re-Introduce me to Belize

[clinthi]

On a previous cruise, we went to Belize with Carnival and took the "Sights and Sounds" excursion. We were picked up at the port in a 1980's school bus and driven through the depths of poverty that was just heart-breaking. There was so much trash lining the streets and knee-deep in each yard that it looked worse (and smelled) than our local dump. It was a 40 minutes ride through a desperate land to a "museum" that looked like the equivalent of a high school social studies faire exhibit with a few nicely done relplica exhibits symbolizing Belize's history. They had a small theater (20 rows of chairs in a room) and showed a few locals dancing --we were in the back and the sound system was static and popping, we couldn't hear anything. They passed out cups of orange kool-aid looking beverages--which everyone in our party politely declined based on the trash and ruins we navigated through to get to the "museum" we could only speculate the water quality would be less than desirable. There was a decent gift shop there. Then, again, the 40 minute transfer back to the port through the filth and sadness of Belize City.

When we got back home, other travelers asked us how we enjoyed Belize and didn't we think it was beautiful. What???? After talking with other cruisers, most people ENJOYED Belize and didn't see the trash and destruction. Evidently we (the group of 60 in this excursion) picked a horrible excursion.

Can you share your better suggestions/excursions/places to go OTHER THAN CAVETUBING/SNORKELING. Thanks!

[EBallgrl]

If you want to sight-see, look into some of the Mayan Ruins in the area. Supposedly they have a great zoo, and the baboon sanctuary. We went cave tubing last year and drove through some of the city and it wasnt very scenic! Just find an excursion outside of the main city.