Exploring Belize On A Budget: Understanding Cruise Ground Excursion Costs

Belize is a popular cruise destination, offering a blend of blue waters, green mountains, and colourful wooden houses. The country is known for its friendly locals, beautiful beaches, rich culture, and excellent exchange rate.

There are many ground excursions available in Belize, with prices varying depending on the tour company and group size. Some of the most popular activities include snorkelling, diving, and exploring Mayan ruins. Belize has the highest concentration of Mayan sites in Central America, making it a great destination for history buffs.

- Cave Tubing with Lunch: $169 per adult

- Kayaking Through All the Caves: $69 per adult

- Goff's Caye Beach and Snorkelling: $48

- Belize Lamanai Mayan Ruins and New River Boat Ride Excursion: $115

- Belize Cave Tubing with X-Stream Cave Tubing Tours: $60

- Belize Altun Ha & Zip Line Excursion: $99

- Howler Monkeys, Baboon Sanctuary, Belize in the Wild Excursion: $55

Snorkelling and beach excursions

Belize is a great destination for snorkelling and beach excursions, with its famous barrier reef and stunning beaches. Here are some options for ground excursions in Belize with a focus on snorkelling and beach experiences:

Goff's Caye Beach & Snorkelling

This excursion offers a guided snorkelling experience at the Belize Barrier Reef and beach time on Goff's Caye. The 4.5-hour tour includes snorkelling gear and transportation. It is priced at $48 US, making it an affordable option for those on a budget.

Turtle Snorkel and Island Time

For a more comprehensive snorkelling experience, this 5-hour excursion is priced at $99 and takes you off the coast of Caye Caulker Island. Here, you can swim with manatees, stingrays, turtles, and more. This tour does not include food, so be sure to eat beforehand or bring a snack.

Shark Ray Alley Snorkelling

This small group excursion offers an up-close and personal experience with nurse sharks and stingrays at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. You will also have some free time to explore "La Isla Bonita". Priced at $238, this tour has a moderate activity level and does not include food and beverages.

Shark Ray Alley and Caye Caulker Beach Break by Boat

For a combination of snorkelling and beach time, this excursion is a great choice. You will get to swim with nurse sharks and stingrays at Shark Ray Alley and then relax on the nearby Caye Caulker Island. This 5-hour excursion is priced at $99 and includes water, rum punch, and fruits.

Barrier Reef Snorkel

Explore the Belize Barrier Reef and the island of Caye Caulker with this underwater adventure. This 5-hour excursion is priced at $87 and is considered easy in terms of activity level. It includes a beverage but no food, so be sure to plan accordingly.

These are just a few examples of the snorkelling and beach excursions available during a cruise to Belize. Each option offers a unique experience, allowing you to explore the country's rich marine life and beautiful beaches.

Mayan ruins and cultural tours

Lamanai Mayan Ruins

Lamanai is one of the largest Mayan sites in Belize, with over 800 structures located deep in the Tropical Forest. The site dates back to as early as 1500 BC and was occupied until 1680 AD.

The Lamanai Mayan Ruins tour begins at the Port of Belize City, with transportation in an air-conditioned van to the Orange Walk District of Belize. The journey takes around an hour and includes a boat ride up the New River. The boat tour offers the opportunity to spot wildlife, including tropical birds and freshwater crocodiles.

The exploration of the ruins includes a visit to the onsite museum, which displays Mayan artefacts, and a walk through the rainforest to see the various monuments and temples. The whole excursion, including transportation, takes between 5.5 to 6 hours.

The price for this excursion is $115 USD for passengers 11 years of age and older, and $100 USD for children between 5 and 10 years old.

Xunantunich Mayan Ruins

The Xunantunich Mayan Ruins are located in a tropical rainforest, west of Belize City, close to the Guatemalan border. The site is considered to have the most archaeological importance in Belize and features one of the tallest Mayan structures in the country, El Castillo.

The Xunantunich excursion also begins at the Port of Belize City, with transportation in air-conditioned vans to the Cayo District. The journey includes crossing the Mopan River on a hand-cranked ferry.

The exploration of the ruins includes a visit to the visitor's centre, where a model of the site and Mayan artefacts are on display. The highlight of the tour is the climb up the El Castillo pyramid, which offers expansive views of the surrounding area, including Guatemala.

The excursion takes between 5.5 to 6 hours, including transportation.

The price for this tour is $100 USD for passengers 11 years of age and older, and $80 USD for children between 5 and 10 years old.

Altun Ha Mayan Ruins

The Altun Ha Mayan Ruins are another popular destination for cultural tours in Belize. This archaeological site features the Temple of the Sun God and the Temple of the Masonry Altars.

Several tour operators offer excursions to Altun Ha, often combined with other activities or destinations, such as river cruises, zip-lining, or visits to the Belize Zoo. Prices for these tours vary depending on the specific itinerary.

Belize's natural wonders

Belize is a country rich in natural wonders, from its famous reef system to its network of caves, and is home to a diverse range of wildlife.

The Belize Barrier Reef is the second-largest and healthiest coral reef in the world, providing a mecca for sea life and protecting the shore from erosion and hurricanes. The reef is lined with hundreds of small islands, or cayes, such as Caye Caulker, which is great for snorkelling, and Ambergris Caye, which offers some of the best beaches and diving spots in Belize.

Belize is also home to three mid-ocean atolls: Turneffe Island, Lighthouse Reef, and Glover's Reef. These atolls are sparsely developed, offering a sense of adventure and isolation.

The country has an extensive network of caves, which the ancient Maya believed to be a portal to the underworld. These caves, such as the famous Great Blue Hole, were used for ceremonies and contain pottery, jewellery, and human remains.

The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary in Southern Belize is a protected area of rugged, forested mountains, home to the jaguar, Belize's other four wildcat species, Baird's tapirs, coati-mundis, and more. It is also home to Victoria Peak, Belize's highest mountain.

The Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary in Northern Belize is a swampy lowland that is home to over 250 bird species, including the endangered jabiru stork, as well as crocodiles, iguanas, and howler monkeys.

Other natural wonders in Belize include the Mayan King Waterfall in Southern Belize, the Rio On Pools in the Cayo District, and the Sleeping Giant, a mountain ridge that can be seen from the western and southern highways.

Rainforest and wildlife experiences

When it comes to exploring the diverse and lush rainforest of Belize, there are a few key excursions that offer an immersive and memorable experience. One such option is the Belize Rainforest and Reef Explorer, which typically costs around $150 per person. This excursion takes you on a journey through the dense jungle, where you'll have the chance to spot exotic wildlife and learn about the rich ecosystem of the rainforest. You'll trek through nature reserves, home to howler monkeys, colorful birds, and intricate plant life. The tour usually includes a knowledgeable guide who can point out hidden gems and provide insight into the cultural and natural history of the region.

Another popular choice is the Monkey River Jungle Tour, priced at approximately $120 per person. This exciting adventure takes you deep into the heart of the rainforest, where you'll travel by boat along the Monkey River, keeping a keen eye out for playful monkeys swinging through the trees. The tour often includes a stop at a local Mayan site, providing a glimpse into the ancient history of the region, as well as the opportunity to sample traditional Mayan cuisine. It's a great option for those seeking a combination of wildlife, culture, and a touch of adventure.

For those eager to delve even deeper into the wildlife experiences that Belize has to offer, there is the Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center excursion, usually priced at around $100 per person. This excursion focuses on providing an up-close and personal encounter with the diverse wildlife of Belize, all of whom are native to the country. The zoo is unique in that it only houses rescued or rehabilitated animals that cannot be released back into the wild, offering a more ethical and educational experience. The Tropical Education Center provides an immersive experience, allowing visitors to explore nature trails and learn about the conservation efforts in place to protect Belize's precious ecosystems.

If you're seeking a more active and challenging rainforest experience, consider the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and Jaguar Preserve excursion, which typically costs about $180 per person. This tour takes you off the beaten path and into the world's first jaguar preserve. You'll have the opportunity to hike through rugged terrain, spot jaguar tracks, and even set up motion-sensitive cameras to capture these elusive big cats on film. The sanctuary is also home to other wildlife, including tapirs, peccaries, and over 300 species of birds, making it a nature lover's paradise.

These are just a few examples of the rainforest and wildlife experiences available on a cruise to Belize. Each excursion offers a unique perspective on the country's rich biodiversity, knowledgeable guides, and the opportunity to immerse yourself in the natural wonders of this stunning destination. Remember to check with your cruise line or a reputable tour operator for the most up-to-date pricing and itinerary details to ensure you have the most accurate information for your trip.

Food and drink in Belize

Belize's food and drink scene is a mix of Latin American and Caribbean, with Creole flavours dominating in local restaurants. Here is a breakdown of what to expect when it comes to food and drink in Belize:

Breakfast

Breakfast in Belize usually includes eggs, tortillas, and beans. To eat like the Maya, order scrambled eggs with diced tomatoes, or try the traditional breakfast of fry jacks (deep-fried dough puffs) or johnny cakes (hot, biscuit-like rolls).

Lunch and Dinner

Rice and beans is a staple in Belize and is often served with grilled fish or meat. The Afro-Creole Garifuna people have their own recipes, such as hudut (fish with coconut milk and mashed plantains). In the south, you'll find Maya staples like caldo (a spicy meat and vegetable stew) and cochinita pibil (slow-roasted pork flavoured with recado, a local spice).

Seafood is also a highlight, with excellent red snapper, grouper, shrimp, conch, and lobster. The lobster season runs from mid-June to mid-February, and lobster festivals are held in several towns during this time.

Drinks

Belize has a variety of drinks to offer, from fresh fruit juices to local beer and rum. The country's main beer is Belikin, which comes in several varieties, including a lager and a stout. Local rum is also a popular choice, with both dark and clear varieties available. For something non-alcoholic, try the seaweed shake, made with dried seaweed, milk, cinnamon, sugar, and cream.

Where to Eat

In San Pedro, Caye Caulker, San Ignacio, and Placencia, you'll find exceptional food, with lobster featuring heavily on the menus. For a true taste of Belize, seek out smaller restaurants, where most meals range from Bz$8–12.

Frequently asked questions