Belize City is the main port of call for cruise ships coming to Belize. Here passengers are met with a diverse assortment of activities, shopping prospects, and refreshment opportunities that leave lasting impressions of the country's many assets. Major cruise lines visit Belize regularly keeping the availability of tour operators and travel options dependable and exciting.

Belize City is a tender port. Upon anchoring in the Caribbean waters just offshore of Belize City, cruise ship passengers are taken by regularly scheduled tenders arranged by their cruise ship to the Fort Street Tourism Village. The Tourism Village was specifically designed to cater to cruise ship passengers wishing to experience a bit of Belize on a day visit. Comprised of three terminals and three courtyards containing over fifty stores and businesses, visitors can enjoy both air-conditioned facilities and fresh tropical breezes throughout the seafront complex. Plenty of restaurants and snack shops accompany live entertainment on cruise ship days, while an internet cafe keeps passengers connected and banks ensure that adequate funds are readily available. The many shops offer a wide variety of Belizean arts and crafts, clothing, jewelry, and duty-free goods.

Cruise ship passengers who come ashore have three main options for experiencing Belize's attractions. They can either:

1)Take a pre-arranged tour made through their cruise ship
2)Sign up for a tour upon their arrival in Belize, or simply
3)Let the country be their guide while setting out on independent explorations

Port agents, tour operators, and licensed tour guides greet passengers at the Tourism Village upon arrival to assist those wishing to take a tour

Cruise ship passengers will also find tour options awaiting them just outside of the Tourism Village. Please note that the law requires that all tour guides and tour operators carry a valid license with photo ID. The Belize Tourism Board also operates an information desk in the main concourse of the Tourism Village.

Listed below are helpful links to assist in exploring some options while visiting Belize.

Tour Services
Transportation Services In Belize
Destinations to visit in Belize
Things To Do In Belize

All journeys begin in Belize City. A city with a fascinating environmental and social history, Belize City offers a diverse range of landmarks and attractions to choose from. As the country's commercial and social hub, Belizeans come from all over the country to shop at the many stores and outdoor vendors that line the streets of the former capital city. Restaurants can be found on most every block and with a wide variety of fruits and vegetables in season the market is always a stimulating stop for the senses. Taxis are an efficient and economic way to explore the sites of the city, though enjoyable sightseeing can easily be done by foot.

Listed below are some of the local attractions in and around Belize City.
Click here to download a pdf map.

Local attractions on a City tour
Tourism Village	Fort Street
Museum of Belize	Gabourel Lane
Baron Bliss Lighthouse Monument	Marine Parade
House of Culture	Regent Street
St. John's Cathedral	Albert Street
Image Factory Art Gallery	North Front Street
Marine Termnial and Maritime Museum	North Front Street
National Handicraft Center	#2 S. Park Street
National Archives and City Library	North Front Street
Bliss Institute for Performing Arts	Downtown
Supreme Court Building	Downtown
Swing Bridge	Downtown
Commercial Center	Market Square
Yarborough Cemetary	Yarborough
Marine Parade	North Waterfront
Southern Foreshore	South Waterfront
Old Belize Cultural and Historical Center and Cucumber Beach	Mile 5, Western Hwy.
Gran's Farm	Mile 14, Western Hwy.

For a detailed listing of the locations above, click here

In addition to its own offerings, Belize City serves as a jumping off point for almost all of Belize's land and marine destinations.

Tours to the cayes are available inside as well as just outside of the Tourism Village. For those wanting to explore independently, it is possible to catch a water taxi from the Marine Terminal only a couple of blocks from the Tourism Village. Above and below the surface, the Caribbean Sea is a treasure that shares its wealth with all who take to its waters. Popular activities enjoyed out at the cayes include snorkeling, diving, fishing, windsurfing, sailing, sea kayaking, nature walks, bird watching, swimming, shopping, dining, and lounging. Before going anywhere, cruise ship passengers should verify the return time of their water taxi.

To learn about the various marine attractions, c
For information about popular caye destinations, such as Caye Caulker and San Pedro
click here

Find out the off-shore activities available by clicking here.

Belize City is located within close proximity to countless attractions throughout the mainland of Belize. Buses, vans, taxis, and airplanes are in transit everyday allowing for reliable connections to and from most anywhere in the country

While most cruise ship itineraries allow for only a limited amount of time to be had at each destination, Belize's small geographic size combined with its abundant inland travel options enable passengers to explore the attraction of their choice. Listed below are some possibilities of ways in which cruise ship passengers can make the most of their time in Belize.

Maya Sites
Archaeologists estimate that over one million Mayans resided within the present-day borders of Belize at the height of their regional dominance. Although the civilization has undergone tremendous change and the population is only a fraction of what it once was, the relics of the people remain in caves, in crumbling cities, in practices, in artwork, and in the forests they once called home.

Buses and vans make daily treks to Altun Ha and Lamanai, two of Belize's most famous Mayan sites nestled in the rainforest just one hour north of Belize City. In the Cayo district, three hours west of Belize City by bus is the site of Xunantunich

Learn more about these Maya Sites, as well as many others within Belize by clicking on www.travelbelize.org/maya_index.html

Outdoor Destinations/Activities
Step foot off the boat and onto Belize and experience the freedom to enjoy pristine environment packed with outdoor adventures. Caves, Waterways, Trails, Fishing, and many more activities are all just a short van, bus, or boat ride away from the Tourism Village. To learn more about the various activities popular in Belize, click here.

Mainland Ecotourism
Visit one of the many National Parks, Reserves, or Sanctuaries that have made Belize an internationally recognized leader in preservation and conservation. The following link contains details of the many ecological sites within Belize--all within an easy day's trip from Tourism Village. www.travelbelize.org/main_index.html

Freestay Caribbean
To welcome visitors and encourage them to return to Belize, hotels and operators have teamed up with the Freestay Caribbean program. Cruise ship passengers are given a special Belize coin with the Freestay Caribbean website printed on it The website links passengers to deals and discounts from participating businesses.

To find out more about Belizean businesses involved with the Freestay Caribbean program, click here www.freestaycaribbean.com/belize/index.php.

Entry Requirements for Cruise Ship Passengers
With a growing cruise ship industry in Belize, the Immigration and Nationality Services of Belize have made efforts to make entry into Belize's port of call as simple as possible for passengers touring for one day. Your cruise line will guide you on any requirements for you to come ashore. If you have additional questions or wish to receive information directly from a tour provider, please fill in our contact form

Helpful Tips

• Visitors are encouraged to stay in groups, carry a bottle of water, ample sunscreen, and the name of their cruise ship should they separate from their group.
• Taxis are reasonably priced and distinguishable by their green license plates. Drivers do not run a meter, rather they charge a flat rate--usually around $6-$8 BZD per stop.
• Tourism Police Officers on patrol wear navy blue pants with a khaki button up shirt and a navy blue hat.
• The Karl Huesner Memorial Hospital is located on Princess Margaret Drive in Belize City and can be reached via telephone at 501-223-1548.
• Each destination in the country offers banking services, however there are few options for banking in some of the smaller, less-traveled destinations. Click here for more Banking information.

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