Exploring Belize By Cruise: The Cost Of Adventure

Belize is a popular cruise destination, often included as a port of call on Western Caribbean itineraries. The Central American nation is known for its natural beauty, including lush rainforests, ancient Mayan ruins, and diverse marine life. A cruise to Belize typically ranges from 6 to 11 nights, with prices varying depending on the cruise line and itinerary. Some of the popular cruise lines offering trips to Belize include Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Lines, and Hurtigruten.

Cruise prices

The price of a cruise to Belize varies depending on the cruise line, the length of the cruise, the itinerary, and the time of year. Here is a breakdown of the prices for cruises to Belize:

Royal Caribbean Cruises

Royal Caribbean offers a range of cruises to Belize, with prices varying depending on the length of the cruise and the specific itinerary. For example, they offer a 6-night Western Caribbean cruise starting at USD 549, and 7-night Western Caribbean cruises ranging from USD 562 to USD 672. They also offer a 95-night Pole to Pole Adventure cruise that includes a stop in Belize, with prices available upon request.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises offers a 7-night Key West, Belize, and Mexico cruise, with prices unavailable at the time of searching. They also offer a 10-night New Orleans and the Caribbean cruise, and a Grand Cayman, Belize, and Mexico cruise, both with prices to be confirmed.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line provides a 7-night Caribbean cruise that includes Harvest Caye in Belize, with prices unavailable at the time of searching.

Carnival Cruise Lines

Carnival Cruise Lines has a range of cruises that include Belize as a port of call. These include a 6-night Western Caribbean cruise from Galveston, TX, an 11-night Tropical Waters and Remote Island Communities cruise from Miami, and a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise from New Orleans, LA, all with prices to be confirmed. They also offer a 6-night Western Caribbean cruise from Tampa, FL, starting at USD 594.

Hurtigruten

Hurtigruten offers a unique 95-night Pole to Pole Adventure cruise that includes a stop in Belize, with prices available on request.

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises offers a Western Caribbean cruise from Fort Lauderdale that includes Belize as a port of call, with prices unavailable at the time of searching.

Oceania Cruises

Oceania Cruises has a Western Caribbean cruise and a Panama Canal cruise that include Belize, with prices to be confirmed.

Viking Ocean Cruises

Viking offers a Panama Canal Passage cruise that includes Belize, with no prices currently available.

Holland America Line

Holland America Line provides a Western Caribbean cruise from Fort Lauderdale that includes Belize, with prices to be confirmed.

Shore excursions

Belize is known for its diverse oceans and lush rainforests, making it an ideal destination for those seeking adventure and ecological exploration. Here are some exciting shore excursions to consider when visiting Belize:

Explore the Ancient Mayan Ruins:

Xunantunich, Altun Ha, and Caracol are some of the famous Mayan archaeological sites in Belize. Xunantunich, located on a hill overlooking the Mopan River, consists of 25 Mayan temples and palaces, with El Castillo as the largest structure. Altun Ha, another significant site, dates back to 200 BC and was once a vital Mayan urban centre. Caracol, nestled within the jungle, offers a glimpse into the ancient past with its step pyramids and mysterious history.

Discover the Belize Barrier Reef:

The Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest coral reef system in the world, is a diver's paradise. It boasts crystal-clear waters, hundreds of coral species, and an array of marine life, including seahorses, parrotfish, and moray eels. Hol Chan Marine Reserve, located off the shore of Ambergris Caye, is a popular diving and snorkelling site. Shark Ray Alley, within the reserve, is known for its large numbers of southern stingrays and nurse sharks.

Adventure in the Rainforest:

The dense rainforests of Belize provide opportunities for zip-lining, hiking, and wildlife spotting. Keep an eye out for howler monkeys, toucans, and other exotic creatures as you explore. Don Elijio National Park offers hiking and mountain biking trails through the jungle. For a unique perspective, try cave tubing through the extensive network of limestone caves along the Caves Branch River, once used as Mayan ceremonial sites.

Beach Breaks and Water Activities:

Belize offers pristine beaches such as Ambergris Caye, Placencia Peninsula, and Hopkins Village Beach, where you can relax, swim, and snorkel. Goff's Caye is another popular destination for snorkelling and beach breaks. For a thrilling water adventure, consider snorkelling at Shark Ray Alley in Hol Chan Marine Reserve, where you can swim with nurse sharks and stingrays.

Cultural and City Experiences:

Belize City, with its wooden and brick buildings, exudes colonial charm. Take a city tour to explore landmarks such as Holy Redeemer Cathedral, Baron Bliss Lighthouse, St. John's Cathedral, and the Belize Museum. Visit the Belize Handicraft Market Place to purchase local souvenirs. A rum factory tour is also a unique cultural experience.

These shore excursions offer diverse experiences that showcase the natural beauty, ecological wonders, and cultural richness of Belize, ensuring a memorable and adventurous Caribbean cruise vacation.

Diving and snorkelling

Belize is a diver's paradise, with its clear, warm waters, rich marine life and thrilling experiences. The country is known for its world-class snorkelling and scuba diving, with the second-largest coral reef in the world, hundreds of colourful coral species, and over 500 species of fish.

The Belize Barrier Reef is the official name for the 200 or so miles of the longer Mesoamerican Reef that falls within Belize. The Mesoamerican Reef is the second-largest reef system in the world, and the Belize Barrier Reef is the longest in the Western Hemisphere. The reef is home to a wide variety of marine life, including sea turtles, rays, eels, jellyfish, cowfish, and the elusive frogfish. The visibility is often excellent, with clear waters, making it a great spot for snorkelling and diving.

One of the best ways to explore Belize's waters is by chartering a sailboat or catamaran. For those on a budget, snorkelling and diving excursions are available along the beaches of Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. The most common trips will take you to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley, where you can see nurse sharks and stingrays up close. These trips usually cost around $35 USD, including snorkel gear, and there is an additional $10 BZ park tax for foreigners, which goes towards reef protection.

The Hol Chan Marine Reserve is a three-square-mile marine haven found off the shore of Ambergris Caye. 'Hol Chan' means 'little channel' in Mayan, and it is an accurate description of this coral-lined underwater alley, home to hundreds of species of fish, including seahorses, parrotfish, and moray eels. Shark Ray Alley, within the reserve, is a shallow area where southern stingrays and nurse sharks gather in large numbers.

The Blue Hole is probably Belize's most famous dive site. Described as one of the best diving sites in the world by Jacques Cousteau, this underwater sinkhole lies inside the Lighthouse Reef. Divers can explore the azure waters, reaching depths of 407 feet, and see hundreds of stalactites, stalagmites, and exotic fish.

The Great Blue Hole is a three-hour boat ride from Caye Caulker, but it is well worth the journey to witness one of the world's most impressive natural sights.

The Turneffe Atoll is another popular spot for divers and snorkelers, with a lively reef and the chance to see manatees. It is also one of the largest atolls off the coast of Belize, with a length of 31 miles and a maximum width of 10 miles.

The Split on Caye Caulker is one of the few places where you can snorkel directly from the shore without taking a boat. It is also right next to the Lazy Lizard, the island's most famous bar.

With its clear waters, healthy reef systems, and abundant marine life, Belize offers divers and snorkelers a unique and unforgettable experience.

Belize City

The country of Belize is known for its natural beauty, with lush rainforests and diverse oceans rich with marine life. A cruise to Belize offers endless opportunities for adventure, including exploring ancient Mayan ruins, venturing into natural caves, and discovering artefacts used by ancient civilizations. Belize is also a great place for diving, with the famous Blue Hole and the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest reef in the world.

Overall, a cruise to Belize City offers a unique blend of culture, history, and natural beauty that is sure to delight and fascinate visitors.

Ancient ruins

Belize is known for having the highest concentration of Mayan sites in Central America, with over 600 Mayan ruins discovered so far. Here is a detailed overview of some of the most notable ancient ruins in Belize:

Caracol

Tucked inside the Chiquibul Forest, Caracol is one of the most significant Mayan ruins in Belize. This impressive city was once home to more than 140,000 people and covered an area larger than modern-day Belize City. Caracol boasts a range of attractions, including the Canna ("Sky Palace"), which is the tallest man-made structure in Belize. The pyramid features advanced acoustics, allowing announcements from priests and rulers to be heard without amplification. The site also includes ball courts, an astronomic observatory, altars, reservoirs, and hieroglyphics.

Lamanai

Lamanai, located in Orange Walk Town, is one of the largest Mayan sites in Belize. The site features a range of beautifully preserved Mayan ceremonial buildings, including the High Temple, the Jaguar Temple, and the Mask Temple. Lamanai also has the remnants of two Spanish churches dating back to the 1500s, showcasing the coexistence of Mayan and Spanish colonial cultures.

Altun Ha

Altun Ha is one of the best-excavated Mayan sites in Belize and is conveniently located about an hour's drive north of Belize City. The site consists of two main plazas surrounded by over a dozen Mayan temples, pyramids, and residential structures. Altun Ha is known for its impressive jade carving of "Kinich Ahau," the Mayan sun god, which is featured on Belizean bank notes. The site is also home to a diverse range of wildlife, including over 200 species of birds.

Xunantunich

Xunantunich is a Mayan archaeological site located near the Mopan River. The site includes 25 Mayan temples and palaces, with El Castillo being the largest structure, standing at 130 feet tall. Xunantunich is believed to date back thousands of years and was once inhabited by a thriving community of over 200,000 people. The site offers stunning 360-degree views of the surrounding landscape, including the verdant hills and the Mopan River.

Cahal Pech

Cahal Pech, located in the Belize River Valley, is one of the oldest-known Mayan ruins in the region. The site features two ball courts and around 34 structures, showcasing the complex residential architecture of the ancient Mayans. Cahal Pech also offers panoramic views of San Ignacio and the Belize River Valley from its hilltop location.

El Pilar

El Pilar, located in the Cayo District, is an archaeological site that is believed to be three times the size of Xunantunich. The site includes temples, palaces, pyramids, a ball court, and water reservoirs. El Pilar provides a glimpse into the lives of everyday Mayans, showcasing common homes and gardens alongside more elaborate structures. The site is also developing as a nature preservation area, offering hiking trails for visitors.

Cerros

Cerros is the only Mayan site in Belize located along the coast, offering a unique experience against the backdrop of the turquoise sea and bright blue sky. While some structures at Cerros have been submerged due to rising sea levels, several fascinating remains are still accessible on dry land. The site includes a 72-foot-tall funerary building, stucco-facade buildings, and several plazas.

Nim Li Punit

Located in the Toledo District, Nim Li Punit is a Mayan site that stands out for its large number of stelae, or stone slabs. The site features carvings that offer insights into the social and political aspects of the ancient Mayan community. The name "Nim Li Punit," meaning "Big Hat," is derived from a carving of a figure wearing a super-size headdress discovered at the site.

Lubaantun

Lubaantun, located near the Maya village of San Pedro Columbia in southern Belize, was once a thriving administrative hub and ceremonial center. The site includes five main plazas, two ball courts, and 14 major structures. What sets Lubaantun apart is its unique construction technique, as the Mayan temples and buildings here were built without the use of mortar. Instead, each stone was precisely measured and trimmed to fit together perfectly.

Frequently asked questions