Exploring Belize On our own...suggestions?

[Katie95]

Just wondering if people can give their good and bad experiences about going out of the "tourist port" and into the city to walk around. I don't know a lot about the city that's around but would love to hear other people's experiences to get a better idea if that is what we want to do that day!

 

All the general stuff... safety (we're not nervous people but would like the general feeling), what was interesting, places to eat, prices, etc.

 

We will be there the beginning of April and it will just be my boyfriend and I.

 

Thanks for all the reviews in advance good or bad! We want to hear both!

[Kryssa]

Just wondering if people can give their good and bad experiences about going out of the "tourist port" and into the city to walk around. I don't know a lot about the city that's around but would love to hear other people's experiences to get a better idea if that is what we want to do that day!

 

All the general stuff... safety (we're not nervous people but would like the general feeling), what was interesting, places to eat, prices, etc.

 

We will be there the beginning of April and it will just be my boyfriend and I.

 

Thanks for all the reviews in advance good or bad! We want to hear both!

 

Most people will advise you not to do so. However, I just read this review (careful- it's long) and this man and his wife did it without any problems. In fact, he said it was fine and they had a great day!

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1550338&highlight=belize&page=28

 

The Belize city part starts on page 28 :)

[mousecrazy]

Here's another recent thread with good information about walking around Belize City.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1585785

[Katie95]

Thank you! I'm still fairly new to these boards and sometimes have a hard time finding what I'm looking for! :D

[melika091900]

i would book a tour,

either private or through the ship, i would never walk around there

talking to locals at the pier, they even told me not to go too far...

 

just sayin

[Sassy's Mom]

Just there 3/7/12 and did an excursion throuh Princess in the morning and came back to the Village around lunch time. DH went back to the ship and let me browse the shops and flea market stands.

 

Everyone I spoke with said to stay within the Village as it wasn't safe for tourists outside the wall/fence. One passenger was talking about how nice it was to have two motorcycles escorting their tour, the guide corrected her to say they were armed guards to protect them from hijacking.:eek:

 

Overall, I was very disappointed in Belize as a port'

[askimdog]

We found the opposite in January 2012. Wandered around, ate at a local joint, chatted with lovely local folks and got great deals shopping outside the tourism village, I paid way less for the Cashew wine and 1-Barrel Rum and Marie Sharps sauce than if bought in the village.

 

We wondered around Ladyville, did the brewery tour, sat at the Wet Lizard for a few brews, then my 7 year old daughter, my wife and I went wandering outside the gates.

 

We loved Belize so much, we look forward to a cruise with this stop again!!!

[mkluvs2cruise]

i would book a tour,

either private or through the ship, i would never walk around there

talking to locals at the pier, they even told me not to go too far...

 

just sayin

 

Most of those locals are vendors or work for vendors at the pier, do you think they are going to encourage there potential customers to leave the "touristy higher priced area?"

[smartswimmer316]

We found the opposite in January 2012. Wandered around, ate at a local joint, chatted with lovely local folks and got great deals shopping outside the tourism village, I paid way less for the Cashew wine and 1-Barrel Rum and Marie Sharps sauce than if bought in the village.

 

We wondered around Ladyville, did the brewery tour, sat at the Wet Lizard for a few brews, then my 7 year old daughter, my wife and I went wandering outside the gates.

 

We loved Belize so much, we look forward to a cruise with this stop again!!!

When you went on the brewery tour, did you just walk in and walk the city on your own? or did you do it through a tour company? We are avid beer drinkers and love to just absorb culture! We're leaving in 11 days and that sounds like the best way to spend our day in port there! any tips you have would be greatly appreciated!

[skrufy]

The word from the tour guides is do not venture into the countryside on your own, its not safe.

[monicajay]

Just wondering if people can give their good and bad experiences about going out of the "tourist port" and into the city to walk around. I don't know a lot about the city that's around but would love to hear other people's experiences to get a better idea if that is what we want to do that day!

 

All the general stuff... safety (we're not nervous people but would like the general feeling), what was interesting, places to eat, prices, etc.

 

We will be there the beginning of April and it will just be my boyfriend and I.

 

Thanks for all the reviews in advance good or bad! We want to hear both!

 

Just got back. Loved it! We walked outside the gates at the far end (left when you get off tender) then re-entered the building next door which is the local water taxi terminal. Return taxi to Caye Caulker is $17.50 per person and the trip takes about 45 minutes. Once there we rented bikes ($4 per hour pp) but they also rent golf carts. This island is known for great snorkeling and diving but unfortunately the day we were there had been stormy so the waves were too big. Lots of little restaurants and bars. Make sure to visit The Split. Just don't be late for your return water taxi.

 

We liked Caye Caulker enough that we are hoping to go back and spend a week there. Very safe and laid back, much prettier than Belize City.

[askimdog]

Belikin is great beer and the brewery is very hi-tech, high-end. We booked the tour through the Wet Lizard itself. Contacted them before hand and had it arranged. We got off the Legend with no need being on the first few tenders. Had a few beers at Wet Lizard, met our guide, jumped in his a/c van and off to Ladyville where the brewery is. Had a great guide, he toured us through the city on the way to and back ( it is the Beer and City Tour Package). Brewery was awesome, I sat and drank for an hour or so in the nice wooden brew pub in the brewery, after seeing vats and production areas. Then we asked for certain side trips and the guide said, whatever we wanted, no rush to get back, so we stopped at some local stores..grocery, liquor, etc.., stopped at a local joint/ nice open air shack to eat gibnut and meet locals ( wonderful friendly folks). Got back, drank some more at Lizard and then wondered into Belize City for a bit more culture, finally wandered a bit in the Tourism Village giggling at the prices of booze and stuff knowing what we paid earlier in town away from the ship.

[the nurse]

Belikin is great beer and the brewery is very hi-tech, high-end. We booked the tour through the Wet Lizard itself. Contacted them before hand and had it arranged. We got off the Legend with no need being on the first few tenders. Had a few beers at Wet Lizard, met our guide, jumped in his a/c van and off to Ladyville where the brewery is. Had a great guide, he toured us through the city on the way to and back ( it is the Beer and City Tour Package). Brewery was awesome, I sat and drank for an hour or so in the nice wooden brew pub in the brewery, after seeing vats and production areas. Then we asked for certain side trips and the guide said, whatever we wanted, no rush to get back, so we stopped at some local stores..grocery, liquor, etc.., stopped at a local joint/ nice open air shack to eat gibnut and meet locals ( wonderful friendly folks). Got back, drank some more at Lizard and then wondered into Belize City for a bit more culture, finally wandered a bit in the Tourism Village giggling at the prices of booze and stuff knowing what we paid earlier in town away from the ship.

 

Can you advise what website / tour company you used? This looks like a lot of fun! Thanks so much.

[askimdog]

We booked and payed in advance through Laura at The Wet Lizard. Just go to their website, google "the wet lizard belize" Check out Land based excursions.

[the nurse]

We booked and payed in advance through Laura at The Wet Lizard. Just go to their website, google "the wet lizard belize" Check out Land based excursions.

 

Thanks for your help! There will be 8 of us traveling, so we will have multiple options!

[melika091900]

Most of those locals are vendors or work for vendors at the pier, do you think they are going to encourage there potential customers to leave the "touristy higher priced area?"

 

 

i was also talking to our tour guides in the jungle....when this convo came up