Belize City

Where ships dock

Tender, about 15 min, to the Fort Street Tourism Village downtown.

• Fort Street Tourism Village (tender landing)

Best time to go

Ships call year-round, about 333 times a year.

The dry season runs about February to May. The wet season runs June to December, and hurricane season is June 1 to November 30. Average temperatures are in the mid-70s °F in winter and low to mid-80s in summer, with high humidity.

How far from the pier

One way. Short call OK means 20 minutes or less.

• Ship to Fort Street Tourism Village (tender)Ferry15 min
• Belize ZooTaxi30 min

Ship tour or go independent?

Going on your own is possible, but this is a port where a licensed guide earns their fee. The top sights are about 30 miles out, taxis may not have meters, and official advisories warn about crime. You can book a ship tour or a licensed local operator in or near the Tourism Village; either way, check the guide's license and photo ID.

• Ships anchor offshore, so you depend on the tender schedule. Confirm your ship's name and the last tender time before you leave the ship.
• Canada's travel advice calls taxis unsafe. If you use one, take only a registered taxi with green plates and agree on the fare first.
• Uber and Lyft don't operate in Belize.
• The area south of Haulover Creek (Southside) carries a higher warning from the US and Canada, and the UK flags it for gang violence.
• Most top sights (Altun Ha, the Belize Zoo, cave tubing) are a long drive away, which leaves less slack before the last tender.

Getting around

No rideshare

• WalkThe Tourism Village shops and the Fort George area are where you land. Stay alert, and keep to the north side of Haulover Creek, since Canada advises against non-essential travel south of it.
• TaxiRegistered taxis have green plates. There may be no meter, so agree the fare first and expect to pay cash. Taxis can be chartered from the cruise terminal to the Belize Zoo. Canada advises avoiding taxis where possible.
• FerryBelize Water Taxi runs scheduled boats to Caye Caulker and San Pedro from the Marine Terminal at 111 North Front Street. Check schedules online and leave a wide margin for the tender back.
• BusPublic buses stop at the Belize Zoo entrance about every half hour. Official advisories note many buses are old and lack seatbelts.

The US State Department and Canada both say ride-share apps like Uber and Lyft are not available in Belize.

Money, tipping & phones

Money

The Belize dollar has been fixed at BZ$2 to US$1 since 1976. US dollars are accepted almost everywhere, but shops often price in BZ$ and give change in BZ$, so check which currency a price is in. Bring small, clean US bills: bills over $20 can be hard to use, and worn or torn $1 bills are often refused. Most places take credit cards, sometimes with a fee. Use ATMs inside banks or in well-lit spots.

Must-sees

• Swing BridgeWalkableThe hand-turned Swing Bridge, in metal since 1923, spans Haulover Creek in the old downtown. Enjoy it from the north bank, since the south side is Southside.
• Altun HaRide neededA Maya ceremonial and trading center 31 miles from the city, where the Jade Head was found. Open daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Nohoch Che'en cave tubingRide neededFloat on a tube through a limestone cave on the Caves Branch River, at Mile 32 on the Western Highway. Go with a licensed tour.
• The Belize ZooRide neededAbout 30 minutes out at Mile 29 on the George Price Highway, with 150+ rescued and native animals, including jaguars, tapirs, spider monkeys and toucans.
• Goff's Caye and the reefRide neededA one-acre sand island about 12 nautical miles off the city with coral nearby. Visitor numbers are capped, so go with a licensed boat tour.
• Community Baboon SanctuaryRide neededA sanctuary at Bermudian Landing, started by local farmers in 1985, home to over a thousand black howler monkeys.

Free & cheap near the pier

• Fort George Artisan AlleyFree to browseA lane of 18 local artisans in the Fort George Tourism Zone, opened in 2024, across from the Fort Street mural.
• Swing BridgeFreeBuilt in 1923 and still turned by hand on special occasions. Good spot for boats and pelicans on Haulover Creek.
• Fort Street Tourism VillageFreeOpen-air courtyards with local shops, snack bars and frequent live local entertainment, right where the tenders land.
• Belize ZooBZ$40 adult (international visitor)Rescued native animals on 29 acres of forest, about 30 minutes' drive out. Children 3–12 pay BZ$10.

Eat like a local

• Rice and beans with stew chickenBelize's everyday plate: rice and beans cooked with a little coconut, with stewed chicken, slaw or potato salad and fried plantain.
• Fry jacksPuffy fried dough, a breakfast favorite with beans, eggs or jam.
• RellenoA dark Mestizo soup from northern Belize, made with achiote paste and stuffed chicken. Often called black dinner.
• HudutA Garifuna coconut fish soup from southern Belize.
• Tourism Village foodThe village has snack bars and restaurants with Caribbean and international dishes if you want to stay close to the tender.

Rainy-day backups

• Museum of BelizeHistory from slavery and colonial rule to independence, Maya jade and pottery, native birds and insects, set in a former prison.
• Travellers Heritage CenterA guided tour of the heritage museum of Travellers rum, founded in 1953, ending with a rum sample.
• Fort Street Tourism Village shopsLocal and duty-free stores around the village courtyards, steps from the tender landing.

Safety & scams

Official advisoryUS State Dept: Level 2 — Exercise increased caution; Level 3 — Reconsider travel for Southside Belize City (as of March 12, 2026)

• The US, UK and Canada all single out Southside Belize City, south of Haulover Creek, for gang violence. Canada says to avoid non-essential travel there. The Swing Bridge crosses Haulover Creek, so don't wander south of it on your own.
• Crime, including armed robbery, can happen in daytime and in tourist areas. Keep valuables out of sight and stay in groups.
• Use only registered taxis with green plates, agree the fare first, and avoid hailing cars on the street.
• Book tours only with licensed operators. Guides must carry a license and photo ID.
• Tap water is often not safe to drink. Stick to major-brand bottled water with an intact seal.
• Riptides are common, and many beaches lack lifeguards or warning flags. Use licensed operators for snorkeling and other adventure trips.
• Medical care is limited and ambulances are often delayed. Travel insurance with evacuation cover is recommended.
• Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30. In an emergency, dial 911.

From official government and port sources. Check the latest advisory before you travel.

Accessibility

At the pier

Belize City is a tender port. Ships anchor offshore and small boats bring you to the Fort Street Tourism Village. No official step-free or wheelchair details are published for the landing.

Tender

The tender ride takes about 15 minutes each way. No official access details are published, so ask your cruise line ahead of time about wheelchair and scooter access.

• The Belize Zoo is wheelchair accessible, with paths for wheelchairs, strollers and walkers, a few free wheelchairs and an accessible restroom.
• Altun Ha has rugged ground with handrails only in places.