Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

Walking around in Belize City?

ELA

By ELA,
in Belize

 Share

Recommended Posts

ELA

ELA

Posted
Posted

I don't think that we'll be doing any excursions in Belize as we're doing something in each of other 3 ports. But we still want to experience the culture and see a new place, even if for an hour.

Is it safe to walk around in Belize City? We'll have 2 tween girls with us. I'm sure that there are places to see - usually the government buidings and parks by themselves are nice attractions but I"m not sure if they're walking distance?

 

Thank you

Ela

Link to comment
Share on other sites
afto

afto

Posted
Posted

I think you would be selling yourself short if you don't do some kind of excursion in Belize. Others have enjoyed visiting the Mayan ruins, cave tubing or beach days; when I was there I took a river cruise where we saw manatees and all sorts of other wildlife, and then went to the lovely little Belize Zoo (it's really more of a sanctuary for rescued native animals, including a jaguar and monkeys). Otherwise, there really is not a lot to see in the town itself. As far as safety goes, the reports I read on that topic before my trip there were mixed. You can hire a cab quite inexpensively to drive you around town, and you might be more comfortable with that even though the distances are not great. Just as an FYI, DH and her husband did that in Belize, and followed up with a couple of beverages at the Wet Lizard bar on the tender dock; I think they were wishing later that they had accompanied me on my tour. Whatever you decide, hope you enjoy your day in this beautiful small country.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Pyrate13

Pyrate13

Posted
Posted

There's not a whole lot to see but despite what some people post and think, we have found the people of Belize City to be friendly and do not fear traveling amongst them. You will find your bad element where ever you travel.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
PurrSusan

PurrSusan

Posted
Posted
I think you would be selling yourself short if you don't do some kind of excursion in Belize. Others have enjoyed visiting the Mayan ruins, cave tubing or beach days; when I was there I took a river cruise where we saw manatees and all sorts of other wildlife, and then went to the lovely little Belize Zoo (it's really more of a sanctuary for rescued native animals, including a jaguar and monkeys). Otherwise, there really is not a lot to see in the town itself. As far as safety goes, the reports I read on that topic before my trip there were mixed. You can hire a cab quite inexpensively to drive you around town, and you might be more comfortable with that even though the distances are not great. Just as an FYI, DH and her husband did that in Belize, and followed up with a couple of beverages at the Wet Lizard bar on the tender dock; I think they were wishing later that they had accompanied me on my tour. Whatever you decide, hope you enjoy your day in this beautiful small country.

 

Who did you book your river cruise/zoo excursion with? BTW--your photos are very nice--what type of camera do you use? Thanks!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
afto

afto

Posted
Posted
Who did you book your river cruise/zoo excursion with? BTW--your photos are very nice--what type of camera do you use? Thanks!

 

The cruise/zoo excursion was a last minute change of plans. I had originally planned to go the Mayan ruins at Lamanai, and because that is such a long way from the ship I booked with Celebrity (I usually don't do cruise line excursions). But there had been so much rain that many of the inland roads were not in the best of shape, and so my original excursion was cancelled the night before. I picked this one instead and was glad that I did.

 

Thanks for taking a look at the photos.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
lasvegascruising

lasvegascruising

Posted
Posted

I just got back from my cruise(Norwegian Jade 1-9-16/1-16-16). My husband and I took a Norwegian excursion to Altun Ha ruins. We were dropped off at a restaurant for rum punch after the excursion and walked back to the port. Nice walk but as we arrived at the port entrance(like many ports, one walks into the protected area)we got a lot of "braid your hair?", "horse carriage ride?", etc. Just a polite "no" and walked on. We did continue to walk towards an area where there was a ferry. I had to use the restroom at the ferry building and found it interesting that the toilet tissue was in a basket outside the restroom. The security gal pointed me to the basket(luckily). Really not much but may have been interesting to walk around the city blocks a little more. This was the only port that we had kids coming up and asking for money. We did wander into a little shop and bought some hot sauce and rum made in Belize.

 

Really up to you if you just want to wonder around. You can always hop on the horse carriage(no idea of the cost, sorry) and take a spin around. We did see it on a tour as we left the city towards the ruins.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Karlie1

Karlie1

Posted
Posted

My wife and I walked into town a couple of years ago. Once you get by the exit where everyone is trying to sell you something, you will be fine. Some of the outside sales vendors are quite forceful and some will follow you a block or 2. No THANK YOU and keep walking. We walked across the bridge into town, it was interesting to see how the Folks lived and shopped. On our way back we bartered with a horse and carriage owner for $25 ( about 1 hour). Took us around by government buildings, Casino and residential areas. You should be fine, Stay Together!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
NMLady

NMLady

Posted
Posted
I don't think that we'll be doing any excursions in Belize as we're doing something in each of other 3 ports. But we still want to experience the culture and see a new place, even if for an hour.

Is it safe to walk around in Belize City? We'll have 2 tween girls with us. I'm sure that there are places to see - usually the government buidings and parks by themselves are nice attractions but I"m not sure if they're walking distance?

 

Thank you

Ela

 

On one of our Belize port stops we took a narrated trolley tour that took us through all the areas of Belize City. Very educational and eye-opening.

I wouldn't recommend walking, and what you want is not near the tender pier.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 1 month later...
OCruisers

OCruisers

Posted
Posted
On one of our Belize port stops we took a narrated trolley tour that took us through all the areas of Belize City. Very educational and eye-opening.

I wouldn't recommend walking, and what you want is not near the tender pier.

 

The above could work out quite well for the sort of experience you want! :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
BrotherCraig

BrotherCraig

Posted
Posted (edited)

If you take a left and walk down Front St, the Riverside Tavern is a great place to sit and be a local for a few hours. Great beer, food, and people. You can take a taxi. We walked it and then cabbed it back. There is the Wet Lizard and also Tender Bar inside the port itself. We love the Wet Lizard.

Edited by BrotherCraig
Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 1 month later...
kapcruiser

kapcruiser

Posted
Posted
On one of our Belize port stops we took a narrated trolley tour that took us through all the areas of Belize City. Very educational and eye-opening.

I wouldn't recommend walking, and what you want is not near the tender pier.

 

Where did you get the trolley tour?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 4 weeks later...
Thirsty Cruiser

Thirsty Cruiser

Posted
Posted
I don't think that we'll be doing any excursions in Belize as we're doing something in each of other 3 ports. But we still want to experience the culture and see a new place, even if for an hour.

Is it safe to walk around in Belize City? We'll have 2 tween girls with us. I'm sure that there are places to see - usually the government buidings and parks by themselves are nice attractions but I"m not sure if they're walking distance?

 

Thank you

Ela

There are some pretty shady areas in Belize City. Depending on how street savvy you are, sure, but I grew up in NYC and wouldn't bring my preteen kids to any major city unless I had a reasonable idea of where the most dangerous areas are.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Podie

Podie

Posted
Posted

I go to Belize twice a year to scuba dive. The Belizean people are some of the nicest I've encountered in all my travels.

 

In Belize City, the unemployment and poverty rates are very high. Even still, a polite "Thank you" usually suffices. Keep in mind, though, that if you spend even a few seconds looking at an item for sale, the salesperson will be hard to shake - but I've found this true everywhere I've gone.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...