Category: Belize City (Belize)

XUNANTUNICH and MARIMBA LUNCH

Excursion details

On this excursion of around seven hours you’ll get to explore Xunantunich, a Maya site that includes a 40-metre-high pyramid. Reach this archaeological hilltop settlement via a hand-cranked ferry ride and refuel after your exploration with a Belizean-style lunch.

Begin with a transfer drive of approximately two hours from the port to Xunantunich in the Cayo District, in western Belize, not far from the Guatemalan border. Before arriving at the entrance to this ancient city, you’ll be ferried across the Mopan River on a hand-cranked vessel, taking around 30 minutes.

Then it’s time for your approximately one-hour tour of Xunantunich, which sits on a ridge above the river. This Maya city of stone pyramids, palaces and temples was abandoned by around AD 1000 before British explorers began investigating it in the 1890s.

Its most prominent structure is El Castillo – ‘The Castle’- a pyramid standing 40 metres high, which was the site’s largest temple. A climb to the top rewards you with views of the surrounding rainforest and the towns that sit on the border between Belize and Guatemala.

Afterwards, it’s a roughly 15-minute ferry transfer back across the river, followed by a bus journey of 15 minutes or so to Hode’s Place, an outdoor restaurant in San Ignacio. You’ll have around one hour to enjoy a traditional Belizean-style lunch accompanied by marimba music before the transfer drive back to the port, lasting around two hours.

Important Information: This tour is not recommended for guests with limited mobility, trouble walking or for guests using wheelchairs, scooters or strollers as the trails are bumpy and cannot accommodate them. The climbing of the Temples is optional, however no climbing will be permitted if there is rain and the temples are wet. The transfer to and from Xunantunich takes approximately 2 hours each way. Guests will walk approximately 0.5 miles at the ruins on uneven terrain

ADVENTURE OF THE LOST CRYSTAL CAVES & ZIP LINE

Excursion details

Start by boarding a bus at Belize City Cruise Port and begin the approximately 90-minute journey to Jaguar Paw, an adventure hub in the foothills of the Maya Mountains. During the ride, your tour guide will highlight points of interest and tell you all about the history, people and culture of Belize.

Upon arrival, you’ll take a quick shuttle to the welcome area before spending around 15 minutes receiving a tour and safety briefing, as well as being fitted with a harness. Then it’s time to head to the first zip-line, an approximately 15-minute walk away.

You’ll then enjoy around one hour of zip-line fun, so prepare to start gliding through the jungle. The first zip-line – measuring 152 metres – hurtles past the opening to an ancient Maya ceremonial cave. The next zip-line (measuring around 213 metres) offers a bird’s-eye view of the forest.

At the end of the zip-lining trail, there’s a brief break to swap your harness for a life jacket, before a short walk to the entrance of a crystal-cave system. Belize’s caves played significant roles in the rituals of the Maya people, who inhabited the area as early as 1500 BC. This is where your cave tubing experience of approximately one hour begins. Head inside and float on an inner tube along an underground river, surrounded by crystal stalactites. Along the way, you’ll leave your tube to venture inside a ‘crystal chamber’, where you can see Maya relics, such as pottery once used in sacrificial ceremonies.

The tour culminates with a refreshing swim, once emerged from the caves, followed by a short walk back to base camp, where there’s around 30 minutes for a change of clothes and enjoying a typical Belizean lunch. Finally, board your bus for the return journey to the pier, lasting about 90 minutes.

Important Information: Pregnant women, guests with neck, back, shoulder and knee injury, heat trouble, seizure disorders, asthmatic as well as guests with disabilities such as blindness and balance disorder are not allowed to participate on this tour. What to bring: Swim suits, dry clothing, towel, repellent, cash/credit card and sunscreen. Water shoes and lockers are available for rent.

Minimum age to participate on tour is 6 years and minimum height 40 inches tall. Guests will be required to sign a waiver which may only be available in English. The transfer to and from Jaguar Paw Jungle Camp takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes each way

CALYPSO TRAIN TOUR

Excursion details

Enjoy around one hour of sightseeing in Belize’s largest city from aboard the Calypso Train, an open-sided trolley. After a short briefing you’ll board the train and begin your trip. One of the first landmarks you’ll pass is the tomb of Portuguese-born Baron Bliss, known as Belize’s most important benefactor, even though he never set foot on the mainland. There’s a short pause here, where you can also see the lighthouse that stands next to his tomb.

Next, your journey takes you over the bustling Swing Bridge that spans Haulover Creek. This iron bridge was made in Liverpool, England, and installed here in 1923.

There’s then a short pause at one of the most striking sights on the route, the two-storey colonial mansion, Government House, which once served as the residence of Britain’s superintendents and governors in Belize. This brief pause also allows you to see St John’s Cathedral, constructed between 1812 and 1820 out of bricks brought as ballast from Europe in British ships. It has since survived multiple hurricanes to become the oldest building in Belize.

After this you’ll travel through the historic downtown area, where narrow streets are lined with small shops, hotels and colonial architecture. Next, you’ll return over the Swing Bridge and travel on Princess Margaret Drive (Princess Margaret visited Belize in 1958) before riding along the coast, enjoying views of the Caribbean Sea and then passing the Central Bank of Belize. Your tour ends when the Calypso Train returns to the port, and you can then shop for souvenirs – time permitting – before returning to the ship.

Important Information: Should inclement weather be forecast be sure to bring a rain poncho or other rain gear. Guests are recommended to bring their camera

HOWLER MONKEY SANCTUARY & CREOLE HERITAGE TOUR

Excursion details

Journey into rural Belize to spend time with black howler monkeys – one of the loudest land animals on Earth – and discover how the intervention of a local community has helped boost their survival. During this excursion, lasting around four and a half hours, you’ll also learn about Creole traditions and enjoy a typical Belizean lunch along the historic Belize River Iguana Stop.

The excursion starts with a transfer of about one hour to the Community Baboon Sanctuary. Created in 1985 with the help of 12 landowners, the venue has evolved to protect not just black howler monkeys (known as ‘baboons’in the local Creole dialect), but also many other creatures and plant life. After a short welcome there’s a tour of the venue’s sanctuary museum, lasting approximately one hour.

During this time, you’ll learn about Creole history and culture as you see how fly brushes are made and watch a demonstration of traditional rice-beating, before a tasting of local cashew wine, which lasts about 15 minutes. Then it’s time for lunch after a short transfer to The Iguana Stop restaurant, which sits on the Belize River. For the next 30 minutes or so, enjoy a selection of traditional local dishes.

Afterwards you’ll embark on a tour of Belize City lasting approximately one hour, which covers must-see landmarks including Yarborough Cemetery, St John’s Cathedral and the House of Culture, with photo opportunities along the way. Finally, a transfer of around 25 minutes takes you back to the port.

Important Information: The minimum age to participate in this tour is 5 years old. This tour involves a considerable amount of standing and walking. Guests will be required to sign a waiver which may only be available in English. Pregnant women are prohibited from participating in this tour. Guests with prior or current neck injuries, or who have difficulty with or limited mobility, and any guest with disabilities such as blindness or balance disorder are prohibited from participating in this tour. The spotting of wildlife is not guaranteed

AIRBOAT SAFARI RIDE

Blend history and excitement on this excursion of approximately two and a half hours, which features live Garifuna drumming and singing, an airboat ride across a lagoon and a short, guided bus tour. During the airboat ride, you’ll be able to enjoy views of Belizean nature and perhaps some local wildlife.

Excursion details

Take a safari by airboat and enjoy live Garifuna drumming and singing on this excursion lasting around 3 hours. The trip begins with a transfer of approximately 30 minutes, which also acts as a guided tour. Your onboard guide will tell you about Belize City’s history, including information about the area’s origins.

Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of the Garifuna, known for their unique tradition of singing, percussion and dancing. Drummers and Junkanoo dancers merge in a single performance, where each step carries precise meaning. In 2001, UNESCO recognized the Garifuna culture as a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. ”

Combined with an Airboat Ride, explore the rich mangrove forest on an approximately 45-minute airboat ride gliding over lily pods and marshes in Almond Hill Lagoon, keep an eye out for native birds and other wildlife that call this area home.

After the airboat ride, back at the outpost, sample the flavors of Belize with a tasting session. If you’re interested, you can even purchase a special memento from the souvenir shop, choosing from over twenty brands of rum. A 45-minute transfer then returns to the port.

Important Information: Wildlife sightings, while common, are not guaranteed. Guests will be required to sign a waiver which may only be available in English. The minimum age to participate in this tour is 5 years old. Pregnant women are prohibited from participating in this tour. Guests with prior or current neck injuries, or who have difficulty with or limited mobility, and any guest with disabilities such as blindness or balance disorder are prohibited from participating in this tour. Guests should wear insect repellent. The order of events may vary.

SHARKS, RAYS SNORKELING and ISLAND GETAWAY

Embark on an aquatic adventure exploring a vast barrier reef during this excursion of about five and a half hours. The island of Caye Caulker will be your base, and you’ll get to view the wonders below the water in a snorkelling session before a guided experience with sharks and rays. The trip ends with some time to relax on the island.

Excursion details

Stretching more than 1,000 kilometres from the northern tip of the Yucatán Peninsula down through the Honduran Bay Islands, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is the largest in the Western Hemisphere. This excursion of about five and a half hours turns this natural wonder into your playground, with time for snorkelling and a visit to the coral island of Caye Caulker.

The excursion starts with a boat ride of around one hour to Caye Caulker, which sits on the edge of the Belize Barrier Reef and forms part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System. After a safety briefing and transfer lasting about 30 minutes, you’ll find yourself at Coral Gardens, a snorkelling spot with an array of multicoloured coral.

Once you’ve explored this underwater world for about 45 minutes, you’ll move on to an area known as Shark Ray Alley, where you can swim alongside rays and nurse sharks for approximately 45 minutes, under the watchful eye of a guide.

The return voyage to Caye Caulker takes about 15 minutes, after which you’ll have approximately 60 minutes to explore the island. There’s a restaurant to purchase drinks and lunch (at guests’own expense), or you could do some souvenir shopping, stroll around the island or simply relax. Afterwards, enjoy a complimentary rum punch and water on the scenic boat ride back to the port, which takes around one hour.

Important Information: Guests will be required to wash their hands before and after the animal interaction. Life vests will be worn at all times while in the water. Guests with heart conditions and/or breathing problems should seek medical advice first before taking this tour. Pregnant women are not allowed to take this tour. Guests must also advise guides if there are any pre-existing medical or health conditions prior to taking the tour. Tour is not wheelchair accessible. The minimum age to participate is 5 years old

RENDEZVOUS CAYE SNORKEL AND BEACH BREAK

Excursion details

Sail away to Rendezvous Caye and forget any worries for the day as you enjoy snorkelling and relaxing in a scenic setting during this excursion of around four and a half hours. Begin with a boat ride of around 45 minutes that takes you from the port directly to Rendezvous Caye, a tiny island set within the Belize Barrier Reef, the largest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Then begins approximately three hours of time to enjoy island life to the full. You’ll be provided with snorkel equipment to help you get a closer look at the Belize Barrier Reef and perhaps spot any marine wildlife that may be visible (although sightings cannot be guaranteed).

After you’ve had your fill of snorkelling, feel free to head out of the Caribbean Sea and relax on the white sands, enjoying the sunshine or taking shade under a palm. You’ll be able to enjoy a complimentary rum punch or orange juice, and further drinks and food are available to purchase (at guests’own expense).

Following the free time, a boat transfer of around 45 minutes returns to the port.

Important Information: Guests must be at least 8 years old to participate. It is recommended that guests bring a bathing suit, towel, and sunscreen. Alcohol will only be served after the snorkelling portion of the tour. The spotting of wildlife is not guaranteed

JEEP ADVENTURE TO ALTUN HA MAYAN CITY

Your excursion begins at Fort Street Tourism Village, where you’ll board a jeep for an approximately 1 hour and 15-minute drive to the Altun Ha Archaeological Zone. Once a thriving Mayan city, Altun Ha was rediscovered by workers seeking stone for the Old North Highway.

Explore this ancient Mayan city, known for its 13 structures, two plazas, and the 60-foot Temple of the Sun God. Climb the temples for panoramic views of the plazas and Belizean countryside. Afterward, enjoy traditional Belizean cuisine at a local restaurant. Then, return to the port to end your day of history, adventure, and local flavor. The minimum age to participate in this tour is 6 years old.
Please note: Tour is priced per person, not per vehicle. Each vehicle carries four guests, one of whom will be the designated driver.

However, if your party is smaller than 4, you may be required to share the vehicle with other guests. If you wish to have your own vehicle, you will be required to pay for its full capacity of 4 guests. Please inquire with the shore excursions desk onboard should this be the case so that the remaining spaces can be charged to your onboard stateroom account. The minimum age to participate in this tour is 6 years old. The minimum age to drive is 18 years old. The maximum weight per person is 250 lbs.

It is mandatory for all drivers to show a valid physical driver’s license. For safety reasons, pregnant woman, guests with neck or back conditions, or heart conditions may not participate in this excursion. It is recommended to bring sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, and cash for additional purchases. No alcohol will be provided to the driver before, during, or after the drive. All jeeps are automatic transmission