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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