Belize City to Xunantunich

Belize City is not a tourist destination. Tourists avoid the city, the exception being cruise tourists who are brought into the Tourist Viillage by tenders. So there are not many tour operators in the city, except those catering to daytrippers on cruise ships days.

You can book a tour online, but not sure why you would stay in Belize City at all, unless you have business or friends there.

You'd be better off heading by bus or shuttle directly to San Ignacio. Once in San Ignacio, you can visit Xunantunich on your own by bus or taxi, or on a tour.

--Lan Sluder

Thanks. I've heard that Belize city isn't that great but we have a 2 night free voucher for a swank hotel there.Thats why we were looking for day excursions before we head to different parts of Belize.

Thanks for the advice. We'll be in Belize City the 19,20, then San Pedro the 21,22, and the remainder of the time in Caye Caulker. I know Xunantunich is someplace that we def. want to go I just want to figure out the best way to book a trip there. As Lan suggested earlier its a port destination for cruises so it's likely going to have lots of excursions available I just don't know if its better to book ahead or wing it. We def. want to go on Feb 20th. All suggestions welcome and if there are any links that you think would be helpful please let me know.

Maybe a trip to Lamanai, the Community Baboon Sanctuary, or the zoo? If you're heading other places, seems as though it would be better to visit the Cayo District (and therefore Xunantunich) later in the trip.

Just hope the "swank" hotel is the Radisson and not the Princess!

If you do want to do a day trip from Belize City, with two people it might be better just to rent a car and drive to San Ignacio (about an hour and a half or a little more). You can stop at the Zoo coming or going, and drive directly to Xunantunich rather than having to hike up the hill after crossing the river on the hand-pulled ferry, and make other stops along the way. It's a nice day drive and even with gas probably less than the cost of a tour for two.

--Lan Sluder

When a cruise ship arrives at Belize City, the passengers come ashore at the Tourist Village located near the Radisson Fort George Hotel. On those days, there are LOTS of tour guides waiting around the Tourist Village. Most of them have large signs displaying a "menu" of the tours they do. Go there in the morning and find one with a good vehicle. Note that tour guides in Belize must be licensed as tour guides, so check that too.

On days when there are no cruise ships, those tour guides must be somewhere. I could probably get a few names if you wish, but the hotel will also have the names of tour guides and tour companies.

I also have a schedule of the cruise ship dates and will look that up later.

Looks like there is a cruise ship on the 19th, but not on the 20th.

I just sent a PM with some suggestions.

Mister - what cruise schedule are you using? The one I've used in the past (here) doesn't have anything listed past early May; other years that site has added some with time but the schedules were fairly complete a year in advance.