Belize is an under-the-radar travel destinationgrowing in popularity, with more and more tourists drawn to thisexotic locale. Sandwiched between the steaming jungles of theAmazon and the sparkling coastline of the Pacific, there is plentyin Belize to tempt travellers.
The country is home to a number of ancient ruins fromthe Mayan civilisation. One of the most popular sites is thesatisfyingly named Xunantunich, an impressive 7th centuryconstruction on a hilltop, reached by hand-cranked cable ferry.Lamanai (which translates as 'submerged crocodile') is known bothfor its impressive architecture and its dense rainforest setting.Caracol, near the Guatemalan border, was once one of the mostpowerful cities in the ancient Mayan world.
The coast of Belize sparkles with beaches and theworld's second-longest barrier reef. Glover's Reef, named after an18th century pirate, is a collection of small cays with white sand,palm trees and low-key resorts. Lighthouse Reef houses the uniquedive site, Blue Hole. Ambergris Caye is the champion of the touristindustry, a typical paradise of sun-bathing, cocktails, snorkelingand scuba diving. Caye Caulker is laid back and cheaper, itseasy-going attitude complemented by the reggae beats of the Creoleculture.
Belize is also home to some unique wildlife. TheCrooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary hosts flocks of migrating birdsfrom November to April, Mayflower Bocawina National Park has greathiking trails and is home to troops of black howler monkeys, andBelize Zoo hosts a fascinating collection of obscure creatures suchas tapirs, gibnuts, coatimundi, white-lipped peccaries and manymore.
September is the month for festivals and parties. Twoweeks of celebrations take place from National Day to IndependenceDay, and the Belize Carnival reveals exotic costumes and infectiousCaribbean music.
Caye Caulker
Located within easy distance of Ambergris Caye, the small islandof Caye Caulker is only five miles (8km) long and less than onemile (1.6km) wide. Getting around on Caye Caulker couldn't beeasier; everything is within walking distance, and there arebicycles and golf carts available for hire. More laid-back than itslarger neighbour, Caye Caulker is only beginning to be developedfor tourism, and is still more popular with backpackers and budgettravellers for its cheaper prices. Fishing, kayaking, sailboating,kite surfing, scuba diving, and snorkelling are the main activitieshere, and you can spot sting rays, nurse sharks, and manatees inthe water.
Caye Caulker
Rclane
Belize weather features a temperate climate marked by twodistinct seasons, the rainy and the dry. There is a notabletransition from the one to the next. Rainfall during the rainyseason occurs between June and November with rainfall averagesranging between 60 inches (1,524mm) in the north to 160 inches(4,064mm) in the south. Except for the southern regions, therainfall is variable from year to year. Average temperatures rangefrom 81°F (27°C) along the coast to 69°F (21°C) in the hills. Thecoldest month is January and the warmest temperatures areexperienced in May.
Philip S W Goldson International Airport
Location: Philip Goldson International is situated 10 miles (16km)from Belize City, in Ladyville.
Time: Local time is GMT –6.
Getting to the city:
Taxis are available at the entrance to the main terminal. Theyare unmetered and a price should be negotiated before hiring.
Car Rental:
Most international car rental companies are represented at theairport, along with a myriad local companies.
Fascilities:
The airport has duty-free shops, a bank, shops, a restaurant,and a bar.
Money:
The unit of currency is the Belize Dollar (BZD), which is fixedagainst the US$ as BZ$2 = US$1. Most tourist resorts, hotels,restaurants and tour operators accept US currency. Credit cards arealso accepted, and most banks in Belize City and Belmopan willadvance cash against Visa or MasterCard. When using credit cardsmost establishments will add a five percent service charge to thebill. First Caribbean International Bank has several ATMs in BelizeCity. Always make sure you understand which dollar rate is beingquoted, either Belize Dollars or US Dollars.
Language:
English is the official language and the one mostcommonly spoken, but you will hear Creole, Spanish, Garifuna andMayan as well.
Electricity:
Electrical current is 110/220 volts, 60Hz. Flat bladeswith round grounding pin or rectangular blade plugs are used. Mostof the electricity is provided by Diesel/GeneratorSets.
Entry Requirements:
United States citizens do not require a visa for stays of up to180 days. A valid passport is required.
British passport holders, irrespective of endorsement regardingnational status, do not require a visa - immigration officials willgrant a period of stay on arrival and extensions of this originalallowance will be possible for a fee. A valid passport is required.No visa is required.
Canadians do not require a visa - immigration officials willgrant a period of stay on arrival and extensions of this originalallowance will be possible for a fee. A valid passport isrequired.
Australians do not require a visa - immigration officials willgrant a period of stay on arrival and extensions of this originalallowance will be possible for a fee. A valid passport isrequired.
South Africans do not require a visa - immigration officialswill grant a period of stay on arrival and extensions of thisoriginal allowance will be possible for a fee. A valid passport isrequired.
Irish nationals do not require a visa - immigration officialswill grant a period of stay on arrival and extensions of thisoriginal allowance will be possible for a fee. A valid passport isrequired.
United States citizens do not require a visa for stays of up to180 days. A valid passport is required.
New Zealanders do not require a visa - immigration officialswill grant a period of stay on arrival and extensions of thisoriginal allowance will be possible for a fee. A valid passport isrequired.
Passport/Visa Note:Visa:
All visitors to Belize (except cruise ship passengers) mustproduce a passport valid for at least the period of their intendedstay. We recommend, however, that passports be valid for six monthsafter departure from holiday destinations. All visitors should alsohave return tickets and documents for onward travel, and fundsamounting to US$50 per person per day. Visas are usually granted onarrival for 30 days but extensions are usually possible for afee.
Travel Health:
No vaccinations are required for entry to Belize. Travellersarriving from a yellow-fever infected area require a vaccinationcertificate. Cases of dengue fever have occurred, and seem to be onthe increase, so insect repellent is strongly advised. Malariaprevention is recommended for those travelling outside Belize City.Potable water is available in most areas of Belize but it isadvisable, if in doubt, to drink bottled or boiled water. Medicalfacilities are poor in the city, and almost non-existent elsewhere.Cases of severe illness or injury usually require expensive medicalevacuation. Adequate medical insurance is therefore vital. Fordivers there is a hyperbaric chamber at Ambergris Caye.
Tipping:
Tipping in Belize is voluntary but as in any country, goodservices should be rewarded with a 10 percent tip. Upscale hotelsand resorts may add a 10 percent service charge to guests' billsand this usually goes to the porter and maid who assisted you. Tourguides should be tipped a few extra dollars for their effort andtaxi drivers should be tipped only if they help carry your bags ortake you on a guided tour.
Safety Information:
Although most visits to Belize are trouble-free, there have beenincidents of tourists falling victim to violent crime. Muggingshave been reported in San Pedro, Caye Caulker, and Placencia, andin parts of Belize City. Visitors should take sensible precautionsto minimise the risks. These would include not wearing expensivejewellery, keeping valuables out of sight, staying in groups,avoiding dark alleys, and not walking alone on the beach at night.It is also advisable to use qualified guides for exploratory tripsoff the beaten track. The country is prone to hurricanes betweenJune and November.
Local Customs:
Homosexuality is illegal and considered to be sociallyunacceptable.
Business:
Belize has a fairly informal business style, althoughpunctuality and politeness are appreciated. Handshaking, theexchanging of business cards and some small talk is expected beforegetting down to business. Dress is usually casual, but neat, withmen in short-sleeved, collared shirts without a tie; howevergovernment-related business is more formal. Business hours areusually 8am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm Monday to Friday.
Communications:
The international dialling code for Belize is +501. The outgoingcode is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for theUnited Kingdom). The area code for Belize City is (0)2.International Direct Dialling is available. Mobile telephonecoverage is available throughout most of the country with theBelize Telemedia Ltd GSM 1900 network. Roaming costs can beexpensive. For visitors staying longer than a week or two, thecheapest option is usually to buy a cheap local phone with aprepaid sim card.
Wifi and 4G is widely available throughout most of the country.Internet cafes are virtually non-existent these days.
Duty Free:
Travellers over 18 years do not have to pay customs duty on 200cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250g tobacco; wines or spirits notexceeding one litre and personal goods or souvenirs to the value of200 BZD. Restricted items include plants, meat and meat products,live animals and processed food items.
Beach at San Pedro
Adam Reeder
Palenque
Carlos Adampol Galindo
Glovers Cove
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Blue Hole
USGS
