What NOT to miss in Belize - opinions please!

[TeeBuccs]

My family (of 6) will be sailing Carnival VALOR in May 2007 and have asked me to do the research on excursion and activities. As I have never been to Belieze before I am seeking opinions on your favorite thing to to when in Belize. What should I be sure not to miss?

 

Thank you for your time and assistance.

[chris2597]

There are a lot of warnings about safety in Belize. I think most ship excursions and a few of the well recommended guides sound safe...but the state dept has some pretty strong warnings about the country. We were there in Feb and made the mistake of leaving the secured/guarded port area and stepped across the street to an open market....we were immediately approached....after about 10 min of looking around we tried to re-enter the port gate and were blocked from doing so....I guess the feeling is once you go back in, so does your $$...The gaurd immediately removed the offenders from letting us pass...I would not venture too far away from the area...We are going to go to Belize on our next cruise, but we wont leave the port area.

[kd34wool]

I went to Belize last year on my honeymoon and we had a great time. We did the cave tubing and it was absolutely gorgeous. We first started out with a little walk through the rainforest (gorgeous) and then we went tubing for an hour or so. Very fun!!! It is a poor country and you do have to be careful anywhere you go, but this excursion was a blast!!:D

[fireboat]

We did the cave tubing / zip line. Had a great time. Just booked DW and myself. But ended up with 20 people.

 

If you book with a "reliable" tour (see posts on these boards), they will meet you in the port area. They will escort you to their transportation. Your safety is in their hands and they value your business. If you want to shopping out side of the port, ask them. They are very accommodating.

[Thoth]

Xunantunich Mayan site is a great trip for those who enjoy history.

[Zeno]

There are MANY wonderful excursions available in Belize. We did the Lamanai and New River excursion through our ship and loved it. If you are into ruins at all - it is a great excursion.

I would not get paranoid about safety issues. Just use common sense. Belize City is not a place to wander around in but the port area is quite safe. Most of the countryside (and certainly the areas tours are going to) is safe especially for people on organized tours.

[Pleasan7]

Hi,

You did not list interests so this is our experience just last week.

We took the ship’s excursion to Geoff’s Caye. The first part of the trip is a snorkel swim. Participants have the option of swimming from the shore if they are inexperienced or the more experienced can snorkel from the boat. They go right from the ship to the island and drop the people who want to snorkel from the island. My husband and I snorkeled from the boat. It was a drift snorkel and they lead you with a life preserver. I inflated my vest and floated mostly. There was a large group but I never felt like we had to swim over each other and there were lots of fish everywhere you looked. The coral all appears to be healthy. They then take you on to the island where you can continue to snorkel for the next hour. The whole trip took about 3 hours leaving the ship in the morning. I was sufficiently island and snorkeled out and looking for my meal and afternoon nap by the time we returned. This boat does not serve alcohol.

The island is Gilliagan's island but smaller. Some men from the coast row motor out and sell a few items on two tables. The island is very small.

We absolutely loved it. Leaving from the ship was worth the money.

Carol

[ali5mb]

My family (of 6) will be sailing Carnival VALOR in May 2007 and have asked me to do the research on excursion and activities. As I have never been to Belieze before I am seeking opinions on your favorite thing to to when in Belize. What should I be sure not to miss?

 

Thank you for your time and assistance.

 

my family of 20 went to belice with carnival. my group of 8 booked through cave tubing.com for $50 p.p. including lunch. we went through 2 caves and my 5yr old niece was able to join us. our photos were even taken by the ship photographer and displayed along with those family members that had booked the same excursion with the cruise ship. great time, great price:)

[sportsterjohn]

Cave tubbing is pretty fun but I prefered the Lamani / new river tour.

[crusinpsychRN]

SportsterJohn-- why did you like that one?

[COLO_Cruisers]

Has anyone done this excursion/Sergant's Caye? My WH & I are going on the Valor/Oct.15. The excursion is 1pm to 4:30pm so we will only have time to walk around Belize in the morning, hopefully the shops will be open then.

[Lindypc]

Cave tubbing is pretty fun but I prefered the Lamani / new river tour.

Yes, why did you prefer Lamani? I am going crazy:eek: trying to decide between the 3 Mayan Ruins tours that NCL is offering. Which tour--Altun Ha, Xunantunich, or Lamani is the best or has the best Mayan ruins?

[Lindypc]

Thanking you all in advance

[LynnH]

I have to agree with one of the posters above. If you decide to visit Belize City, either do so with a party (shore excursion), or just stay in the port area. DH and I ventured out and were approached by many panhandlers. After rounding a corner and seeing one of the locals chopping fruit on the sidewalk using a big machete, we decided to head back to the ship. An older couple behind us yelled for us to wait on them so they could walk with us. Needless to say, I was a bit frightened.

 

We are visiting again the week of Thanksgiving and we will be going on an excursion (the Island Beach Break).

 

Also Ladies, if you intend to disembark the ship to shop in the port area...you will be HOUNDED by the locals offering to braid your hair. May as well have it braided really quick so they'll leave you alone (plus, it keeps it out of your face). Keep in mind that they do not have change (or so they say). DH bought a wooden carved shark which was $17. He handed the seller $20 and was told he couldn't break it. Same thing with my hair--it was $7...she couldn't break the bill which was fine, the rest was a tip. Just letting you know so you can make sure you take some small bills with you.