Not doing Belize excursion.. what is there right by pier? Shops?

[OliverTheCat]

To our dismay, husband and I have had to cut back some expenses for our cruise in March, and have canceled our excursion planned for Belize due to the cost. What is there to do right where the tender lets you off ? Are there shops and things to do right there? We wanted to get a few wood crafts for relatives and a few postcards.

 

Thanks for any help you can provide.

[TravelWorks]

NOTHING>>>It is so gross in Belize City...you have to go do something~ I am Serious!!!! I have been here before and people who don't plan excursions in this port hate it because the pier and city are not great!

You can get away with the walking around & window shopping stuff in several ports and/or taxi to the beach or snorkeling nearby in other places....but not Belize!!!

 

What are your other ports~ maybe we all can help you save $ with suggestions there~ so you can go do something fun in Belize...

 

****Only thing I have read that is nearby & relatively inexpensive in Belize City I found here:*****

I heard there is a Newly opened "Old Belize" museum ,10 min taxi away, that once you pay for admission to it, you also get into the marina and Cucumber beach there for free with your museum ticket... A lot of people have heard of it but haven't seen it yet...be the first to go & post a review about it! Here is the web site I found about it below...

Check out www.oldbelize.com****

 

I know if you have a budget.....someone out there has done some fun things for cheap~ I am sure!

 

Like this idea here:

In Grand Cayman when we went last time....I just took my snorkel and walked to Eden's Rock Dive Shop(2 blocks from the pier...and snorkeled right off their property for free!...I have also taken a taxi for around $5pp each way to 7 mile beach....beautiful....and just shopped for a few postcards at the shops when we got back! Just make sure you stay on ships time and get back like an hour-and-a half before the ship leaves to give you plenty of time....

You see, for under $20 in G.C. we had a great day...

I know others can also help make similiar suggestions for you! So you can save and still do something in Belize....

 

BELIZE is so hard though and people make the mistake of thinking it will be like other places! This will be my 4th time there next week....Please do not do nothing there...this place has awesome excursions that are unique!!!

 

I will try to help...this is just too sad! Is this your first cruise?

[TravelWorks]

Grand Cayman Photos

Eden's rock

[Chalker Guy]

There are shops in the gated tourist village, and a public square where they have some music. You can also go out the back gate from the tourist village for just 1 - 2 blocks where there are local vendors. We got some beautiful colorful woven articles there, carry bags, place mats, throws, etc. They have some wood crafts, but better selection in Roatan if you are going there. There is also a pharmacy where you can buy discount drugs.

 

However, I would not leave the tourist village unless you book a tour or take a cab. There will be tour operators in the tourist village selling tours at cheaper prices than you can get on the ship, you may want to stretch your budget and try one. These operators are government licensed, and are reliable. There are many good tours: Lamanai, cave tubing, and snorkeling are all good. We especially liked snorkeling at Coral Gardens and Shark Ray Alley plus a stop on the small island of Caye Caulker, which we booked last visit on the spot at the tourist village with Eco Tours for $55. If you are not into snorkeling, the Lamanai tour takes you down a jungle river to a Maya site with a small museum and 3 pyramids, and includes a lunch.

 

I agree with Travelworks, it would be a shame to visit Belize and not do a tour. Skimp on booze, stay away from the casino, but do something in Belize!

[TravelWorks]

Grand Cayman Photos

Eden's rock

Trying to get pics too post...sorry for the double postings

[TravelWorks]

 

I agree with Travelworks, it would be a shame to visit Belize and not do a tour. Skimp on booze, stay away from the casino, but do something in Belize!

 

Well said!

 

PLEASE Everyone!!!GIVE THIS Sweet Gal SOME CHEAP IDEAS...for their other ports... SO THEY CAN AFFORD TO REALLY DO SOMETHING GREAT IN BELIZE!

[OliverTheCat]

Our other ports are Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Grand Cayman.

 

We have only purchased excursions in Cozumel and Costa Maya.

 

Cozumel = fury catamaran beach and snorkel (we do it every time and adore the staff and excursion)

 

Costa Maya = Boat Blast Adventure

 

Grand Cayman - we are just doing Seagrape Beach this time on our own.. been to Caymans and done a lot there already, so going to enjoy a nice beach day there this time.

 

Another issue I have with Belize is I am NOT a fan of jungles and rainforest type atmosphere. Are there any excursions offered by cruiseline that ARE NOT of this nature? We wont venture out on our own here.

[OliverTheCat]

Oh, and Chalker Guy, we arent big drinkers or gamblers...so that isnt where money is going on our cruise.

 

We just ran into a financial woe that has caused us to cut a few things out, and so I wont have to cancel the cruise all together we are going forth with it and just keeping things easy this time around. In 2007 we are going on Mariner of the Seas (RI) and by that cruise we should be a lot better off in our wallets.

[luv2snorkel]

if you want a cheap (not free) excursion, then take a 5 min walk left (i think, otherwise you can ask someone there) from the cruise ship terminals to the water taxi docks by the swing bridge. for $17.50 round trip each, you can take a water taxi to Caye Caulker and hang out for the day. they run ever 1.5hrs back and forth. a great place to spend the day! see link below for schedules!

http://www.gocayecaulker.com/members/ccwta.html

 

take some ziplocks and pack a lunch from from your ship and you should have a great day at the beach or shopping or whatever you choose. much, much nicer than belize city.

 

luv2

[Titan(ic)5.6]

There is pleanty to do within walking distance of where you will be dropped off. My wife and I enjoyed shopping even though we didn't buy anything. There are several bar/restaurants that overlook the harbor that are fun places to be and eat good food.

 

Remeber, you don't have to stay there long. You can enjoy Belize for two or three hours and go back to the ship and enjoy a less crowded day there.

 

The attached pictures were taken within a five minute walk where you will be dropped off.

 

[TravelWorks]

Great Idea..Luv2snorkel...

 

We always snorkel in Belize...

Next week we will be at Goff's Cay with Tom ***** with his new snorkel boat...I have attached a pic... his email is info@***** He also owns this cave tubing company in addition to doing snorkel tours... We pay cash the day of... Good Luck!

You will have to email him for specific prices... if your group is big enough he can go to any location you would like... Tell him Amy sent you!!!

[sallyb]

Amy,

I am getting my own snorkel gear for Christmas and I want to snorkel alot on my cruise. I just emailed Tom to ask about his new snorkel boat. I told him Amy sent me.;) Thanks for the info on Tom & Goff's Cay!

Sally

[cruisegirl29]

if you want a cheap (not free) excursion, then take a 5 min walk left (i think, otherwise you can ask someone there) from the cruise ship terminals to the water taxi docks by the swing bridge. for $17.50 round trip each, you can take a water taxi to Caye Caulker and hang out for the day. they run ever 1.5hrs back and forth. a great place to spend the day! see link below for schedules!

http://www.gocayecaulker.com/members/ccwta.html

 

take some ziplocks and pack a lunch from from your ship and you should have a great day at the beach or shopping or whatever you choose. much, much nicer than belize city.

 

luv2

 

 

Hi,

I was wondering if they have any snorkeling there on Caye Caulker? I think I've read somewhere that you can book a private snorkle tour from that Island/beach area? This is the only port I haven't been to yet & have no clue on what to do......

 

Please Advise!!!

Sue

[tiny-t]

To our dismay, husband and I have had to cut back some expenses for our cruise in March, and have canceled our excursion planned for Belize due to the cost. What is there to do right where the tender lets you off ? Are there shops and things to do right there? We wanted to get a few wood crafts for relatives and a few postcards.

 

Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

I understand the budget restraints! I found a tour to a Mayan ruin for $30 per person. I will try to find the link and post it. What cruise are you going on. I am booked for Carnival Valor 3/5/06-3/12/06. :D

[DEL67]

I've been to Belize three times over the last few years and the number of stores by the pier and vendors outside the protected area has mulitplied geometrically.

 

However, my choice would to do something with a private vendor (cave tubing, Altun Ha, snorkeling, etc.) and cancel one of your other excursions. They are not very expensive (e.g. $45 for cave tubing) and are usually well worth it. Or as one of the other posters indicated, you could take the water taxi to Cay Caulker. I did so once and did not particularly like it, but many people do and its an inexpensive way to spend the day. Just make sure that you understand the schedule so that you get back to the pier in plenty of time or the final tender.

[zazu]

We just got back from a cruise that included Belize, We booked our excursions on line and did not book any thing in Belize because it looked "pricey" , however because of weather we didnot go to Costa Maya, so my wife and I decided to use the money we earmaked for that port and join family members on the river boat excursion that included the ruins. Maybe it was because of our guide, but it was one of the best excursions we have taken on our 13 cruises. It does use a lot of time about 8 hours but I would recomend it to anyone. The shopping right at the pier looked OK , but any thing else in the city looked pretty scary to me. I don't know to insert pictures or I would. The Wild life was great. Crocs, monkeys and lots of birds. Larry

[tiny-t]

We just got back from a cruise that included Belize, We booked our excursions on line and did not book any thing in Belize because it looked "pricey" , however because of weather we didnot go to Costa Maya, so my wife and I decided to use the money we earmaked for that port and join family members on the river boat excursion that included the ruins. Maybe it was because of our guide, but it was one of the best excursions we have taken on our 13 cruises. It does use a lot of time about 8 hours but I would recomend it to anyone. The shopping right at the pier looked OK , but any thing else in the city looked pretty scary to me. I don't know to insert pictures or I would. The Wild life was great. Crocs, monkeys and lots of birds. Larry

 

What ruins did you visit?

[TravelWorks]

What ruins did you visit?

 

OUR GROUP of 21 split up into 3 smaller groups our day in BELIZE:

 

Group #1:

Also did this river/ruins tour...and our friends said they loved it!

It was called River Wallace/Altung Ha tour...

Some also called the Old Belize River/Altung Ha tour

The ruins were built around 300AD...

 

Group #2:

We all went to Goff's Caye and snorkeled right from the beach around our little island paradise and hung out in the sand...we booked a private charter boat for 6 hours...so no rush...no crowds...It was fantastic.

 

Group #3:

Went Cave tubing with Tom **********....and had an awesome day with him. He also was the person who set up Group #2 private charter to Goff's Caye. He was wonderful... if anyone wants his contact info you can email me at cruisephotos@gmail.com

 

NOTE:

There was one couple from our group who did nothing(my sister and her husband). They just hung out at the pier, window shopping...and they were the only ones who complained later that they were disappointed in Belize. After they saw all our pictures at the dinner table that night on our digital cameras...they said they wished they had done a tour...because everyone else had an awesome time there!

 

Photo taken at goff's caye:

[walkswife]

Our other ports are Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Grand Cayman.

 

We have only purchased excursions in Cozumel and Costa Maya.

 

Cozumel = fury catamaran beach and snorkel (we do it every time and adore the staff and excursion)

 

Costa Maya = Boat Blast Adventure

 

Grand Cayman - we are just doing Seagrape Beach this time on our own.. been to Caymans and done a lot there already, so going to enjoy a nice beach day there this time.

 

Another issue I have with Belize is I am NOT a fan of jungles and rainforest type atmosphere. Are there any excursions offered by cruiseline that ARE NOT of this nature? We wont venture out on our own here.

 

I personally would drop one of the other two excursions and take one in Belize.....The other two ports seem to have other things you can do on your own.....Cozumel...Paradise Beach.....Costa Maya .... the fishing village. Belize is the one place we are going in March that I told everyone in my group to book an excursion or stay on the ship.

 

What ship are you going on and when ... that is the same itinerary we have on the Miracle

[chillin2]

Is there a water taxi in Belize city to take to a beach in ambergies cay?

[OliverTheCat]

I personally would drop one of the other two excursions and take one in Belize.....The other two ports seem to have other things you can do on your own.....Cozumel...Paradise Beach.....Costa Maya .... the fishing village. Belize is the one place we are going in March that I told everyone in my group to book an excursion or stay on the ship.

 

What ship are you going on and when ... that is the same itinerary we have on the Miracle

 

We are on RCI Legend, 3/11/06. We are now staying on boat for sure in Belize...so I guess my question is moot. I am REALLY looking forward to the quiet day on the boat. We just decided Belize isnt for us...which is ok.