BELIZE CRUISE INFORMATION
BY PAULA HUGHES COURT
Belize cruises are the latest buzz word in Caribbean Cruise tourism. This
multicultural, ecotourism and linguistic bridge between the Caribbean
and Central America is now a permanent fixture on the Caribbean travel
map. In 2004, Belize cruises made 401 stops in Belize City.
BELIZE LANGUAGE AND CURRENCY
English is the official language of Belize. The currency is the Belize Dollar,
but all shops accept U.S. dollars so it's unnecessary to exchange money.
Most merchants also accept credit cards.
BELIZE CITY
Belize cruises usually tender passengers directly to Belize City. Once there, a
ten-minute taxi drive through the crowded streets of Belize City will show most
people all they want to see. Signs posted along the fence of the
gated Belize Tourist Village warn visitors not to walk outside the gates
without an escort for safety reasons.
BELIZE CITY SHOPPING
The Belize Tourist Village offers several craft and tourist shops,
restaurants and a pharmacy selling cheap prescription drugs.
BELIZE CRUISE SAFETY TIPS
Renting a car is not recommended due to the poor condition of the roads.
If you do rent a car, be prepared to come across many roadblocks staffed
with armed guards. Also know that Belize City can be dangerous after
dark for pedestrians.
BELIZE CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS
DIVING
Belize is known for offering some of the best diving in the Caribbean. The
country boasts the longest reef system in the western hemisphere and
the second longest in the world.
MAYAN RUINS
Most cruise lines offer shore excursions to see the Mayan ruins of Altun
Ha and Xunantunich. The Xunantunich Maya site is composed of six
major plazas, surrounded by more than 25 temples and palaces. The
largest temple, El Castillo has been excavated and partially restored.
CAVE TUBING (MOST POPULAR BELIZE CRUISE EXCURSION)
This popular activity in Belize involves floating down pitch-black limestone
caves on an inner tube with only headlamps for light. Some people
consider cave tubing the highlight of their cruise while others admit being
less enthused. Before you book this excursion, be aware that the water
can be very deep in places and occasionally groups do get split up inside
the caves.
BELIZE ZOO
The Belize Zoo was started in 1983 to provide a home for rainforest
animals used in various documentary films. Today, the Belize Zoo covers
29 acres and features over 125 animals native to Belize, including
jaguars, toucans, and free-roaming monkeys. This is a great Belize cruise
excursion for small children.
SHARK/RAY ALLEY
The Hol Chan marine reserve and shark ray alley lies approximately four
miles south of San Pedro's Ambergris Caye. For several years fishermen
cleaned their catch in this area, and now it is a popular spot for Southern
Stingrays and Nurse Sharks to gather. Most cruise ships offer shore
excursions to snorkel in the relatively shallow water (8-feet) with the
harmless sharks and stingrays.
FOR BELIZE CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS:
THE DOCK
Belize is a tender port, which means that all ships dock in Belize City
harbor and passengers are brought ashore via high-speed tenders. Allow
at least 20 minutes for the trip. The tenders dock at the Belize Tourist
Village.
SHORE EXCURSION COMPANIES:
Belize Shore Tours, Ltd.-www.cbelize.com
BY PAULA HUGHES COURT
Belize cruises are the latest buzz word in Caribbean Cruise tourism. This
multicultural, ecotourism and linguistic bridge between the Caribbean
and Central America is now a permanent fixture on the Caribbean travel
map. In 2004, Belize cruises made 401 stops in Belize City.
BELIZE LANGUAGE AND CURRENCY
English is the official language of Belize. The currency is the Belize Dollar,
but all shops accept U.S. dollars so it's unnecessary to exchange money.
Most merchants also accept credit cards.
BELIZE CITY
Belize cruises usually tender passengers directly to Belize City. Once there, a
ten-minute taxi drive through the crowded streets of Belize City will show most
people all they want to see. Signs posted along the fence of the
gated Belize Tourist Village warn visitors not to walk outside the gates
without an escort for safety reasons.
BELIZE CITY SHOPPING
The Belize Tourist Village offers several craft and tourist shops,
restaurants and a pharmacy selling cheap prescription drugs.
BELIZE CRUISE SAFETY TIPS
Renting a car is not recommended due to the poor condition of the roads.
If you do rent a car, be prepared to come across many roadblocks staffed
with armed guards. Also know that Belize City can be dangerous after
dark for pedestrians.
BELIZE CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS
DIVING
Belize is known for offering some of the best diving in the Caribbean. The
country boasts the longest reef system in the western hemisphere and
the second longest in the world.
MAYAN RUINS
Most cruise lines offer shore excursions to see the Mayan ruins of Altun
Ha and Xunantunich. The Xunantunich Maya site is composed of six
major plazas, surrounded by more than 25 temples and palaces. The
largest temple, El Castillo has been excavated and partially restored.
CAVE TUBING (MOST POPULAR BELIZE CRUISE EXCURSION)
This popular activity in Belize involves floating down pitch-black limestone
caves on an inner tube with only headlamps for light. Some people
consider cave tubing the highlight of their cruise while others admit being
less enthused. Before you book this excursion, be aware that the water
can be very deep in places and occasionally groups do get split up inside
the caves.
BELIZE ZOO
The Belize Zoo was started in 1983 to provide a home for rainforest
animals used in various documentary films. Today, the Belize Zoo covers
29 acres and features over 125 animals native to Belize, including
jaguars, toucans, and free-roaming monkeys. This is a great Belize cruise
excursion for small children.
SHARK/RAY ALLEY
The Hol Chan marine reserve and shark ray alley lies approximately four
miles south of San Pedro's Ambergris Caye. For several years fishermen
cleaned their catch in this area, and now it is a popular spot for Southern
Stingrays and Nurse Sharks to gather. Most cruise ships offer shore
excursions to snorkel in the relatively shallow water (8-feet) with the
harmless sharks and stingrays.
FOR BELIZE CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS:
THE DOCK
Belize is a tender port, which means that all ships dock in Belize City
harbor and passengers are brought ashore via high-speed tenders. Allow
at least 20 minutes for the trip. The tenders dock at the Belize Tourist
Village.
SHORE EXCURSION COMPANIES:
Belize Shore Tours, Ltd.-www.cbelize.com
FAMILY TRAVEL FUN.COM
BELIZE
BELIZE
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