Once off the tender

[Gmore42]

Once you get off the tender in Belize, what sort of shops and restaurants are there? Any recommendations for shopping and eating/drinking from anyone who has been there before.

 

Thanks for your helpful tips in advance........

[World Gallery]

The tourisn village isn't much at all. It is not anything like what you would find in places like Cozumel. There is one restaurant. There are some shops that most all have the same things. Really, tourism village is small and not something to do by itself. In my opinion, it isn't worth the tender ride over if you are not planning on taking a tour into Belize for something else.

[SteelerCruiser]

...and not done much other than walking around the tourism village....look into some of the different adventures on here and maybe give something a try. They say the tour operators are good about getting you back on time b/c it is bad for business if they are late getting you back.

[Gmore42]

So, if I didn't want to do any excursions, what would be some good places to pick up some souvenirs? Is there a place outside of the village? Where is the Wet Lizard? I heard this might be a place to have some beverages.

[World Gallery]

The Wet Lizard is the only place to get or drink and it is in tourism village. In regards to picking up souvenirs. I would stay in tourism village and just look around in the shops (they all have the same things so if you go to one, you have seen it all). I am not sure you will feel comfortable leaving the gate of tourism village. I am not saying it is unsafe (because I really don't know) but it "feels" very scarey and overwhelming when you walk out of the gates. Our experience with leaving the gates (we had to last year to catch a water taxi over to Caye Caulker) was like going into a mob of screaming people, all trying to get your attention to buy something or do braids in your hair (I think. It was so overwhelming, I am not sure what they were screaming). They were literally blocking the gate, leaning in with their heads.

I am not bashing Belize so please don't take me the wrong way but I think that people just need to know that it is a very different experience from getting off of the boat at Cozumel Grand Cayman, and other ports. Knowing this in advance can help you plan and think things through.

[AZbeachboy]

When I was there you could find cheaper tours in the village. We took a city tour that was about $10 each. When we returned we walked around the market area outside the village. There was nothing on the immediate street, but once you crossed the bridge a lot of different local culture shops and resturants. Nothing fancy at all. There is a casino within walking distance. Prices in the pharmacy we suspect, although I did buy one that was cheap, but most were more expensive that here in the states. I think they had an american price and a belizean price.

 

I tell you this with the understanding that I enjoy the culture of the different places that I travel and try to get into it. If I were only going to go into the village, I would stay on the ship. That is what I do when I go to Grand Cayman. Nothing there for me. Hope this helps.

[Gmore42]

Thanks for the input so far. We have a tradition of collecting Christmas ornaments from new places we visit. Also, we have to pick up a few trinkets for the kids we are leaving behind at home. I know it probably seems like a waste of time to just come into the port for just this, but sometimes thats the price to pay for harmony at home. I know not to head into port with high expectations.

[cruisergrandma]

If you walk out the gates and across the street there is a small 'flea market'. We normally shop there. We have never found 'a mob of screaming people' as one poster mentioned. We have found the locals to be very friendly and they always thank us for buying from locals. Some can be pushy but, we have found that at most ports. We too collect Christmas ornaments and we did purchase our Belize ornament at one of the shops inside the tourism village.