The long drive from the cruise port at Belize City and then the hike to the Sibun River Cave Branch was worth it. We jumped into a grotto of the most unusually green water we have ever seen, floated through dark and quiet caves, and drifted into one of the eeriest experiences of our travels. It is a great family experience and a highlight of any Belize vacation or western Caribbean cruise.

Belize is the 13th most popular Caribbean tourism destination, according to the Caribbean Tourism Organization. Nearly three times as many people visit this Central American country via cruise than by a stopover because it is a mainstay of western Caribbean cruises.

Attractions
Belize has a large number of Mayan temples and palaces. It also is one of the few locations to promote caving as a tourist attraction. So visitors who do not have an interest in cave tubing can try other caves for a more normal experience. The barrier reef is 185 miles long; islands lie between the reef and the mainland, creating numerous opportunities for water sports, especially diving and snorkeling.

Tourism / When to Go
U.S. and Canadian citizens require a passport if they are stopover visitors. Cruise visitors need their ship ID to exit and re-enter the ship.

March is the most popular month followed by December and February. The least popular months are October and then September, the CTO says.

Weather
Average daytime temperature is 79 dgrees Fahrenheit yearround. Both rainfall and temperatures vary more widely throughout the year than the typical Caribbean island. The climate is tropical, very hot and humid. The rainy season is May to November and the dry season is February to May. Hurricanes are frequent between June and November.

Currency / Tipping
Currency is the Belizean dollar, but U.S. currency and major credit cards are widely accepted.
Tipping ranges between 10 and 15 percent for hotels, restaurants and tour guides. The hotel room tax is 9 percent.

Culture / Geography
Spanish and Creole are the dominant language, while English is the official language because of the country's  history as a Spanish and then English territory. Tourism is the dominant economic sector. Geography ranges widely from plains to savannas to tropical rain forests.

Sources / More information
U.S. State Department: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1055.html
CIA Factbook: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bh.html
Caribbean Tourism Organization: http://www.onecaribbean.org
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: http://www.noaa.gov