Rhapsody Of The Seas: Belize Docking

Rhapsody of the Seas is a Vision-class cruise ship operated by Royal Caribbean International. The ship offers cruises to some of the world's most breathtaking destinations, including Belize City, Belize.

Belize City is located on the East coast of Belize, bathed by the Caribbean Sea. The cruise port is located at Belize's Tourism Village, where cruise ships anchor in the bay as the water near the coast is shallow. Passengers are tendered to the cruise port terminal via high-speed boats, from where they can explore the city's attractions.

Belize City offers a range of world-class attractions, including Mayan archaeological sites, eco-tourism, water sports, and a sub-tropical climate. The city's commercial center, along Albert Street, features banks and shops, including a small music shop selling Belizean and Caribbean CDs and cassettes. The Museum of Belize, located near the US Embassy, showcases the country's history and the Maya legacy.

The cruise port terminal in Belize City provides basic services and amenities, with shops, restaurants, and tour operators along the harbor. Passengers can also explore the city's downtown area, located a short walk or taxi ride from the terminal.

The ship anchors in the bay and passengers are tendered to shore

The Rhapsody of the Seas is a Vision-class cruise ship operated by Royal Caribbean International. The ship anchors in the bay of Belize, as the water near the coast is too shallow for docking. Passengers are then tendered to shore via high-speed boats, which takes around 20 minutes.

Belize City's cruise port terminal is located at Belize's Tourism Village, where passengers disembark. The village has a collection of gift shops, restaurants, and tour operators along the harbor. It is a safe area, but the city itself has a reputation for being unsafe for visitors. Taxis are available at the terminal, but they do not use meters, so passengers must negotiate the price in advance. Water taxis are also a popular mode of transportation between the city and the cruise port.

Belize City offers a range of attractions, including Mayan heritage sites, eco-tourism, water sports, and a sub-tropical climate. The Museum of Belize, located near the US Embassy, is a highlight for those interested in exploring the country's history. The city is also known for its local cuisine, with street vendors offering a variety of homemade dishes.

For those seeking outdoor activities, Belize offers Mayan archeological sites, scenic sights, natural wonders, wildlife parks, and water sports. The Mesoamerican Reef is a popular spot for snorkelling, scuba diving, and fishing. Belize is also known for its secluded beaches and lush tropical forests, offering a range of adventure options for visitors.

Attractions include Mayan ruins and wildlife adventures

Belize is home to a plethora of Mayan ruins and wildlife adventures.

Mayan Ruins

Belize has more than 600 Mayan sites, including sacred temples, ceremonial pyramids, and ancient water reservoirs. Here are some of the most notable ruins:

• Caracol is one of the most important Mayan ruins in Belize. It was once home to more than 140,000 people and covered an area larger than modern-day Belize City. The site features majestic temples, ball courts, an astronomic observatory, alters, reservoirs, and hieroglyphics.
• Lamanai is one of the largest Mayan sites in Belize and is located about two hours northwest of Belize City. The site features beautifully preserved Mayan ceremonial buildings, including the High Temple and the Jaguar Temple.
• Altun Ha is one of the best-excavated Mayan sites in Belize and is easily accessible, located about an hour's drive north of Belize City. The site consists of two main plazas surrounded by over a dozen Mayan temples, pyramids, and residential structures.
• Xunantunich is located about an hour from Belize City and features the second-tallest Mayan ruin in Belize, as well as sun god bas-relief masks, six plazas, and remnants of palaces and temples.
• Cahal Pech is located in the Belize River Valley and is the oldest-known Mayan ruin in the region. The site features two ball courts and around 34 structures, including temples, residential buildings, and an altar.
• El Pilar is located in the Cayo District and is believed to be three times the size of Xunantunich. The site includes more than a dozen courtyards, temples, palaces, pyramids, a ball court, and water reservoirs.
• Cerros is the only Mayan ruin in Belize located along the coast. Several structures have been submerged due to rising sea levels, but there are still some fascinating remains to explore.

Wildlife Adventures

Belize also offers a variety of wildlife adventures, both on land and in the ocean. Here are some popular wildlife-focused activities:

• Cave tubing and kayaking are unique activities offered in Belize. Visitors can explore mysterious caves, such as Actun Tunichil Muknal, with ancient artifacts and human remains.
• Snorkelling and scuba diving at the Mesoamerican Reef, the second-largest reef in the world. Visitors can explore the rich marine life, including sharks, rays, and sea turtles.
• Birdwatching at Altun Ha, which is home to more than 200 species of birds.
• Wildlife sanctuaries such as the Belize Zoo, Little Guana Caye Bird Sanctuary, Community Baboon Sanctuary, and Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Horseback riding, riverboat tours, hiking, and biking to discover the diverse wildlife and natural wonders of Belize.
• The Living Maya Experience in the village of Big Falls, where visitors can learn about traditional Maya culture, cuisine, and medicinal plants.

Belize truly offers a wealth of attractions for those interested in exploring Mayan ruins and experiencing the country's diverse wildlife.

Belize City is the country's largest urban centre

Belize City has a tropical monsoon climate, with warm to hot and humid conditions year-round. The city experiences a lengthy wet season from May through February and a short dry season for the remaining two months.

The city has a range of attractions, including Mayan archaeological sites, wildlife adventures, and natural wonders. The Museum of Belize, located in the city, showcases the country's history and the Maya legacy. The city's commercial centre is along Albert Street, where banks and shops can be found. The Fort Street Tourism Village, the cruise port terminal, also offers shopping and dining options for tourists.

Belize City is known for its bustling downtown area, with commercial activity centred around the Swing Bridge. The city has a mix of narrow streets and wider avenues, reflecting its history as a logging camp and export centre for mahogany. While it may not be a Caribbean paradise, Belize City offers a vibrant social scene with trendy boutiques, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.

The city is served by the Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport, located in the neighbouring community of Ladyville, and the Belize City Municipal Airport, situated within the city itself.

The official language is English, but Spanish is widely spoken

Belize is a country on the northeastern coast of Central America. It is the only Central American country with English as its official language. This is a result of its history as a former British colony, formerly known as British Honduras. However, Spanish is also widely spoken in Belize, and it is the native tongue of about 52.9% of the population. Belize is surrounded by Spanish-speaking countries, and its proximity to Mexico and Guatemala influences the prevalence of Spanish in certain areas.

Belize is a small and ethnically diverse country with a population of about 410,990 people (as of 2022). It is the least populated and least densely populated country in Central America. The country gained independence from the United Kingdom on September 21, 1981, and has strong ties to both the American and Caribbean regions.

Belize's diverse society is composed of many cultures and languages. While English is the official language, Belizean Creole is the most widely spoken dialect. Spanish is the second most commonly spoken language, followed by Mayan languages, German dialects, and Garifuna. Over half of the population is multilingual, and bilingualism is strongly encouraged in this multiethnic society.

The use of language in Belize varies across different districts and even villages. For example, in the frontier districts of Cayo, Orange Walk, and Corozal, Spanish is the most used language. In the Stann Creek district, Creole is the main language, while Mayan languages dominate in the southernmost district of Toledo.

Belize's history and geographical location have shaped its linguistic landscape. With its rich cultural heritage and diverse population, Belize is a country where multiple languages coexist and play an essential role in the lives of its people.

The Belize dollar is the official currency, but US dollars are accepted

The Belize dollar is the official currency in Belize, with the currency code BZD. It is usually abbreviated with a dollar sign $, or BZ$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies. The Belize dollar is pegged to the US dollar at a fixed rate of BZ$2 = US$1.

While the Belize dollar is the official currency, US dollars are widely accepted in Belize. The US dollar is particularly useful in tourist areas, where you can use it to pay for goods and services. However, you may receive change in Belize dollars, which are worthless outside the country. Therefore, it is advisable to keep your foreign exchange outside Belize in a bank in the USA, Canada, or Europe. This way, you can purchase items abroad and have them shipped to Belize at a reduced cost.

ATMs in Belize usually accept foreign cards, and credit and debit cards are widely accepted in shops and restaurants. However, if you are paying with US dollars, be sure to get change in US currency.

Belize has a lively parallel informal market that usually gives BZ$2.05 for US$1. Visitors with US dollars do not need to worry about changing their money into local currency, as it does not make much financial sense.

It is important to note that Belize Law allows travelers entering the country to bring a maximum of US$5,000 in cash, checks, or negotiable instruments. This limit is per adult individual, and you must declare the total sum on your Disembarkation Card before presenting it to the Belize Customs Authority.

Frequently asked questions