A Tale of Two Cities

Traveler Type: Cruise Passenger.
Activity Type: Tour of Altun Ha ruins. 
Skill Activity Level: Beginners to experienced. 

TOUR DESCRIPTION:

This fascinating half-day tour will focus on the contrast between 
the ancient Maya city of Altun Ha and modern day Belize City, 
highlighting 1000 years of development to this former British Colony.  
Altun Ha (Maya for Rock Stone Water) thrived as a trading post to the 
Maya World during the Post Classic and Classic periods.  The site was made 
world famous by Dr. David Pendergast of the Royal Ontario Museum on 
his finding the largest carved Jade Head depicting the Sun God “Kinich Ahau”.  
Weighing in at almost nine pounds, this has been Belize's most valuable find.  
Belize City today is home to about 35% of the country's population and 
remains the commercial capital of the country; the official capital was 
moved in 1971 to Belmopan in the interior.  Your tour will include historical 
sites such as the Redbrick St. John's Cathedral, where Kings from the Mosquito 
Coast were crowned and the colonial mansion once occupied by British 
Governors.  The latter now converted to a museum called “House of Culture.”  
You will note the colonial wooden architecture of many of the houses throughout 
your tour.  The tour ends at the Belize Tourism Village for complimentary refreshments, 
entertainment and shopping (discount coupons provided) before returning to 
the dock for transfer to the ship.

SITES PASSED/PHOTOGRAPHIC OPPORTUNITIES

Maya temples and ceremonial sites. 
Colonial buildings in Belize City.

Tour Timetable:

To	From	Description
0.00	0.30	Tendering and boarding buses.	
0.30	1.30	Transfer to Altun Ha site.	
1.30	3.00	Tour of Altun Ha site.  	
3.00	4.00	Transfer to Belize City.	
4.00	5.00	Tour of Belize City and transfer to the Belize Tourism Village.