Tips for traveling to Belize

Helpful tips to prepare and travel to Belize

Belize is a small Caribbean country south of Mexico in the Caribean sea. The famed explorer, Jaques Cousstau, called Belize the Jewel of the Carribean. Belize is much more than just a jewel - it's a treasure chest of adventure, history, culture filled with natural beauty and man made wonders.

It may even be a bit overwhelming for a first time traveller to decide what areas to vists, which attractions to see and what adventures to experience. Even though the land is small, travel can take longer than the mileage indicates!

So, you made your accomomdation reservation at Blue Parrot Beach House, booked your airplane ticket and planned your tours. In a blink your dream vacation is here and you have to start packing!

What to bring???

Clothing

Belize has a comfortable year round tropical climate and a very laid back relaxed culture. Casual, light weight moisture wicking and natural fiber clothing is recommended. If you are planning an active adventure filled vacation, ensure you bring the correct clothing, shoes and equiptment for your activity. Although almost all accomodations and guides will provide equiptment and regular clothes and footware will surfice, having the right gear will make your vacation more enjoyable.

Good sunprotection is essential while in Belize as you will spend a lot of time outdoors. Consider long sleeved light weight "fishing shirts" to wear into the jungle and light weight long pants - not only will this protect againt the sun but also against mosquitos. Dont forget your wide rimmed hat and water shoes or hiking sandals for activities like cave tubing and zipline.

Restaurants are very laid back in their dress code. Linen is a great choice for the tropical climate, and you don’t need to dress for dinner, unless you want to.

Recommended Packing List

Essentials - Clothing & Accessories

• Wide-brimmed hat
• Sunglasses
• Swimsuit & cover-up
• Short-sleeved shirts (quick drying) Light colored preferably.
• Long-sleeved lightweight shirt (at least one for protection from the elements) Light colored clothing recommended because dark colors attract mosqiotos and heat.
• Shorts (plus one pair of lightweight long pants)
• Lightweight sweater
• Pajamas/sleepwear
• Underwear
• Sandals/flip flops
• Comfortable walking shoes (sneakers or waterproof hiking shoes) & socks
• Toiletries & prescription medications
• Sunscreen - Reef friendly please!
• Bug repellent - there is a lot of all natural bug repellents availble in Belize, made by local entrepeneurs. I am a biting insect magnet and after trying all the commercially DEET and DEET free products, my go to is the local stuff, especially the mosquito repelent from Jungle Infusions. Not only is it an all natural repellent, it is also an after bite itch reliever!

Tip: Apply sunscreen first, and then bug spray.

Tip: Be prepared for rain showers at some point every day. (Disposable) rain ponchos is a great space saver to pack!

Strongly recommeded items to remember:

• Smartphone (check with your carrier; beware of roaming charges)
• iPad or e-reader
• Headphones
• Chargers
• 2 Pens (To fill out customs and arrival forms
• Camera and/or video recorder (and charger)
• Draw string or small back pack (waterproof, ideally)
• Water bottle (the waer at Blue Parrot is drinkable althoughwe do provide drinking water to our guests)
• Hand sanitizer
• Prescription medications
• Binoculars
• Snacks like pringles and trail mix - all imported snack are expensive. The "local" brands ie imported form Mexico and other caribean nations are much more affordable but trail mix not readily availble.

Required Documents

• Passport
• Driver’s License (if you plan to rent a car)
• Health/Travel insurance information
• Dive Certification card (if applicable)

Arriving in Belize

Tip: There is bathrooms before the passport control desks which is usually very "busy". If you can, go through passport control and visit the bathrooms by the luggage carousels.

At the international airport in Belize, you will be required to hand in certain forms:

• An arrival form - one per person in the family
• Custom declaration - one per family

These forms might be handed out while your flying or you will get them at the entrance of the arrival hall - hnce the need for more than 1 pen!

Once you proceeded through passport control, you will gather your luggage.

In the arrival/luggage area you will see several Duty Free shops selling mainly cigars, cigarettes and alcohol.

Tip: If you know you will buy any alcohol, other than beer or the local rum, buy alcohol and cigarettes at the duty free shop at the airport. Belize has a 100% import duty on any liquor and wine note produced in the country.

Once you did your shopping and gathered your luggage you will proceed to the customs lines. All luggage will be scanned and most everyones luggage will be opened and examined, regardless of taking the declare or nothing-to-declare-line.

If you bring more than $10 000 USD into the country you have to declare it - it is to combat money laundering!

Once you cleared customs and passport control, a wonderfull adventure awaits in the Jewel of the Caribean!

Flying to your destination in Belize

If you are flying on either Maya Island or Tripc Air you will have to check your luggage again. Before checking your suite case, check with he agent if you need to check alcohol or if you can carry it as hand luggage.

Driving to your destination

Driving in Belize is relatively easy and the roads are mostly good. Do note that what is considered national highways in Belize, is more like a 2 lane road in the USA.

You do no need any special drivers license to rent a car just your regular valid non expired license form your home country. All road signs are in english and speed limits mostly posted in mph or mph and kph. Further more, like the USA and Canada, you will be driving on the rightside of the road. There is however, a few things to be aware of when driving in Belize. there is generally not a lot of cars on the highways but there is road hazards to consider. Alhough a lot of peopel sees road signs and speed limits as suggestions, it will be unwise not to abide by them.

Tips for driving in Belize

• There are many local and international car rental companies at the airport. Make sure you check out your rental car before you take off. Not all cars are reliable, we recommend Crystal Car Rental as a local company.
• Not all GPS's and phones are reliable in Belize. The Waze app seems to be on of the most reliable apps tp use. We recommend you download this as well as a back up to your regular GPS.
• Be aware there is not many gas stations in Belize - rather fill up when your car is half than trying to push the limit.
• Speed is managed by speed humps. These ae usually stratigically placed espescially before and after schools and villages. They are marked as "pedestian crossing" but these humps can cause serious damage if you miss the signs - which sometimes are missing.
• People selling small food items like fruit or drinks at some of the speed humps — this can be a fun and a refreshing quick way to get something a little exotic.
• One of the main ways of travel for residence is by bus. They are normally going pretty quickly and are a common sight on the roads. Give them leeway and be careful when passing.
• If possible avoid driving by night. This is not due any criminal acivity, but more so because most roads do not have gaurd rails, there is very few street lights, lots of pedestrians on the roads and lots of nocturnal wild life crosses road ways. Add in the occasional unmarked speed bump
• Lots of people hitchhike, this is normal in Belize, do not have feel compelled to stop but be aware that you will see more than a few thumbs out to ask.

ENJOY YOUR UNBELIZEABLE VACATION!