Norwegian Cruise Line: Altun Ha Ancient Mayan Site and The Olde Belize River Cruise Review

Belize City - Unbelizeable Belize!

For our next port-of-call on the West Caribbean Cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line, we visited Belize City in Belize! The itinerary includes a visit to the ancient Mayan site, Altun Ha (literal translation of Rockstone Water) as well as a river cruise down the Olde Belize River!

Belize City - Unbelizeable Belize!
Belize City – Unbelizeable Belize!

Altun Ha Ancient Mayan Site and Olde Belize River Cruise Review

NCL Boat Tender
Boat Tender
Chef Luis & Co
Boat at Belize City
Elvis
Elvis

The boat tender ride to Belize City took about 15 minutes and when we reached there, we were immediately taken by our local tour guides to board the bus. There are 2 parts to this trip. The first part is about an hour’s bus ride to Alta Hun Mayan site while the 2nd part is a river cruise down the Olde Belize River. If you have a preference, you can actually choose to do the river cruise first followed by the bus ride. Both the bus ride and the river cruise ends back at the boat tender point so you do not have much to worry about.

During our bus ride, we were fortunate to have Elvis as our guide! (Big shout-out to Elvis!) Eventhough the bus ride to Altun Ha was slightly more than an hour, it didn’t seem like it because of the informative and humorous stories that he was telling us along the way. Plus, he would ask us questions along the way and give away Belize coins as prizes.

Belize coins
Belize coins
Entrance Altun Ha
Entrance Altun Ha
Altun Ha Jade
Altun Ha Jade

The question we answered to win the set of coins was

“What land or continent was Christopher Columbus looking for when he discovered the Americas?” The answer?

India! Which explains why the native aborigines were named “Indians”…

Altun Ha Belize
Altun Ha Belize
 Altun Ha
Altun Ha
Ascending Altun Ha
Ascending Altun Ha
Panoramic view of Altun Ha Complex
Panoramic view of Altun Ha Complex

Typical Belize Meal
Typical Belize Meal
Belize Shopping
Belize Shopping
Iguana
Iguana

The climb to the top of the Mayan site took about 2 minutes but it can be steep at some points. At the top, you’ll be treated to some amazing views over the Altun Ha complex. Remember not to step on the platform like what some of the tourists did in the video. It can be dangerous and affects the structure itself. So listen to your guide’s instructions.

After the visit to Altun Ha complex, we adjourned for a simple Belize meal that consists of beans, rice, chicken and salad. It comes with a choice of soft drinks as well. At the dining area, you may be able to spot some wild life like iguanas and monkeys, like we did!

Olde Belize River Cruise
River Cruise
Bat insects
Bat insects
2bearbear Olde Belize River Cruise
2bearbear cruise

During our river cruise, we were fortunate enough to see many wild life including alligators, iguanas, monkeys, bat insects, various species of birds and manatees! It was a nice ride that may get a little choppy when the speed increases or when the river meets the ocean.

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Thoroughly enjoyed the visit to Altun Ha Mayan site and cruise along the Belize river. A good shore excursion with Norwegian Cruise Line if you’re looking for a low activity level visit!

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