BELIZE CRUISE EXCURSIONS (Belize City) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2023)

FAQs

Do you need an excursion in Belize? ›

Belize is one of those ports where you will definitely need to book an excursion. Outside of a handful of shops at the port, there's really nothing to do and quite frankly, the city isn't safe to explore on your own. In order to truly experience how magnificent Belize is, you'll have to get out of the city.

Belize City's cruise port terminal is located at Belize's Tourism Village. The cruise ships anchor in the bay of Belize, because near the coast the water is shallow. Passengers are tendered to Belize City cruise port terminal via high-speed boats (approx 20 min ride).

Cruise ships do not dock in Belize City port. Because the Caribbean Sea waters are too shallow by the port, cruise ships anchor around 2 miles from the coast and large boats operated by local authorities transfer passengers to the Fort Street Tourism Village. The tender operation typically takes around 20 minutes.

How much to tip in Belize. Typically, tourists in Belize tip 10% on average and 20% for exceptional service. For example, if you spent $80 USD on a tour, I would tip $10 USD (or $20 BZD) to your guide. And if you have multiple guides taking you around, just tip the “main guide” and tell them to share it with the others ...

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

You must have a U.S. passport valid for the length of your stay, proof of an onward or return ticket, and sufficient funds to cover the cost of the length of stay.

2. Best Belize Cruise Port Beaches –Goff's Caye. Goff's Caye is a 1.5-acre island 30 minutes from the Belize City cruise port by boat. It is uninhabited, and the Belize Coastal Zone Management Authority manages this tiny, dynamically-shifting island, limiting visitors to 150 to 200 at a time.

In Belize, all beachfront is public. This does not include beach furniture or toys, but you can swim at any of the beaches you find on the island.

Belize City is very walkable, as long as you are prepared to walk through some of the sketchier parts of the city. It is a relatively small city, and most things are within a mile and a half of each other.

1. Ambergris Caye. Ambergris Caye is the top place to go for visitors to Belize, with the vibrant town of San Pedro the beating heart of this unique island. This colorful caye has hotels ranging from budget to luxe, and classic Caribbean activities like snorkeling and sailing.

What is the most interesting thing about Belize? ›

Tendering is the process in which a cruise ship anchors offshore and smaller boats are used to transport passengers from the ship to shore. If there is no pier that can accommodate a cruise ship's size in a particular port, tendering is required. The boats used for tendering are typically the ship's lifeboats.

Can I stay onboard the ship while in port? Absolutely! Whatever the reason, you're in no way obligated to disembark a cruise ship while visiting a port of call. Mosts guests choose to get off in most cases, but they may do so at different times, for different amounts of time, and some won't get off at all.

Depending on the depth of the water and the available infrastructure at the port you're visiting, your ship will either dock at a pier or anchor offshore. If your ship is docked, you'll be able to simply walk off the vessel directly onto dry land via a movable ramp called a gangway.

It's always advisable to bring money in a variety of forms on a vacation: a mix of cash, credit cards, debit cards, and, occasionally, traveler's checks. The Belize dollar, abbreviated BZ$, is the official currency of Belize.

We recommend you bring a combination of US cash - a few $50's with the majority in small denominations such as $20's, $10's, $5's, and a few $1's. We also strongly recommend you separate your cash so you are not carrying it all in the same place. Tipping is customary in our industry.

Generally, anything you would tip in the USA will work in Belize especially since the US note is accepted countrywide. Although there are a couple of upscale jungle lodges that are all-inclusive and don't allow tipping since it's all covered in the package, most hotels & restaurants do not reject tips to staff.

If you're traveling from the US to Belize, you're in luck: just bring your US dollars with you! The Belize Dollar may be the official currency of Belize, but it's pegged to the US dollar on a 2:1 ratio, and the two are used interchangeably.

Belizeans generally are incredibly kind and friendly. Greet folks with a "Good morning" before asking for directions, for a table in a restaurant, or when entering a store or museum, for example. It will set a positive tone and you'll be received much more warmly for having done so. Don't take pictures inside churches.

Courses or boosters usually advised: Tetanus. Other vaccines to consider: Hepatitis A; Rabies. Selectively advised vaccines - only for those individuals at highest risk: Hepatitis B. No yellow fever vaccination certificate required for this country.

How long does it take to get through customs in Belize? ›

How long does it take to clear the Customs/Immigration area? It can take between 30 minutes to an hour to clear the Customs/Immigration area. Here is a bit of useful information for those new to the airport: Once a passenger has landed in Belize, they will first clear through Immigration.

Should you take your passport with you on shore excursions? No, you shouldn't bring your passport, unless your tour requires it. We recommend bringing your driver's license as a form of ID instead.

The Placencia Peninsula boasts the best beach in Belize, hands down. It is huge, extending for miles. Placencia, or “Pleasant Point,” is a long spit of sand extending finger-like into the calm, protected waters inside of the Belize Barrier Reef.

Getting To Ambergris Caye By Boat

501/223-2225), with the latter offering more daily departures between Belize City and Ambergris Caye, a 75-minute ride that costs US$14.50-20 one-way, or Caye Caulker, a 45-minute ride costing US$9.50-15. Both carry free Wi-Fi on the boat.

$30.50 USD ONLY! Book your water taxi tickets from Belize City to San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye. The ferry ride takes about 1.5 hrs one way.

Morelet's crocodile, also known as the Belize crocodile, is a relatively medium-sized species found only in fresh waters of the Atlantic regions of Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala. Adult males average 3 metres (9.8 feet) in length. The snout is quite broad for a crocodile.

Belize is known for its pristine jungles and rainforests

These moist, forested regions serve as the home of jaguars, tapirs, crocodiles, ocelots, more than 500 species of birds, and thousands of flowers.

More than 350 species of sharks can be found in the waters of Belize. Here are some highlights: Placencia (Southern Belize) – Black tip sharks, Bull sharks, Lemon sharks, Nurse sharks, Reef shark, Hammerheads (occasional), Whale Sharks: March, April, May, and June, at Gladden Spit Marine Reserve.

Be aware of your surroundings. Avoid walking or driving at night.

How difficult is the ATM cave in Belize? ›

Some parts are difficult, but most of the cave is easy.

Doing the ATM Cave adventure in Belize is generally easy, and you can do it even if you are not an athlete, as highlighted in number 1 of our things you need to know before doing the ATM Cave in Belize.

Whether you want to explore ancient Maya cities, snorkel and scuba dive on the gorgeous Belize Barrier Reef, relax to the gentle rhythms of Caribbean life, hike through unspoiled rainforests, canoe down jungle rivers, or eat fresh-caught seafood, then Belize is the place for you.

Avoid non-essential travel to the south side of Belize City, south of the Haulover Creek River, due to gang and drug-related violence, including murders and shootings.

South Side of Belize City: The southern part of Belize City has a long history of being a dangerous neighborhood. It's best to avoid this area since gangs rule the streets. Western Border of Belize: The region is used by drug and people smugglers as a passageway, so be prepared for potentially dangerous encounters.

Rice and Beans

Rice and Beans is the national dish of Belize. It usually includes a protein with potato salad or coleslaw and fried plantain. For protein, you can have stew chicken/ beef/ pork or BBQ chicken/ beef/ pork.

Here's the short answer: You don't actually need any cash when on a cruise ship. Most cruise lines operate on a cashless system. This allows you to pay for any and all of your onboard charges using your room key rather than bringing extra cash.

When your cruise ship arrives at its disembarkation port, local immigration officials need to clear the ship before anyone can disembark. Ships that terminate in U.S. ports may require passengers to fill out Customs forms and show their passports to border control in the cruise terminal.

Can you spend cash on a cruise ship? ›

Cruise ships do not accept cash onboard because all onboard purchases are charged to passengers personal cruise accounts. Cruise accounts are usually connected to a credit or debit card which is much easier for the cruise lines to process.

Policy – No alcohol may be taken aboard at embarkation, and alcohol purchased in port or at the ship's duty-free shop will be held and returned at the end of the cruise. Policy – Wine and champagne are allowed onboard. No beer or spirits may be taken onboard for consumption.

The time range is between 15 minutes to over one hour to leave. The reason is primarily due to the number of guests and immigration. When thousands of people want to leave simultaneously, cruise ships unload guests in groups according to where their cabins are located to keep things orderly.

Just as you have to pay your base cruise fare, you also have to pay port charges and taxes. These are necessary even if you don't actually get off the ship when the ship's docked at a port of call.

On the final morning of a cruise experience in most countries all guests must leave the ship before the guests joining the next cruise can board. In most environments the latest time to leave the vessel will be between 10:00am and 11:00am.

The vast majority of passengers simply sail their normal cruise itinerary. But can you just get off the ship and return home on your own terms? The answer is yes, but there are some major complications (and laws) that should be considered.

The best ways to get around Belize are by car, water taxi and plane. Taxis and rental cars are the most hassle-free mode of transportation around Belize City. Cabs and cars are also the easiest way to get to and from Belize City's Municipal Airport (TZA) just outside the city center or Philip S.W.

A week is a good amount of time to experience Belize's incredible culture and scenery. You can do some wildlife spotting plus visit cascading waterfalls and jade rivers that snake through tropical rainforests. Other highlights include trips to ancient Maya ruins that rival those in Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula.

Bikes are available for rent from several local shops, and they're a great way to explore the town at a leisurely pace. In conclusion, San Pedro, Belize is generally a walkable town. Most of the main attractions are located within walking distance of each other, and the main streets are well-paved and easy to walk on.

Whether one week in Belize might feel too short or too long for you, 7 days and 6 nights allow for just enough time to see many of the country's main tourist attractions. This includes staying at Belize's most popular beach and jungle destinations.

Is it better to use cash or card in Belize? ›

Most businesses in Belize accept credit cards, and credit cards are generally the safest way to make purchases while you're traveling. Only in Belize's smaller villages will you find businesses that only accept cash.

The most popular destination in Belize is Ambergris Caye, followed by Caye Caulker. Other popular cayes include Tobacco Caye, South Water Caye and Glover's Reef. On Belize's coast, Hopkins and Placencia are the most visited seaside destinations, both having beautiful beaches and unique cultural attractions.

💰 Belize 1-Week Trip Cost: 2023 Travel Expense Breakdown. The only English-speaking country in Central America, Belize is an expensive country that can be visited with a budget of $60 to $200 a day. My 1-week trip to Belize cost a total of $1,923. Here, I share my Belize travel expenses, cost per day and budgeting tips ...

The best time to visit Belize is during the dry season, which is between January and May. Although you can enjoy warm temperatures across the country, the type of weather you get will depend on the region. Expect clear, sunny days in the Cayo District and on the Cayes.

The official currency for Belize is the Belize Dollar (BZD; symbol BZ$). The exchange rate is approximately Bz$2 to US$1 and currency can be exchanged at most banks and hotels. ATMs in Belize generally do accept foreign cards.

Country Summary: Violent crime – such as sexual assault, home invasions, armed robberies, and murder – are common even during daylight hours and in tourist areas. A significant portion of violent crime is gang related.

Cruise Passenger Safety in belize city

Belize does have issues with crime. ALWAYS travel in groups, or go to places where there are large crowds of tourists when you are in Belize, and this includes when you visit places that appear to be well guarded (such as the Mayan ruins).

Compared to Belize, Costa Rica is a much better destination for eco-tourism. Nearly 30% of the country's tropical rainforests, beautiful beaches, and mountain terrains are protected in national parks.

Belize Budget. The average Belize trip costs around $100 USD/day for each person. This cost goes up significantly if you plan on doing full day excursions or tours like we did. Our Belize trip cost us about $400USD/day for two people.

Cave tubing in Belize is a surreal experience that immerses you in the ancient Mayan underworld as you travel back in time and explore dark caves and tunnels while floating on a tube.