Exploring Belize: Cruise Options From La

Belize is a small country in Central America, nestled between Guatemala and Mexico, with the Caribbean Sea to its east. It is a melting pot of cultures, with influences from Kriols, Garifunas, Mayans, and the Spanish. The country boasts a unique combination of ecosystems, including the world's second-largest barrier reef, rainforest jungles, and important Mayan archaeological sites. With its growing popularity as a cruise destination, you may be wondering if you can take a cruise to Belize from LA. The answer is yes! Several cruise lines, including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Lines, offer itineraries that depart from ports in Florida and Texas, with stops in Belize. These cruises typically range from 6 to 11 nights and often include other Caribbean destinations such as Cozumel, Roatan, and Costa Maya.

Belize's diverse ecosystems

Belize is a small country with five very different ecosystems, from tropical rainforests to mangrove forests and savannas. More than half of the country is considered a subtropical rainforest or jungle, with 75% of that area safeguarded by the government. The Belize rainforest is home to many unique wildlife species, including jaguars, ocelots, pumas, tapirs, crocodiles, howler monkeys, and armadillos. It also contains hundreds of ancient Maya settlements, many of which are yet to be discovered.

The Belize Barrier Reef, a World Heritage Site, boasts a diverse array of marine life, including over 500 species of fish, 36 species of soft coral, 70 species of hard coral, and hundreds of invertebrate life forms. The reef is a popular spot for scuba diving and snorkelling.

Belize's savanna ecosystem, also known as a pine ridge, is dominated by pine trees and coarse soil made from hard quartz and gravel. While wildlife may not be immediately visible, the Belizean gray fox can be spotted foraging for small creatures like marmots and insects. At night, armadillos and pumas emerge.

Belize also has 27 major rivers, with popular riverside activities including kayaking, fishing, and rafting. Mangrove trees grow in saltwater, cleaning the water, mitigating erosion, and providing a safe haven for multiple species. One-third of Belize's coastline is lined with mangroves, which help protect the country during hurricanes.

Mayan ruins and history

Belize was once the heartland of the ancient Maya Empire. The land is filled with Mayan ruins and archaeological sites, making it a popular destination for those interested in exploring the history of this fascinating civilisation.

Xunantunich

Xunantunich is a Mayan archaeological site dating back to 1000 B.C. It is located on a hill overlooking the Mopan River and consists of 25 Mayan temples and palaces. The site's largest structure, El Castillo, stands at 130 feet (some sources say 133 feet) tall and features carved stucco friezes on its exterior. Visitors can climb to the top of El Castillo for 360-degree views of the surrounding verdant landscape. Xunantunich was the first Mayan ruin in Belize to open to the public in 1950. It is easily accessible, with a free ferry running daily from 8 am to 5 pm.

Caracol

Caracol is the largest known Mayan centre in Belize. It is located on the western edge of the Maya Mountains within the Chiquibul Forest Reserve. The site features majestic temples, including the Canaa (Sky Place), the largest pyramid in Belize at 140 feet tall. Caracol was once a powerful city in the Mayan world, home to about 120,000 people. The site is still being actively excavated, with much of it yet to be discovered.

Altun Ha

Altun Ha is a major ceremonial and trade centre during the Classic Period. It is located 31 miles north of Belize City and is known for its rich wildlife, including armadillos, bats, squirrels, foxes, and white-tailed deer. The site features two principal plazas and the most significant find is the Maya Jade Head, representing the Mayan Sun God, Kinich Ahua. It is the largest jade object from the Mayan civilisation.

Cahal Pech

Cahal Pech is a Mayan site located in the Cayo District, overlooking the twin towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena. The name means "Place of Ticks" in the Yucatecan Maya language, as the surrounding area was once used as pastureland. The site consists of seven plazas and over 30 structures, including temples, residential buildings, ball courts, an altar, and a sweat house, all within just 2 acres. Cahal Pech was inhabited from around 1000 B.C. to 800 A.D.

Lamanai

Lamanai, which means "submerged crocodile" in Mayan, is one of the oldest continuously occupied Mayan sites in Belize. It is situated 24 miles south of Orange Walk Town, in the Orange Walk District. Lamanai is prized for its ruins and its spectacular jungle setting near the New River Lagoon.

Nim Li Punit

Located in the Toledo District of Belize, Nim Li Punit is a smaller Mayan site known for its large stone columns (stelae) carved with Mayan hieroglyphs and pictures. The name, "Nim li Punit," means "the big hat" in the Maya Kekchi language, derived from a carving of a figure with a large headdress found on one of the stelae.

Lubaantun

Lubaantun, which means "Place of the Fallen Stones" in Mayan, is the largest Mayan site in southern Belize. It is located in the Toledo District, north of the Colombia River. The site features 11 limestone pyramids, 5 plazas, and 3 ball courts. Unlike other ruins in Belize, Lubaantun was built without mortar, with each stone carefully measured and cut to fit together.

Belize's marine life

Belize is known for its rich and diverse marine life, with the second-largest barrier reef in the world providing a habitat for an array of species. The Belize Barrier Reef is a pristine reef system spanning over 180 miles, including hundreds of islands and three atolls. It is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the top attractions for visitors to Belize.

The reef is home to a vast array of marine life, including hundreds of species of coral and fish. Some of the notable species found in Belize's waters include:

• West Indian Manatees: These gentle giants are the only vegetarian sea mammals and can be spotted in river mouths, coastal lagoons, and around the cayes. They are a threatened species, with just a few hundred surviving in Belizean waters due to boat traffic and erosion.
• Whale Sharks: Gladden Spit, about an hour from Thatch Caye, is a popular spot to witness these massive fish, which are the largest in the world, growing up to 60 feet in length and weighing up to 15 tons. They are harmless to humans and feed on spawn, with their presence most common between March and June.
• Sharks and Rays: Various species of sharks and rays inhabit the waters around Belize, including nurse sharks, reef sharks, lemon tip sharks, hammerhead sharks, eagle rays, stingrays, and manta rays. They tend to leave divers and snorkelers alone, but offer thrilling encounters nonetheless.
• Sea Turtles: Sea turtles are protected by international agreements and the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). They spend most of their time underwater, only coming ashore to lay eggs. Hol Chan Marine Reserve is a great place to spot green turtles, loggerheads, and hawksbills.
• Dolphins: Two species of dolphins, bottlenose and spinner, inhabit Belizean waters. They are known for their intelligence, agility, and ability to communicate with each other. They are a magical sight, whether playing around boats or swimming alongside humans.
• Lionfish: While not native to Belize, lionfish have become an invasive species, first documented in 2008. With no natural predators and a voracious appetite for juvenile fish, they pose a significant threat to the coral reef life in the Caribbean.
• Other Notable Species: Belize's marine ecosystem also includes an array of other species such as octopus, squid, sperm whales, parrotfish, moray eels, and seahorses.

The marine life in Belize offers a fascinating insight into the biodiversity of the Caribbean, attracting nature enthusiasts, divers, and snorkelers alike. The country's diverse marine ecosystems, from coral reefs to mangrove forests, provide a haven for these species and contribute to the region's ecological and economic well-being.

Rainforest adventures

Belize is a Central American country brimming with natural beauty, from its lush rainforests to its diverse oceans. The Belize rainforest is alive with the sounds of toucans, howler monkeys, foxes, armadillos, bats, and kinkajous. It is home to exotic birds, incredible wildlife, and ample opportunities for adventure.

Hiking and Viewpoints

Hike to the top of Antelope Falls in the Mayflower Bocawina National Park, where you'll be rewarded with a beautiful view and a refreshing emerald green pool. The park has several miles of trails to explore and five natural waterfalls. Another great viewpoint is from the Cahal Pech Village Resort, which offers a stunning vista overlooking the town of San Ignacio and the rolling hills of the Cayo District.

Waterfalls and Swimming Spots

Belize has many cascading waterfalls and swimming spots to discover. One of the best is at the Hidden Valley Inn, a private nature reserve set on 7,200 acres in the Maya Mountains. Here, you'll find a waterfall and a private swimming hole.

Birding

With over 500 to 600 species of birds in Belize, you're likely to see something new and exciting. One of the best times to go birding is at sunrise, when you can spot resident and migratory species.

Ziplining and Night Hikes

Experience the Belize rainforest from above with a zipline tour through the jungle canopy. For an even more thrilling experience, try a night zipline and hike, where you can listen to the sounds of nocturnal creatures and see the rainforest come alive after dark.

Cave Tubing

Belize is one of the only places in the world where you can go cave tubing through ancient underwater caves. Float down the river stream on an inflatable tube and learn about the rich Maya history, as they believed these caves were the entrance to the underworld.

Ancient Maya Ruins

Trek to the tallest building in Belize, the ancient Sky Palace, El Caana, in Caracol. Standing 137 feet tall, these pyramid ruins are just one of the country's 900 pre-Colombian archaeological sites.

Belize's unique culture

Belize's culture is a unique blend of influences from all over the world, including Kriol, Maya, East Indian, Garinagu (or Garifuna), Mestizo, Mennonites of German descent, and many other cultures from Chinese to Lebanese. This mix has emerged from the country's long and sometimes violent history.

The first inhabitants to develop a distinct culture in what is now Belize were the Maya. Belize was an important part of the Mayan Empire, which was possibly the most sophisticated civilization in ancient America. The Maya reached their peak in the 6th, 7th, and 8th centuries AD, but by the time the Spanish arrived in the 16th century, their presence had faded. The Spanish never truly controlled the area, and pirates from England and Scotland found sanctuary there during the 17th century. When piracy became less popular, these former buccaneers turned to logging the rich tropical forests of Belize.

Belize's roots are more British than Spanish. Britain gained full control of Belize from Spain in 1798, and in the mid-19th century, it was named British Honduras. The country's name was officially changed to Belize in 1973, and it gained independence in 1981.

Belize's diverse cuisine reflects its history, with influences from the Maya, English buccaneers, and escaped enslaved Africans. Belizean food offers spicy Creole creations, standard English corned beef, and Mayan dishes like fried paca (a small jungle rodent). Rice and beans are a staple, and coconut milk, plantains, and hot peppers are common ingredients.

Belize has more than 10 distinct languages, with English at the top of the hierarchy and Spanish at the bottom. It is the only Central American country with English as its national language, a legacy of British imperialism. However, English Creole, a more common vernacular, is spoken throughout Belize. To speak English Creole is to be considered a "born-Belizean".

Belize's music scene is equally diverse, with popular genres including punta, a hypnotic drumbeat music created by the Garifuna; brukdown, a modern style related to calypso; and reggae, dancehall, and soca imported from Jamaica and the West Indies.

Frequently asked questions