Belize City: To Shore Or Not To Shore?

Belize City is a popular cruise destination, with over 200 ships visiting the small Central American country yearly. However, Belize does not have a cruise port, so ships must anchor several miles out and transport passengers to shore via tender boats. The tender ride takes around 15-20 minutes.

The shore excursion options in Belize City are plentiful and include activities such as snorkelling, swimming with rays and sharks, exploring Mayan ruins, river tubing in underground caves, and ziplining. The city itself has a few interesting landmarks, including the Museum of Belize, St. John's Cathedral, and the Baron Bliss Lighthouse. However, Belize City is not particularly appealing or safe for independent exploration, and most cruise passengers choose to participate in organised shore excursions.

Mayan archaeological sites

Belize is home to some of the most important Mayan archaeological sites in the world. With that in mind, here is some information on four of them:

Caracol

Located in western Belize, Caracol is considered the most historically important Mayan archaeological site. It is situated within the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, near the border with Guatemala. Caracol was once the centre of one of the largest Maya kingdoms and contains the remains of thousands of structures. It is also known for its rivalry with Tikal in neighbouring Guatemala.

Lamanai

Lamanai is located on the New River in the Orange Walk District and is the longest continually occupied site in Mesoamerica. It was occupied from the Early Preclassic period until and after the Spanish conquest of Yucatán. Lamanai features three Mayan temples: the Mask Temple, the High Temple, and the Temple of the Jaguar, along with ball courts. The site can be reached by boat from Tower Hill or by road from Orange Walk.

Cerros

Cerros is one of the earliest Mayan sites, located on Corozal Bay in northern Belize. It features five temples, including one that is 72 feet tall, along with plazas, a canal system, and panoramic views of the bay. Cerros is unique among Mayan sites in Belize as it is the only one located on the coast.

Xunantunich

Xunantunich, which means "maiden of the rock" or "stone woman" in Maya, is situated on the Western Highway across the river from the village of San Jose Succotz. It features six major plazas, over 25 temples and palaces, and a museum. Xunantunich is one of the most visited sites in Belize, thanks to its impressive structures and accessibility.

The Museum of Belize

The museum covers various themes, including the colonial history of Belize, with a focus on slavery, piracy, Mayan archaeology, and ecology. It also features a rotating temporary exhibit, clean restrooms, and excellent air conditioning. The total time needed to explore the two levels of the museum is 1-2 hours.

The Mesoamerican Reef

The reef system includes various protected areas and parks, such as the Belize Barrier Reef, Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park, Hol Chan Marine Reserve in Belize, and the Cayos Cochinos Marine Park. Belize's coastline, including the Belize Barrier Reef, accounts for approximately 30% of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System. This reef system is home to a vast array of marine life, including over 500 species of fish, 60-65 species of coral, 350 species of mollusks, and several species of marine mammals, algae, and seagrasses.

To address these challenges, conservation efforts are underway, including the creation of protected areas, the implementation of sustainable fishing practices, and the development of strategies to adapt to climate change and reduce human activities that harm the reefs.

The Belize Zoo

The zoo is home to over 150 animals representing 43 native species, including Belize's national animal, the Baird's tapir, and the five wildcat species found in Belize: jaguar, puma, ocelot, margay, and jaguarundi. Other animals include various species of monkeys, deer, peccaries, agoutis, paca, foxes, otters, coatis, kinkajous, and tayras. The zoo also features several species of parrots, owls, and raptors, as well as a wetland aviary with scarlet macaws, red-lored amazons, and yellow-headed amazons, among others. Reptiles at the zoo include American crocodiles, Morelet's crocodiles, boa constrictors, and green iguanas.

The zoo's 30-acre facility features habitats that reflect the animals' natural settings, providing an immersive educational experience for visitors. The zoo is committed to conservation and is accessible to persons with physical disabilities. It offers various tours, including night tours, and encounters with animals such as the jaguar and scarlet macaw. The zoo also has a gift shop and a restaurant.

The Great Blue Hole

The site was made famous by Jacques Cousteau, who declared it one of the top five scuba diving sites in the world. It is a popular destination for recreational scuba divers, who are attracted by the opportunity to dive in crystal-clear waters and see a myriad of species of marine life, including tropical fish and spectacular coral formations. The Blue Hole is also home to nurse sharks, giant groupers, and several types of reef sharks, including Caribbean reef sharks and Blacktip sharks.

Dive excursions to the Great Blue Hole are full-day trips, consisting of one dive in the Blue Hole and two additional dives in nearby reefs. The Blue Hole is for advanced divers, involving a descent to a depth of 135 feet.

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