Belize City Cruise Guide

Belize City is the only settlement of any size in this small Central American country. Cruise passengers use the port as a hub for Belize's spectacular outdoor attractions, including the offshore islands or cayes, rainforest reserves, large caves and Mayan temples and ruins.Belize, and Belize City in particular, is inhabited by several cultures and ethnic groups including people of Creole, Garifuna, Mestizo, Spanish, Mayan, English, Mennonite, Lebanese, Chinese and East Indian heritage.

Sightseeing

There are a few old colonial buildings, as well as a Tourism Village built especially for cruise ship visitors.But most visitors head straight out to the cayes which are part of the Western hemisphere's longest barrier reef with great opportunities for snorkelling, diving and soaking up the Caribbean atmosphere. Inland, Belize boasts some pristine, and largely protected, rainforest areas offering many wildlife watching options and adventure activities for visitors. Several ancient Mayan sites are within easy reach of the city.

Highlights
• House of Culture
• Belize Museum
• Baron Bliss Lighthouse
• Ambergis Caye & Caye Caulker (offshore islands)
• The Blue Hole (dive destination)
• Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary
• Five Blues Lake National Park
• Altun Ha (Mayan ruins)

Tourist Information

Belize Tourism Board
64 Regent Street, Belize City, Belize
Tel: +11 501 227 2420.
Website: www.travelbelize.org

Shopping

Souvenirs include Belizean art and jewellery, clothing, handcrafted wood and bamboo products, Belizean spices and sauces and local beauty treatments. Travellers should be aware of their home country's rules on importing exotic goods. In the UK, for example, there are restrictions on importing tortoiseshell goods and jewellery made from endangered coral.

Eating Out

There is a selection of restaurants which serve international, Chinese, Creole and Latin American food. Service and quality vary but the food is generally cheap.

When To Go

Belize is subtropical and generally hot and humid, although there is often a brisk wind from the Caribbean. January to April is the best time to visit when Belize is at its driest. But the tourist board is promoting the "green" (rainy) season which starts in June. Hurricanes can occur from June up to the end of November.

Transfer Times

Nearest Destination

Belize City.

Transfer Time

10 minutes by high-speed tender boat.

Key Facts

Region

Belize

Time Zone

GMT - 6.

Currency

Belize Dollar (BZ$) = 100 cents.

Language

English.

Location

Central America, Caribbean coast.

Population

64,000.

Government

Constitutional monarchy. Gained independence from the UK in 1981.

Religion

The people of Belize are mainly Roman Catholic (approximately 60%). Other small groups practice Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Bahai, as well as other Christian denominations.

Social Conventions

British influence can still be seen in many social situations. Flowers or confectionary are acceptable gifts to give to hosts if invited to their home for a meal. Dress is casual, although beachwear should not be worn in towns. It may be inadvisable to discuss politics, particularly if of a partisan nature.

Tipping:
Few places add service charges, and a 15% tip is normal.
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