You
have chosen a destination which offers a friendly welcome, natural wonders,
spectacular beaches and coral reefs. To help you in planning for your
trip, we offer the following information.
Climate
And Seasons
The
climate is sub-tropical and there is generally a brisk prevailing wind
from the Caribbean Sea. The rainy season is June through August with an
additional short dry time in August. Annual rainfall ranges from 170 inches
in the south to 50 inches in the north. Summer highs are rarely above
95 F and winter lows are rarely below 60 F.
Clothing
+
Casual
clothes - slacks, jeans, shorts, bathing suits, etc. - are appropriate
for almost all daytime and evenings activities. Slightly dressier clothing
is appropriate for evenings out in Belize City resort nightclubs.
Useful
items to include in packing list:
For
Ambergris Caye
Snorkeling and diving equipment (Also available for rent)
Suntan lotion, sunscreen, wide brimmed hat and sunglasses
Mosquito repellent
Binoculars, camera and plenty of film
For
Belize Interior (San Ignacio, Corozal, Dangriga, Placencia) Or Tikal
Lightweight trousers and long-sleeved shirts
Lightweight plastic raincoat / umbrella
Small flashlight
Mosquito repellent
Sneakers or hiking boots
Extra pair of sneakers (These may get wet)
Binoculars, camera and plenty of film
Luggage
It
is handy to take a small bag for overnight excursions to the beach or
to the country. We suggest a fold-up expandable type that can be carried
in your large suitcase. A backpack is a necessity for those who plan to
do a lot of bird watching or hiking through the jungles.
Documents
United
States citizens need only a valid passport for travel to Belize. Others
should contact the Belize Tourist Board for entry requirements.
Currency
And Exchange Rate
The
currency of Belize is the Belize Dollar (BZ$), but U.S. dollars, traveler's
checks and major credit cards are accepted as payment in many hotels,
restaurants and shops. The exchange rate is fixed at BZ$2 to US$1.
Taxes
And Tips
As in most countries, taxes are unavoidable and tips are given on the
basis of the quality of service rendered. The amounts suggested for tips
in this section are a guideline for appropriate tips for average to good
service. Note: It is helpful to carry a small quantity of US $1 bills
for tips and easy change.
Hotels:
A 5% tax is levied on all room charges. Bellboys and maids are generally
tipped for their services on the average of $.50 per bag and $.50 to $1.00
per room per night of accommodation respectively.
Restaurants:
Gratuities are sometimes added to totals. Otherwise, a 15% tip is customary.
Taxis:
Taxis are not metered, but charge standard fees. They are recognizable
by their green licence plates.
Tour
guides and drivers: On group tours, the average tip for a tour guide
is $3.00 to $4.00 per person for full day tours and $2.00 per person for
half day tours or 10% of tour cost. The drivers tip is usually half of
what is given to the guide. For private car tours, guides generally receive
at least $10.00 per full day tour and $5.00 per half day.
Airports:
On international departures there is an exit tax of $10.00 and a security
tax of $1.25.
Valuables
We suggest that while touring or shopping you leave your passport and
the bulk of your money in the hotel safe; only take with you the money
you intend to spend or exchange at that particular time. It is also helpful
to take a copy of the picture page of your passport to carry in your wallet
because it is sometimes needed to exchange traveler's checks. This copy
can also be useful in the event your passport is lost or stolen.
Health
No inoculations are required for travel to Belize, but anti-malaria tablets
are recommended for extended stays in the jungle.
Electric Current
The electric current is the same as in the United Sates, 110 volts AC.
Time
Differences
The hour in Belize is the same as Central Standard Time in the United
States. Daylight savings time is not observed.
Language
The official language is English. Spanish, Maya, Garifuna and Creole are
also spoken.
Business
Hours
Banks: 8:00am/1:00pm Monday - Thursday
8:00am/1:00pm and 3:00pm/6:00pm Friday
Shops and Shopping Centers: 8:00am/5:00pm Monday - Friday
Commerce and Industry: 8:00am/12:00pm and 1:00pm/5:00pm Monday - Friday
Some businesses are open on Saturdays.
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