Belize City
Mayan jungle temples, the world's second-largest barrier reef, and the mysterious Great Blue Hole.
Overview
Belize City is the gateway to one of the most extraordinary natural and archaeological destinations in the Americas. Offshore, the Belize Barrier Reef — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — stretches 190 miles along the coast, sheltering technicolour snorkelling, diving, and the iconic Great Blue Hole (a 300-metre circular ocean sinkhole visible from space). Inland, dense jungle conceals some of the most impressive Mayan ruins in the region: Altun Ha, Xunantunich, and Caracol. Most cruise passengers use Belize City purely as a transit point, taking water taxis to the idyllic islands of Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker.
Quick Facts
- Currency
- Belize Dollar (BZD), pegged 2:1 to USD. USD universally accepted.
- Language
- English (official). Spanish, Kriol, and Garifuna also spoken.
- Climate
- Tropical. Dry season November–May. Hurricane season June–November.
- Best Months
- February–May
- Pier to Town
- Ships anchor offshore and tender passengers into the Fort Street Tourism Village in Belize City (15–20 min). Water taxis to Ambergris Caye (75 min) and Caye Caulker (45 min) depart nearby.
Top Beaches
Ambergris Caye (San Pedro)
Belize's most popular island — turquoise lagoon, excellent diving, water taxis depart regularly. 75 min from Belize City.
Caye Caulker
The ultimate laid-back beach island — no cars, hammocks in the water, Go Slow as the local motto. 45 min by water taxi. A Caribbean classic.
Tobacco Caye
A tiny island sitting right on the barrier reef. Basic but magical — snorkelling straight off the beach.
Must Eat
Rice & Beans with Stew Chicken
The Belizean national staple — red kidney beans cooked in coconut milk with tender stewed chicken. At any local restaurant for under $10.
Hudut
Garifuna fish stew cooked in coconut milk with mashed plantain — a flavour unlike anything else in the Caribbean.
Belikin Beer
Belize's only locally brewed lager — ice cold on a dock at Caye Caulker is non-negotiable.
💡 DIY Tip
Take the water taxi from near the tourism village to Caye Caulker ($20 USD return, 45 min) — arrive by 9am, spend the morning at the Split (natural swimming hole at the island's north end), grab rice and beans for lunch, and snorkel the barrier reef directly from shore. This beats any ship tour to the island for a fraction of the price.
🚢 Ship Excursion Verdict
The Great Blue Hole snorkel or dive trip (by plane or fast catamaran) is only practical as a pre-booked excursion — it's 2 hours offshore and requires specialist operators. Inland Mayan ruins also need organised transport. For island-hopping, just take the water taxi independently.