Belize self guided walking tour

[SFNC cruising]

Has anyone done a self guided walking tour? Maybe to the light house, then back across the bridge and toward town? Is it safe during the day light hours? Worth doing? :confused:

[tomko2]

My DH went on a cruise sponsored horse-riding excursion so I negotiated and hired a taxi driver (female) do take my on a walking tour for one hour.

It was terrific. My guide provided personal insight into living in Belize and showed me with pride their library and school, etc.

In addition, my guide keep vendors at bay.

 

This year my DH and I walked alone through the town and over the bridge; no problems but we did not have any insight into life in Belize.

 

Kathy:)

[SFNC cruising]

THANKS! sounds like fun.

[tomko2]

Just wanted to let you know that the streets are in rough shape so wear good walking shoes and watch your step. No one tried to hustle us or anything.

Hopefully someday the government of Belize will see fit to spend some of the money it gets from the cruiselines and fix up the streets and sidewalks.

If you ship offers a city tour that might be worth considering.

Kathy

[Name Of The Game]

Belize is not a safe place to walk outside the gates. Lots of shady looking characters lurking about.

[Ezralite12]

Has anyone done a self guided walking tour? Maybe to the light house, then back across the bridge and toward town? Is it safe during the day light hours? Worth doing? :confused:

 

I did exactly this last week (Tuesday, 2/23). I am 32/F, went alone, and had no problems at all, save one. I am decidedly overweight, a trait which is found attractive to many men in many islands/Caribbean ports. I am a magnet for unwanted attention of that nature, particularly in the form of advances and lewd comments. This held true for me in Belize City.

 

As you make your way out of the gates to the right towards the lighthouse, there are a number of locals selling their wares (jewelry, wood carvings, t-shirts and the like). They can be a bit pushy, but the second or third, "No, thank you," worked just fine. After reaching the lighthouse, I walked back through the entrance to the Radisson and weaved my way through a few streets. There really isn't much of interest in the area, though the Taiwan embassy (which looked abandonded), the Red Cross center and a school were interesting finds. It is pretty isolated out that way, especially along the water near and past the lighthouse.

 

I made it back to the port gates and headed towards the bridge. There are a few shops and restaurants out that way. There are quite a few tour operators in that vicinity, and just like the locals I mentioned above, they were also be a bit pushy.

 

Across the bridge are many shops and services. Nothing I would say is of "don't miss" quality, but sufficient to kill some time. Brodie's is a good general store if you need to pick up anything - you can see the back side of it when your tender docks at the port.

 

The taxi drivers are almost as persistent as those in Ocho Rios. For those easily intimidated, it may feel threatening. I am somewhat of an intrepid traveler, and I never felt unsafe (by comparison, there were times in Ocho Rios where I felt uncomfortable). No one ever touched me or seemed menacing. And aside from the tour operators/taxi drivers, I found everyone else to be very kind and welcoming. For instance, I stopped in one pharmacy to pick up some band aids, and the cashier told me my mascara had smeared and offered me a paper towel to clean up.

 

If you do this self-guided tour, I would be mindful of the time you go. I got a late start and found that a number of shops closed for lunch between 12 and 1:30, about the time I did most of my exploring. Although I was alone, I would obviously recommend that anyone bring a buddy along for the trip. I also second the recommendation that you bring sturdy, comfortable shoes (I wore open toe Tevas and had no problems).

 

Have fun!

[SFNC cruising]

WE HAD A GREAT TIME TOO. No problems at all. Just say "no thanks" and keep walking.

[tomko2]

WE HAD A GREAT TIME TOO. No problems at all. Just say "no thanks" and keep walking.

 

Glad to hear you had a great time as well. Hopefully Belize will put some money from the port fees into fixing up the streets a bit as it is a nice size town to walk around.

Kathy:)

[crewsweeper]

This link describes my tour around Belize.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1159489

 

As far as shady characters...after you pass the horse cab and tour vendors just ourside the Tourist Village gate, the shady characters you'll see are the other tourists:D

 

And just remember, these vendors and hawkers outside the gates are trying to make a living. Most of them understand "No, thank you." As the mornings were on, some get a bit more aggressive but they aren't threatening. As in any city or town anywhere in the world, don't go around flashing expensive jewelery or electronic devices or camera equipment. Keep camera case and purse straps around /across opposite shoulders and closed and hold on to the camera and strap. Just use common sense and be aware of your surroundings. But this applies to the streets of Manhattan or Chicago or Miami too.

[happysailing2]

This is a current message as opposed to the previous messages, I have done some research and Belize has come a long way since they have been posted, but let me add this, in every state here in USA there are ghettos, would you walk around them, doubt it, so why would you do that in a country your unfamiliar with. I am not saying don't do a walking tour, by all means, that is exactly what we plan, just stay away from the uninviting parts, where are they you might ask, if your reading this then you have a computer, do what I did research or wait for someone to reply to this message. Some of the places you might want to visit are the Bliss Lighthouse, The Belize sign, by walking out of the west gate of the tourist village stay on Fort St and both are on the road just up a few 100 yards. When your done with that visit the park across the street for some long pictures. Turn around and head back to where you came from behind the Village past the venders, stop and drop a few Belize dollars and buy a real trinket...then head on to Front Street to the Swing Bridge cross over to the main shopping street call Albert Street to end then swing it around to, not sure the name but I think its regent or royal and head back to the Swing Bridge, this walking tour has museums, culture hall, government buildings. It should last about four hours, with all your stops, enjoy.