The Ultimate Guide To Belize's Port Of Call: A Tropical Paradise

Belize is a popular port of call for cruise ships, with its stunning natural scenery and wealth of activities. The port of Belize City is a great place to start exploring the country's many attractions, from ancient Mayan ruins to secluded beaches and vibrant coral reefs. The city itself offers a range of cultural and historical landmarks, including the Museum of Belize, the St John Cathedral, and the Community Baboon Sanctuary. The cruise terminal, Fort Street Tourism Village, provides easy access to the city and a variety of shops and restaurants. Beyond Belize City, cruise passengers can visit Altun Ha, Xunantunich, and Lamanai Mayan ruins, as well as enjoy outdoor activities such as cave tubing, snorkelling, and wildlife watching. With its rich history, diverse culture, and natural beauty, Belize offers a unique and memorable experience for travellers.

Mayan ruins and sites

Belize is considered part of the southern Maya lowlands of the Mesoamerican culture area, and the sites found there were occupied from the Preclassic (2000 BCE–200 CE) until and after the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century. The land that is now Belize was once the heartland of the ancient Maya Empire.

Caracol

Located in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, Caracol is the largest Maya archaeological site in Belize. It was once one of the most powerful cities in the Maya world, with a population of about 120,000 people. Caracol is also home to the tallest man-made structure in Belize, the Caana pyramid, which stands at 140 feet tall. The site features majestic temples and covers 30 square miles of thick jungle, five plazas, and an astronomical observatory.

Xunantunich

Xunantunich, which means "maiden of the rock" or "stone woman" in Maya, is located near the village of San Jose Succotz. It can be reached by taking a free ferry across the Mopan River. The site features the second-tallest temple in Belize, well-preserved sun god masks, six major plazas, more than 25 temples and palaces, and a museum.

Altun Ha

Altun Ha is a site located near Belize City and is easily accessible with no steep inclines. It features two large central plazas and pyramids. The site is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including armadillos, bats, squirrels, and white-tailed deer. The most significant find at Altun Ha is the Maya Jade Head, representing the Mayan Sun God, which is the largest jade object discovered in the Maya civilization.

Cahal Pech

Cahal Pech is a Maya site located in San Ignacio, Cayo District. The name means "place of ticks" and was given when the area was used for pastureland. The site includes several pyramids, residence buildings, and seven courtyards. Excavations revealed that Cahal Pech was inhabited from 1000 BC to around 800 AD.

Lamanai

Lamanai, located in the Orange Walk District, is one of the oldest continuously occupied Maya sites in Belize. The name means "submerged crocodile" in Maya. Lamanai is situated near the New River Lagoon and features both ruins and a spectacular jungle setting. It is one of the largest Maya ceremonial centers, with over 700 mapped structures, including temples, ball courts, and Christian churches.

Cerros

Cerros, or Cerro Maya, is located on Corozal Bay in northern Belize. It was a pivotal coastal trading center and one of the earliest Maya sites, reaching its peak during the Late Preclassic period. Today, parts of Cerros are underwater, but the site still boasts five temples, plazas, and a canal system.

Barton Creek Cave

Barton Creek Cave, located in the Cayo District, is known for its cultural remains left by the ancient Maya. The site contains artifacts, hearths, modified cave formations, and human remains, indicating its ritual importance to the ancient Maya.

Nim Li Punit

Nim Li Punit, located in the Toledo District, features the longest stela in Belize and offers a beautiful view of the Toledo coastal plain and rainforests. The site includes a main plaza, a ball court, a pyramid, and a large collection of intricately carved stone stelae.

Lubaantun

Lubaantun, the largest Mayan site in southern Belize, is notable for its unique construction style. It features 11 limestone pyramids, 5 plazas, and 3 ball courts, all built without mortar. Each stone was carefully cut and placed without the use of mortar, resulting in a style similar to that of the Incas.

These sites offer a glimpse into the rich history and culture of the ancient Maya civilization, providing valuable insights into their architecture, rituals, and way of life.

Snorkelling and scuba diving

Belize is a small country nestled between Mexico and Guatemala. It is known for its world-class snorkelling and scuba diving, with over 400 islands, stunning white sandy beaches, 298 kilometres/185 miles of coastline, and the longest unbroken barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere. The Mesoamerican Reef is the second-largest reef globally, making it a stunning destination for snorkelling and scuba diving.

Belize's waters are clear, warm, and rich in marine life, offering excellent conditions for beginners and thrilling experiences for advanced divers. The most common snorkelling and scuba diving excursions are to Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley, costing around $35USD, including snorkel gear. However, there is an additional $10BZ park tax charged to foreigners, contributing to reef upkeep and protection.

For those seeking a more exclusive experience, chartering a sailboat or catamaran is a great option to explore the many dive sites in Belize. Alternatively, snorkelling and driving excursions can be found along the beaches of Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker.

If you're an experienced diver looking for a challenge, the Great Blue Hole, a huge sunken cave, is Belize's most famous dive site. It was even featured in a documentary by underwater explorer Jacques Cousteau. However, it is not for beginners, as it can be briefly explored at a depth of 135 feet.

Belize's southern reefs, such as Long Caye Wall and Glover's Reef Atoll, are less frequented by tourists, resulting in fewer crowds and more diverse biology and coral growths. These sites offer world-class snorkelling and diving opportunities, with sheer drops of over 2,000 feet and abundant marine life.

The best time to dive in Belize is year-round, but the water temperature varies between the cooler months of November to July (around 78°F) and the warmer months of August to October (around 82-84°F). The visibility is generally excellent, with over 100 feet on the barrier reef and atolls, but slightly less inside the reef.

Belize City

The city's cruise port is a popular stop for cruise ships, with a range of attractions for visitors. The cruise terminal, Fort Street Tourism Village, is a safe and appealing area with basic services, shops, and restaurants. However, the city itself has a reputation for being unsafe, and it is recommended that visitors stick to the busiest sections of downtown and tourist districts.

For those seeking outdoor adventures, Belize City offers wildlife tours, cave tubing, kayaking, horseback riding, riverboat and airboat tours, hiking, trekking, and ziplining. The city is also a great base for exploring nearby cayes, such as Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker, which offer secluded beaches and excellent snorkelling opportunities.

The official language of Belize is English, and the official currency is the Belize Dollar, although US dollars are widely accepted.

The Belize Zoo

The zoo is home to over 150 animals of about 45 species, all native to Belize. The habitats designed for the animals reflect their natural settings, and the zoo is set in 29 acres of tropical savanna. The zoo is located roughly halfway between Belmopan and Belize City, and is about a 30-minute drive from the international airport.

The zoo offers a variety of tours, including a night tour to see the activity of crepuscular and nocturnal animals, and a Junior Buddy encounter, where visitors can safely enter a cage within a jaguar exhibit. The zoo also has a tropical education centre, an 84-acre site that serves as a lodge, learning centre, and training facility.

Caye Caulker

The island's motto is 'Go Slow', and this is embraced by both residents and tourists. Caye Caulker is busiest during Belize's dry season, from January to April, and this is considered the best time to visit. However, things are more expensive during this peak season.

There are a variety of accommodation options on the island, ranging from hostels to boutique properties. Caye Caulker has resisted major commercialisation, so lodging options tend to be simple and geared towards laid-back travellers who want to spend most of their time outdoors.

A unique feature of the island is 'The Split', a channel that divides Caye Caulker in two. 'The Split' is a popular hangout spot for both travellers and locals, offering calm, shallow waters to cool off in, and a bar called the Lazy Lizard serving food and drinks.

To get to Caye Caulker, you need to fly into the Philip Goldson International Airport near Belize City and then take a domestic flight or water taxi to the island. Water taxis depart hourly from Belize City harbour and cost around $20 one way.

Frequently asked questions