No excursion

[Chris931]

If you don't do an organzied excursion in Belize, what would we find to do on our own?

[SingingPixie]

Honestly, there's not a lot to do in Belize without an excursion of some sort (although there are plenty of independent operators- you aren't limited to ship tours). Your best bet if you're anti-excursion is to take a water taxi out to Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker and spend the day out there. Belize City itself doesn't have much for tourists.

[CruiseLover824]

Definitely do an excursion in Belize. I am not going to say that I didn't like Belize, however, it was not a place I would ever venture out on my own!

[travelntreats]

If you don't do an organzied excursion in Belize, what would we find to do on our own?

Belize City (where you actually tender into) is not known for much to do and can be a little bit scary once outside the gated port area.....If you want to see beauty.... Take a water taxi over to Amergris Caye or maybe Caye Caulker and enjoy the locals... great food and the beautiful waters. Or do the Banister Beach excursion for a nice beach day.

 

Either way. Belize City does not get a thumbs UP in my eyes, but once outside of that area more inland, beit a jungle tour or cave tubing, ziplining, etc....or the out islands... you will have stepped into a heavenly area of the world and may not want to return ! :cool:

[GeneHunter]

Modify this by starting at the port:

 

The following walking tour covers both the north and south sides of Belize City, which together comprise the entire historic downtown center. For most of its length, you'll be either right on the water or just a block or two away. As described, the walking tour should take you anywhere from 2 to 4 hours, depending on how much time you take visiting the various attractions. The only major attraction not right on the route below is the Museum of Belize (see below), although it's only a 4-block detour east from the Swing Bridge. The route laid out on this walking tour is pretty safe during daylight hours, but should not be attempted after dark. Begin your stroll at the Fort George Lighthouse and Baron Bliss Memorial, out on the northeastern tip of the city. A small slate stone marks the grave of Henry Edward Ernest Victor Bliss. After soaking up the view of the Caribbean and some fresh sea air, head towards downtown on Fort Street. On your left, you'll find the Belize Tourism Village (tel. 223-2767), which was built to accommodate the rising tide of cruise-ship passengers. Stop in and shop, or just browse the variety of local and regional arts and crafts. Note: If you're not a cruise-ship passenger, you'll have to leave a photo ID at the gate in exchange for a temporary pass to visit the shops and restaurants here.

As you continue, Fort Street becomes North Front Street. Just before reaching the Swing Bridge, you'll pass a busy section of street that includes the vacant lot that once housed the famous Paslow Building. Thomas Paslow was a 19th-century Bayman who was a feared and hated slave owner and figured prominently in the 1798 Battle of St. George's Caye. The old wooden Paslow Building was burned down in a 2002 fire. Across the street, you'll find the Maritime Museum.

Now, cross the Swing Bridge and head south. On your left is the Commercial Center. Wander through the stalls of fresh vegetables, butcher shops, and fish stands. You'll also find some gift shops and souvenir stands here.

The Supreme Court building, off the small Battlefield Park (or Market Square) just a block south of the Swing Bridge, is a real prize of English colonial architecture with the city's only clock tower. Walk around the four sides and see if any are accurately telling the time.

Down at the southern end of Regent Street, you'll find the Government House and St. John's Cathedral, also known by its more officious-sounding moniker, the Anglican Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. Both of these buildings were constructed with slave labor in the early 19th century, and they remain the most prominent reminders of the 3 centuries of British colonial presence here. The Government House has recently been converted into a House of Culture (tel. 227-3050), with the mission of encouraging and sponsoring local participation in the arts, music, and dance.

For your return to downtown, head towards the water and come back on the Southern Foreshore Road, stopping in at the Bliss Institute to see if there's an interesting exhibit on display or a performance scheduled for later in the evening.

From: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/belizecity/3541010008.html#ixzz0KF4JFHUR&C





The Museum of Belize, located in downtown Belize City (Gabourel Lane), and on the grounds of the Central Bank of Belize, was the country’s first national museum, inaugurated in 2002. The Museum is housed in a refurbished British colonial prison built in 1857 and evacuated in 1993.

What used to be a dwelling for inmates is now where valued Belizean treasures are on exhibit. Both permanent and rotating collections are on display. Maya Masterpieces is a permanent museum collection that spans the ancient Maya civilization from 600 B.C. to A.D. 1500. Many artifacts displaying the legacy of ancient Maya achievements are exhibited. Rotating exhibits include “Insects of Belize” a colorful collection of butterflies, including the spectacular Blue Morpho, and “Stamps of Belize” which, features a stamp commemorating the Coronation of King George VI (1937).

The Museum of Belize has retained its link with the past as each window of the structure signifies a cell that was built for one inmate. One cell has been restored to give visitors a glimpse of what prison life used to be like.

The Museum of Belize is open from 9:a.m to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. Admission is US $5.00. For more information call 501-223-4524.

 

From: www.museoscentroamericanos.net/museos_belice/belize_museum/museo_belice.htm



 

 

 

[ehfl]

Stay on the ship if you are not doing an excursion. If you do go ashore, stay close to the pier, and only go right. Do not turn left, especially if you are by yourself, or in a small party.

[jackdiamond]

Honestly, there's not a lot to do in Belize without an excursion of some sort (although there are plenty of independent operators- you aren't limited to ship tours). Your best bet if you're anti-excursion is to take a water taxi out to Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker and spend the day out there. Belize City itself doesn't have much for tourists.

Are those nice beaches? If so, where do you find the water taxi? Also, what is the cost?

Thank you.

[SingingPixie]

From what I've read, beaches are better on Ambergris Caye, as there aren't really good swimming beaches on Caye Caulker. Even on Ambergris Caye, there is often seagrass in the super-shallow water, so you'd have a nice sandy beach, but need to walk out on a dock and climb down a ladder into slightly deeper water past the seagrass to swim.

 

The real draw here is the ease of taking a snorkeling trip in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve- the most popular one can be booked for $25, and it includes two stops: one at a traditional reef site, and one at "Shark Ray Alley," where docile nurse sharks and stingrays can be pet. You can also book this excursion with coral breezes tours (google them) and they'll pick you up right next to where the tender boat drops you off in Belize city, so you'd avoid the hassle of the water taxi. My roommate did this and it was $75 including both snorkel stops, transportation and lunch.

 

If you don't want to snorkel, you can always walk around San Pedro town and check out the local scene, which should be much nicer than belize city.

 

The water taxi runs every hour on the hour, and costs $22.50 round trip. Google "Caye Caulker Water Taxi" (it goes to both Caye Caulker and San Pedro/Ambergris Caye) for more info, so it looks like you could do a snorkel tour slightly cheaper by handling the transfer on your own, but it might be more relaxing to do it with Coral Breeze. If you just want to check out the town, hang out on a beach, etc, then the water taxi would be a good bet.

[Bluemoon319]

I've been to several areas of Belize & loved them all, EXCEPT Belize City. If you don't want to book a tour through the ship, I would recommend booking something privately before you go. The port area is not a good place & I think it would be way to chancey to try to book something once you get there. Also, there aren't good beaches nearby. There is one safe shopping area at the port. Other than that, if you don't want to book a tour, I would recommend staying on the ship that day.

[J&DrCruisin]

Well I did it.

 

I just booked and received the confirmation email for the Cave Tubing and ATV adventure through Cave Tubing. Can anyone who has done this before comment on the water levels?? We are going to be there in Dec and I am really looking forward to this and I cannot wait :D

 

Thanks

Julie