Belize City

Belize City is a scruffy, humid Caribbean port that works better as a jumping-off point than a destination in itself. Ships anchor offshore and tender passengers to the Fort Street Tourism Village, a waterfront area with shops and tour operators. The city is compact but not especially walkable beyond the tourist zone. Most people book excursions and head out. The Mayan ruins at Altun Ha are about 30 minutes by road, with a main temple rising 16 metres above the surrounding jungle. Cave tubing through underground rivers is a popular half-day trip. Snorkelling at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve or Shark Ray Alley puts you in the water with nurse sharks and stingrays. For something slower, a water taxi to Caye Caulker takes about 45 minutes and the island runs at walking pace. The currency is the Belize dollar, but US dollars are accepted everywhere. Use licensed taxis with green plates.