Question on Magic sailing (Costa Maya, Belize, Cozumel)

[cacruisin]

For those who have sailed this itinerary, is Belize a "tender" port?  

 

We found out this weekend that they cancelled our Carnival excursion planned for Belize and now we are scrambling to book an alternative.  We are considering an outside company but wasn't sure if we should if a "tender" port etc...

 

Also, am I correct that Belize is NOT an ideal port to just get off ship and walk around?  Meaning beach, shops, restaurants etc

 

TIA

Edited March 11 by cacruisin

[MisterOJ2]

Belize is a tender port. There's no beach near the port, but it does have a decent amount of shopping and restaurants inside the port area. Outside the port area isn't great though. Usually when we go to Belize, we just enjoy the tender ride, do a bit of shopping and maybe hit a bar/restaurant in the port area and then head back to the ship.

[Hoosierpop]

Belize is a great port to stay on the ship. 

[Indiansbaseball]

If you’ve never been…at the minimum, enjoy the tender ride and walk around. Now you can say you’ve been to Belize. We took a Carnival tour to the Mayan ruins. It was a long ride but beautiful. I highly recommend a Carnival excursion so if anything happens, the ship will wait on you. 

[ChuckF]

We either stay on the ship, or take a Carnival excursion to the EcoPark.  They have several activities you can sign up (and pay for), or just hang out at their pool.  We've done it a few times and end up talking to Carnival passengers on other ships in port.  Kind of cool hearing their experiences. 

[ABQrobin]

WE LOVE Belize... but we love Adventure excursions.  The Mayan ruins there are second to none because they are within 2 hour bus ride from dock.  It seems really far, but honestly the Mayans didn't build their cities for future cruisers, they built them for strategic location.  Belize is a country of fantastic jungles and history... cave tubing and Mayan ruins, with some off-shore islands worth visiting if you just want to snorkel.  Do an excursion... you won't regret it.

 

our last visit:

 

[Bollycats]

I know a lot of people don't like Belize but we loved it. We took an open air tram ride around the city and out into the local neighborhoods. We felt it was safe, everything well maintained and clean. No garbage on the streets or sidewalks. Saw local businessmen and students in uniforms walking around. We really enjoyed our time there to see how the locals live. Definitely take the tender and look around.