Caribbean Cruise Ship Destination
The islands of the Caribbean are located in a region southeast of the Gulf of Mexico and Northern America, east of Central America, and to the north of South America.
Weather Update
Aletta weakens to Tropical Depression - no threat to land.
Our Home Port is Venice, Florida, a city located on the southwest coast of Florida in Sarasota County.
Western Caribbean Port Calls
Belize
Cozumel
Costa Maya
Falmouth
Grand Cayman
Mexico
Montego Bay
Ocho Rios
Playa del Carmen
Progreso/Merida
Roatan
Roseau
San Tomas
Need to know
Hurricanes
Belize is situated in an area prone to hurricanes. From June to November, the country may experience strong winds and rains as a result of hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico.
In the event of a tropical storm or hurricane, go to our Tropical Storm Update page
Crime
Visitors should exercise caution and good judgment when visiting Belize.
Crime can be a serious problem, particularly in Belize City and remote areas.
Road accidents are common and traffic fatalities have included Americans.
According to the U.S. State Department:
The incidence of crime, including violent crimes such as armed robbery, shooting, stabbing, murder, and rape, is on the rise. The Embassy has noted an increase in recent years in reports of crimes against tourists at resorts and on the roadways and river ways. The incidence of crimes such as theft, burglary, purse snatching and pick pocketing rises around the winter holidays and spring break. Several victims who resisted when confronted by criminals have received serious personal injuries, including gunshot wounds. Although the majority of reported incidents are in Belize City, crime occurs in all districts including tourist spots such as San Pedro, Caye Caulker, and Placencia.
Medical Facilities
Medical care is limited and emergency response services such as ambulances or paramedics may be either unavailable or limited in capability or equipment.
Medical care for minor conditions is generally available in urban areas. Trauma or advanced medical care is limited even in Belize City; it is extremely limited or unavailable in rural areas.
Getting around
Buses are frequently in poor condition and lack safety equipment.
Belize offers a tender service from Fort Street Pier to Belize City
The U.S. Embassy warns that boats serving the public, especially water taxis, often do not carry sufficient safety equipment, may carry an excess number of passengers and may sail in inclement weather.
Taxis:
An economical way to travel around the area. Operators await passengers just outside of the Tourism Village. Law requires that all tour guides and tour operators carry a valid license with photo ID.
If traveling by taxi, use only vehicles with green license plates, do not get in a taxi that is occupied by more than the driver, and do not let the driver pick up additional fares.
Belize
Ambergris Caye
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Belize is located in Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico. Belize.
Belize is the most sparsely populated nation in Central America. It is larger than El Salvador and compares in size to the State of Massachusetts. Belize is a developing country. Tourism facilities vary in quality, from a limited number of business class hotels in Belize City and resorts on the cayes to a range of ecotourism lodges and very basic accommodations in the countryside.
Area News
Spike in Violent Crime in Belize City
Posted May 11, 2012
According to the U.S. Department of State and local newspapers in Belize, incidents of crime have increased significantly in the past few years. Travelers should take notice.
Organized crime beyond street gangs is primarily connected to drug trafficking or trafficking in persons. Incidents of crime remain high, including violent crimes such as armed robbery, home invasions, shootings, stabbings, murders, and rapes. The Embassy has noted an increase in crimes against tourists at resorts and on the roads and river ways. U.S. citizens are primarily the victims of opportunistic crime. There is no evidence suggesting criminals specifically target U.S. citizens, but nonetheless, foreigners have been targeted for crime due to their perceived wealth. Incidents of crime (such as theft, burglary, home invasion, purse-snatching, and pick-pocketing) increase during the winter holidays and during spring break. Several victims who resisted when confronted by criminals received serious injuries, including gunshot wounds and broken limbs. Although the majority of reported incidents occur in Belize City, particularly southern Belize City, crime may occur anywhere including tourist destinations such as San Pedro Town (Ambergris Caye), Caye Caulker, San Ignacio, Dangriga, Corozal, and Placencia.
Belize recorded 125 homicides in 2011, a decrease of five percent from 2010. Prior to 2011, homicide rates in Belize rose at least five percent every year since 2000, with the exception of 2009 when homicide rates again decreased slightly. With a population of only 312,698 according to the 2010 country census, Belize’s per capita homicide rate of 39 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants in 2011 ranks it as the sixth highest in the world. While the country’s per capita homicide rate is still lower than that of other Central American countries, such as Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala, its year-on-year increase is of concern.
There were more than ten murders recorded in April.
Below is a list of incidents (current - 2010) reported by Belizefirst.com.
Don't get your hopes up for fresh Pink Conch in that chowder
Posted April 16, 2012
Due to short supply, Belize Pink Conch season will close April 24th - much earlier that the June 30th date anticipated. Pink Queen Conch is on the Endangered Species list (conch fishing was banned in the U.S. in 1986).
Good to Know
Belize was the site of several Mayan city states until their decline at the end of the first millennium A.D. The British and Spanish disputed the region in the 17th and 18th centuries; it formally became the colony of British Honduras in 1854. Territorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the independence of Belize until 1981. Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation until 1992.
Tourism has become the mainstay of the
economy.
Belize is the most sparsely populated nation in Central America. It is
larger than El Salvador and compares in size to the State of Massachusetts.
Slightly more than half of the population lives in rural areas.
Port of Entry
Fort Street Pier and Village in Belize City features three terminals with courtyards containing over fifty stores, restaurants, snack shops, an internet cafe, banks and live entertainment on cruise ship days.
Time Zone
CST (UTC/GMT - 6)
Map Coordinates
17 15 N, 88 45 W
Average Temperatures
Water: 84°- Summer; 75°- Winter
Air: 88°- Summer; 77°- Winter
Things to do and see
The National Handicraft Center
Near Memorial Park supports local artisans from around the country offering a variety of items.
Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary
A 128,000-acre bowl of pristine rainforest, winding rivers, and scenic waterfalls southwest of Dangriga. Easy access to the barrier reef, only a half hour from shore. Popular with snorkelers, divers and anglers.
St. John's Cathedral
Located on the south end of Albert Street and is the oldest building in Belize.
Five Blues Lake National Park
Located in the foothills of the Maya Mountains. Home of Karstic Lake - a Cenote that started to drain in 2006 and has since lost considerable amounts of water.
Old Belize Cultural and Historic Center
Located near Cucumber Beach on Western Highway, Mile 5
Baron Bliss Lighthouse Monument
Located at Ft. George at the harbor entrance.
Mayan Ruins
Caracol Mayan Site
Tallest man made structure in Belize standing 140 ft. (44M) tall located in the Cayo district.
Xunantunich Mayan Site
Second tallest Mayan ruin (130 ft. 40M) in Belize located in the Cayo district. Offers scenic views of Cayo district and Guatemala. Major Mayan ceremonial site.
"El Castillo" at Xunantunich
Altun Ha Mayan Site
Located in the Belize district - thirty one miles north of Belize City. Functioned as a ceremonial center vital trading point with other Mayan centers. Altun Ha, meaning 'water of the rock', basks in the historic glory of being the most discovered Mayan site in Belize.
Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM)
ATM is a cave in Belize, near San Ignacio, Cayo District, notable as a Maya archaeological site that includes skeletons, ceramics, and stoneware. There are several areas of skeletal remains in the main chamber. The best-known is "The Crystal Maiden", the skeleton of a teenage girl, possibly a sacrifice victim, whose bones have been calcified to a sparkling, crystallized appearance. Note: As of May 4, 2012, cameras are no longer permitted at this site. Read about this at Cayotourguides.com
Scuba Diving
Belize Barrier Reef
Extends 180 miles (290km).
Turneffe Atoll
The Elbow at Turneffe's southern tip drops off at an intersection of currents creating a spectacular wall dive.
The Blue Hole
Measures one thousand feet in diameter and 450 feet deep.
There are reef and bull sharks at this popular dive site. St. Herman's Blue Hole National Park.
Cave Tubing
Float down the Sibun River accessible by a 45 minute hike along a rainforest path or tube down Cave Branch River.
Area Events
La Ruta Maya Challenge
La Ruta Maya, meaning the Mayan Route, is a four-day canoe race which starts from San Ignacio and ends in Belize City. Annual event in March.
Baron Bliss Day
The Baron was a wealthy Englishman who inherited his title from Portugal. Annual event in March.
Belize Independence Day
Cultural, religious and sporting activities take place on Independence Day in Belize. Annual event in September.
Garifuna Settlement Day
Garifuna Settlement Day celebrates the arrival of the first Garifuna in Belize. Annual event in November
St. George's Caye Day (National Day)
September 10th. George's celebrates and commemorates a battle in 1798 when the Spanish were defeated. Carnivals, sporting activities, fire engine parade, and pop concerts are held several days prior to the event.
