Cruise Ships Docking At Hopkins, Belize: What To Know

Belize City is a popular cruise destination in Central America, attracting tourists with its Mayan heritage sites, eco-tourism, water sports, and friendly locals. However, due to shallow waters near the coast, cruise ships cannot dock directly at the port. Instead, they anchor a few miles offshore, and passengers are tendered to the port via high-speed boats, which takes around 20 minutes. A new state-of-the-art cruise port, Port Coral, is currently under development and will offer a smoother experience by allowing cruise ships to dock directly.

Cruise ships anchor in the bay of Belize and passengers are tendered to shore

Cruise ships do not dock at Hopkins, Belize. In fact, cruise ships do not dock in Belize City port at all. Instead, they anchor in the bay of Belize, and passengers are tendered to shore. This is because the Caribbean Sea waters are too shallow by the port. Cruise ships anchor around 2 miles from the coast, and passengers are transferred to the Fort Street Tourism Village via large boats operated by local authorities. The tender operation typically takes around 20 minutes.

The Fort Street Tourism Village is a secluded and safe area just a stone's throw away from the historic centre of Belize City. Here, passengers will find a collection of gift shops, restaurants, and tour operators along the harbour.

Belize City is the country's largest urban centre, located on the East coast of the country, bathed by the Caribbean Sea. The city is divided in two by the swing bridge at Haulover Creek's mouth. The bridge is old and is the only swing bridge operated manually that is still in function. It is turned open twice a day.

Belize City attracts cruise ship tourists with its Mayan heritage sites, eco-tourism, water sports opportunities, amazing subtropical climate, and friendly people. The city's newest attraction is the Museum of Belize, located close to the US Embassy. Here, visitors can explore Belizean history and the Maya legacy.

The new Port Coral will be able to handle four cruise ships at once

Belize is a popular cruise destination, boasting a multitude of natural attractions, including the longest barrier reef in the hemisphere, hundreds of ancient Maya sites, lush tropical rainforest, and more.

Currently, cruise ships do not dock in the Belize City port as the Caribbean Sea waters are too shallow. Instead, cruise ships anchor around 2 miles from the coast and passengers are transferred to the Fort Street Tourism Village via large boats.

However, this is set to change with the development of the new Port Coral, a 40-acre port surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. Port Coral, led by the Feinstein Group, will revolutionise cruise tourism in Belize, offering state-of-the-art facilities and easy access to the unique culture, cuisine, and natural beauty of the country.

With the new Port Coral, cruise passengers will have a safe and convenient gateway to the mainland, where they can explore Mayan ruins, go snorkelling, and immerse themselves in the local culture and cuisine. This new port promises to enhance the cruise experience in Belize, providing both entertainment and easy access to the country's diverse attractions.

The cruise terminal is known as Fort Street Tourism Village

The cruise terminal in Belize City is known as Fort Street Tourism Village. It is located in the city's downtown area, just a stone's throw away from the historic centre of Belize City. The terminal is a safe and secluded area, in contrast to the city itself, which has a reputation for being unsafe for tourists.

The Fort Street Tourism Village is a popular destination for cruise passengers, offering a range of shops, restaurants, and tour operators. It is known for its vibrant atmosphere, with colourful buildings, bars, and souvenir shops. The village also has basic amenities such as clean restrooms and an internet cafe. Security is tight, and passengers can feel secure exploring the village.

The village has around 30 shops, including gift shops, duty-free stores, jewellery stores, and a large souvenir shop called The Jungle Gift Shop. It also has typical Caribbean shops and a few well-known brands like Del Sol and Diamonds International. The MOHO chocolate shop is a popular attraction, offering free samples of organic, Belize-made chocolates.

In addition to shopping, the Fort Street Tourism Village offers a variety of dining options, including local and international cuisine. The Wet Lizard is a well-known restaurant in the village, and there are also grills and bars where passengers can enjoy a meal or a drink.

The cruise terminal is easily accessible from the cruise ships, which anchor in the bay of Belize due to shallow waters near the coast. Passengers are transferred to the terminal via high-speed tender boats, which takes approximately 20 minutes. Taxis and water taxis are available at the terminal for transportation within the city.

Belize City is divided in two by the swing bridge at Haulover Creek's mouth

Belize City, the country's largest urban centre, is divided into two by the swing bridge at Haulover Creek's mouth. The bridge is a tourist destination and historical landmark, connecting the north and south sides of the city. It is the oldest swing bridge in Central America and one of the few manually operated swing bridges in the world still in use. The construction of the bridge replaced several wooden bridges built by locals in the mid-19th century to cross Haulover Creek.

Haulover Creek is a coastal stream that runs through the centre of Belize City and discharges into the Caribbean Sea. It is an inlet for the Belize River and separates the northern and southern areas of the city. The creek has been used by fishing boats to access the city and the sea, and it is now used by water taxis to reach distant islands such as San Pedro and Ambergris Caye. The creek's name is believed to come from cattlemen who had to "haul" their cattle over the creek with ropes before the construction of the swing bridge.

The swing bridge was constructed in Liverpool, England, and brought to Belize City by a United States company in New Orleans. It was built to allow tall-masted sailing fishing boats to pass under it and continue up the river to supply the city. The bridge is manually operated by four men who crank it by hand until it is perpendicular to Haulover Creek, allowing boat traffic to pass through. After the boats have passed, the bridge is returned to its original position. This process takes over an hour, and since 2007, the bridge is only manually opened by special request as traffic on Haulover Creek has decreased.

The swing bridge is located near the cruise terminal in Belize City. Cruise passengers can explore the city on foot, but it is not considered particularly safe or appealing, and many feel intimidated when walking around. The tender boats from the cruise ships dock at the Fort Street Tourism Village, which is right by Belize City downtown. The city's commercial centre is along Albert Street, where banks and shops can be found.

The Museum of Belize is housed in a former prison

The Museum of Belize is located in the downtown tourist area of Belize City, close to the US Embassy. It is housed in a former prison, a heritage-style building constructed in 1857. The museum offers an exploration of Belizean history, including the history of slavery, colonial artefacts, and the Maya legacy. The museum also features an art gallery, bird taxidermy, and temporary exhibits showcasing contemporary Belizean artists.

The Museum of Belize is within walking distance of the cruise port terminal, situated on the north bank of the river. It is approximately 0.9 miles (1.7 km) away, making it a convenient attraction for cruise passengers. The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday, with hours from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, and has a reasonable entry fee of $7 US.

The museum is set in a safe section of the city, with street parking available for visitors with vehicles. Inside, visitors will find clean restrooms and well-functioning air conditioning. The main floor of the museum is particularly interesting, as it delves into the history of Belize, slavery, and the building's former use as a jail. The second floor covers more general topics, including pirates, birds, and insects.

The Museum of Belize provides a wealth of information and is well worth a visit for those interested in history and architecture. Visitors can explore at their own pace, making it an excellent option for those with flexible or limited time.

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