Belize Travel Tips
Belize's public holidays
1 January: New Year's Day
9 March: Baron Bliss Day
Good Friday
Easter Saturday
Easter Sunday
Easter Monday
1 May: Labour Day
24 May: Commonwealth Day
10 September: St George's Caye Day
21 September: Independence Day
12 October: Columbus Day
19 November: Garifuna Settlement Day
25 December: Christmas Day
25 December: Boxing Day
How to dress in Belize
Belize is a very casual place - often astonishingly so - and travellers should pack accordingly. The heat and year-round humidity dictate lightweight clothing of natural fibres; clothes become damp and crumpled very quickly, so bring plenty of changes. At the cayes, you can get by in shorts, a T-shirt and sandals most of the time, or just bare feet and a swimsuit, even in restaurants. However, most of the larger resorts maintain a trendy profile after dark, so you should also pack a more formal tropical outfit to wear under the thatched roof at dinner.
Do not wear bathing suits or skimpy clothing on the streets of Belize City or other towns; it is considered offensive, as are bare feet. Most of the time, you'll need to dress for the weather rather than for style. Don't underestimate the power of the tropical sun: it can burn in half an hour or less. If you're spending all day in the sun on a fishing charter or day-trip to the cayes, definitely wear a hat and even long sleeves. Bring your swimsuit rather than buying one on arrival (Belize City boasts a very small and bizarre range, although San Pedro on Ambergris Caye has a better stock). Bring your own flippers, mask and snorkel if you don't want to pay the rental price of around BZ$20 a day.
In the rainforest, it's probably best to wear shorts and T-shirts with lots of insect repellent. Long-sleeved shirts and trousers are often recommended, but the reality is that this is rather hot and Belizean mosquitoes bite straight through them. If you are intending to spend a considerable time in the jungle, however, it might be worth investing in specially made lightweight cotton clothing, which will also help protect you from other minor scratches and grazes. The rainforest can be very muddy, especially during the rainy season, so bring suitable footwear: light walking or tennis shoes.
Belize visas
Visas are not required for most nationalities, including citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, as well as members of the European Union and CARICOM. All that is needed for people from these countries is a valid passport and an onward or round-trip ticket.
A visa, plus clearance from the Director of Immigration, is required for nationals of certain countries, including the following: China, Colombia, Cuba, Egypt, India, Libya, Pakistan, Peru, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Yugoslavia. Check with the local Belizean consulate or contact the Immigration and Nationality Service, New Administration Building, Belmopan, tel: 822-2611, fax: 822-2662.
All visitors are permitted to stay for up to 30 days. To apply for an extension contact the Immigration Office, Government Administration Building, Mahogany Street, Belize City, tel: 02-24620, fax: 24056. A moderate fee is charged and applicants must demonstrate sufficient funds (currently US$50 a day) for the remainder of their stay, as well as an ongoing ticket.
If you're crossing into Belize from Mexico by land, visas can be obtained from the Belizean Consulate in Chetumal, just north of the international crossing.
Belize customs
The removal, sale and exportation of the following are prohibited by law in Belize: any kind of coral without a licence; archaeological artefacts; orchids; shells, fish and crustaceans; turtles and turtle parts.
Belize health issues
No vaccinations are required before travelling to Belize as there are no endemic diseases. But you will need a yellow fever certificate if you are arriving within six days from, or via, an infected area. Typhoid, hepatitis A and polio vaccinations are recommended by most doctors.
Belize now ranks number one in Central America for Aids cases per capita and is in the top five in the Caribbean. The problem is being blamed partly on foreign visitors - particularly those from elsewhere in Central America and from the United States. Certainly, visitors who decide to have sex with anyone in Belize should use condoms, which are inexpensive and widely available at all pharmacies and even fried chicken stands and grocery stores. Brothels are supposedly illegal, but they are easy to find (even conveniently located) although health officials warn against frequenting them.
There is malaria in some parts of Belize. Most travellers visiting the cayes or San Ignacio don't need to worry too much, but if you are heading for extended stays in jungle areas, it is advisable to begin a course of anti-malaria tablets. Your doctor can prescribe the latest version: most courses start two weeks prior to arrival and continue for several weeks afterwards. (Of course, no visitor escapes without bites from regular non-malarial mosquitoes - "flies" to Belizeans - but there is no need to panic.)
Those with fair complexions should be extremely careful in the strong sun. Drink plenty of water on walking trips and, like Belizeans, avoid much activity between 11am and 4pm on hot days. Watch out on boat trips to the cayes and use sunscreen on the backs of your legs during your first snorkelling experience.
Divers and snorkellers should avoid touching coral, especially when getting from a boat into shallow water. Disturbances to live coral outcroppings can result in their death, while cuts and abrasions from the reef nearly always become painfully infected and take a long time to heal. Once in the water, the various moray eels, barracuda, stingrays, sharks and so on look menacing but are nothing at all to worry about. Your guide will steer you away from strong currents through cuts in the reef. Those susceptible to motion sickness and planning a live-aboard dive trip with several days on a boat should consider taking Dramamine tablets or patches with them.
The quality of food and its preparation in Belize is good so there is not as great a risk of stomach problems as in neighbouring countries.
Tap water is potable in some towns and resort areas but tap water in the cayes or in the south of Belize is not recommended for drinking. Drink bottled water, sold at all gas stations, stores, etc. You will quickly discover a variety of "jungle remedies" on sale at many guesthouses for common travellers' ailments. For more serious conditions, your hotel should be able to recommend a doctor.
Belize money matters
The Belize dollar is stabilised at a fixed exchange rate of BZ$2 to US$1. In tourist resorts, prices are often quoted in both currencies. Most people refer in conversation to the US version as dollars and the Belizean dollar as simply "Belize". In common parlance, then, a price for a mango daiquiri might be "four dollars or eight Belize." If there's any doubt about which currency is being referred to, just ask. As the US currency is not always easy to come by, most locals will readily accept, even prefer, if you pay in US. It is especially popular in the summer months and before Christmas when everyone wants it for holidays abroad. Even though, technically, you are supposed to change foreign currency, even US dollars at a bank, you will lose on the exchange. That doesn't happen on the street or with local businesses where the US dollar is accepted at BZ$2 to US$1.
Prices are surprisingly high in Belize, especially if you're coming from Guatemala. In fact, most things cost more or less the same as they would in the United States. There are few cheap hotels, and a main course in almost any tourist restaurant is over BZ$20.
Changing US currency or travellers' cheques is never a problem: most hotels and restaurants deal with either currency. Banks are open Monday to Thursday 8am- 1pm and later on Fridays. They will offer fair exchange rates for most currencies with a three percent fee. There is no parallel market to speak of. Almost all the hotels and tour operators will accept the major credit cards, although a five percent tax is often added.
Travellers' cheques are not generally welcome - you may have trouble cashing them even in larger stores in Belize City. Try to change them at your hotel or a bank. Carry small denominations of cash when shopping; some people have trouble changing 50s, let alone 100-dollar bills. Taxi drivers, especially, never seem to have change. Never flash large amounts of money in public or trust anyone you don't know to take it elsewhere to find change, do it yourself.
Belize business hours
Most stores and offices are open Monday-Friday 8am-noon and 1-5pm. Some stores are open in the morning only on Wednesday and Saturday, or in the evening from 7-9pm. Banks are open Monday-Thursday 8am-1pm; Friday 8am-1pm and 3-6pm.
Crime & security in Belize
Crime is a growing concern so exercise caution, even in the daytime, both in Belize City and elsewhere. Don't walk the streets at night. Hold-ups and petty theft are regular after dark, so everyone telephones for a taxi, even to travel short distances (make sure you confirm the price with the driver before you get in the car).
Women need to be particularly careful about going out alone at night, even in a taxi. Never leave a bar or your hotel with someone you don't know. If you do decide to look for a little nightlife, tell hotel staff where you are going and when you expect to return.
Belizean women and visitors are being advised to keep an eye on their drinks since the so-called date-rape drugs seem to have made their way onto the local black market.
Belize City is quite safe by day, although keep an eye out for pickpockets. Also, loitering around the Swing Bridge are a number of panhandlers, hustlers, dealers and "tour operators" who can be quite persistent. When you cross the Swing Bridge during the day, avoid conversation and don't hang around taking photos with expensive camera equipment.
In the event of a theft, it should be reported immediately to the police. The main benefit of this is to get a copy of the police report in order to claim from your travel insurance company. Travel insurance is always recommended.