belize city

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