Table Of Content
Visitors can float through underground rivers and explore the magnificent cave systems, marveling at the stunning rock formations and crystal-clear waters. This is an exciting way to experience the natural beauty of Belize while also getting an adrenaline rush. On a port day in Belize City, cruise passengers can do as little or as much as they want. Due to its high crime rate, it’s best to book a shore excursion and not wander outside the Fort Street Tourism Village alone. Be sure to bring water shoes, a change of clothes, a towel, a waterproof camera, and your sense of adventure.
Belize Excursions & Inland Tours
Day trips to the country’s exciting archeological sites and spectacular Mayan ruins are among the most popular Belize City shore excursions. Take a ferry ride to the ruins of Xunantunich, the most important archeological site in Belize, and climb to the temple of El Castillo while your guide shares tales of the ancient Mayan culture. Take a riverboat safari to the Mayan ruins of Lamanai, which may have been occupied as early as 1500 B.C., and climb to the top of one of the tallest ceremonial temples in Mesoamerica. Or you can cruise down the River Wallace to the Mayan site Altun Ha, the most visited Mayan ruin in Belize. In a lush rainforest setting, you’ll see the jade head carving of the sun god Kinich Ahau, believed to be carved from a single piece of jade and thought to be the largest jade artifact ever to be discovered.
Kayaking Shore Excursions
With numerous dive operators in the area, you can choose the one that best suits your needs. The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second-largest barrier reef system in the world after Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, is a must-see for any diving enthusiast. You’ll find many small islands off the coast of Belize, such as Goff’s Caye, Rendezvous Caye, and Ambergris Caye. While Caye Caulker provides a laid-back vibe, you’ll discover a more sophisticated experience at Ambergris Caye. All-day excursions to Xunantunich, Cahal Pech, and Lamanai Mayan Ruins are possible.
Archeology and cultural: Mayan ruins and Belize City
Belize offers great outdoor activities both onland and in the Ocean some of which are ideal for those cruising with families including thrilling pursuits for the most adventurous. The cruise terminal is a secluded (and safe) area just a stone’s throw away from the historic center of Belize City. The cruise port of Belize City on Fort Street Tourism Village possesses an appealing atmosphere, the area is clean and well maintained. However, Belize City itself is known for not being particularly safe.
Belize is the second-smallest country in Central America, and though its cruise and tourism industry is growing, the country is still largely unspoiled. The locals are friendly and warm, the beaches are beautiful, the culture is rich and the exchange rate is excellent. All cruise lines offer anything between 10 and 30 shore excursions to all notable highlights of Belize cruise port. Norwegian Cruise Line doesn't call at Belize as it has invested on its own private island in Harvest Caye. Booking your own Belize excursion through Belize Cruise Excursions will save you money and provide you with unique and diverse experiences, small groups, and individualized itineraries.
Book exciting Belize cruise excursions like our Cave Tubing day excursion for some adrenaline-packed fun. Go on a unique adventure tour and tube through the underground cave system of Belize. Belize City is a prime location for scuba diving, with easy access to the stunning Belize Barrier Reef and other nearby dive sites.
Rhapsody of the Seas Live Blog Day 5 - Belize - Royal Caribbean Blog
Rhapsody of the Seas Live Blog Day 5 - Belize.
Posted: Thu, 22 Mar 2018 07:00:00 GMT [source]
If you have sensitive skin and are prone to burn, the shirts help prevent sunburns on land-based tours. Regardless of when your cruise arrives in Belize City, expect average daily temperatures of 28 C to 32 C (82 F to 90 F). Dress appropriately for the weather, and bring the following on your Belize port day. Whether you choose a jungle ecotour, a cave exploration, or an excursion to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, you will surely leave Belize with beautiful memories. The Post Office in Belize City is close to the cruise terminal. The Family Health Pharmacy, on Queen Street is within walking distance of the cruise port.
If you’d like to explore the Belize cave system but prefer to stay dry, you have a tour option. Embark on an unforgettable adventure with a half-day cave kayaking excursion. Altun Ha Mayan Ruin is the easiest to reach from the Belize cruise port, and a port tour takes just four hours. The ruins at Altun Ha are some of the best preserved in Belize.
How to explore Belize for cruise passengers
On this half-day excursion cruise, passengers may see crocodiles, manatees, and exotic birds. The flora includes lovely water lilies, which attract wading birds and turtles. After this family-friendly excursion, you’ll have time to shop and enjoy the sights of Belize City. The zoo was established in 1983 as a sanctuary for a group of wild animals featured in a tropical forest documentary.
Its mesmerizing circular shape and color attract global travelers to dive and snorkel its waters. With only one day in port, cruise passengers can opt for a flight over the Blue Hole. The large Italian fleet of MSC also calls at Belize cruise port offering 21 cruise excursions. If you’re looking for a unique experience, you can’t miss cave tubing in Belize.
During the tour, learn about their predators and what is being done to protect this endangered species. You’ll have the opportunity to interact with the monkeys by feeding them their diet of fruit, leaves, nuts, and tropical flowers. On a community Baboon Sanctuary half-day tour, you’ll observe these noisy locals in their natural surroundings. Large in size and loud by nature, Howler Monkeys are not aggressive toward humans. For a small island in the Caribbean, you’ll enjoy inexpensive food, including the freshest seafood.
Snorkeling tours provide the opportunity to explore these underwater wonders and get up close and personal with nature. Unless you earnestly wish to explore a couple of historic landmarks in Belize City on foot, almost all highlights and principal attractions in the cruise port require traveling between 15 and 80 miles. Therefore, the best way for cruise visitors to explore, discover, and enjoy Belize is with Shore Excursions.
It’s the perfect vessel for navigating shallow waters, swamps, and marshes. If you prefer to stay dry but want some fun on the water, explore the wetlands of Belize on an airboat. You’ll see where the trees are grown, learn how the cacao beans are extracted, and learn the process of turning them into chocolate. Of course, the best part of the tour is sampling the freshly-made product. Even if you’ve never kayaked, you can paddle along an underground river that winds through stunning rock formations. This is one of Belize’s most popular outdoor activities, and all equipment is provided for your convenience.
Belize is hot, and on the mainland the humidity can be oppressive. Nearer to the shore, and on the cayes off the coast, the air is more comfortable. Dry season runs from November to April, and that is typically the best time to visit. Currency is the Belize dollar, though U.S. dollars are accepted nearly everywhere. The official language in Belize is English, and everyone speaks it, but you'll also hear Spanish and Creole from the locals.
Belize City is also a great destination for families looking for fun and educational experiences. Many shore excursions cater specifically to families, offering activities such as zip-lining, horseback riding and animal encounters. These excursions provide a perfect opportunity for families to bond and create lasting memories together. For those who love marine life, snorkeling is a must-do activity in Belize City. The clear blue waters of the Caribbean Sea are home to a rich variety of marine species, including colorful coral reefs, tropical fish and even sea turtles.
This said, if you do not have such a legitimate concern, keep in mind that the tender boats dock at the Fort Street Tourism Village, which is right by Belize City downtown. However, two of the most interesting landmarks in Belize City are on distinct sides of the river and not so close to the exit gates of the cruise terminal. Due to the proximity of the cruise terminal to Belize City and because there isn't much to see downtown, the port does not operate a shuttle bus. Cruise travelers will find in the terminal building all basic services and modern amenities, many typical shops found all over the Caribbean and a few restaurants. Listen to some live Garifuna music, including drumming and dancing.
