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Q |
When is the
best time to go to Belize?
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You are welcome to go to Belize any time of the year. Mid-November
through May are the driest months of the
year. The rainy season starts in June and
ends in mid-November. High tourist season
starts in December and continues through
May. The rest of the year is less crowded.
Belize has a subtropical climate, with an
average annual temperature of 80�F. The
temperature can reach the mid-90's in the
summer. Trade winds flow through the coastal
and island properties most of the year,
keeping temperatures enjoyable even
throughout the hottest months. Water temperature averages between 79 and 83�F. Rainfall is heavier in the jungles and southern Belize and light in central and northern Belize and
on the islands.
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Q |
What are
the public and bank holidays?
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Stores, banks
and government offices are closed in
observance of the following holidays:
- New Years Day - January 1
- Baron Bliss Day- March 9
- Good Friday
- Holy Saturday
- Easter Monday
- Labour Day-May 1
- Commonwealth Day- May 24
- St. George's Caye Day- September 10
- Independence Day- September 21
- Columbus Day- October 12
- Garifuna Settlement Day- November 19
- Christmas Day- December 25
- Boxing Day- December 26
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Q |
What shall
I bring while vacationing in Belize?
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When hiking,
bring hiking boots or sneakers with good
treads, long pants and long sleeves for
evening hikes, short pants and cool cotton
clothes, bathing suits, sun hats,
sunglasses, prescription drugs, lightweight
raingear with a hood, sun screen, sun burn
cream, insect repellent, binoculars, camera
and film, batteries, a flashlight or
headlamp for evening hikes or caving, and do
not forget your passport or visa (if
applicable), as well as cash, credit cards
and/or travelers' checks.
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Q |
What is the
dress code?
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The dress code
in Belize is casual... shorts and t-shirts. Shoes are
optional. Except for hiking into the rain forest areas, the dress is informal
and light. Leave expensive jewelry at home
since you will not need it. Should you need
a watch, bring one that is suitable for
diving and/or hiking.
If you are visiting Waterside, bring shorts,
T-shirts, and bathing suits, along with deck
shoes. The sun is more intense than what you
are probably used to at home, so bring a hat
to protect your head from the tropical sun
and biodegradable sun screen for the rest of
your body. Do not forget to bring a pair of
"polarized" sunglasses to protect your eyes
from the sun and to remove the reflective
glare from the water.
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Q |
What about
credit cards and travelers' checks?
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Hotels,
restaurants and stores in the tourist areas
accept all major credit cards. Smaller
vendors and storekeepers in rural areas may
accept only cash or travelers' checks (US
currency or Belize currency... US$1 =
BZE$2). All major credit card companies may
be contacted at all of the commercial banks
in Belize.
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Q |
What is the
currency exchange rate?
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Local currency
is the Belize dollar. One U.S. dollar
(US$1.00) is equivalent two Belize dollars
(BZE$2.00). U.S. dollars are accepted
countrywide. Major credit cards are accepted at
hotels and shops.
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Q |
What about
banks?
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There are
several commercial banks in Belize City.
Atlantic Bank Limited, Albert Street, Belize
City - Phone: 227-7301
Alliance Bank, 106 Princess Margaret Dr,
Belize City - Phone:223-6783, 223-6784
Bank of Nova Scotia, Albert Street, Belize
City - Phone: 227-7027
Barclays Bank PLC, Albert Street, Belize
City - Phone: 227-7211
Belize Bank Limited, Market Square, Belize
City - Phone: 227-7132
Banking hours are usually Monday-Friday from
8 AM-1 PM and to 4:30 PM on Fridays; and
Saturdays, 8 AM-11 AM. Many of the banks
have branches within the other districts.
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Q |
What about
driving around Belize?
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If you have a car, a great way to experience the country is driving yourself. It is recommended, to have a
four wheel drive vehicle. Belize is only 68
miles wide and 180 miles long, so it is not
to far to get anywhere. The main highways in
Belize are:
- The Northern Highway from Belize City to
Corozal and the Mexican Border.
- The Western Highway from Belize City to San
Ignacio and the Guatemalan Border.
- The Hummingbird Highway from Belmopan to
Dangriga.
- The Southern Highway from Dangriga to Punta
Gorda.
- The Manatee Highway from Belize City to
Dangriga.
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Q |
Can I
travel by bus in Belize?
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Yes, you can
travel by bus in Belize. The bus lines are
as follows:
- Novelo's Bus - Phone: 207-2025
- Z-Line Bus Service - Phone: 522-2224
- Battys - Phone: 207-4924
- Venus - Phone: 207-3354
Departure is out of Belize City for most of
the major towns (Punta Gorda, Corozal,
Orange Walk, San Ignacio, Belmopan, Dangriga).
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Q |
Can I rent
a car?
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To rent a car,
or a golf cart on mainland Belize, a valid
driver license is required. The best place
to rent a vehicle is at the Belize City
International Airport. Driving laws are like
the rest of the world. Also, to ride a bike
at night, you must have a bright white light
on it.
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Q |
How much
does gas cost?
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Gas costs
about US$4.00 per gallon.
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Q |
How do I
get around by plane in Belize?
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Travelers
flying into the Philip Goldson International
Airport in Belize City may connect to
various destinations within Belize
including: Corozal, Caye Caulker, Caye
Chapel, Dangriga, Big Creek, Ambergris Caye,
Placencia and Punta Gorda.
Airlines serving destinations within Belize:
- Tropic Air: (800) 422-3435 (from U.S.) or
011-501-226-2012 email tropicair@btl.net.
Belize International, Belize Municipal,
Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, Caye Chapel,
Corozal, Placencia, Punta Gorda, Flores
(Guatemala)
- Island Air: 011-501-226-2435. Belize
International, Belize Municipal, Ambergris
Caye, Caye Caulker, Corozal
- Caribee Air Service: 011-501-224-4253 for
private charters.
- Javier's Flying Service Ltd.:
011-501-223-5360 for private charters.
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Q |
How much
should room and board cost?
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Travelers on a
budget can vacation for as little as $40 a
day on mainland Belize. Transportation will
be extra. Room and board in upscale jungle
lodges and good hotels can run from $85 to
$150 a day. Outfitted group adventure trips
at upscale all-inclusive lodges range from
$100 to $150 a day. Reservations are always
a good idea during high season. Do not
forget to ask about group discounts.
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Q |
Is there
sales tax?
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Yes, Belize
has a value added tax of 15%. It is levied
on all goods and services except hotel
accommodations, where there is a 7% tax.
Some hotels have a 10-15% service charge, be
sure to inquire about this when checking
hotel prices. These taxes are subject to
change.
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Q |
What about
tipping?
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Tips of 10%
are acceptable, with more for outstanding
service.
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Q |
What about
shopping?
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There are
local fish, fruit and vegetable markets.
Meats, rice, corn and beans are the regular
diet for locals. Other foods and
manufactured goods are usually imported and
sold through small stores and supermarkets.
Just keep in mind that certain products
cannot leave the country, such as
unprocessed coral, turtle shells,
pre-Colombian artifacts and marine products
(unless permission is granted).
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Q |
What about
getting married in Belize?
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To get married in Belize you have to be
in the country for at least three days
before you can apply for a marriage license,
with one day notice. You must have proof of
citizenship such as a certified copy of a
birth certificate, notarized, with father's
name, proof of divorce, if necessary,
certified copy or original of divorce
certificate and a copy of the death
certificate for widow or widower, if
necessary. You can be married by either a
Justice of the Peace or Registrar General
(Phone 501-227-7377) in Belize City.
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Q |
What do I
do in an emergency?
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911 is the
emergency number to connect you to the local
police, who will be able to assist you. The
fire department or ambulance can be reached
through this number also. The Belize
Telemedia Directory would have a list of
doctors, and very serious medical problems
are cared for in Belize City at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital.
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Disclaimer: Waterside Limited makes no warranty as to the
quality of the goods or services or the
reliability of the products or services
listed above. We have made every attempt to
keep the list up to date, but we will not be
responsible for errors or omissions. |
