Carnival Vista's Belize Port Location

Belize City cruise port is located in the second smallest country in Central America. The port is in the country's largest urban centre, which is known for its Mayan heritage sites, eco-tourism, water-sports opportunities, and friendly people. The cruise port itself is located at Belize's Tourism Village, where ships anchor in the bay as the waters near the coast are shallow.

Passengers are tendered to the port via high-speed boats, which takes around 20 minutes. At the terminal, there are basic services and amenities, including shops, restaurants, and tour operators. The city's downtown hub is within walking distance, but it has a reputation for being unsafe for visitors.

Belize offers a range of excursions and activities, including cave tubing, snorkelling, exploring Mayan ruins, and relaxing on the beach.

Mayan ruins and river boat safari

The Belize Lamanai Mayan Ruins and New River Boat Ride Excursion is a popular choice for those looking for a combination of history and adventure. The ancient Mayan city of Lamanai is one of the largest Mayan sites in Belize, with over 800 structures nestled deep in the Tropical Forest. The site was occupied as early as 1500 BC and features a small onsite museum that houses precious artefacts spanning over 2000 years of Mayan history.

The excursion begins with a comfortable, air-conditioned van ride to the Orange Walk District of Belize. This drive offers a true Belizean Country tour, passing through rivers and vast expanses of land. Upon reaching the Tower Hill Bridge, you'll board a boat for a spectacular upriver ride. This boat tour is a highlight for many, as you travel through miles of untouched river fauna and spot an array of wildlife, including monkeys, tropical birds, and crocodiles.

After the boat ride, you'll arrive at the Lamanai Welcome Centre and begin your exploration of the ruins. Well-kept paths will lead you through the rainforest to various monuments and temples, such as the Ball Court, the Jaguar Temple, and the Lag Temple. You'll have the opportunity to climb the Lag Temple, which stands at 125 feet, and take in unforgettable views of the New River Lagoon and the Lamanai Archeology Reserve.

The excursion includes a traditional Belizean lunch, typically consisting of rice and beans cooked in coconut milk, chicken stew, fried plantains, and coleslaw. There is also a vegetarian option available upon request.

The entire experience lasts approximately 5.5 to 7 hours, including transportation, and offers a unique blend of cultural immersion, wildlife spotting, and archaeological exploration.

Snorkelling and island getaway

Belize is a snorkelling and island paradise, with the world's second-largest barrier reef and over 200 tropical island cays. The Mesoamerican Reef is a stunning place for cruise passengers to snorkel, scuba dive, or fish. You may also have guided encounters with sharks, rays, and sea turtles.

For a snorkelling and island getaway, one recommended excursion is Sun Kissed Goff's Caye Beach & Snorkelling. Goff's Caye is a secluded island with a stunning beach. The guided snorkelling experience takes you on a tour of the Belize barrier reef. The 4.5-hour tour includes snorkelling gear and transportation to and from the Belize Cruise Ship Terminal.

Another option is the Sergeant's Cay Snorkel Adventure. This excursion takes you to the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere and Sergeant's Caye, the smallest island with a population of one! Local guides will lead you over the coral landscape, pointing out sea fans, sea urchins, and schools of tropical fish. You'll also have the opportunity to snorkel from the beach and kayak at Spanish Lookout Caye, a privately-owned island operated by the Hugh Parkey Foundation for marine awareness and education.

If you're looking for a unique snorkelling experience, consider the Crystal Cave Tubing in Belize. This excursion combines snorkelling with exploring crystal caves, which some say is one of the best excursions they've ever done.

For those who want to combine snorkelling with a beach getaway, the San Pedro and Caye Caulker islands are a great option. You can take a water taxi from the Marine Terminal to these islands and spend the day relaxing on the beach, snorkelling, and enjoying the local cuisine.

Belize truly offers something for everyone when it comes to snorkelling and island getaways, with options for relaxation, exploration, and adventure.

Belize City tour

Belize City is the largest urban centre in Belize, located on the country's East coast, bathed by the Caribbean Sea. The city is known for its Mayan heritage sites, eco-tourism, water-sports opportunities, amazing sub-tropical climate, and friendly people.

Morning

• Visit the Museum of Belize, located in a former prison, to explore 362 years of Belizean history and 3000 years of Maya legacy.
• Stroll through Battlefield Park, a popular spot for social gatherings and political speeches.
• Explore the commercial centre of the city along Albert Street, where you can find banks and shops, including a small music shop selling Belizean and Caribbean CDs and cassettes.
• Cross the Haulover Creek via the manually operated swing bridge, one of the only functional bridges of its kind.
• Visit the Marine Terminal to see the Coastal Zone Museum and the Marine Museum.
• Stop by the post office, housed in the colonial-style Paslow Building.
• Wander through the large indoor market.

Lunch

Try some authentic Belizean cuisine with dishes offered at street corners and sidewalks, or opt for a sit-down meal at a local restaurant.

Afternoon

• Take a bus tour to the archaeological site of Altun Ha, located about 30 miles (50 km) north-northwest of the city. Explore the Mayan ruins complex and learn about ancient Mayan life.
• Visit the Baron Bliss Memorial and the Fort George Lighthouse.
• Stroll through the historic centre of Belize City, stopping by landmarks such as the Museum of Belize, the Liberty Hall, the Baron Bliss Lighthouse, and St. John's Anglican Cathedral.

Evening

• Enjoy a relaxing dinner at one of the elegant restaurants in the Radisson Fort George Hotel, such as St. George's, Stonegrill, Baymen's Tavern, or Le Petit Café.
• Experience the vibrant nightlife at local bars like the Wet Lizard, located in the Fort Street Tourist Village.

Please note that many attractions in Belize City are located outside the city centre, and it is recommended to join organised tours or use local transportation for easier access.

Local cuisine

Belizean cuisine is a rich blend of the many ethnicities that make up the nation's population. Breakfast often consists of bread, flour tortillas, or fry jacks, usually homemade, and eaten with cheese, refried beans, eggs, and tea or coffee. Midday meals vary from lighter foods such as rice and beans, to more substantial meals featuring meat and salad.

Belizean food reflects its people, with influences from Maya, British, Spanish-American, African, Indigenous, Caribbean, and Creole cultures. The Maya's culinary legacy includes chocolate, tamales, and masa (a type of corn dough). Creole dishes include rice and beans, hearty soups, and a variety of spices. The Garifuna, descendants of free Africans and Indigenous Arawak and Afro-Caribbeans, brought bread, pudding, and drinks made from cassava to Belize.

Belize's location on the Caribbean Sea means that seafood is a prime component of the local diet. Conch fritters are a popular dish, made with pounded conch mixed with onions, garlic, peppers, and flour, and often accompanied by a spicy sauce. Belizeans also eat a lot of chicken and fish, with popular dishes including chicken escabeche (chicken soup with oregano and thyme), and cochinita pibil (slow-roasted pork marinated in annatto seed paste and spices, and served with tortillas).

Other popular dishes include panades (empanadas filled with refried beans, fish, or chicken), bile up (a combination of boiled eggs, fish, cassava, plantains, yams, and sweet potatoes, served with tomato sauce), and hudut (a fish stew with a coconut milk base, served with fu-fu—a mix of boiled and mashed unripe and ripe plantains).

Belize is also known for its tropical fruits, with fresh fruit a must-try for visitors. Local fruits include passion fruit, starfruit, jackfruit, dragon fruit, guava, papaya, mango, and pineapple.

For dessert, Belizeans enjoy cassava pudding, a tasty treat originating with the Garifuna, made by mixing grated cassava with sugar, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, coconut milk, and eggs. This is sometimes called "plastic pudding" due to its slick appearance.

Belize also has a few signature drinks, including Belikin Beer, One Barrel Rum, and Caribbean Coconut Rum.

Shopping

Belize City offers a range of shopping experiences, from small, locally-owned businesses to craft stands and markets. The Tourism Village, located near the cruise port, is a popular place for tourists to find souvenirs such as leather goods, black coral jewellery, hand-carved mahogany, woven wear, and slate carvings. It is also the city's main shopping area with a variety of stores, shops, and restaurants.

For those looking for a more unique shopping experience, there are several art galleries and speciality shops located throughout the city. The Image Factory Art Foundation and Gallery, located near the Water Taxi Terminal and Maritime Museum, is a great place to find locally produced art. The Art Affair Gallery features acrylic paintings and handmade jewellery with an island flare. The Sunova Beach Gift Shop offers a wide variety of locally made gifts, including wall hangings, dolls, soaps, and soy candles.

If you're looking for something sweet, there are several chocolate shops in Belize City, including Cotton Tree Chocolate, which uses locally harvested cocoa beans, and Goss Chocolate, located in the historic cradle of chocolate in Southern Belize.

For those interested in fashion and accessories, Zaara's Boutique offers high-quality clothing, jewellery, and more. Maya Bags is another unique shop that empowers local women to design and create accessories inspired by the ancient Mayan people and local nature.

For a more traditional shopping experience, the Downtown Plaza and the surrounding shops on Albert Street offer clothing, cosmetics, and local foods.

Belize City also has a variety of speciality and gift shops, including the Belizean Handicraft Market Place, which offers a range of locally made wooden carvings, basketry, and jewellery.

Frequently asked questions