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Several important Mayan sites on the mainland, such as Altun Ha and Xunantunich, make for excellent day trips and are included on shore excursions by most cruise ships. As a matter of fact, Belize has the highest concentration of Mayan sites of all the countries in Central America. More than half of the mainland is covered with dense forests, and at its longest point Belize is 176 miles long while its greatest width is 88 miles. Long a strong advocate of environmental protection, the government has set aside approximately 20 percent of its land as nature reserves. The local currency is the Belize dollar, although the United States dollar is accepted in most major shops and restaurants.
Transportation in Belize
And they’re all yours to explore when you take a cruise to Belize, where surprises await around every corner, including underwater. Whether mountain biking through a lush rainforest or snorkeling with the marine life, you’ll experience things you can only imagine… that is, if you haven’t tried a Belize vacation yet. Belize’s entire Caribbean coast is hugged by its namesake barrier reef, the second-largest on the planet. You can explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site when your Holland America Line ship drops anchor in Belize City; hop a boat to tiny Caye Caulker for up-close encounters with stingrays and harmless nurse sharks. Grab a tube for a subterranean float through Belize’s vast cave systems, zipline through the jungle canopy, or visit the ancient Mayan centers of Xunantunich, Altun Ha, and Lamanai.
Go Extreme Cave Tubing in Belize
Belize's currency is the Belizean dollar; visit for currency conversion figures. However, all shops and merchants readily accept U.S. dollars (most also accept credit cards) so it is unnecessary to change money. ATMs are plentiful in both the Tourism Village and the rest of the city.
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For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. On cruises that go to Belize, you’ll dock in the Belize City port, which is a few miles away from the shore. A small boat will tender you to the city, dropping you off near Tourism Village, an area full of shops, restaurants, and bars.
When you book a shore excursion, transportation to and from the port is included. If you want to explore the city on your own, hail a certified taxi, which can be identified by its green license plate. Journey into an extensive network of limestone caves while lounging on an inner tube or paddling on a kayak through the Caves Branch River. Venture deep into one of these ancient Mayan ceremonial sites and discover historical artifacts, pottery, eyeless fish species, and a subterranean lagoon. The Central American nation of Belize is brimming with natural beauty, both in its lush rainforests and diverse oceans rich with marine life. A Belize cruise offers endless opportunities for adventure and an abundance of ecological treasures to explore.
Royal Caribbean's Adventure of the Seas review: What it's like to cruise on this ship today - Royal Caribbean Blog
Royal Caribbean's Adventure of the Seas review: What it's like to cruise on this ship today.
Posted: Mon, 28 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
And be sure to spice things up with hot sauce— an essential condiment in Belize. Anytime is a good time to visit Belize — the country enjoys warm weather all year. Here's everything you need to know before you book your next adventure for your vacation. If you're lucky enough to take a nap in a cabana, open your ears to the wildlife around you.
Dive the warm waters to find the Belize Barrier Reef, second only to Australia's, where you can explore the hundreds of colorful coral species that call this place their home. When using cash -- particularly with merchants that accept U.S. dollars -- be sure you get change in U.S. currency. And, if you're at all concerned with wildlife conservation, don't buy items that are made from sea turtle shells, black coral or Triton's trumpet shells. In Tourism Village, where your Belize cruise ship docks, you’ll find duty-free shops, along with chocolate and artisanal jewelry for sale.
All ships anchor in Belize City harbor and passengers are whizzed from ship to shore via speedy Belizean tenders; it takes approximately 20 minutes to tender to shore. For centuries, Belize was an important Mayan urban center and part of a crucial trading route between Mexico and Guatemala. 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. Hashtag your cruise photos #carnival and #belize — you may see them right here.
One of Belize’s most popular diving and snorkeling sites is the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, a three-square-mile marine haven found off the shore of Ambergris Caye. Hol Chan means “little channel” in Mayan, and it’s the perfect description of this coral-lined underwater alley home to hundreds of species of fish, including seahorses, parrotfish, and moray eels. 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. Spanning over 180 miles, the Belize Barrier Reef is a pristine reef system that includes over 300 islands and three atolls. There’s plenty to discover at this magnificent underwater paradise, which boasts over 100 species of coral and more than 500 species of fish.
Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S. There are plenty of reasons why a cruise to Belize should top your travel bucket list. Crystalline rivers flow through impressive lowland jungles, home to wildlife of various stripes. (And various spots.) Silky-sand beaches, waving palms and colorful coral gardens are just part of Belize’s natural wonders.
Search for secret waterfalls and swimming holes within the forest and take your time to identify the tropical birds around you. Discover rainforests and ancient ruins beside the turquoise sea with a cruise to Belize. Belize City, with its wooden and brick buildings, exudes some colonial charm but the downtown area also has many seedy neighborhoods, and tourists should beware of walking around the city after dark. For cruise passengers, Belize City is primarily a jumping-off point for tours and excursions to its many natural and historical attractions. While many cayes are tiny and uninhabited, some like Ambergris Caye are sufficiently large to have built resorts that attract divers from around the world. From the mangrove forests by the shore to the crowded streets of Belize City, Belize’s rich avian life is found everywhere.
Explore ancient Mayan ruins, venture into natural caves, and discover artifacts used by ancient civilizations. Plunge into the famous Blue Hole, a spectacular diving spot located inside the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest reef in the world. 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. Walk up the ruins of mysterious Mayan towers at Xunantunich and Caracol, or hike or mountain bike your way through the jungle at Don Elijio National Park, catching glimpses of tropical toucans as you trek.
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. Local cuisine fuses a variety of influences in dishes like hearty meat stews, tacos and tostadas, and deep-fried meat-stuffed pastries called panades.
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