Royal Caribbean Ships Sail To Belize

Belize is a popular destination for Royal Caribbean cruises, offering a unique blend of ecosystems, cultures, and activities. The country boasts the second-largest barrier reef in the world, lush rainforests, and ancient Mayan ruins. Visitors can explore the vibrant city of Belize, with its historic sites like the Museum of Belize and St. John Cathedral, or venture into the surrounding jungles to discover an array of wildlife, including howler monkeys, toucans, and jaguars. Belize also offers thrilling adventures such as cave tubing, zip-lining, and snorkelling at popular spots like Shark Ray Alley. With its rich history, stunning natural wonders, and diverse cultural experiences, Belize provides a captivating cruise destination for travellers seeking relaxation, exploration, and unforgettable memories.

Mayan Ruins

Belize, a country in Central America, is home to the largest number of ancient Maya ruins in the region. The land that is now Belize was once the heartland of the ancient Maya Empire. The ancient Maya civilisation spanned several millennia and began to break apart between 600 to 900 AD for unknown reasons, leaving majestic ruins that were swallowed up by the jungle.

Caracol

The largest Maya archaeological site in Belize, Caracol is an ancient city that was once one of the most powerful in the Maya world. It is located in the Cayo District and was home to about 120,000 people. The Caana pyramid is the tallest man-made structure in Belize. Visitors can explore the 30 square miles of thick jungle, five plazas, and an astronomical observatory. The site is still actively being excavated, and the roads leading to Caracol provide a spectacular view of the Chiquibul Rainforest.

Xunantunich

Xunantunich, which means "stone woman" in Maya, was the first Maya ruin to be opened to visitors in 1950. It is located near San Ignacio and was once a prosperous city state during the Classical Maya era, with a population of 200,000 people. Visitors can explore the site's six plazas and remnants of over 25 palaces and temples. To get to the site, visitors must take a free ferry from San Jose Succotz village across the Mopan River.

Lamanai

Lamanai, located in northern Belize, is one of the oldest continuously occupied Maya sites in the country. It is situated near the New River Lagoon and is prized for its spectacular jungle setting. The name Lamanai means "submerged crocodile" in Maya.

Altun Ha

Altun Ha is the closest Mayan ruin to Belize City and is easily accessible with flat grassland land. It consists of two large central plazas and pyramids.

Cahal Pech

Cahal Pech is a smaller Maya site located just outside of San Ignacio in the Belize River Valley. It was originally built as a place for the wealthy and consists of several pyramids, residence buildings, and seven courtyards.

El Pilar

El Pilar is a 100-acre Maya site located 12 miles northwest of San Ignacio in the Village of Bullet Tree Falls. The site has a causeway that extends from the eastern part of the ruins across the border into Guatemala. Excavations have revealed 12 pyramids and 25 plazas, with many structures still in the early stages of excavation.

Lubaantun

Lubaantun is the largest Mayan site in southern Belize, consisting of 11 limestone pyramids, five plazas, and three ball courts. Unlike other ruins in Belize, Lubaantun was built without mortar, with each stone carefully measured and cut to fit the adjoining stone.

These are just a few examples of the many Mayan ruins that can be found in Belize, each offering a glimpse into the ancient and mysterious past of the Maya civilisation.

Snorkelling and Scuba Diving

Belize is a snorkelling and scuba diving paradise. With over 400 islands, stunning white sandy beaches, 298 kilometres/185 miles of coastline, and the longest unbroken barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, it's a destination that's hard to beat for divers and snorkelers of all experience levels.

The Belize Barrier Reef is the second-largest coral reef in the world, after Australia's. It's a living coral reef described as solid mounds of submerged limestone and is the richest and most diverse habitat in the ocean. The warm, clear waters are rich with marine life, including colourful coral reefs, tropical fish, sea turtles, rays, and dolphins.

One of the most popular spots for snorkelling and diving is Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley in the north of Belize. Here, you'll find vibrant fish, nurse sharks, rays, turtles, and the occasional dolphin. The site is also great for diving newbies and snorkelers, as it's only 30 meters deep and offers a range of underwater views reminiscent of the movie *Finding Nemo*.

For those seeking a more challenging dive experience, the Blue Hole is probably Belize's most famous dive site. It's a massive underwater sinkhole located off the coast of Belize, near Lighthouse Reef Atoll. The Blue Hole is not for novices, as it requires a descent to 135 feet, and it's more known for its geological formations than for fish-spotting.

Belize also offers a range of other snorkelling and diving experiences, such as the Atolls, Turneffe Atoll, and Ambergris Caye. Turneffe Atoll, the largest of Belize's three atolls, is visually spectacular and home to diverse marine life, including reef sharks, morays, turtles, dolphins, rays, and jewfish. Ambergris Caye, the country's largest caye, offers snorkelling and diving opportunities at sites like Coral Gardens and a manatee habitat.

With its abundance of islands, beaches, and marine life, Belize truly is a snorkelling and scuba diving paradise, offering something for everyone, from beginners to experienced divers.

River Tubing in Caves

Belize is a Central American country with the soul of a Caribbean island. It offers a unique blend of blue waters, green mountains, and colourful wooden houses. One of the most popular activities in Belize is river tubing in caves.

The river tubing experience typically includes a hike through the rainforest to reach the cave entrance. The hike can range from 20 minutes to about an hour, depending on the tour operator and the specific cave system being explored. Once you reach the cave entrance, you'll gear up with a helmet, headlamp, and inner tube, and then hop into the water to begin your journey.

The river will carry you through the cave passages, where you'll be surrounded by ancient crystal formations and, in some cases, human artefacts left behind by the Mayans. You'll have the opportunity to learn about the geology and history of the caves, as well as the Mayan culture. Some tours also include a stop for a swim in a natural swimming hole and a chance to see colonies of bats that call the caves home.

Tour Operators

There are several tour operators offering river tubing in caves, including Cave-Tubing.com, MayaWalk, and Butts Up Cave Tubing. These companies provide transportation, experienced guides, and necessary equipment for the tubing experience. They also offer various packages that combine river tubing with other activities to create a full-day excursion.

Belize City

The city offers a variety of attractions and activities for visitors. These include the Museum of Belize, the oldest Anglican cathedral in Central America, and the only manual swing bridge in the world. Outside the city, there are popular day trip destinations such as the Belize Zoo, the Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Xunantunich Maya Ruins.

For those looking for adventure, Belize City is a great starting point for exploring ancient Maya ruins, scouting the only jaguar preserve in the world, hiking rainforest trails, and zip-lining through treetops. Cave tubing is also a unique experience, allowing visitors to float through limestone caverns and learn about Maya history. Belize City is also known for its local cuisine, which fuses various influences, including Caribbean and Latin American recipes with modern twists.

The Belize Rainforest

The warm climate and abundant rainfall make the rainforests of Belize a living, dynamic place. Each visit to the rainforest offers something new to discover, from giant iguanas perched on tree limbs to armadillos scurrying through the undergrowth. The rainforest also provides opportunities for adventure activities such as ziplining, hiking to viewpoints, and exploring underground cave systems.

One of the top destinations in the Belize Rainforest is the Mayflower Bocawina National Park, which offers several miles of trails and five natural waterfalls to explore. The park is also home to Antelope Falls, a medium-to-difficult trail that leads to a beautiful viewpoint and a refreshing pool of freshwater.

For those seeking a more secluded rainforest experience, the Deep South of Belize is home to untouched, remote rainforests. The Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, located in the Cayo District, boasts some of the country's best waterfalls and swimming spots, including the highest waterfall in Central America, Thousand Foot Falls.

In addition to its natural beauty, the Belize Rainforest offers cultural experiences as well. Visitors can learn about traditional medicinal compounds made by local people from plants found in the rainforest and explore ancient Mayan ruins nestled within the jungle.

Frequently asked questions