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Starfish Island (formerly known as Bannister’s Island) is often offered as a shore excursion as it’s within a 20-minute boat ride from the cruise port of Belize. Starfish Island is small and boasts a beautiful sandy beach where you can swim and snorkel. Belize boasts a rich Mayan heritage and there are plenty of archaeological sites scattered around the country. The most famous one is the Altun Ha Temple featuring temple pyramids out of which the Temple of the Masonry Altars is the largest one (16 meters/52 ft high).
Solo Cabin Booking Options on European Cruises: Your Guide to a Stress-Free Vacation
After this trip is done, grab a hearty serving of Belize’s national food, rice with fried chicken and beans and move on to other activities. All in all, a tour to any of these ruins will leave you with a lasting memory and having learned something about world history. While exploring the city you should also visit the Museum of Belize which used to be Her Majesty’s Prison until 2002. Here is where you will learn about the intriguing history of the Mayans.
Harvest CayeHIGHLIGHTS
For those intrigued by marine life or desiring a sea adventure, consider heading to the Hold Chan Marine Reserve. Brimming with art, historical exhibits, and Mayan artifacts, this museum offers an ideal venue to better understand the culture and heritage of the country. With my expertise in cruise travel, I can help guide you on the most enjoyable activities to make your short stop in Belize truly unforgettable.
Best Time to Visit
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. Belizean cuisine is a melange of various culinary influences, including Mayan, Spanish, and Caribbean flavors.
Diving Deep
Ensure a safe and worry-free visit to Belize Cruise Port with these essential safety tips. Firstly, it’s important to exercise a high degree of caution during your time in Belize City, as the city has safety concerns. On Harvest Caye, Norwegian Cruise Line provides island transport for its passengers, making it easy to explore without hassle. Within the terminal area, you have transportation options that include taxis and shuttles. These transport services make it convenient to explore the city of Belize and its scenic outskirts.
One of the main attractions at Hol Chan Marine Reserve is Shark Ray Alley, a shallow area where large numbers of southern stingrays and nurse sharks frequently gather. Cruise to Belize to discover a blend of blue waters, green mountains and wooden houses painted in shades of pink, yellow and orange. 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. All cruise lines offer anything between 10 and 30 shore excursions to all notable highlights of Belize cruise port.
Harvest CayeTOP EXCURSIONS
Head to Hopkins Village Beach for a nap by the beach under the palm tree shadows that cover the shore. Or hop on a boat to the cayes, like Ambergris, South Water and Laughingbird, and find even more beaches with soft sand. 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.
Best Diving and Snorkeling in the Caribbean for Cruisers - Cruise Critic
Best Diving and Snorkeling in the Caribbean for Cruisers.
Posted: Tue, 19 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Sign up for a birding tour and see how many of the 500 bird species that live in Belize you can spot along the way. Discover which Caribbean Island is best for island hopping as you explore the Western Caribbean with an adventure cruise vacation. The main Post Office in Belize City is located on 150 North Front Street, around 0.4 mile (600 meters) northwest of the Fort Street Tourism Village 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. The cruise terminal is a secluded (and safe) area just a stone’s throw away from the historic center of Belize City.
From the island's signature Coco Loco drink to its elevated Coco Cuvée, Perfect Day at CocoCay offers a wide range of sips worth getting excited about onshore. Head to the beach to snorkel among sting rays, play with bottlenose dolphins and find yourself fin-to-fin with sea turtles. Break open a coconut and sip its sweet milk while floating in the salty water. Opt for a cruise to Mexico and Belize so you can compare and contrast the two countries' ancient ruins and rainforest thrills.
Bringing the diverse cultures of Kriols, Garifunas, Mayans and the Spanish people together in one place. Resulting in a beautiful culture that will have you enjoy the food, music, and practices of this diverse country even the more. Carnival Cruise New Orleans is a popular cruise line that offers a wide range of exciting and fun-filled activities...
Go scuba diving at any one of the many diving spots located on the 185-mile-long barrier reef in Belize. The reef is the 2nd largest in the world and produces at least 3 of the world’s best diving atolls. Unlike most ports of call, you won’t be able to access a beach immediately you hit the port. But it will be totally worth it, as the warm clear ocean waters are inviting.
Most establishments readily accept the US dollar (USD), and prices may sometimes be listed in USD to simplify transactions for tourists. Travelers can find ATMs around the tourist village for easy access to cash. For the latest conversion rates and payment advice, the Belize City Cruise Port Guide is a resourceful read.
The UnCruise itinerary on the 66-passenger ship Safari Voyager also includes time visiting neighboring Guatemala. A Belize expedition cruise with UnCruise Adventures will take you to pristine and isolated places to explore and play with your small group of fellow adventurers. We stopped at this little cay and had the place to ourselves to snorkel, swim and relax in the sun. Book a tour to this national park to enjoy river rafting, incredible hiking trails and the chance to see the world's only jaguar conservation project (jaguar sightings not guaranteed). Norwegian Cruise Line's Harvest Caye private port area is ideal for a relaxing beach day in the sun.
But well worth it, as you get to see over 150 animals indigenous to Belize including the country’s national animal, April the Tapir, and the elusive Jaguar. Diving enthusiasts are drawn to the iconic Great Blue Hole, a massive underwater sinkhole that offers a unique deep-sea experience. For those interested in snorkeling, the crystal-clear waters of the Belizean cayes provide numerous spots where one can easily observe an array of marine life among the shallow reefs. Both activities allow intimate encounters with vibrant sea creatures, where divers and snorkelers can float amongst exotic fish, sea turtles, and stingrays.
At the center, you’ll find the site’s largest structure, El Castillo, which stands 130 feet high and has carved stucco friezes on its exterior. Hike to the top for incredible 360-degree views of its verdant surroundings. Set sail to Shark Ray Alley, a shallow part of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, and snorkel alongside nurse sharks, southern stingrays, and colorful coral. The resident sea creatures are eager to meet you and will swim right up to the boat when you arrive. Cruise to Belize and trek to the tallest building in the nation— an ancient temple built by the Maya. Standing 137-feet tall, the pyramid ruins of the Sky Palace, El Caana, preside over Caracol, one of the country’s 900 pre-Colombian archaeological sites.
After the Mayans were driven out of their land by the Spanish Conquest, the British usurped the country in the mid-17th century and named it British Honduras. The country’s name was officially changed to Belize in 1973, and it remained a British colony until 1981 when it finally achieved its independence. Explore the enchanting country of Belize on a luxury Western Caribbean cruise with Celebrity Cruises.
