When taking a western Caribbean, Central American or Panamanian vacation cruise, a popular port of call on the itinerary is normally Belize City. The country of Belize is a popular cruise destination in this part of the world, so most major cruise lines weigh anchor in the harbor of Belize City.
Once there, tourists are whisked to shore to disembark at the docks in the Belize Tourism Village. This trip normally takes around 20 minutes. Tourists who are planning a shore excursion tour should allow for the extra time.
When planning a cruise to Central America travelers must consider the best months to travel. Central America is a tropical rain forest region, so the best time to explore is during the dry season.
Visitors should consider planning their cruises between January and May, but travelers wanting to get away from the cold into a tropical climate will find that December, though rainy, is also a good time to visit since it is near the end of the rainy season. Summers in Central America are very hot and sticky, but eco-travelers seeking rain forests may enjoy the full tropical experience.
The best way to see Belize when cruising is to take one of the many cruise excursions available for passengers. If you are planning to take an excursion that is not offered by or affiliated with the cruise line, then it is recommended that tourists make sure that the agency is certified by the Belize Department of Tourism. Most excursion companies pick up passengers at the Belize City arrival terminal.
Excursions are offered for a variety of adventures including cave tubing on rivers through rain forests, and caverns once used by Mayans. Tourists can take a canopy zip lines tour over the Belizean jungle, or visit the Belizean Zoo, or visit the Mayan ruins at the Temple of Altun Ha Main, Temple of Lamanai or the Xanantunich Maya Temples. The number of adventure trips from Belize City is amazing.
Before visiting Central America, it is highly recommended that tourist get their vaccinations four to six weeks prior to departure. It takes the body this long to develop immunity against the disease.
Pregnant women and young children may not wish to visit this part of the world since many of the recommended vaccines for this area have not been approved for use on them.
Travelers should visit a doctor who specializes in travel medicine to ensure they are receiving the most current vaccination protocols for their trip. The most common vaccinations for this area include yellow fever, hepatitis A and B and typhoid fever.
Tourists should also protect themselves from parasites and mosquitoes by not drinking the local water and wearing a DEET bug repellent. Malaria is common in this area and its only protection is anti-malarial drugs and protecting one's self from mosquitoes.
Individuals planning to swim, boat or raft in South America should protect themselves from leptospirosis, a common disease in areas where water may be contaminated by animal urine. If you are planning to do any open-water activities in South America, discuss potential exposure risk with a physician. Many tourists take the antibiotic doxycycline during their trip as a preventative.
Belize has a tropical climate and it is recommended that tourists protect themselves from sun exposure. Wearing a hat and sun block is highly recommended. Also drink plenty of bottle water as a protection against sunstroke.
Drinking any water that is not bottled in Belize is not safe. Always use water purification methods such as boiling for three minutes or iodine pills before drinking tap water.
The people of Belize are friendly, but travelers to Belize City need to be vigilant and take travel precautions to avoid becoming crime victims. This is a port city and it is highly recommended, as it is in all Central American countries, that visitors try to be inconspicuous.
Visitors should avoid wearing expensive jewelry and designer clothes and carrying expensive bags, and should keep cameras hidden unless using them.
The peddlers selling near the Belize Tourism Village and surrounding area are often obnoxiously persistent, and tourists flashing cash around can cause problems. Women should dress modestly and travel in groups while in Belize. The local men have been known to make unwanted advances to women travelers.
Belize is a wonderful and exciting country to visit. The variety of excursion trips available for cruise-ship passengers are exciting, eco-tourist friendly, and adventurous. With a few health precautions, any traveler visiting Belize will have a safe and memorable visit.
