Belize - Wildlife Adventure

Favourably located on the Caribbean Sea, this spectacularly diverse Central American nation is characterised by lush forests, magnificent mangroves, a gloriously green mountainous interior, and a coastline dotted with innumerable islands. Populated by a wide range of ethnic groups including the Mayan, Mestizo, Garifuna, Creole, and Mennonite people, this relatively young country offers a captivating melting pot of cultures and traditions. The crystal clear waters, decorated with a profusion of marine life, offer a jaw-dropping setting for swimming, snorkelling, and diving. In the jungle, enjoy hiking, horseriding, or ziplining past exotic plants, animals, and birds. A world of historical treasure awaits in the fascinating Mayan ruins, which feature excavated tombs, intricate hieroglyphs, and towering stone temples, often providing panoramic views.

Currency

The Belize dollar, abbreviated BZ$, is the official currency of Belize. It is pegged to the U.S. dollar at a ratio of 2 Belize dollars to 1 U.S. dollar. Both currencies are acceptable at almost any business or establishment around the country. As long as you have U.S. dollars or U.S. dollar-based traveler's checks, it is entirely unnecessary to change your local currency into Belize dollars prior to leaving your home country. However, travelers from countries that do not use U.S dollars are advised to change a sufficient amount of their home currency to U.S. dollars before travelling.

Banking

Banks are generally open Monday through Friday from 8am to 4:30pm. However, in many small towns, villages, and smaller tourist destinations, bank hours may be limited. In very few instances, banks have begun opening on Saturday.

Internationally compatible ATMs can be found in most of Belize’s major cities. ATMs are far less common in rural areas, islands and small villages, so have enough cash to cover purchases when travelling away from the larger cities. All major credit are accepted at most top-end hotels, restaurants, shops and other tourist establishments. But it is always wise to check before you leave home to make sure that your credit card will be accepted. Expect to pay cash when dealing with smaller vendors, family-run restaurants and market stalls.

The Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport is in Ladyville, to the northwest of Belize City. This airport  receives direct international flights from Atlanta, Charlotte, Newark, Miami, Dallas, Houston, Flores, San Salvador, Roatan and San Pedro Sula

Belize is a fairly small country, and transportation between most destinations is rarely long and tedious.

Tropic Air and Maya Island Air both have multiple flights daily to various towns around the country and to Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. Domestic flights are generally pretty reasonable, and thus popular if your time is limited and budget is not.

Several competing bus lines operate on the main road in the north-south direction from Punta Gorda to Belmopan and Belize City. There are bus stations in the main towns, or simply stand on the side of the highway and wave at an approaching bus. Express buses can save you a lot of time as they do not stop for passengers waiting on the roadside, making only scheduled pick-ups and drop-offs in towns.

Small speedboats operate on a daily basis between Puerto Barrios in Guatemala to Punta Gorda. The cost is around US$20 one way. To travel between Belize City and the islands (Caye Caulker, San Pedro) and even Chetumal, Mexico, you can use the ubiquitous water taxis which are generally reliable, safe, and depart frequently.

There are several car hire companies based at the Philip S.W. Goldson Airport and Belize City, including major international companies (e.g. Hertz, Avis, Thrifty) as well as some smaller local companies. Driving is on the right-hand side of the road and many of the roads are bumpy, so a four wheel drive is recommended, especially if you plan to drive on minor roads.

Taxis can be a very good way to explore the local area you are staying in - although long distance trips can get expensive. Ask your accommodation, or someone you trust to put you in contact with a reliable driver. Always agree on a price before you get into the taxi. Taxi's normally have green number plates that start with a "D".

Food, Drink & Cuisine

Never drink the tap water and buy only bottled purified water with a proper seal. It is widely available from shops and grocery stores, but when in rural areas with no access to bottled water, carry water purification tablets to treat water. Milk is often unpasteurised and should be boiled, though UHT milk is often available in shops. Avoid ice cream, raw fish and anything from street vendors unless you can see that it has been properly cooked, preferably in front of you. A quick and cheap meal is beans and rice with a piece of meat, usually chicken, and you will find plenty of food stalls or small, local restaurants serving it, but cooked food should never be served lukewarm. Peel or cook all fruits and vegetables. Prevent flies from landing on your food as many carry airborne illnesses, and do not eat at places where the food has been left exposed for a long time.

Food in Belize is a mixture of the cuisines of all the internal and surrounding nationalities, with dishes recognisable from Guatemala and Mexico, even if they go by different names. You can find influences here from the Caribbean, Africa and Spain too, and among it all you’ll find restaurants set up by a mixture of expats and entrepreneurial types who recognise that the vast influx of tourists might like something a bit closer to home.  

However, the standard fare is, for the most part, basic. The usual meal is the rice-and-beans and a piece of meat combination: starchy, filling food that will keep you going. There are exceptions: the more tourist-prone areas such as San Pedro or Placencia have very decent restaurants serving some excellent food. While the prices aren’t astronomical, they aren’t extremely cheap either, and are certainly pricey in comparison with high-end places in neighbouring countries. Seafood on the cayes is varied and delicious.

On the other hand, there is local food served at smaller restaurants, which is generally rice-and-beans with chicken. It’s cheap, filling and usually tasty, though be careful if you buy this kind of meal from a stall. You can also find international food, particularly Chinese, North American and Latin American.  

Drinks mainly consist of the local beer, Belikin, or rum-based cocktails. 

Many restaurants and hotels will automatically add a service charge of 15% to your bill.

Belize’s subtropical climate sees high temperatures and humidity most of the year, but the fresh sea breezes generally make life more comfortable. The dry season is from December to May, and this is the best time to visit Belize if you’re looking for sunshine and warm temperatures.The wet season is from June to November where rain is more frequent.

Due to high temperatures and humidity most of the year, light comfortable cotton clothing is recommended as well as a bathing suit, sun hat, sun lotion and sunglasses. In case of wet weather, rain gear is advisable. Trails are often wet and therefore slippery, so good walking shoes that have good grip may be useful. For non-hiking activities, sandals should be sufficient.

Most major hotels will provide Wi-Fi access either for a fee or free of charge. Internet cafes and Wi-Fi hotspots are becoming more prevalent in Belize. Be aware that accessing the internet can be quite costly in Belize and probably slower than what you’re used to.

Electricity is 110-volt AC, and most outlets are either two or three prong U.S-style outlets.

If you wish to access the internet with your own computer, bring a connection kit with the correct power and phone adapters, a spare phone cord, and a spare Ethernet network cable - or find out whether your hotel supplies them to guests.