of Peace stands as a globally recognized success story for refugee integration, demonstrating how targeted agricultural development can contribute to national prosperity.