Let me start by saying that Belize is one of my favorite countries on the entire planet. That being said, I’m totally biased towards all of the amazing things that it has to offer. I have visited the country six times and still can’t get enough of it. Belize is perfect for all kinds of travelers, adventure seekers, history buffs, beachgoers, fishermen, you name it, there’s something for everybody there! Here’s a quick guide to Belize.
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A Guide to Belize’s History
Belize was first discovered by the British when a shipwrecked off the coast in 1638. Over the next 150 years, the British continued to colonize the region. The country did not get its independence until 1981. Because of this, Belize is a super easy country for people who are new to foreign travel to visit. The locals all speak English, which makes finding your way around a lot easier!
The country of Belize is bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west, and the Caribbean Sea to the south and east. Its landscape is made up of lush hillsides, vast jungles, and more than 450 islands that dot the 185 miles of vibrant blue coastline.
A Guide to Belize- For Cruisers
Belize City is a tender port. This means that the surrounding water is too shallow for the ship to dock at a pier. Instead, the ship drops anchor a few miles off the coast and you have to catch a tender, or water taxi, to go ashore. The boat ride takes about 30 minutes. If you are cruising with Carnival, Diamond, and Platinum cruisers, along with those with Faster to the Fun Passes will have priority tenders. Trust me, it’s totally worth it!
There are several cruise ports that you can get away with not booking an excursion, this is not one of them! There is very little to do in the port area. Do not make the mistake of not booking an excursion. Not sure how to select the right excursion? Check out these tips!
The first few times I visited Belize, I headed westward to the town of San Ignacio, near the Guatemalan border. San Ignacio is about a two hour bus ride from Belize City. It is a lovely drive and gives you a genuine look at what life is really like in Belize.
What is there to do in Belize?
I did some pretty incredible things on my first few trips. We went cave tubing, explored the jungle, went zip lining and repelling, and visited the Maya Ruins of Xuanantunich and Cahal Pech. I fell more and more in love with Belize with each visit. But I have to admit, I was truly missing out by simply heading west with each visit. The coast is absolutely stunning. On my last trip, I headed north from Belize City to Caye Caulker where I got to swim with sharks and rays. It was an un-Belize-able experience, one that I truly recommend. The people of Belize are so wonderful! It’s the people of Belize that make it such a fantastic place to visit.
If you ever get the opportunity to visit this glorious country, do not hesitate. Go, go, go! You won’t regret it! I hope you enjoyed our quick guide to Belize, to dig a little deeper into Belize, check out our posts on this incredible country.
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