Monday, April 1, 2024

Belize Cruise Port Guide: What Is There to Do in Belize City?

belize cruise port map

This long tender ride evidently leads to long lines trying to leave the ship in the morning or return to the ship in the afternoon. The lines are such a problem that others have suggested you need to book a Royal Caribbean excursion because those people get priority to leave first. Caye Caulker is the less visited of the two islands and has a laid-back, relaxing vibe that will let you know you’re in the Caribbean. It’s the cheaper of the two options and more friendly to budget limits than Ambergris while providing some quality beaches with fewer crowds. Tourism Village is the main shopping area for tourists in Belize City.

Belize City Cruise Port Guide

Many excursions may also include a river trip to Lamanai, showcasing its majestic temples peeking through the rainforest. For an all-inclusive experience near Belize City, consider an excursion through your cruise line that includes transportation if it is available. You’ll find cruise excursions offering outdoor activities such as zip-lining and cave tubing, popular pastimes in this region. Your excursion to places such as Altun Ha starts with a bus ride through the town. With charming local tour guides giving you the history of the place along the way. Other excursions to ruin sites such as Lamanai, will have you take a bus ride and a boat ride to get to the site.

Shopping & Restaurants

Head to immaculate island beaches like Ambergris Caye, where you can dive into warm Caribbean waters and snorkel along the Belize Barrier Reef, the second largest coral reef in the world. Via boats from Placencia are also offered scuba diving/snorkeling tours to the Great Blue Hole and Half Moon Caye, both part of the Lighthouse Reef Atoll. The following timetable provides valuable information and keeps track of the future cruise shiparrivals from all major cruise lines. Inorder to find out more about the cruise ship itineraries such as ports, dates, and arrival/departuretimes just follow the ship’s link. Several major cruise lines stop in Belize, and rumor has many more are planning to do so in the future.

Where is Belize City?

English is the official language in Belize, making it convenient for English-speaking tourists to communicate with locals. Spanish is also widely spoken, providing a comfortable experience for Spanish-speaking visitors. Travel information and signs are often in English, aiding travelers in navigation and interaction. The arts and crafts scene in Belize is reflective of its cultural diversity. Handmade items, typically found in local markets or the bustling tourist village at the port, range from vibrant textiles to intricate woodwork. Del Sol products epitomize the creativity found here, with items that change color in the sun, offering a unique souvenir that captures the essence of Belize's artistic flair.

belize cruise port map

The Belize River runs through Belize City and acts a conduit to the country’s north-central interior. Those who fantasize about being Indiana Jones can also hire a local guide to lead them on a long, hot walk to the site via jungle trails. As part of my next Royal Caribbean cruise, I want to take you along for the planning process as we make decisions and plan our Royal Caribbean vacation. I hope this will give you some insight into my thought process and perhaps this will assist you for planning your next Royal Caribbean cruise too.

Official: Belize Cruise Port Behind Schedule - TravelPulse

Official: Belize Cruise Port Behind Schedule.

Posted: Tue, 05 Jan 2016 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Wildlife and Nature Excursions

The best Caribbean islands for families offer beaches, adventures, and new experiences. Kick back at Placencia Peninsula with its soft sand and array of beachfront restaurants and bars. Head to Hopkins Village Beach for a nap by the beach under the palm tree shadows that cover the shore.

Upon booking a shore excursion, make sure you check the program of the tour. Also, keep in mind that there is at least a 45-minute drive each way to the rainforests and national parks where the caves are located. In the Fort Street Tourism Village cruise terminal there is an internet cafe - Click & Sip - and restaurants/bars like the Wet Lizard or the Bearded Clam offer patrons free wi-fi. Tipping is not expected in restaurants, cafes, or bars but it is appropriate to tip around 10%. Tour guides expect a tip of around 10%.Haggling is not expected in shops with fixed prices (like the ones selling liquor, tobacco, and perfumes). In fact, it is considered rude to haggle if you venture outside the cruise terminal.

Cruises have pluses and minuses, depending on what you are looking for in a cruise and the amenities they provide. To consider which would fit your needs, here is a list of the cruises in Belize. When exploring Belize Cruise Port, take standard travel precautions, such as keeping your valuables securely on the ship and aware of your surroundings. Always lock your cabin when leaving and store valuable items in the ship’s safe deposit box. Avoid venturing into Southside Belize City, particularly areas south of the Haulover Creek River, as they have an increased risk of gang and drug-related violence.

belize cruise port map

Local cuisine fuses a variety of influences in dishes like hearty meat stews, tacos and tostadas, and deep-fried meat-stuffed pastries called panades. Get your fresh seafood fix with ceviche and fritters made with conch. And be sure to spice things up with hot sauce— an essential condiment in Belize.

To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link. If you’re craving a little retail therapy, you should take the water taxi to Ambergris Caye, just a short ride from the port. They have more variety for shopping than the tourism village, and you can hit the beach while you’re there. The beaches of Belize's cayes, like those found on Ambergris Caye, offer both relaxation and gateway to the reef's abundance for travelers.

There is a high guarded fence around Tourism Village which they don’t recommend tourists venture outside of by themselves. Immerse yourself in the rich blend of Mayan, Creole, and Garifuna cultures. Explore the ancient ruins of Altun Ha or Xunantunich, go snorkeling or diving in the famous Belize Barrier Reef, or take a boat tour through the lush mangroves of the Belize River. Sample traditional Belizean cuisine and experience the warmth of the local people. Lamanai Archaeological Reserve lies 127 km/79 miles (a 2h 20-minute drive) northwest of Belize port and is the second-largest site in Belize that was once a major city of the Maya civilization.

Once you wrap up the excursion, you will be taken back to the shores of the Caye to enjoy a few last minutes in the place before being whisked back to the port. And you will get back on the boat and head out to either the spectacular Turneffe Atoll or Hol Chan marine reserve which hosts the popular snorkeling site, Shark Ray Alley. Here you get to interact with harmless nurse sharks and southern stingrays. You will have 1hour dive intervals at two different locations with lunch served in between. Enjoy a frozen daiquiri on a beach chair or join in the fun in a game of beach volleyball.

No comments:

Post a Comment

50 Breathtaking Wedding Hairstyles to Rock on Your Big Day

Table Of Content A Beachy Bun Dimensional Texture Simple Hollywood Waves on Long Hair Old-Hollywood Waves A Tousled, Perfectly Imperfect Bun...