So, with your cheap cruise booked the next step is trying to decide what to do at your future ports of call. Some people like to wait until the last minute to decide, but by doing that it is easy to get lost in the last minute decision making and miss out on an activity that would be the highlight of your cruise. With the number of cheap cruises in the Caribbean from Southeastern ports these days what better place to investigate for port of call options than the largest city in Belize, Belize City.
Belize City can be the starting point for any number of great adventures if you plan ahead. The Central American countries claim to fame is its diving and snorkeling, and as you would expect this is the number one activity for cruise ship passengers who arrive in the city. There is an almost unbroken line of cayes and reefs that skirt the Belize coastline for almost 150 miles making it a natural diver’s paradise. This system is the largest in the Western Hemisphere and if this is your first time visiting it is a highly recommended option.
If you are more of a history buff than an adventure traveler then visiting one of the many Mayan ruins sites might be more your style. Altun Ha is a fantastic example of the Mayan civilization and there are a number of tours that take passengers on the one hour trip to the site. One of the most famous examples of Mayan architecture anywhere in Central America, Altun Ha is a place where you can either leisurely stroll the grounds and admire, or climb to the top of some of the most jaw dropping Mayan temples around.
Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary is worth visiting for its name alone, but anyone visiting will find a wide array of nature right in front of them. The sanctuary is home to over 275 different types of bird species and the reserve includes acres of tropical rainforest and wetland lagoons. Belize is known as a bird watchers paradise, and this particular spot is one of the premier areas in the country to see animals such as the Jabaru Stork which is the largest flying bird in the new world. If birds are not your thing then you may also get lucky enough to see Howler Monkeys, Crocodiles or a Green Iguana or two.
If you would rather keep the rest and relaxation of your cheap cruise going then there are options in that field too. Caye Caulker is a 45 minute ferry ride from the port, and features idyllic beaches on its five mile long and one mile wide surface. With no cars peace and quiet are the words of the day and you can spend all your time in Belize doing nothing more than kicking back and enjoying the sun.
As you can see Belize City can be the starting point for any number of activities on your cheap cruise. The only problem you will have is deciding what to do your first time there!
Photo via richies
