The third day of our cruise, the port was Belize City. Of all the ports our cruise hit, Belize City was the one I was most curious about. Cruise ships have only recently started coming to Belize.

One day is never enough time to explore a country and do it justice. However, it was just enough time to whet my appetite to come back and spend more time in this vibrant Central American country.

By far the most memorable time was our time spent at The Community Baboon Sanctuary, just a short drive outside of Belize City. This grassroots sanctuary to save the black howler monkey is amazing and was a welcome example after hearing so much about destruction of the rain forest.

Belize City itself is a bit uninteresting. Its population is only 49,000. This small population seems tiny in world standards, but in Belize standards it's a major metropolis! Even with so few people, it does have some of the problems that any major city has, there is some street crime and harassment.

Most people who come to Belize, don't spend a lot of time here in the city. However the Internation Airport is here, as well as the cruise ship port. So if you fly in or sail in, you will at least transit Belize City.

${QuickSuggestions} The Belize Tourist Office is located in The Central Bank Building on Gabourel Lane in downtown Belize City. This is a good place to start your visit to Belize. The employees here have a real pride in their country and have numerous suggestions to fit any taste or budget. Their phone number is 2-31910.

Quick Fact: Belize is the only country in Central America that speaks English. It was once called British Honduras. However, the English here is spoken with a strong Creole accent and is a bit hard to understand. Once you are around it awhile, your ear will adjust. But when you first hear it, you will be sure you are hearing a foreign langauge!${BestWay} When you fly to Belize, you will fly into the International Airport here in Belize City. It's located 9 miles northwest of the city.

We found that the buses in Belize are incredibly efficient and inexpensive. We took the bus to The Baboon Sanctuary and had no problems. The cost was less than $5 round-trip, and the bus station was easy to find. We found the driver very friendly and helpful. The highway we took was an excellent condition and very scenic.

Even though Belize was once a British colony, drivers drive on the right side of the road here.

From journal Belize, Please!