Belize Taco Festival
Updates as to date & Information: Dillon Jones (501) 626-4882 (THURSDAY) November 25, 2021
Taco Festival in Belize
Anyone from Belize would tell you that the best tacos in Belize are in Orange Walk. Each year, crowds gather to Orange Walk Town in Northern Belize to experience this tasty festival. This food festival showcases a wide variety of tacos styles and tastes. Usually held at the Banquitas House of Culture in Orange Walk Town, the abundance in tacos are accompanied by local drinks, cultural presentations and live performances by local artists.
Anyone from Belize would tell you that the best tacos in Belize are in Orange Walk. Each year, crowds gather to Orange Walk Town in Northern Belize to experience this tasty festival. This food festival showcases a wide variety of tacos styles and tastes. Usually held at the Banquitas House of Culture in Orange Walk Town, the abundance in tacos are accompanied by local drinks, cultural presentations and live performances by local artists.
Are You Going To the Belize Taco Festival?
The San Pedro Lobster Festival is a one day festival, held in at the Banquitas House of Culture in the northern town of Orange Walk. It started in 2010, and has slowly become more and more popular with each passing year. Come late November (taco lovers seem to gather from all districts), to celebrate their love for this authentic, Belizean dish. Over 50 vendors (chefs, cooks, & restaurants) all come out together to display their culinary skills when it comes to making the best taco out there.
The San Pedro Lobster Festival is a one day festival, held in at the Banquitas House of Culture in the northern town of Orange Walk. It started in 2010, and has slowly become more and more popular with each passing year. Come late November (taco lovers seem to gather from all districts), to celebrate their love for this authentic, Belizean dish. Over 50 vendors (chefs, cooks, & restaurants) all come out together to display their culinary skills when it comes to making the best taco out there.
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Agenda & Schedule of Activities
Day 1 - Taste of Orange Walk. This is a one day festival, usually held on a Sunday, to include over 50 vendors displaying their favorite version of the taco. The festival starts around 7:00 a.m. at the Banquitas House of Culture. There is food booths, live cultural music, food tasting, partying, live entertainment and dancing. Make your way around all the different booths, and try as many versions of tacos as your appetite can handle. Is Transportation provided? No
You will need to arrange your own private transportation to the event by either: car rental, shuttle, public transportation (buses), taxi, or hitch-hiking. |
Contact & Location Information
Contact: Dillon Jones (501) 626-4882 Facebook: Venue: Banquitas House of Culture Address: Downtown Orange Walk District: Orange Walk District 
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Treat yourself to Orange Walk Tacos filled with onion, cabbage, chicken, pork or all of the above.
I have always heard that Orange Walk Tacos in Belize are the best. Friends rave about them, I keep seeing street vendors around town claiming they make Orange Walk Tacos. So having a festival, in honor of the best tacos in the country seems like the right thing to do. I recently had an Orange Walk taco, and needless to say, they were delicious. In Belize, having tacos for breakfast is considered normal, this is why the Taco Festival starts at 7:00a.m. for all us local folks. Some people simply can't start their day, without a $3. dollar order of tacos for breakfast. Much like those who have to have their Johnny Cake, their Fry Jacks, their breakfast burrito.
One of the places in San Pedro, which has become very popular with many of the locals, is Neri's Tacos. They probably sell between 1,000 to 5,000 tacos each day, and the bulk of this - is for breakfast. This small eatery has gained so much popularity (on the island), that people are willing to stand in line and wait for their morning fixation of tacos. They sell them 3 for $1.BZD (or .50USD), people typically order by the dollar, stating "I would like $1. $2. $3. $4. or $5's worth of tacos." We find that the average person eats an order of $3. to 4. (or 9-12 tacos), children eat between $1. to $2. (or 3 to 6 tacos). Make sure you try one of their natural fresh juices, they have a great variety and they are simply delicious.
We personally feel that Neri's Taco's, beat anything in Orange Walk hands down, but you will need to be the judge. Come to San Pedro and try them at Neri's Tacos, and then go to Taco Festival and judge for yourself. For those of us on island, we feel blessed to have our own little "Orange Walk Taco" stand right here in town.
One of the places in San Pedro, which has become very popular with many of the locals, is Neri's Tacos. They probably sell between 1,000 to 5,000 tacos each day, and the bulk of this - is for breakfast. This small eatery has gained so much popularity (on the island), that people are willing to stand in line and wait for their morning fixation of tacos. They sell them 3 for $1.BZD (or .50USD), people typically order by the dollar, stating "I would like $1. $2. $3. $4. or $5's worth of tacos." We find that the average person eats an order of $3. to 4. (or 9-12 tacos), children eat between $1. to $2. (or 3 to 6 tacos). Make sure you try one of their natural fresh juices, they have a great variety and they are simply delicious.
We personally feel that Neri's Taco's, beat anything in Orange Walk hands down, but you will need to be the judge. Come to San Pedro and try them at Neri's Tacos, and then go to Taco Festival and judge for yourself. For those of us on island, we feel blessed to have our own little "Orange Walk Taco" stand right here in town.
Haven't Tried Orange Walk Tacos? Now's Your Chance!
Anyone who every comes to Belize, usually ends up hearing about "Orange Walk Tacos". Many have tried to duplicate these by copying their own version of this famous Belizean dish. Orange Walk tacos are typically made with a soft corn tortilla, then filled with flavorful chicken or pork, shredded cabbage, minced onion & hot peppers. Experience the light-hearted vibes of Orange Walk, as you meander through the various vendor food-booths, sampling tacos to your hearts content. Spend an entire day, indulging in the exciting taste of Tacos! If you want to experience Belize, then you're going to need to try an "Orange Walk Taco".
Anyone who every comes to Belize, usually ends up hearing about "Orange Walk Tacos". Many have tried to duplicate these by copying their own version of this famous Belizean dish. Orange Walk tacos are typically made with a soft corn tortilla, then filled with flavorful chicken or pork, shredded cabbage, minced onion & hot peppers. Experience the light-hearted vibes of Orange Walk, as you meander through the various vendor food-booths, sampling tacos to your hearts content. Spend an entire day, indulging in the exciting taste of Tacos! If you want to experience Belize, then you're going to need to try an "Orange Walk Taco".
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At the Taco Festival, you'll find a variety of tacos, both Belizean & Mexican style tacos. Mind you, that the Belizean tacos are not the same as Mexican tacos which are piled high and stuffed full of ingredients. The basic Belizean taco is made of a single corn tortilla, filled with shredded stew chicken, onion sauce (picadillo) and shredded cabbage on the inside. It’s rolled up like a cigarette (not too appealing on the eyes from the outside), but super tasty on the inside. Each taco shop has its own flavored stew chicken which makes them stand out from the rest. It’s the seasoning of the chicken and the way the onion sauce is prepared that makes all the difference. Two simple ingredients with the right seasonings are all what it takes to make a good fast food taco.
Taco and meat lovers converged in Orange Walk Town for the Taco Festival. The Festival sees some fifty tacos vendors pool at the Banquitas House of Culture to sell a variety of tacos, including beef, pork, and the ever popular chicken tacos. This event has become very popular for Belizeans all over the country. Festivals feature a marching band, cultural presentations, a tasting competition and live music.
The Tacos Festival, is one of Belize’s most anticipated tasty celebrations. The food festival showcased a wide variety of tacos in different styles and tastes, attracting thousands of Belizeans from across the country. The festivities also included cultural presentations and live performances by local artists. Vendors at various booths tried their best to impress the crowd, as well as the judges, who at the end of the day would choose the top three winners for the best tacos.
Orange Walk Town has long been known for its rich tacos. The crowds began to arrive as early as 9AM lining up at the food booths stationed underneath the House of Culture, offering all types of tacos to choose from. From tacos al pastor to pibil tacos, grilled tacos, fried tacos, baked pork and chicken tacos, beef, and even tacos Arachera style, there was plenty to choose from.
Organizer of the event, Dillon Jones, shared with The San Pedro Sun that the festival has been positively growing for the past few years. “We are now getting more support from the business community as more sponsors keep joining the festival every year,” said Jones. “The festival will eventually develop into a larger festivity in the future, and maybe even expand into a two-day event since it is becoming very popular thanks to everyone who comes out in support.” According to him, close to a thousand pounds of tortillas are consumed during this one–day event.
Throughout the day, there were cultural presentations, including East Indian ‘Belly Dancing,’ traditional mestizo dances, and the presence of Orange Walk’s Queen of the Bay. A playground outside of the booth line kept children entertained with small mechanical rides and bounce houses.
Later in the evening, the judges tallied their scores and the top three winners for this year’s Tacos Festival were announced. Following the presentation of prizes, everyone was invited to continue enjoying the food and the festivities.
The Tacos Festival, is one of Belize’s most anticipated tasty celebrations. The food festival showcased a wide variety of tacos in different styles and tastes, attracting thousands of Belizeans from across the country. The festivities also included cultural presentations and live performances by local artists. Vendors at various booths tried their best to impress the crowd, as well as the judges, who at the end of the day would choose the top three winners for the best tacos.
Orange Walk Town has long been known for its rich tacos. The crowds began to arrive as early as 9AM lining up at the food booths stationed underneath the House of Culture, offering all types of tacos to choose from. From tacos al pastor to pibil tacos, grilled tacos, fried tacos, baked pork and chicken tacos, beef, and even tacos Arachera style, there was plenty to choose from.
Organizer of the event, Dillon Jones, shared with The San Pedro Sun that the festival has been positively growing for the past few years. “We are now getting more support from the business community as more sponsors keep joining the festival every year,” said Jones. “The festival will eventually develop into a larger festivity in the future, and maybe even expand into a two-day event since it is becoming very popular thanks to everyone who comes out in support.” According to him, close to a thousand pounds of tortillas are consumed during this one–day event.
Throughout the day, there were cultural presentations, including East Indian ‘Belly Dancing,’ traditional mestizo dances, and the presence of Orange Walk’s Queen of the Bay. A playground outside of the booth line kept children entertained with small mechanical rides and bounce houses.
Later in the evening, the judges tallied their scores and the top three winners for this year’s Tacos Festival were announced. Following the presentation of prizes, everyone was invited to continue enjoying the food and the festivities.
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Why is the Taco Festival held?
The primary goal of the Taco Festival is to capitalize on those of us who have a love for the taco in any form. The inspiration behind the Taco Festival is simply to pay tribute to a food many truly love. Taco festival comes at the beginning of high-season (November) in Belize. The festival promotes the cultural and culinary uniqueness that both locals and tourists enjoy. This is done by featuring a variety of authentic foods and delicacies to that can be placed inside a taco. Enjoy the cultural entertainment, music, dancing, where you will find clean wholesome fun for the entire family. The Taco Festival is just good clean family fun, that celebrates everything about the taco, with good food, music, and dance in a wholesome, family-friendly atmosphere. The festival also provides an economic boost to the local businesses. When vendors sign up for the festival, they are charged a small fee, given a booth space at the festival, and they get a crate full of chicken from quality poultry products. This is their incentive to do well, and make a little money. What Happens on the Festival Days?
Day 1 - Taste of Orange Walk. This is a one day festival, usually held on a Sunday, to include over 50 vendors displaying their favorite version of the taco. There is food booths, live cultural music, food tasting, partying, live entertainment and dancing. Make your way around all the different booths, and try as many versions of tacos as your appetite can handle. At the Taco Festival, you'll find big entertainment for everyone, also the kids. We have a bouncy house, a kid's corner and lots and lots of giveaways. |
1-Day Taco Festival
Taco Festival in Belize - Orange Walk is where Belizeans go to get the best tacos in the land during November (and for many), Orange Walk Town should be declared Taco Town instead of Sugar City. During the Taco Festival, vendors serve up all kinds of meat served in either a corn or flour tortilla. There is chicken tacos, beef tacos, pork tacos and even seafood tacos, or a combination thereof. Better yet, make your own taco from any of the ingredients available, for a truly scrumptious meal.
At the Taco Festival you will find cochinita pibil (pork) that has been slow cooked under ground. Many of the food vendors serve up tacos made right there (with their hands), at the booths. There is anywhere between 20 and 50+ vendors who participate in the Taco Festival. The festival showcases a wide variety of tacos all in different styles and tastes, attracting thousands of Belizeans from across the country. At these festivals, there is cultural presentations, live performances by local artists, food booths who try their best to impress. At the end of the day (the judges), announce three winners for the best tacos in Belize (1st, 2nd & 3rd place).
Orange Walk has become incredibly famous for their "street tacos" so much so that the district annually holds its very own Tacos Festival. Enjoy fresh corn tortillas loaded with tasty chicken (or pork), topped off with your choice of veg (usually only cabbage) and of course - local pepper sauces! Driving through Orange Walk, you're likely to pass food vendors at most street corners selling tacos - chicken tacos, pibil tacos, pork tacos, fried tacos.. Basically, any kind of tacos!
At the Taco Festival you will find cochinita pibil (pork) that has been slow cooked under ground. Many of the food vendors serve up tacos made right there (with their hands), at the booths. There is anywhere between 20 and 50+ vendors who participate in the Taco Festival. The festival showcases a wide variety of tacos all in different styles and tastes, attracting thousands of Belizeans from across the country. At these festivals, there is cultural presentations, live performances by local artists, food booths who try their best to impress. At the end of the day (the judges), announce three winners for the best tacos in Belize (1st, 2nd & 3rd place).
Orange Walk has become incredibly famous for their "street tacos" so much so that the district annually holds its very own Tacos Festival. Enjoy fresh corn tortillas loaded with tasty chicken (or pork), topped off with your choice of veg (usually only cabbage) and of course - local pepper sauces! Driving through Orange Walk, you're likely to pass food vendors at most street corners selling tacos - chicken tacos, pibil tacos, pork tacos, fried tacos.. Basically, any kind of tacos!
Why Should You Attend the Taco Festival?
Who doesn’t want to go to a festival for tacos? Each year, more and more people travel to Northern Belize to get their tummies filled with delicious tacos. Be there this year and savor all the different styles and flavors of tacos! This is a fun and exciting exciting event for locals and travelers alike. There is not only an overwhelming display of tacos to choose from, there is also great prices on a variety of food items and drinks for this November event. As your calendar creeps towards the end of the year, start high-season with a bang! Come November the Taco Festival kicks off high-season for many locals. You can find anything from signature taco dishes, to soft & hard tacos with a lime twist, not to mention the infamous Orange Walk Tacos, that everyone talks about and craves. Grab your family and friends and head to Orange Walk for the a great family event - Taco Festival.
Who doesn’t want to go to a festival for tacos? Each year, more and more people travel to Northern Belize to get their tummies filled with delicious tacos. Be there this year and savor all the different styles and flavors of tacos! This is a fun and exciting exciting event for locals and travelers alike. There is not only an overwhelming display of tacos to choose from, there is also great prices on a variety of food items and drinks for this November event. As your calendar creeps towards the end of the year, start high-season with a bang! Come November the Taco Festival kicks off high-season for many locals. You can find anything from signature taco dishes, to soft & hard tacos with a lime twist, not to mention the infamous Orange Walk Tacos, that everyone talks about and craves. Grab your family and friends and head to Orange Walk for the a great family event - Taco Festival.
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Taco Festival Highlights
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When is the Taco Festival Held?
The Taco Festival is a one day festival event, usually held on a Sunday (late November), in the the Orange Walk District of Belize. Best Way to Experience Taco Festival?
This is a one-day event held (late November), and starts at 7:00a.m. in the morning. Throughout the day, you can eat, drink, and listen to a variety of cultural presentations, dancing, live music, and kids activities. Bring your appetite, as you will want to taste a taco in every food both, by every vendor. This is a time to sit back, enjoy a drink, watch the kids play, listen to some music and enjoy some good, clean, family fun. What to do at the Taco Festival? The Taco Festival (in Orange Walk), is a wonderful opportunity for locals and visitors to experience the wonderful flavor of authentic local tacos in an exciting way. To celebrate this local event, local cooks, and chefs from all over Belize come to display their delicious version of Belize's favorite taco. The taco festival is held only once a year, so don't miss this event. Be sure to arrive hungry as there are dozens of booths, all displaying the best of the best when it comes to Belize tacos. The festival is held at the Banquitas House of Culture, which is a museum full of history as it relates to Belize. Why not attend the taco festival and make arrangements to tour the museaum with your family. |
Where is the Taco Festival Located?
The Taco Festival is held at the Banquitas House of Culture in Orange Walk Town, in the Orange Walk District of Belize. How Do I Get to the Taco Festival?
Located in the heart of Orange Walk Town, on Main Street, Las Banquitas House of Culture offers a unique historical collection depicting the evolution of norther Belize. From the ancient Maya development of the north to the cultural predominance of the Mestizo, learn the traditions and significance of this region. By Taxi or Rental Car - (1) hour drive from Belize City By Bus - (1-1/2) hour ride from Belize City 
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q-How can I get to the Taco Festival?
You have several options when traveling to Orange Walk to attend the Taco Festival. Depending on where you are, you can either travel by bus, or private vehicle.
Cash is preferred, there is no guarantee that credit cards will be accepted everywhere.
You have several options when traveling to Orange Walk to attend the Taco Festival. Depending on where you are, you can either travel by bus, or private vehicle.
- By Private Vehicle - Will take you a little over an hour to drive from Belize City to Orange Walk.
- By Bus - Will take you about 1-1/2 to 2 hours to get there, from Belize City. Bus fare would depend on where you are, and whether it's a regular or express bus, which would vary from $5 BZD to $9 BZD (one-way).
Cash is preferred, there is no guarantee that credit cards will be accepted everywhere.
History of the Taco
History of the Taco
The origins of the taco are really unknown. One theory is that it dates from the 18th century and the silver mines in Mexico, because in those mins the word "taco" referred to the little charges they would use to excavate the ore. These were pieces of paper that they would wrap around gunpower and insert into the holes they carved in the rock face. When you think about it, a chicken taquito with a good hot sauce is really alot like a stick of dynamite. The first references (to the taco) in any sort of archive or dictionary come from the end of the 19th century. And one of the first types of tacos described is called tacos de minero - miner's tacos. So the taco is not necessarily this age-old cultural expression; it's not a food that goes back to time immemorial.
Wikipedia states: The taco predates the arrival of the Spanish in Mexico. There is anthropological evidence that the indigenous people living in the lake region of the Valley of Mexico traditionally ate tacos filled with small fish. Writing at the time of the Spanich conquist5adors, Bernal Diaz del Castillo documented the first taco fest enjoyed by Europeans, a meal which Hernan Cortes arranged for his captains in Coyoacan.
The origins of the taco are really unknown. One theory is that it dates from the 18th century and the silver mines in Mexico, because in those mins the word "taco" referred to the little charges they would use to excavate the ore. These were pieces of paper that they would wrap around gunpower and insert into the holes they carved in the rock face. When you think about it, a chicken taquito with a good hot sauce is really alot like a stick of dynamite. The first references (to the taco) in any sort of archive or dictionary come from the end of the 19th century. And one of the first types of tacos described is called tacos de minero - miner's tacos. So the taco is not necessarily this age-old cultural expression; it's not a food that goes back to time immemorial.
Wikipedia states: The taco predates the arrival of the Spanish in Mexico. There is anthropological evidence that the indigenous people living in the lake region of the Valley of Mexico traditionally ate tacos filled with small fish. Writing at the time of the Spanich conquist5adors, Bernal Diaz del Castillo documented the first taco fest enjoyed by Europeans, a meal which Hernan Cortes arranged for his captains in Coyoacan.
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