Central America Cruise
Central America is made up of seven countries - Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. Cruises to Central America often include ports of call in Mexico and South America as well.
You'll find a wealth of experiences to enjoy with a cruise to Central America, and a variety of different cruise lines offering exciting itineraries showcasing the best of this diverse region. Here at Cruise118, we have a team of expert Cruise Concierge who can help you with every aspect of planning and booking your exotic cruise holiday. Please don't hesitate to give us a call with your cruise questions.
Related Countries
Cozumel

Cozumel





Summary
It's not another Cancún yet, but Cozumel's days as a rustic divers' hangout are history. Whether arriving by plane or at the island's gleaming ferry terminal, visitors soon realize there's nothing deserted about this island. That has its advantages. It's rare to find such stunning natural beauty, glass-clear aquamarine seas, and vast marine life combined with top-flight visitor services and accommodations, and as a result Cozumel's devotees are legion. Divers sharing stories of lionfish and sharks sit table-to-table with families tanned from a day at the beach club, while Mexican couples spin and step to salsa music in the central plaza. But the elephant in Cozumel's big and bountiful room are the throngs of cruise-ship passengers who take over the countless crafts and jewelry stores along the seaward boulevard downtown any day there are ships in port—which is to say, just about every day. But take just a few steps off the beaten path and this little island offers big rewards. Deserted, windswept beaches, wild and vibrant natural parks, and 600 miles of coral reef are still yours for the discovering. Just 19 km (12 miles) off the coast, Cozumel is 53 km (33 miles) long and 15 km (9 miles) wide, making it the country's third-largest island. Plaza Central, or just "la plaza," is the heart of San Miguel, directly across from the docks. Residents congregate here in the evening, especially on weekends, when free concerts begin at 8 pm. Heading inland (east) takes you away from the tourist zone and toward residential areas of town. Most of the island's restaurants, hotels, stores, and dive shops are concentrated downtown and along the two hotel zones that fan out along the leeward coast to the north and south of San Miguel. The most concentrated commercial district is between Calle 10 Norte and Calle 11 Sur to beyond Avenida Pedro Joaquin Coldwell. Cozumel's solitude-seeking windward side also has a few restaurants and one hotel. Unless you want to stick around your hotel or downtown San Miguel for your whole stay, you'll do well to rent a car or a scooter. Most worthwhile sites, such as the island's Mayan ruins and pristine windward beaches, are only readily accessible with wheels. Taxi fares are astronomical, and after just a few trips a rental car is clearly a better deal.Costa Maya

Costa Maya

Summary
Costa Maya is the gateway to the Mayan ruins of Mexico.
The specifically created port of Costa Maya is a destination in itself, with multiple restaurants, bars, swimming pools, watersports, shops and market stalls where visitors can buy local crafts from. There is even the Lost Mayan Kingdom Water Park, just a few minutes' walk from the ship.
To see the real lost Mayan kingdom, take a tour out to see the temples and pyramids of Chacchoben in the jungle, just 45 minutes' drive from the port. The pyramids were lost to the world until they were rediscovered in 1931, so are very well preserved and a fantastic way to learn about the ancient Mayan civilisation.
Ensenada

Ensenada

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Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas

Summary
Cabo San Lucas is a popular resort town in Baja California Sur in Mexico.
It offers a lot for visitors with great beaches, lots of varied marine life and stunning natural scenery nearby.
Nearby attrations reachable by boat are the romantic Lover's Beach and the arch of Cabo San Lucas.
Many local restaurants with delicious Mexican food are available around the port, which is easily walkable from the tender stop.
Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta

Summary
Puerto Vallarta is a popular and busy resort city in Mexico that lies nestled between the Sierra Madre mountains and a long beach shore on the Pacific Ocean.
It has modern hotel complexes, a stunning long white sandy beach, bustling malecon (boardwalk) and interesting Old Town, which has intricate old churches, squares and fascinating architecture.
It is perfect for adventure seekers, with many activities around the area, plus watersports, luxury and pampering in the resorts and spas, and delicious Mexican cuisine in the multitude of cosy local tavernas.
Progreso

Progreso

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Mazatlán

Mazatlán

Summary
Mazatlán is known as the 'pearl of the Pacific', as it offers the attractions of wonderful weather, reasonable costs in port, in a gorgeous location.
This rare colonial Mexican town on the coast, has miles of white powder sand beaches, fascintating cultural events year-round and wonderful seafood. Shrimp and lobster are a speciality and recommended to sample ashore for shellfish fans.
Huatulco (Santa María Huatulco)

Huatulco (Santa María Huatulco)

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Acapulco

Acapulco

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Acapulco is a major seaport on the scenic Pacific coast of Mexico, located on a deep semi-circular bay with sandy beaches and blue waters. It was a popular destination for many movie stars during the Golden Age of Hollywood, including Elvis Presley and Elizabeth Taylor.Puerto Chiapas
Puerto Chiapas
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La Paz

La Paz

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Manzanillo, Mexico

Manzanillo, Mexico

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Puerto Quetzal

Puerto Quetzal

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Santo Tomás de Castilla

Santo Tomás de Castilla

Summary
Guatemala's short Caribbean shoreline doesn't generate the buzz of those of neighboring Belize and Mexico. The coast weighs in at a scant 74 mi (123 km), and this mostly highland country wears its indigenous culture on its sleeve and has historically looked inland rather than to the sea. You'll be drawn inland, too, with a variety of shore excursions. This is the land of the Maya, after all. But there's plenty to keep you occupied here in the lowlands. Tourist brochures tout the Caribbean coast as "The Other Guatemala". The predominantly indigenous and Spanish cultures of the highlands give way to an Afro-Caribbean tradition that listens more closely to the rhythms of far-off Jamaica rather than taking its cue from Guatemala City. Think of it as mixing a little reggae with your salsa.Lívingston

Lívingston

Summary
Located in eastern Guatemala, Lívingston is a melting pot of surrounding cultures and therefore a rich town to explore. There are seven freshwater pools and waterfalls leading into the Caribbean, these are locally known as Los Siete Altares.Roatán Island

Roatán Island

Summary
Experience true Caribbean island bliss, during your time on the immaculate paradise of Roatan, which is the largest of the Bay Islands. This slim island is framed by glorious powdery white beaches, and rich ocean beds carpeted with diverse coral reefs - alive with fish and marine life. Curious dolphins roll through the waves just offshore, while beach dwellers soak up the sun, and enjoy coconut cocktails, beside leaning palm trees. The beaches here are nothing short of dreamy - with wooden piers teetering out over the water, and thatched roofs providing welcome shade, as you dangle your legs towards the water.Trujillo

Trujillo

Summary
The town of Trujillo is located in the western Caribbean on Honduras’ gorgeous and dramatic North Coast. Christopher Columbus landed in present-day Trujillo in 1502, during his fourth and final voyage to the New World. The Santa Bárbara Fort was constructed beginning around 1575 and provided protection for the town with its large cannons overlooking the Bay. A town plaza and park are near the fort, as is the San Juan Bautista Church. Experience the culture, the warmth, the hospitality and the seaside charm of this coastal location.Water Caye, Isla Utila
Water Caye, Isla Utila
Summary
Útila Island

Útila Island

Summary
The divine tropical landscapes of Útila are recognised as some of the best in the world with diving a key attraction. The small island is centred around Útila Town with much of the rest of the island being made up of dense wilderness. The rich waters make it perfect for diving with over 80 diving sites located around the island, boasting exotic marine wildlife including the elusive whale shark.Amapala

Amapala

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Cochinos Cays
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Cochinos Cays
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San Juan del Sur
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San Juan del Sur
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Corinto

Corinto

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Corn Island

Corn Island

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Acajutla
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Acajutla
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La Union

La Union

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Puerto Limón

Puerto Limón

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Christopher Columbus became Costa Rica's first tourist when he landed on this stretch of coast in 1502 during his fourth and final voyage to the New World. Expecting to find vast mineral wealth, he named the region Costa Rica ("rich coast"). Imagine the Spaniards' surprise eventually to find there was none. Save for a brief skirmish some six decades ago, the country did prove itself rich in a long tradition of peace and democracy. No other country in Latin America can make that claim. Costa Rica is also abundantly rich in natural beauty, managing to pack beaches, volcanoes, rain forests, and diverse animal life into an area the size of Vermont and New Hampshire combined. It has successfully parlayed those qualities into its role as one the world's great ecotourism destinations. A day visit is short, but time enough for a quick sample.Puntarenas

Puntarenas

Summary
This town is not on the Nicoya Peninsula, but rather on Costa Rica's mainland. It is best known as a cruise-ship port and launching pad for ferries heading southeast to the coast of the Nicoya Peninsula and for cruises sailing out on the Gulf of Nicoya. Puntarenas is also a major fishing port with a lively fish market. The town’s reputation suffers from the unimpressive parts you see from your car as you roll through town on the way to the ferry dock. But the town has a lot of character off the main drag, thanks to its illustrious past as an affluent port town and principal vacation spot for San José's wealthy, who arrived by train in the last century. Once the port was moved and roads opened to other beaches, Puntarenas's economy crashed, but it's making a comeback. Sitting on a narrow spit of sand—punta de arenas literally means "point of sand"—that protrudes into the Gulf of Nicoya, the town boasts a beautifully groomed, wide Blue Flag beach with views of the Nicoya Peninsula and spectacular sunsets, along with a public swimming pool, the San Lucas Beach Club, and a marine-life museum. Ticos arrive by bus and car to enjoy the beach and stroll the Paseo de los Turistas, a beachfront promenade lined with tree-shaded concrete benches and seafood restaurants. Crowds of locals, called porteños, cruise by on bicycles, the town’s most popular form of transport.Puerto Caldera

Puerto Caldera

Summary
Quepos (Puerto Quepos)

Quepos (Puerto Quepos)

Summary
Quepos allows tourists to experience a once in a lifetime nature experience in Manuel Antonio National Park without leaving any of the familiar amenities behind. The close proximity of the park, located just 4.3 miles (7 km) to the south, and a wide array of services makes Quepos the perfect place to visit for those who wish to explore this enchanting area. The amenities available include everything from banks, restaurants, hotels, gift shops, bakeries, bars, a hospital, supermarket and even a post office. The area was once dependent on banana plantations which used to line the surrounding area. After disease infiltrated the harvest, interest transferred to African Palms as the prominent crop. Now, tourism has deemed itself the major economic factor, contributing to just about everything in the area. Quepos lures in many tourists for its fantastic sport fishing. In fact, some have come solely to participate in this world class experience and have never left, but besides sport fishing, many other activities are available. Exploring this maze of wetlands by boat is amazing but not the only way to see crocodiles, monkeys, herons, raccoons and more. This small paradise has the perfect balance between nature and the comfort and facilities someone might need.Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica

Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica

Summary
Golfito

Golfito

Summary
Golfito, is situated along a small inlet of Golfo Dulce. This small port city is a narrow strip along Golfito Bay backed against steep green hills covered with pristine rainforest, with the Golfo Dulce seaward outside Golfito Bay. Surrounded by tropical rainforest, Golfito provides an ideal location to escape from your hectic schedule and enjoy some of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica with a stunning backdrop of verdant hills and lush rainforest. Follow a trail through the densely forested Golfito National Wildlife Refuge to observe rare flora and fauna, and emerge at a scenic outlook with views of the ocean, also the city has a variety of hotels and restaurants, many of which now provide free wireless Internet service for customers. Golfito was the main port on the South Pacific Coast of Costa Rica in the days when there was little except for the huge banana plantations. To help remedy the resulting economy decrease of the region, the government established a duty-free zone, support and impulse the touristic development.Culebra Bay

Culebra Bay

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Curú Wildlife Refuge

Curú Wildlife Refuge

Summary
Located on the southeast tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, the Curu Wildlife Refuge is known for its pristine, white-sand beaches and impressive variety of species ranging from monkeys to sand crabs. In total the refuge covers 3,707 total acres and 656 feet of coastline. Travelers to the Curu Wildlife Refuge will quickly notice that they are in the minority at the site, with only a few people in the area among the abundance of animals and sea creatures. All of your senses will be captivated by this overwhelming amount of wildlife at the reserve, which offers some of the best eco-tourism in Costa Rica. Curu officially received support from the Costa Rican government to protect its wildlife in 1981 and the area officially became known as the Curu Wildlife Refuge in 1983. Today, the refuge is privately owned, extremely-well cared for and even more exclusive than many of the national parks in the country. If you're looking to participate in some of the vast eco-tourism opportunities in Costa Rica, the refuge should be a top priority because of its exclusivity and the ability of visitors to personally interact with the diverse animal population. The refuge also features 17 peaceful trails, where travellers can check out this abundant wildlife in a number of different ecosystems, including mangrove swamps and both dry and wet tropical forests.Playa Herradura

Playa Herradura

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Bahía Drake

Bahía Drake

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San José
San José
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Tortuga Island

Tortuga Island

Summary
Named after its turtle-shaped volcanic rock formations, Isla Tortuga is a small island set just off the tip of Nicoya Peninsula’s southern coast. The island offers a unique combination of white pristine beaches, palm trees, red volcanic rocks, verdant jungles and sparkling crystals that line the shores. Sunlight reaches right through the crystal clear waters at Isla Tortuga, making it a sought-after destination for snorkelers and scuba divers. Just east of the island is the Curu Wildlife Refuge offers some of the region’s best wildlife watching, including sightings of capuchin and howler monkeys, river otters, and deer on the ground, and a diverse ecology of underwater wildlife that can be accessed via snorkeling. Most commonly seen species are mantarays, reef sharks, octupus, stingrays, angle fish and spinner dolphins.Colón

Colón

Summary
The provincial capital of Colón, beside the canal's Atlantic entrance, is named for the Spanish-language surname of Christopher Columbus, though the Americans called it Aspinwall in the 19th century.. The city was founded in 1850 by Americans working on the Panama railroad and named Aspinwall for one of the railway engineers. Following completion in 1855, Colon gained in importance, which was furthered by the plans for an isthmian canal. During the time of the French canal attempt, a fire in 1885 burned the city nearly to the ground and left thousands of people homeless. Colon was rebuilt in the architectural style then popular in France. Buildings from that era plus the ones constructed by Americans between 1904 and 1914 are still in use today, although the majority is on the verge of collapse. In addition to its importance as a port, Colon boasts the world’s second largest duty-free zone, known as Zona Libre, which is contained in a huge fortress like, walled-off area with giant international stores. However, most of the merchandise is sold in bulk to commercial businesses throughout the country.Fuerte Amador

Fuerte Amador

Summary
Fuerte Amador is a growing port in the Pacific side of the Panama Canal. It is situated near to Panama City, which is a fascinating mix of old in the Old Town of the city, with charming winding cobbled streets and Spanish Colonial buildings, with balconies and bourgainvillea draping down - and new, with shiny skyscrapers, fantastic shopping and sleek buildings in the new part of the city.
It is located near the Miraflores Locks, where ships can be viewed passing through the engineering marvel that is the Panama Canal.
Panama City

Panama City

Summary
Panama City is the capital of Panama. It is a fascinating mix of old in the Old Town of the city, with charming winding cobbled streets and Spanish Colonial buildings, with balconies and bourgainvillea draping down - and new, with shiny skyscrapers, fantastic shopping and sleek buildings in the new part of the city.
It is located near the Miraflores Locks, where ships can be viewed passing through the engineering marvel that is the Panama Canal.
Gatun Lake

Gatun Lake

Summary
Gatun Lake is a man made freshwater lake to the south of Colón, Panama. It carries ships 33km of the way along the Canal. It was created by building the Gatun Dam across the Chagres River from 1907-1913. It is also the name of the most famous of the canal's locks - the Gatun Locks, which are located at the entrance into the canal from the lake.
Cruise ships sail into the lake on half and full Panama Canal transits. It isn't a port itself, but some ships stop here, where shore excursion tender boats take guests out to explore the lake and area more from a moored point in the lake, before continuing the canal transit.
Local wildlife often be seen from the ship while in the lake.
Bocas del Toro

Bocas del Toro

Summary
Bocas del Toro - mouth of the bull - is a town and province in Panama, located on the southern tip of Isla Colón, in the Caribbean Sea.
It is a fantastic place to visit for nature lovers. To the north, Bird Island hosts the rare red-billed tropic bird. It is home to stunning beaches, including the sheltered Starfish Beach to the northwest and popular surfing spot Bluff Beach, to the east.
Local artisans sell their hand made wares in Simón Bolívar Park in the town centre.
Isla Parida

Isla Parida

Summary
Isla Parida is a beautiful uninhabited island, and the largest island in Panama’s Chiriqui Gulf National Marine Park, located on the Pacific Ocean side of Panama.
It was given UNESCO protective status in 1994, UNESCO along with the group of islands in the archipelago that it belongs to, that spans 57 miles.
The island's soft sandy beaches attrack wildlife including seabirds and turtles. The island has interesting ecosystems, with mangrove swamps, marine meadows. tropical forests and 19 coral reefs.
Cruise ships are required to obtain a special permit before visiting the national park and then must anchor in the sea while the passengers are transported by inflatable boats to the wondrous nature.
Cristóbal

Cristóbal

Summary
Cristobal is the port for Colon, on the western edges of Manzanillo Island. It is named after the Italian explorer Christopher Columbus, who landed there in 1502.
It is located in Limon Bay, at the southeastern part of Colon city, at the Atlantic entrance of the Panama Canal.
15,000 cruise ships dock here annually and is is an important seaport for routes across the Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean. It is surrouned by high-rise towns and rainforest, home to many species of birds and nine ancient indigenous tribes.
San Blas Islands

San Blas Islands

Summary
The San Blas archipelago is located off the Caribbean coast, east of Colon, and is made up of 365 islands that range in size from tiny ones with a few coconut palms to islands on which hundreds of Kuna Indians live. Only about fifty are inhabited. The Kuna rule the San Blas Territory with internal autonomy, and have tightly preserved their language and cultural traditions over the centuries despite influences from European colonies. In addition to their own language, Spanish is widely spoken and many men work on the mainland, but live on the islands. Women wear costumes with unique designs based on local themes, geometric patterns, and stylised fauna and flora. The island of El Porvenir is one of the main seats of government for the Kuna Indians. Many Kunas from the other islands came to settle on El Porvenir, bringing with them their traditional arts and crafts, including the famous molas. These intricately hand-sewn designs are made by the women of the tribes as part of their blouses and dresses. With the increased tourism, molas are now a favoured souvenir and craft item for visitors.Darién National Park

Darién National Park

Summary
Darien National Park forms a bridge between North and South America. The park has varied habitats, with rocky coasts, sandy beaches, mangroves, swamps and tropical rainforests with a plethora of wildlife.
Two ancient traditional tribes live in the rainforest.
Portobelo

Portobelo

Summary
Portobelo earns its name, which means beautiful. This historic port, founded in 1597 is in Colon province in Panama, near the Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal.
Colonial Spanish forts and lush vegetation surround the quaint port with small fishing boats in this pretty town that was once the largest colonial Spanish port in Central America, and is why is it now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Pearl Islands

Pearl Islands

Summary
The Pearl Islands in Panama were once only a destination for the rich and famous, but have recently become accessible to others, to experience their natural beauty.
The archipelago off the Pacific coast in the Gulf of Panama has more than 200, mostly uninhabited islands.
The largest island is Isla Del Rey. Favourite islands with tourists are Contadora Island, which has 13 beaches, and Isla Saboga.
The Pearl Islands offer beautiful white sand beaches, scuba diving and whale watching and is popular with nature lovers to see the wildlife.
Balboa (Panama City)

Balboa (Panama City)

Summary
Balboa is the port for Panama City, which is the capital of Panama.
It is a fascinating mix of old in the Old Town of the city, with charming winding cobbled streets and Spanish Colonial buildings, with balconies and bourgainvillea draping down - and new, with shiny skyscrapers, fantastic shopping and sleek buildings in the new part of the city.
It is located near the Miraflores Locks, where ships can be viewed passing through the engineering marvel that is the Panama Canal.
Belize City

Belize City

Summary
Belize City is more of a town than a city—few of the ramshackle buildings here are taller than a palm tree, and the official population within the city limits is barely over 50,000, though the metro population is near 90,000. Not far beyond the city center, streets give way to two-lane country roads where animals outnumber people. Any dining room downtown could leave the impression that everybody knows everybody else in this town, and certainly among the elite who can afford to dine out, that's probably true.On a map Belize City appears to be an ideal base for exploring the central part of the country—it's two hours or less by car to San Ignacio, Corozal Town, Dangriga, and even less to Altun Ha, Belmopan, and the Belize Zoo. However, many old Belize hands will advise you to get out of Belize City as quickly as you can. They point to the high crime rate and to drugs and gang activity. They also note the relative lack of attractions in Belize City. There are no good beaches in or near the city, except for one man-made beach at the Old Belize facility west of town, built to attract cruise-ship visitors. Although you can sometimes spot manatees and porpoises in the harbor, and birding around the city is surprisingly good, this is not the wild rain forest visitors come to see.All of that is true enough, and certainly any visitor to Belize City should take the usual precautions for travel in an impoverished urban area, which includes always taking a cab at night (and in rough parts of the city anytime), but Belize City does have an energy and excitement to it. There are good restaurants, including the best Chinese and Indian food in the country, a vibrant arts community, and, outside some of the rougher parts of town on the South Side, nice residential areas and a number of pleasant hotels and B&Bs. Belize City offers the most varied shopping in the country, and it’s the only place to find sizeable supermarkets, department stores, and the Belizean version of big box stores. There is always some little treasure to be discovered in a shop with mostly junk. All in all, it's far more interesting than any modern mall.Belize City also has an easygoing sociability. People meet on the street, talk, joke, laugh, and debate. Despite the Belize City streetscape's sometimes sketchy appearance, people in the shops and on the street tend to be friendly, polite, and helpful.If you haven't spent time in Belize City, you simply won't understand Belize. Belize City is the commercial, social, sports, and cultural hub of the country. It's even the political hub, despite the fact that the capital, Belmopan, is an hour west. The current prime minister, Dean Barrow, a lawyer who came to power in 2008, former prime ministers including Said Musa, many of the other ministers, and nearly all of the country's movers and shakers live in or near Belize City.One longtime Belize resident says that despite its problems she enjoys making day trips to the city and always encourages visitors to spend some time there: "Being a landlubber, I enjoy the boats, seabirds, and smell of the salt air, and of course the Swing Bridge, watching the fishermen on fishing boats sell their fish, and seeing what fish and sea creatures are for sale in the market. When I first came here I was amazed at the fish and meat stalls, at how they were out in the open, and weren't refrigerated like back home. I think it's good for tourists to see that there are other ways of living than what they are used to. Isn't that the point of traveling?"Still—and we can’t overemphasize this—you do have to be careful, as crime is not limited just to certain areas: When you’re in Belize City, bring your street smarts and exercise caution at all times.Harvest Caye

Harvest Caye

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Lighthouse Reef
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Lighthouse Reef
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