Belize City Waterfront

Belize City, Belize Information
Tom Ogg

Language and Currency
What is Belize Like?
What is the Weather Like?
Where Does the Ship Dock?
Where is the Shopping?
What is There to Buy?
What is There To Do?
Is There Anything of a “Don’t Miss Quality?
Are There Any Great Restaurants or Bars?

Belize Port Reviews
Belize Shore Excursions

Language and Currency

The official language of Belize is English and the currency is the Belize Dollar. However, U.S. dollars are accepted in the tourist areas of Belize and some knowledge of Spanish will be helpful as well.

What is Belize like?

Belize River, Belize

Belize City is a bustling metropolis with heavy traffic and a busy population. Many folks find Belize City unrewarding and tend to head out to the nearby islands to enjoy excellent diving and snorkeling. Belize City has a wild feel about it that is hard to describe, I personally like it, but many folks do not.

What is the weather like?

Belize is hot and tropical. With average daytime temperature in the 80s and slightly cooler in the evening, be sure to wear sun screen with a high spf rating.

Where does the ship dock?

The ships anchor quite a ways off of Belize City because of the shallow depth of the water that lie off the coast. High speed (and I mean HIGH SPEED) tenders are used to move visitors from the ship to the dock in Belize City. The tenders usually have three large outboard engines to move their passengers with great speed over the miles to the port. It is actually quite exciting when the captain of the tender takes off and is reason enough to go ashore.

Where is the shopping?

Right at the tender terminal there is a crafts marketplace that has sprung up and this is about the best shopping in Belize City for tourists. Downtown, there are some shops that cater to the local population, but the shopping is sparse other than the terminal.

What is there to buy?

Local crafts, jewelry, tee shirts, hats, some imported crafts from Guatemala and Honduras, dolls with local dress and other items. Do not buy items that are made from sea turtle shells, black coral, Triton's Trumpet shells. The pharmacies downtown are well worth a look as they feature many local remedies that will make you laugh.

What is there to do?

Governor House, Belize City

There is not a lot to do right in Belize City, but exploring the city itself is kind of fun. Be aware that there are lots of unique characters walking the streets, so if you are not comfortable with a diverse population you may want to simply stay behind the gates at the terminal, shop and then return to the ship.

Belize's Famous Swing Bridge

Belize has numerous off shore islands that reside near, or on the barrier reef that runs along Belize's entire east coast. Diving Ambergris Cay just off Belize City is legendary. The municipal airport offers numerous flights over to Ambergris Cay (currently about $US26 each way) so that one can get over and back while the ship is in port to enjoy the unique setting. You can walk to town right from the San Pedro airport or take a taxi to one of the resorts. There is also reasonable snorkeling there as well as more shopping opportunities.

One of Belize's Many Rivers

Diving, snorkeling, sea kayaking, fishing, visiting Belize's national parks and sanctuaries, white water rafting and tubing in Belize's underground rivers all all activities offered by cruise lines and that are also available on shore. While I have not done it, I understand that the under water river tubing is an excellent adventure. If you have not prearranged your activities in Belize, this is one port I would suggest booking the ship's shore excursions if there is one interesting to you.

Is there anything of “Don’t Miss” quality?

Not that I can think of. Do you know of any?

Are there any great restaurants or bars?