Carnival Fun In Belize

Belize is a popular cruise destination, known for its crystal blue waters, endless beaches, and unique combination of tropical oasis, explorer's paradise, and thrill-seeker's playground. Belize's Carnival is a vibrant and colourful event, marking the beginning of the September Celebrations, and showcasing the country's diverse cultures and traditions. The Carnival features a range of activities, including street parades with elaborate costumes, live music, traditional dance performances, and delicious local cuisine.

Belize offers a rare glimpse into its rich history, with ancient ruins and remnants of civilisations past. A highlight of any trip to Belize is the opportunity to explore the famous Blue Hole, a tiny white sand island surrounded by turquoise water.

Snorkelling at the Barrier Reef

Belize is a small country in Central America with over 200 tropical islands and incredible natural treasures, including the world's only jaguar preserve and the Western Hemisphere's longest barrier reef. The Belize Barrier Reef is the second-largest in the world, after Australia's Great Barrier Reef, and it offers a breathtaking snorkelling experience.

The Belize Barrier Reef is a snorkelling paradise, boasting pristine waters, abundant marine life, and stunning coral formations. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, recognised for its ecological importance. Here are some key things to know about snorkelling at the Belize Barrier Reef:

Getting There:

To access the snorkelling sites, you'll typically take a boat ride from the mainland or one of the nearby islands. Some tours may include transportation to and from your cruise ship port, while others might require you to make your way to a meeting point.

Equipment:

Most snorkelling tours provide the necessary equipment, including snorkels, masks, fins, and life jackets or vests. It is recommended to wear your swimwear under light clothing and bring a beach towel, water shoes, and sunscreen.

Marine Life and Coral:

The Belize Barrier Reef is teeming with an endless variety of marine life and coral. You can expect to see colourful schools of tropical fish, parrot fish grazing on coral, angelfish, sea fans, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, live conchs, and more. The reef also serves as a habitat for harmless nurse sharks and stingrays, offering a unique opportunity to observe these creatures in their natural environment.

Tour Options:

There are different snorkelling tour options available, catering to various interests and experience levels. Here are some popular choices:

• Sharks, Rays, Barrier Reef Snorkel & Island Escape: This tour combines snorkelling at the Belize Barrier Reef with a visit to Shark & Ray Alley, where you can swim with nurse sharks and stingrays. It also includes relaxation time at Caye Caulker, where you can purchase food and drinks.
• Snorkelling Wonders of the Barrier Reef: This tour takes you to Rendezvous Island, located at the centre of the reef. It caters to different experience levels, with beginner, intermediate, and advanced groups. After snorkelling, you'll have time to relax on the island, purchase food and drinks, and enjoy the sun.
• Sergeant's Cay Snorkel Adventure: This tour takes you to Sergeant's Caye, the smallest island with a population of one. Local guides will lead you over the coral landscape, showcasing the diverse marine life. After snorkelling, you can enjoy a beach break at Spanish Lookout Caye, a privately-owned island that offers kayaking, diving, and manatee tours.

Pricing and Bookings:

The price of snorkelling tours varies, with some charging per adult and child. For example, the "Sharks, Rays, Barrier Reef Snorkel & Island Escape" tour costs $119.99 per adult and $89.99 per child. The "Snorkelling Wonders of the Barrier Reef" tour is priced at $74.99 per adult and $64.99 per child. Booking in advance through your cruise line or a reputable tour operator is recommended to secure your spot.

Visiting Belize City

Belize City is a popular destination for cruise ships, and it's easy to see why. The city offers a unique combination of tropical oasis, exotic wildlife, and ancient ruins.

When visiting Belize City, there is plenty to see and do. The city is known for its picturesque oceanfront, with turquoise waters and tiny white sand islands. The Belize Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a popular spot for snorkelling and scuba diving. Here, you can explore the otherworldly coral formations and vibrant sea life, including harmless nurse sharks and stingrays.

Back on land, you can explore the rich history of Belize City, which stretches back hundreds of years. A walk through the downtown area will take you past colonial-era buildings and the famous Swing Bridge. You can also visit the Fort Street Tourism Village, which offers a variety of shops and restaurants. At the base of the Swing Bridge, you'll find the Rustic Korner, a quaint restaurant on the water with an outdoor patio, serving delicious local cuisine and drinks.

For those interested in ancient ruins, Belize City is a great base to explore the Lamanai Mayan Ruins and the Xunantunich Mayan Ruins. The Lamanai Mayan Ruins can be reached via a river boat safari, where you'll cruise through the rainforest and get the chance to spot exotic wildlife. The Xunantunich Mayan Ruins offer a more immersive experience, with ceremonial temples, a ball court, and massive palaces that showcase the ancient Mayan culture.

Belize City also serves as a gateway to exciting adventures, such as cave tubing and ziplining through the rainforest canopy. The Crystal Cave Tubing and Zipline excursion is a popular choice, offering a combination of spelunking, adrenaline-pumping zip lines, and exploration of ancient ceremonial caves.

In September, Belize City comes alive with the Belize Carnival, a vibrant celebration of the country's cultural blend. The carnival features masquerade competitions, pageants, concerts, and a colourful parade with elaborate costumes. It is a true showcase of the Maya, African, and European influences that shape Belize's unique culture.

Attending the Belize Carnival

History

The Belize Carnival is an annual event that marks the beginning of the September Celebrations, commemorating the emancipation from slavery in the Caribbean during the 1800s. It was first organised by a group of five women who wanted their children to parade through the streets of Belize City, celebrating their newfound independence. Over the years, more participants joined in, and the celebration has grown into a lively and colourful event.

When and Where

The Belize Carnival takes place in September, usually starting on the second Friday of the month, and ending on the 21st. The festivities occur in the streets of Belize City, with music, dance, and dazzling costumes.

What to Expect

The carnival features a range of activities, including:

• A colourful parade with participants wearing elaborate costumes
• Live music, including Calypso and Soca
• Traditional dance performances
• Delicious local cuisine and drinks
• Masquerade competitions, pageants, and concerts
• Street theatre

How to Join the Fun

If you're interested in joining a "Mas Band", you can select a group that aligns with your interests and desired level of participation. "Mas Bands" choose a theme, as well as a King and Queen to represent them. All band members dress up in colourful costumes and masks, adding to the vibrant atmosphere of the carnival.

Other Attractions in Belize

In addition to the Belize Carnival, there are several other attractions and excursions that visitors can enjoy:

• Exploring the famous Blue Hole
• Visiting the barrier reef and snorkelling at Rendezvous Caye
• Touring Belize City, including Fort Street Tourism Village and downtown shops
• Enjoying local cuisine and drinks at restaurants like Rustic Korner
• Exploring ancient Mayan ruins, such as Lamanai and Xunantunich
• Adventure activities like cave tubing, ziplining, and airboat tours

Exploring Mayan ruins

Belize is known for its rich history and the remnants of ancient Mayan civilisation. The country is home to more than 600 Mayan sites, including sacred temples, ceremonial pyramids, and ancient water reservoirs. Here is an exploration of some of the Mayan ruins that can be found in Belize:

Caracol

Tucked inside the Chiquibul Forest, Caracol is one of the most important Mayan ruins in Belize. Once a bustling city home to over 140,000 people, it was abandoned by the Mayans around 900 AD and has since been partially reclaimed by the jungle. The site covers around 25,000 acres, offering endless opportunities for exploration. Caracol features majestic temples, ball courts, an astronomic observatory, reservoirs, and hieroglyphics. The highlight for most visitors is the Canna ("Sky Palace"), the tallest man-made structure in Belize, reaching 143 feet in height.

Lamanai

Lamanai, meaning "submerged crocodile," is one of the largest and longest-occupied Mayan ceremonial centres. The site has been inhabited for over 3,000 years and features more than 700 mapped structures, including two 16th-century Christian churches and a 19th-century sugar mill. To reach Lamanai, visitors can take a riverboat safari up the New River, offering the chance to spot exotic wildlife along the way. The site boasts beautifully preserved ceremonial buildings, such as the High Temple, the Jaguar Temple, and the Mask Temple, making it a captivating destination for those interested in ancient Mayan culture.

Altun Ha

Altun Ha, located about an hour's drive north of Belize City, is one of the best-excavated archaeological sites in Belize. The site consists of two main plazas surrounded by over a dozen Mayan temples, pyramids, and residential structures. Altun Ha was a major ceremonial and trade centre during the Classic Period, and the most significant find here is the Maya Jade Head, representing the Mayan Sun God, Kinich Ahua. It is the largest jade object discovered in Mayan civilisation. The site is also a haven for nature lovers, with over 200 species of birds and an abundance of wildlife, including crocodiles in the nearby Maya-made water reservoir.

Xunantunich

Xunantunich, meaning "maiden of the rock" or "stone woman" in Maya, is a Classic Period ceremonial centre. The site is known for its impressive stone architecture, including the well-preserved sun god masks and El Castillo, a pyramid reaching 133 feet in height. Xunantunich offers a panoramic view of the entire river valley and provides an immersive experience of ancient Mayan culture with its temples, palaces, and partially excavated ball court.

Cahal Pech

Cahal Pech, located in San Ignacio, is one of the oldest-known Mayan ruins in the Belize River Valley. The site features two ball courts and around 34 structures, showcasing the complex residential architecture of the ancient civilisation. The central part of the ruins offers a beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding area, including the twin towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena.

Cerros

Cerros, or Cerro Maya, is the only Mayan site in Belize located along the coast. Once a pivotal coastal trading centre, it is now partially underwater due to rising sea levels. Visitors can explore the remaining structures, including a 72-foot-tall funerary building, several plazas, and a large canal system.

These are just a few examples of the many Mayan ruins that can be found in Belize, each offering a glimpse into the mysterious and advanced civilisation that once flourished in this region.

Relaxing on Rendezvous Caye

Rendezvous Caye is a tiny, private tropical island off the coast of Belize, sitting on top of the Belize Barrier Reef. It is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the Caribbean sun, offering pristine white sand beaches and turquoise waters.

The island is a popular stop for cruise ships, and you can book an excursion to the island, which includes snorkelling. The snorkelling is some of the finest in Belizean waters, and you can see a diverse range of marine life, including sea urchins, starfish, lobsters, sea cucumbers, and many types of fish. The island is also a great place to simply relax, sunbathe, and enjoy the views.

The journey to Rendezvous Caye is an adventure in itself. As Belize City does not have a large enough port for cruise ships, you will need to take a tender to the island, which can take around 40 minutes. From there, it is a 45-minute boat ride to the island. Along the way, you can learn about the history of Belize and admire the stunning blue-green hues of the Belize Barrier Reef.

Once you arrive at Rendezvous Caye, you will be provided with snorkelling gear and divided into groups based on your snorkelling experience. The guides are knowledgeable and passionate, and they will ensure you have a safe and enjoyable experience. After snorkelling, you can enjoy a beach break and relax on the soft sand. You can also purchase snacks and drinks, including the local beer, and there are beach chairs and umbrellas available for rent.

Rendezvous Caye is a beautiful and remote island, offering a relaxing and unforgettable experience. Whether you are looking to explore the underwater world or simply unwind on a pristine beach, Rendezvous Caye is the perfect destination for a day of relaxation and fun in the sun.

Frequently asked questions