Royal Caribbean's Belize City Port

Belize City is a popular cruise destination, offering tourists the chance to explore ancient Mayan ruins, enjoy water sports, and experience the country's eco-tourism and sub-tropical climate. The cruise port terminal is located at Belize's Tourism Village, where cruise ships anchor in the bay as the waters near the coast are too shallow. Passengers are then tendered to the port via high-speed boats, a journey that usually takes around 20 minutes.

In 2020, a new state-of-the-art cruise port, Port Coral, was announced. This new port will be able to accommodate four Royal Caribbean Oasis-class vessels at any one time, with two large piers, each berthing two vessels. The new port will offer a smoother experience for passengers, who will be able to dock rather than tender.

Cruise ships anchor in the bay of Belize

The Tourism Village is a safe, secluded area with a collection of gift shops, restaurants, and tour operators. It is within walking distance of Belize City's downtown hub, which is compact and easy to navigate on foot. However, the city has an unsafe reputation, so it is recommended to stick to the busiest sections of downtown and obvious tourist districts.

Belize City is located in the country of Belize, which is the second smallest country in Central America. The official language is English, and the official currency is the Belize Dollar, although US dollars are widely accepted.

Belize City attracts tourists with its Mayan heritage sites, eco-tourism, water sports opportunities, and sub-tropical climate. The city's newest attraction is the Museum of Belize, located close to the US Embassy. The city is also divided by the swing bridge at Haulover Creek's mouth, which is manually operated and opened two times a day.

A new state-of-the-art cruise port, Port Coral, is currently under development and will be able to accommodate four large cruise ships at once. The new port will be located four miles away from Belize City on Stake Bank Island and will offer natural deep-water access.

Passengers are tendered to the port via high-speed boats

Getting to Belize City Port by High-Speed Boat

Belize City cruise port is located in Belize's Tourism Village, also known as Fort Street Tourism Village. The cruise terminal is a safe area just a stone's throw away from the historic centre of Belize City.

Cruise ships do not dock at Belize City port because the Caribbean Sea waters are too shallow. Instead, ships anchor in the bay of Belize, around two miles from the coast, and passengers are tendered to the port via high-speed boats. These boats are operated by local authorities and the tender operation typically takes around 20 minutes. Each tender boat has three powerful engines.

The high-speed boats drop passengers off at the Fort Street Tourism Village, where there are basic services and modern amenities, including shops, restaurants, and tour operators. The village is within walking distance of Belize City and the Marine Terminal.

Getting Around Belize City

Belize City's downtown hub is compact and easy to navigate on foot. However, it is not considered particularly safe for visitors, so it is recommended to stick to the busiest sections of downtown and obvious tourist districts.

There are no shuttle buses operated by the port due to the proximity of the cruise terminal to Belize City and because there is not much to see downtown.

The city's downtown area and the Marine Terminal are about five minutes away on foot, and there is always a line of taxis waiting adjacent to the Tourism Village. Taxis do not use meters, so passengers should negotiate the price in advance. A popular way of getting around is by water taxi, which can be hired at the Marine Terminal.

Belize City's cruise port terminal is located at Belize's Tourism Village

The Tourism Village has a collection of gift shops, restaurants, and tour operators along the harbour. It is the city's main shopping area, with a variety of stores, shops, and restaurants. The city's downtown area and the Marine Terminal are about five minutes away on foot, and there are always taxis waiting adjacent to the Tourism Village.

The new "Stake Bank Cruise Ship Docking Facility" has a land area of 25 acres and docking capacity for four liners simultaneously. Along with its four berths, the new terminal complex also includes 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 to North Drowned Cayes, where a terminal with parking for shuttle and tour buses will be built.

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

Belize City is divided in two by the Swing Bridge at the mouth of Haulover Creek. The bridge is the only manually operated swing bridge still in use and is opened twice a day. It is the oldest bridge of its kind in Central America.

Haulover Creek is a coastal stream that runs through the centre of Belize City, discharging into the Caribbean Sea. It is the inlet of the Belize River and separates the northern and southern areas of the city. The city's north side is considered the safest and most prosperous area, with good hotels, casinos, and the Museum of Belize. The south side has a couple of tourist attractions, including the historic St. John's Cathedral and the House of Culture.

The Swing Bridge is a popular destination for day visitors, especially those arriving by cruise ship. It is the site of much of the city's commercial activity and is surrounded by many of Belize City's oldest buildings. The bridge connects North Front Street in the north to Albert and Queen Streets in the south.

The creek is also a popular route for fishing boats to access the centre of Belize City and the Caribbean Sea. It is now used as a route to distant islands such as San Pedro and Ambergris Caye, and many fishing boats are anchored in the stream.

The new 'Stake Bank Cruise Ship Docking Facility' will have a docking capacity of four liners simultaneously

Belize City is located in the second smallest country in Central America and is a popular destination for cruise ship tourists. The city boasts Mayan heritage sites, eco-tourism, water-sports opportunities, and a sub-tropical climate.

In 2017, the Belizean government signed an agreement with Stake Bank Enterprise Ltd. (SBEL) to build a new cruise ship docking facility in Belize City. The new terminal, named Port Coral, will be located on Stake Bank Caye, an island situated around 5 miles (7.5 km) southeast of Belize City. The project is being developed by the Feinstein Group of Companies, chaired by Belizean businessman Michael Feinstein.

The new Stake Bank Cruise Ship Docking Facility will have a docking capacity of four liners simultaneously, including vessels of Royal Caribbean's Voyager-class, with a length of 1020 ft (311 m). The terminal complex will also include an 80-room supporting facility, a shopping complex, and a dedicated beach. A causeway will connect to North Drowned Cayes, located around 2 miles (3 km) from Belize City, where a terminal with parking for approximately 200 shuttle and tour buses will be built.

The project is expected to cost USD 82 million for the island development and construction works. The facility's groundbreaking ceremony was held in February 2019, and completion was initially scheduled for late 2020 or early 2021. The project is expected to bring thousands of jobs and boost the cruise tourism industry in Belize.

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