Packing List for Belize: 10 Important Things You Can't Forget (2024)

FAQs

Packing List for Belize: 10 Important Things You Can't Forget? ›

Water Shoes or Water Resistant Hiking Shoes Are a Must on Your Belize Packing List. Packing for Belize is really easy when it comes to shoes. You need water shoes, hiking shoes, and flip flops or sandals. That's it.

Water Shoes or Water Resistant Hiking Shoes Are a Must on Your Belize Packing List. Packing for Belize is really easy when it comes to shoes. You need water shoes, hiking shoes, and flip flops or sandals. That's it.

Belize has a Caribbean laid back feel and is unsual for South America as the official language is English. Go for comfort and style. This is a chilled out country where dress is relaxed, just keep cool. It's hot and humid so casual clothes in lightweight natural fabrics (cotton, silk and linen) will work best.

They may also bring souvenirs from other places with certain monetary limitations. Items that are restricted from entry into Belize are meat and its products, processed food items, and live animals.

We recommend you bring a combination of US cash - a few $50's with the majority in small denominations such as $20's, $10's, $5's, and a few $1's. We also strongly recommend you separate your cash so you are not carrying it all in the same place. Tipping is customary in our industry.

Most businesses in Belize accept credit cards, and credit cards are generally the safest way to make purchases while you're traveling. Only in Belize's smaller villages will you find businesses that only accept cash.

All food items are regulated by law in Belize and must be accompanied by a valid import permit. Therefore if you bring food or products of animal or plant origin in your luggage you must declare them upon arrival to Belize. 3. Declare all food and plants and animal products to the Quarantine Officer.

The most important thing to wear when cave tubing in Belize, is water shoes or some form of footwear. Footwear has to be secure, so no flip flops! I wore water shoes, others wore trekking type sandals. You can rent water shoes at the Reserve for $3USD, if you're travelling light, this may be your best option.

Belizeans generally are incredibly kind and friendly. Greet folks with a "Good morning" before asking for directions, for a table in a restaurant, or when entering a store or museum, for example. It will set a positive tone and you'll be received much more warmly for having done so. Don't take pictures inside churches.

Do I need to bring cash to Belize? ›

It's always advisable to bring money in a variety of forms on a vacation: a mix of cash, credit cards, debit cards, and, occasionally, traveler's checks. The Belize dollar, abbreviated BZ$, is the official currency of Belize.

When choosing what to wear on a plane, look for stylish tops made with natural fabrics, such as cotton, silk, wool or linen, which will allow air and moisture to pass through. Moisture-wicking man-made fabrics are an equally savvy option.

You should always bring jeans with you on your trip because they go with almost everything. But you should not wear skinny or tight jeans while flying. All that time you're sitting on a plane, especially one that is over ten hours, will make your skinny jeans feel very uncomfortable.

Cultural Attributes

Belizeans are informal and friendly and non-confrontational. A simple nod or wave is acceptable when passing but it is considered rude not to greet someone. Among friends, one might shake hands by clasping the palms and locking thumbs. Men might pat each other on the back.

Following hard-fought victories that banned all trawling and offshore oil drilling in Belize's waters, the country has now outlawed gillnets, a fishing gear that kills turtles, manatees, and many other marine animals.

Country Summary: Violent crime – such as sexual assault, home invasions, armed robberies, and murder – are common even during daylight hours and in tourist areas. A significant portion of violent crime is gang related.

If you use a Visa debit card, you can avoid cash advance interest charges, but it has to be a Visa or Mastercard debit card, a bank issued card won't work in Belize. ATMs that will process credit, debit and ATM cards issued outside Belize are not available everywhere, and the ones that supposedly do, don't always work.

Tipping in Belize is welcomed and appreciated; however, it is not mandatory nor is it always expected. Furthermore, in Belize, there is no tip too little or too big. Generally, anything you would tip in the USA will work in Belize especially since the US note is accepted countrywide.

You must have a U.S. passport valid for the length of your stay, proof of an onward or return ticket, and sufficient funds to cover the cost of the length of stay. If you enter Belize by land, you will be charged different fees depending on whether your stay is less than or more than 24 hours.

Should I exchange money before I travel to Belize? ›

What about exchanging money? If you're arriving with USD, don't bother exchanging it, as rates will be worse than the 2:1 exchange. If you're coming from another destination, exchange your money before arriving in Belize – and exchange it into USD for best results.

Belize law allows individuals to bring in a maximum of $5,000 US dollars regardless of form (cash, checks, bearer bonds, etc.) Belize law requires that all visitors declare their total currency holdings upon entering the country if they exceed $5,000 US dollars.

Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call Belize's embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you. Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays.

Meats, Livestock and Poultry: The regulations governing meat and meat products are stringent. You may not import fresh, dried or canned meats or meat products from most foreign countries into the United States. Also, you may not import food products that have been prepared with meat.

Solid food items (not liquids or gels) can be transported in either your carry-on or checked baggage. TSA officers may instruct travelers to separate items from carry-on bags such as foods, powders, and any materials that can clutter bags and obstruct clear images on the X-ray machine.

Shoes that are acceptable are any water shoe with a heel strap, Croc-style shoes or old sneakers.

The ATM Cave is not as difficult as you would imagine. It does take some adventurous spirit, and there are some exhilarating, and scary, parts to the journey. However, children, older people, and not the most athletic people all went into the cave and made it out just fine.

What are the requirements for entering Belize? Effective July 12, 2022, travellers are no longer required to show proof of vaccination for entry into Belize's airport, land borders or sea ports. Unvaccinated travellers are no longer required to show proof of a negative PCR or a negative Antigen Rapid test upon arrival.

ATM machines dispense cash in Belize dollars and accept VISA and MasterCard Credit and Debit cards.

Will my credit card work in Belize? ›

Credit Cards: Most major credit cards are accepted in Belize. Let your bank or credit card company know you are traveling internationally and see if there is a foreign transaction fee - this can range from 1-3%.

Knives, scissors, Swiss army knives and other sharp instruments. Toy replicas of fire arms and ammunition. Weapons such as whips, nan-chakus, baton, or stun gun. Electronic devices which cannot be switched off.

all drinks, including water. liquid or semi-liquid foods, for example soup, jam, honey and syrups. cosmetics and toiletries, including creams, lotions, oils, perfumes, mascara and lip gloss. sprays, including shaving foam, hairspray and spray deodorants.

“When you're traveling on a plane, loose clothing is best,” he says. “You'll be more comfortable and you won't have to worry about circulation issues.” Tight clothes are not only restricting but can also affect your circulation, especially when flying long-haul.

They're the obvious comfy choice of clothing for a long flight - but next time you're heading on a break, you should think twice about wearing leggings for your flight. According to one aviation expert, they are one of the most dangerous things a passenger could wear if an emergency occurs onboard.

No jeans or trainers — so I always go for tight black trousers and a blazer or a dress. For men, chinos or trousers and a shirt are worn," one flight attendant told Who What Wear. Another flight attendant elaborated that you don't have to be on trend or wearing designer clothes. "Smart but understated.

“Gud Maanin” or “Weh di go aan?” are two familiar Kriol greetings, sung here in a Belizean favorite by the late and well-respected King of Brukdown, Mr Wilfred Peters.

Gang violence is a significant concern in Belize, especially in the south side of Belize City. Gang members often use weapons to resolve disputes. Clashes occur frequently between gangs to gain control over territories for illegal activities.

Basic Phrases in Belizean Kriol. Gud maanin! — Good morning!

Courses or boosters usually advised: Tetanus. Other vaccines to consider: Hepatitis A; Rabies. Selectively advised vaccines - only for those individuals at highest risk: Hepatitis B. No yellow fever vaccination certificate required for this country.

What drugs are common in Belize? ›

Marijuana, cocaine and crack are all readily available, and whether you like it or not you'll receive regular offers. All such substances are illegal, and despite the fact that dope is smoked openly in the streets, the police do arrest people for possession of marijuana – they particularly enjoy catching tourists.

They may also bring souvenirs from other places with certain monetary limitations. Items that are restricted from entry into Belize are meat and its products, processed food items, and live animals.

Arboviruses: Chikungunya, Dengue & Zika

Chikungunya, dengue, and Zika viruses are all transmitted in both Guatemala and Belize.

Is the water safe to drink in Belize? Overall, yes, you can drink the tap water in Belize, although most hotels will provide bottled water, or they will filter the tap water. The general consensus among expats in Belize talking about this is that the filter is more about taste than safety.

If you're traveling from the US to Belize, you're in luck: just bring your US dollars with you! The Belize Dollar may be the official currency of Belize, but it's pegged to the US dollar on a 2:1 ratio, and the two are used interchangeably.

tipping is a breeze! Tipping in Belize is welcomed and appreciated; however, it is not mandatory nor is it always expected. Furthermore, in Belize, there is no tip too little or too big. Generally, anything you would tip in the USA will work in Belize especially since the US note is accepted countrywide.

Belizeans generally are incredibly kind and friendly. Greet folks with a "Good morning" before asking for directions, for a table in a restaurant, or when entering a store or museum, for example. It will set a positive tone and you'll be received much more warmly for having done so. Don't take pictures inside churches.

Tap water in all Belize locations is not necessarily safe to drink and we recommend you NOT do so. Most restaurants provide bottled water.

A curfew is imposed countrywide from 7:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. except for San Pedro, Caye Caulker, Placencia and Hopkins, where the curfew will remain from 9:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.

Is there an exit fee to leave Belize? ›

Non-Belizeans must pay exit fees that total US$55.50 when flying out of Belize on international flights. It includes US$20 for the Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT), US$15 for passenger service, US$18 for airport development, US$1.25 for security, and US$1.25 for baggage handling.