Belize City is a major cruise port in the Caribbean, providing visitors with historical landmarks, local cuisine, and easy access to natural attractions. This port is a frequent stop on many Western Caribbean cruise itineraries. Apart from Norwegian’s private island, Harvest Caye, the Belize City Cruise Port is the sole cruise port in Belize.
I’ll admit that Belize isn’t my favorite cruise port. While the terminal is new, it’s nothing special, and unfortunately, there just isn’t much to do in the city center and area right outside the terminal. It’s also pretty run-down, and some cruisers may feel unsafe exploring this area on foot.
If you visit Belize, I strongly recommend buying an excursion. The upside of this port is that because of Belize’s compact size, visitors can explore most of what the country has to offer, from the rain forest or the barrier reef, even during a short one-day port stop.
Related: New to cruising? Check out my Comprehensive Cruise Guide.
About the Belize City Cruise Port
Belize City Cruise Port is a frequent stop for several American cruise lines, including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Line. The port features two main terminals: Belize Tourism Village and Fort Street Tourism Village. These terminals are designed to accommodate cruise passengers and offer various amenities, including the standard cruise port bars, restaurants, shops, and many great photo op spots.
Belize City is a tender port, meaning ships anchor offshore and passengers are ferried to the port by smaller boats. This setup allows for scenic views of the city as you approach. The port offers a variety of shops, restaurants, and tour operators. For a map of the cruise port and city center, click here.
Belize City has an approximate population of 61,000 residents. It served as the original capital of Belize until the government moved to Belmopan after Hurricane Hattie in 1961.
It’s important to note that, like many other Caribbean nations such as Curaçao and Antigua, civilians in Belize are prohibited from wearing camouflage, so leave that at home (or back on the ship).
Related: Learn more about how to prepare for port days.
From Belize City Cruise Port to the City Center
The Belize City Cruise Port is just one mile from the city center, making it easy to explore on foot if that’s what you choose to do, although, as noted above, I don’t recommend this. However, If you want to explore, you can walk to the city center in about 20 minutes.
Notable sites include St. John’s Cathedral, the oldest Anglican church in Central America. Just one mile from the port, this church was built in the early 1800s and features historical architecture and beautiful stained glass windows. Best of all, it’s free to visit. Another nearby walkable stop is the Museum of Belize, which is housed in a former colonial prison and offers fascinating exhibits on the country’s history and culture. Admission is $5 USD.
Taxis are available at the port with set rates, typically costing around $10 USD to the city center. While Uber is unavailable in Belize City, shuttle services provided by the cruise lines and public buses, costing about $1 USD per ride, are also convenient options. There are also water taxis available.
Related: Explore the pros, cons, and risks of independent excursions.
Top Things to Do at the Belize Cruise Port
As noted above, there just isn’t much to do immediately outside of the Belize City cruise terminal area, so I encourage cruisers to get out of the port (but not on foot) and embark on an excursion or other planned activity. Here are the top things to do in Belize City.
Enjoy a Beach Day
The Belize City Cruise Port does not have direct beach access, nor are there any beaches within walking distance. There also aren’t any beaches in Belize City, but rather on the nearby Cayes. Belize City really isn’t the best for a typically cruise port beach day, but those who really want this experience will find the nearest option to be Cucumber Beach, which is 5 miles from the port, and Goff’s Caye Island, which is accessible only by boat.
Mayan Ruins
Belize is renowned for its rich Mayan heritage, allowing visitors to explore several significant archaeological sites. Altun Ha is the closest Mayan ruin to Belize City, located approximately 30 miles north of the cruise port.
This site features a large ceremonial plaza and the iconic Temple of the Masonry Altars, providing a fascinating glimpse into the ancient civilization’s architectural and cultural achievements. Altun Ha is accessible via a short drive, making it a convenient excursion for cruisers.
Another option is the Lamanai temples in Belize, including the Mask Temple, High Temple, and Jaguar Temple, which are significant Mayan structures featuring intricate carvings and offering historical insights.
Located about 60 miles from the Belize City cruise port, they’re much further out than Altun Ha and are accessible by a combination of road and river transport. If you want to do this one, I strongly suggest booking it through the cruise line, where your return back to ship on time is guaranteed.
Wildlife & Nature Tours
The Belize Zoo is located about 29 miles from the port, a 45-minute drive. Known for wildlife conservation and rehabilitation, it showcases native animals in natural habitats. Admission is $15 USD for adults and $5 USD for children. Visitors can explore the zoo on guided tours or independently, learning about the diverse wildlife of Belize.
Another great way to learn about local wildlife is the Belize Baboon Sanctuary, a community-run initiative focused on conserving the black howler monkey, locally known as the “baboon.” It spans over several villages along the Belize River and offers visitors the chance to observe these monkeys in their natural habitat.
Caye Caulker
Caye Caulker is a small island off the coast of Belize, known for its relaxed atmosphere and accessible via a short water taxi ride from Belize City. It is popular for its snorkeling and diving opportunities at the Belize Barrier Reef, particularly at sites like Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley.
The island features sandy streets, colorful buildings, and “The Split,” a famous swimming and social area created by a hurricane. Caye Caulker offers a laid-back alternative to the more developed Ambergris Caye, and is a common excursion destination. You can book through the cruise line, with a group through an independent tour operator, go with a luxe experience and book a private charter.
Belize Barrier Reef
Accessible from Caye Caulker, and many other Belizean locations, is the famous Belize Barrier Reef. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Belize Barrier Reef is about 20 miles from the port. Snorkeling and diving tours are popular ways to explore this natural wonder, with prices starting at $54 USD for a 3-hour tour. The reef is home to a diverse range of marine life, offering an unforgettable underwater adventure.
Adventure Activities
Those seeking a bit more of a thrill will find great options in Belize. Popular options include cave tubing through underground rivers, zip-lining through the jungle canopy, snorkeling and diving. There are also some great combo excursions that combine the excitement of activities like these with visits to Belize’s Maya ruins.
Cruise lines also sell airboat tour excursions, billing them as adventure activites. While these tours are great to see Belize’s marshes, mangroves, and other wetland areas, they are far from adventurous. I did an airboat cruise excursion on my visit to Belize City and found it to be very slow-paced and boring (it was more like bird watching), so I do not recommend these.
Language and Currency
Belize’s primary language is English, making it easy for visitors to communicate with locals. You’ll also hear Kriol, a Creole language that combines elements of English, African languages, and other influences.
The official currency in Belize is the Belize dollar (BZD), but US dollars (USD) are widely accepted in tourist areas, including the cruise port area. Many businesses display prices in both BZD and USD, and ATMs often dispense both currencies. This makes it convenient for visitors to use US dollars during their stay. During my visit, all vendors readily accepted US currency.
Credit cards are widely accepted, but are not universal, and in most locations, tap-to-pay or contactless payment is common. A tap-to-pay credit card, also known as a contactless card, allows users to make payments quickly and securely by simply tapping the card against a contactless-enabled payment terminal, eliminating the need to swipe or insert the card and enter a PIN.
Note that in many Caribbean ports of call, while vendors generally may accept US currency, they might not accept it if the bills are overly worn, contain marks, or are in any way torn or damaged, and they may provide change back in the form of the local currency.
Belize City Cruise Port Ship Schedule
The Belize City, Belize cruise ship schedule can be found on Cruisemapper.
Climate and What to Wear
Belize City experiences a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round. Average temperatures range from the mid-70s to mid-80s Fahrenheit (24-29°C). The rainy season lasts from June to November, with the heaviest rains typically occurring in September and October.
Light, breathable clothing is recommended for comfort in the humid climate. Additionally, bringing a light rain jacket or umbrella is wise during the rainy season. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for exploring the city and nearby attractions.
Related: Shop my favorite cruise styles and outfits.
Time Zone
Keeping track of time zones can get complicated when cruising, especially for itineraries with multiple time zone changes on one sailing. Your captain will make announcements during the cruise to update you on these changes, but it’s good to be aware of these differences ahead of time when planning your stop at the port, especially for excursions.
Most cruise lines operate on “ship time” set to the time of their departing port, so it’s generally good practice to set your phone or watch to ship time. As for the port, Belize operates on Central Standard Time (CST). Keeping track of the time is crucial, especially to ensure you stay coordinated with ship time.
