Belize City Cruise Ship Dockings: Unveiling The Mystery Of Arrival Days

Belize City is a popular destination for cruise ships, with over 200 ships visiting yearly. However, due to shallow waters, cruise ships cannot dock in the port of Belize City and must anchor a few miles away. Passengers are then tendered to the port via high-speed boats, a journey of around 20 minutes.

The port is located in Belize's Tourism Village, which features shops, restaurants, and tour operators. From here, passengers can explore Belize City, including attractions such as the Baron Bliss Lighthouse, St. George's Fort, and the Museum of Belize. Belize is also known for its Mayan archaeological sites, such as Altun Ha, Xunantunich, and Lamanai, as well as its natural attractions, including the Great Blue Hole and the Belize Zoo.

Cruise ships dock in the bay of Belize City

The port terminal is located at Belize's Tourism Village, which has a range of shops, restaurants, and tour operators. From here, it's a short walk to the downtown hub of Belize City, though it's worth noting that the city has a reputation for being unsafe for visitors. It's recommended that tourists stick to the busiest sections of downtown and obvious tourist districts.

Belize City is a popular stop for cruise ships, offering Mayan heritage sites, eco-tourism, water sports, and a sub-tropical climate. The city's newest attraction is the Museum of Belize, which is housed in a former prison. Here, visitors can explore 362 years of Belizean history and 3000 years of the Maya legacy.

In August 2017, the Belizean government announced plans to build a new cruise ship docking facility in Belize City, with a completion date scheduled for late 2020 or early 2021. The new facility will be able to accommodate four cruise liners simultaneously and will include a marina, shopping complex, and a dedicated beach.

Attractions include Mayan sites, eco-tourism, water sports and wildlife

Belize City, the country's largest urban centre, is a hub for cruise ships and a jumping-off spot for excursions to other parts of Belize. The cruise port of Belize City has a plethora of world-class attractions, including Mayan sites, eco-tourism, water sports, and wildlife adventures.

Mayan Sites

The Mayan archeological sites of Xunantunich, Altun Ha, and Lamanai are all within a 78-mile (126 km) radius of the cruise terminal. Altun Ha, a Mayan temple, is 32.9 miles (53 km) from the port, while the Xunantunich Mayan Ruins are 77.8 miles (125 km) away. The Lamanai Mayan Ruins are the furthest at 78.1 miles (126 km) but are still accessible for a day trip.

Eco-Tourism and Wildlife

Belize City also offers eco-tourism and wildlife adventures, both in the ocean and in the lush tropical forests. The Belize Zoo, Little Guana Caye Bird Sanctuary, and the Community Baboon Sanctuary are all within a 49.3-mile (101 km) radius of the cruise port and provide opportunities to see a variety of wildlife. The Mesoamerican Reef, the second-largest reef in the world, is a great place for snorkelling, scuba diving, or fishing. It is also a stunning destination for those seeking secluded beaches and encounters with sharks, rays, and sea turtles.

Water Sports

Belize is also a prime location for water sports enthusiasts. The port city offers thrilling pursuits such as cave tubing, cave kayaking, horseback riding, riverboat and airboat tours, hiking, trekking, biking, and ziplining. Bacab Eco Park, Crystal Caves - Blue Hole National Park, and Nohoch Che'en Caves Branch are some of the best places to enjoy these activities, located within a 62.1-mile (100 km) radius of the cruise terminal.

Belize City's downtown hub is compact and easy to navigate on foot

The city's commercial centre is along Albert Street, where you can find banks and shops. The downtown area is also home to the Marine Terminal, which is about a five-minute walk from the Tourism Village. The Tourism Village is the city's main shopping area, with a variety of stores, shops, and restaurants.

Belize City's downtown hub is also home to several notable landmarks, including:

• St. John's Cathedral: The oldest Anglican church in Central America, located on the south bank of the river.
• Museum of Belize: Housed in a former prison, this museum showcases the rich history and culture of Belize.
• Battlefield Park: A town square where locals gather and political speeches are given.
• Fort George Lighthouse: Built to the specifications of Baron Bliss, the country's greatest benefactor.
• Marine and Coastal Zone Museums: These museums feature interactive displays about the reefs and their rich marine flora and fauna.

The downtown area is also a great place to interact with locals and experience the city's cultural vibrancy and urban energy. However, it is important to be aware of your surroundings and take necessary safety precautions when exploring Belize City's downtown hub.

The city is divided in two by the swing bridge at Haulover Creek's mouth

Belize City is divided into two by the swing bridge at Haulover Creek's mouth. The bridge is the oldest swing bridge in Central America and one of the few manually operated swing bridges in the world still in use. It connects the north and south sides of the city, spanning the creek—a tributary of the Belize River. Haulover Creek is a coastal stream that runs through the centre of Belize City and discharges into the Caribbean Sea.

The swing bridge is a tourist destination and historical landmark. It was constructed in Liverpool, England, and brought to Belize City by a United States company in New Orleans. The bridge was built to allow sailing fishing boats with tall masts to pass and continue up the river to supply the city. It replaced several wooden bridges built by locals in the mid-19th century. The bridge is manually opened twice a day, requiring a minimum of four men to crank it by hand.

The Maritime Museum of Belize is located near the bridge. The Marine Terminal, where passengers can hire taxi boats and ferries, houses two museums: the Coastal Zone Museum and the Marine Museum. The city's downtown hub is compact and easy to navigate on foot, but it has a reputation for being unsafe for visitors.

The new 'Stake Bank Cruise Ship Docking Facility' will be able to handle four liners simultaneously

Belize City is located in the country of Belize, in Central America. It is the country's largest urban centre and boasts a number of attractions, including Mayan archaeological sites and wildlife adventures.

Currently, cruise ships anchor in the bay of Belize, as the waters near the coast are too shallow. Passengers are then tendered to the Belize City cruise port terminal via high-speed boats. However, this is set to change with the development of the Stake Bank Cruise Ship Docking Facility.

The Stake Bank Cruise Ship Docking Facility will be a state-of-the-art development, capable of accommodating four of the world's largest cruise ships simultaneously. The project is being led by the Feinstein Group of Companies, chaired by Belizean businessman Michael Feinstein, who also developed the Belize Tourism Village years ago. The total estimated investment for the project is US$62.5-82 million.

The new docking facility will be located on Stake Bank Caye, an island situated approximately 5-7.5 km southeast of Belize City. It will cover a land area of 25 acres (101,000 m2) and will include four berths, a 60-slip yacht marina, an 80-room supporting facility, a shopping complex, a Mayan-themed aquapark, and a dedicated beach.

A causeway will connect the island to North Drowned Cayes, located about 2 miles from Belize City, where a terminal with parking for approximately 200 shuttle and tour buses will be built. The development team for the project includes Schneider Engineering & Consulting, EDSA, MAC Maritime, and Atlantic Bank Ltd.

The Stake Bank Cruise Ship Docking Facility is expected to have a significant positive impact on Belize's economy, as tourism accounts for 30% of the country's GDP and is a major source of foreign exchange. The project is also expected to create jobs, with an estimated 500 Belizeans to be employed during the construction phase.

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