The Official Guide to Belize Cruise Excursions: What To See and Do When You Arrive

Going on a cruise can feel like a dinner of tapas. Each stop gives you a small taste of the surrounding culture and nature. But there's far too much variety in Belize to enjoy with a single bite. Cruise ship passengers sometimes fall so in love with the country that they almost miss their boat!

Whatever aspect of Belize you want to explore, you can count on Belizing.com to help you make the most of your time. We partner with independent contractors to provide our customers with the most efficient and high-value tours and excursions around. Read on for an insider's guide about the options available to you.

One of the oldest churches in Belize, this Anglican cathedral constructed in 1820 is well worth a visit, and you can make it a part of your larger tour package or fit it into an afternoon of shopping and exploring.

A sharp counterpoint to the gorgeous and expensive designs of many other modern galleries, Belize's most prominent museum was previously Her Majesty’s Prison. But the people of Belize are known for recycling, and they've managed to transform this space into a time capsule exploring 3,000 years of Maya history.

You don't have to have a taste for hard liquor to enjoy this factory tour. This excursion condenses the history of Belize City and its most important landmarks into a short and breezy tour before delivering passengers to the Traveller's Rum Factory for an inside look into how one of Belize's most important (and delicious) local concoctions is made.

If you're looking for a more thorough tour of Belize's old capital, this historic tour is the way to go. Your guide will direct you through a comprehensive history of the city at large and help you get acquainted with the cultures and customs of the people. It's not the same as full immersion, but it's the most enrichment you could hope from out of an afternoon.

Enjoy a tour of the city in the comfort of an air-conditioned van and with a knowledgeable and qualified guide at your side. The Old Belize tour goes right up the coastline, offering a mix of natural beauty and historical landmarks, including the iconic Baron Bliss Lighthouse.

Located a mere 50 km from Belize City, Altun Ha is one of the ideal historical destinations for cruise vacationers with limited time in their schedule. Once a ceremonial center for the Maya people, Altun Ha is still home to almost 300 structures, some of which dates back as far as 250 BC. You can even combine your trip to these ruins with a cave tubing journey so you can maximize your enjoyment during your brief stay in Belize.

Do you like ghost stories? Many visitors to Xunantunich have claimed that its ancient halls are roamed by a woman in all white with glowing red eyes. And while you're unlikely to stumble across any wraiths during your morning excursion to Xunantunich, that doesn't mean it's not worth seeing. This ancient Maya city is a remarkable feat of engineering, and your guide can give you a glimpse into what life within must have been like. Before venturing 80 miles west to visit the Mayan ruins, you'll be given a highlight tour of Belize City, and lunch and a follow-up tour of Belize City's south side are also included in this excursion.

This palatial home of a noble Maya family was occupied for roughly 2000 years, and despite being abandoned for over a millennium, there's an electric sense of life within its walls. Cahal Pech is comprised of 34 different buildings, and your guide will walk you through the importance of each before delivering you back to the port with plenty of time to explore the city properly before boarding your cruise ship.

Perhaps the oldest remaining Mayan site in Belize, Lamanai (or "submerged crocodile") dates back to 1500 BC and continued to be occupied for over three thousand years. While only 5% of the roughly 800 buildings in this city have been excavated, you'll have the chance to get up close and personal with many of the most important ones: buildings with evocative names like the Mask Temple and the Jaguar Temple.

The two most popular excursions in Belize are combined together in a package ideal for cruise passengers looking to make the most of their brief time in this country. The zip line platforms provide one of the best views of the jungle you can find, while the tubing path down the Caves Branch River spotlights caves the Mayas once thought led directly to the underworld.

The second largest barrier reef in the world is right off the coast of Belize, and it's a sight worth seeing. Departing from San Pedro, this snorkeling day trip hits Caye Caulker, Hol Chan, and Shark Ray Alley. Placid nurse sharks are the highlight of a landscape teeming with beautiful aquatic life.

If you're looking for a culinary experience a little more authentic than what you'll find in the cruise ship buffets, you have to check out this Belize City food tour. Belize City is the taco capital of the world, and you'll have plenty of opportunities to try them out, but this tour also highlights local Mestizo specialties like panades, garnaches, and salbutes. And you'll get to wash it all down with a sweet glass of horchata or rum from the stately Cuello’s Distillery.

A cross-country tour of Belize's dense ecosystem will bring you to the city of Altun Ha. This ancient city is known for the imposing jade head of Kinich Ahau, but it's also a habitat for one of the most diverse population of birds in the region. From golden-olive woodpeckers to king vultures, to ringed kingfishers, this habitat is a delight for bird lovers and a rare opportunity to see rare local species.

Belize is rich with animal life, but a journey out into the jungle isn't a guarantee you'll see the beasts you want. This tour partners a cave tubing expedition and brief tour of the city with a visit to Belize National Zoo. Spotlights of the population here are fierce jaguars and crocodiles. Upon conclusion, you'll be treated to a lunch and be given the opportunity to explore Fort Street Tourism Village before returning to the dock.

Islands like Goff’s Caye, Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye are one of the best ways to escape from your crowded cruise ship and get a little extra rest and relaxation. Whether you're looking to bask in the sun or venture out towards the reef for a snorkeling expedition, your tour guides will be happy to accommodate your needs.

The amount of excursions available to cruise passengers can be overwhelming, but it's important to find a guide that's reputable and will get you back to your ship safely and with plenty of time to board. Be sure to visit Belizing.com to find shuttles, tours, and activities that you can depend on.