Tender Boat Transport In Belize: Understanding The Departure Schedule

Belize is a popular cruise destination, with many attractions including Mayan ruins, wildlife parks, and water sports. However, as the waters near the port are too shallow for cruise ships, passengers must be tendered to the Fort Street Tourism Village, around 2 miles from the coast. This tender operation typically takes around 20 minutes and is carried out by large boats operated by local authorities. From here, there are many shore excursions available, including snorkelling, swimming with rays and sharks, and exploring the local mangroves.

Belize City is the country's largest urban centre

Belize City has a population of over 80,000 people, with a rich cultural mix, including Creole, Garifuna, Latino, Chinese, Lebanese, Hindu and Maya. The city has a tropical monsoon climate, with warm to hot and humid conditions year-round. The wet season lasts from May to February, and the short dry season covers the remaining two months.

The city is divided into two areas: Northside and Southside. Northside, which is considered the safest and most prosperous area, and Southside, which includes some of the city's poorest residents. The two areas are connected by four bridges, including the Belize City Swing Bridge, the only functioning manually operated bridge in the world.

Belize City has a variety of attractions, including the Museum of Belize, St. John's Cathedral, the House of Culture, and the Supreme Court. It is also known for its bustling downtown area, with trendy boutiques, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.

The city serves as a hub for national and international travel, with the country's largest municipal airport and water taxi connections located downtown. The Port of Belize, the country's main port facility, is also found in Belize City.

Belize City has a history that dates back to the 1600s when it was a logging camp and export centre for mahogany. The city was severely damaged by Hurricane Hattie in 1961 and Hurricane Greta in 1978, which led to the capital being moved to Belmopan in 1970.

Cruise ships anchor several miles out and transfer passengers to the Fort Street Tourism Village

Cruise ships anchor in the bay of Belize, around two miles from the coast, as the waters near the port are too shallow for them to dock. Passengers are then transferred to the Fort Street Tourism Village via large boats operated by local authorities. This tender operation typically takes around 20 minutes. The cruise terminal is a safe, secluded area just a stone's throw away from the historic centre of Belize City.

The terminal building offers all basic services and modern amenities, including shops, restaurants and bars. The Wet Lizard is a popular choice for food and drink. The Fort Street Tourism Village also has around 30 shops, including The Jungle Gift Shop, which sells souvenirs, hats, t-shirts, toys, and clothing.

Belize City itself is not particularly appealing or safe to explore on your own. However, there are a few interesting landmarks within walking distance, such as the Museum of Belize and St John's Cathedral, which are on opposite sides of the river to the cruise terminal.

The tender operation typically takes around 20 minutes

The tender operation from the cruise ship to the port of Belize City typically takes around 20 minutes. Passengers are ferried to the port via high-speed boats, each equipped with three powerful engines. The ride is relatively short, taking only about 15 to 20 minutes. However, with a large number of passengers to transport, it can take a while to get off the ship. Those who have purchased a shore excursion through the cruise line may be able to disembark sooner.

Once you arrive at the port, you will be in the Fort Street Tourism Village, a safe and secluded area just a stone's throw away from the historic centre of Belize City. Here, you can explore a variety of shops, restaurants, and other amenities before setting off on your chosen shore excursion or independent exploration of Belize.

The Fort Street Tourism Village is also where you will return to board the tender back to your cruise ship. Be sure to allow enough time to get back to the ship, as you may need to stand in line for the tender, especially if multiple ships are docked at the port.

The Belize Dollar is the official currency, but US dollars are widely accepted

The Belize Dollar is the official currency of Belize, with an exchange rate hard-pegged to the US dollar at a fixed rate of BZ$2 to US$1. While US dollars are widely accepted in Belize, it is important to note that you may receive change in the local currency, which is worthless outside the country.

The Belize Dollar is divided into 100 cents and is printed at the British firm of Thomas De La Rue Ltd. All local banknotes feature a prominent image of Queen Elizabeth II on the front, as Belize is a member of the British Commonwealth and has King Charles III of England as its Head of State.

When exchanging currency, it is good to be aware that Belize law allows travelers entering the country to bring a maximum of US$5,000 per adult individual. This limit applies to cash, checks, or negotiable instruments, and the total sum must be declared on your Disembarkation Card before presenting it to the Belize Customs Authority.

ATMs in Belize usually accept foreign cards, and many businesses accept US dollars. Credit cards such as MasterCard, Visa, and AMEX are also widely accepted. However, it is always a good idea to carry some local currency when traveling, as some smaller vendors or businesses may only accept Belize Dollars.

When spending US dollars in Belize, be mindful that the buying rate for US dollars may vary slightly depending on the form of payment. For example, as of May 2023, banks and financial institutions were instructed to accept US cash currency at the official rate of 2 Belize dollars for 1 US dollar. In contrast, the buying rate for other US dollar-denominated monetary instruments, such as remittances and incoming wire transfers, remained unchanged at BZ$1.982.

In summary, while the Belize Dollar is the official currency, US dollars are widely accepted in Belize. However, be prepared for potential fluctuations in the exchange rate and be mindful of the restrictions on the amount of US currency you can bring into the country.

The city is divided in two by a manually operated swing bridge

Belize City is divided in two by the Belize City Swing Bridge, a manually operated swing bridge that connects the north and south sides of the city. The bridge spans the Haulover Creek, a tributary of the Belize River, and is the oldest swing bridge in Central America. It is also one of the few manually operated swing bridges in the world still in use.

The bridge was constructed in Liverpool, England, and brought to Belize City by a United States company in 1922, with installation completed in 1923. It was built to replace several wooden bridges that had been constructed by locals during the mid-19th century to cross the Haulover Creek. The bridge was designed to allow sailing fishing boats with tall masts to pass through and continue up the river to supply the city.

Historically, the bridge was swung twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening, to allow boat traffic to pass. This boat traffic consisted mainly of fishermen travelling upriver to deliver seafood to cooperatives in Belize City, as well as passenger boats travelling to or from the cayes. The bridge required a minimum of four men to crank it by hand until it was perpendicular to the Haulover Creek, and then back to its original position. This process took over an hour, and locals had to plan their days around getting from one side of the city to the other.

Since 2007, the bridge has only been manually operated by special request, as boat traffic on the Haulover Creek has decreased significantly. However, it remains a popular tourist destination and a historical landmark of Belize. The bridge was featured in the 1980 film *The Dogs of War*, starring Christopher Walken, in which it is shown being manually cranked back into place.

The Maritime Museum of Belize and the Museum of Belize are located nearby, and the St. John's Cathedral is on the south bank of the river, across the Swing Bridge.

Frequently asked questions