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When is the best time to go to Belize? |
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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. Hurricanes
occasionally occur in August and September. Water temperature
averages between 79 and 83°F. Rainfall is heavier
in the jungles and southern Belize and light in the
north and on the islands. |
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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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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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What is the dress code? |
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The dress code in Belize is shorts and t-shirts.
Shoes are optional. Except for hiking into the thick
jungle areas, the dress is casual, 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 Progresso Heights, 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. When hiking through rain forest
wear loose fitting, light colored cotton pants and
shirts, along with a comfortable pair of hiking shoes
or boots.
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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 City. |
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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
accepted at hotels and shops. |
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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 Margret Drive, 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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What about driving around Belize? |
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If you have a car, a great way to
experience the country is driving yourself. Always keep
in mind not to leave valuables in view in the vehicle,
keep the doors locked, keep the gas tank filled, do
not pick up hitchhikers and try not to drive a night.
It is recommended, whether or not it is rainy season
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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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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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 207-2025
Z-Line Bus Service 522-2224
Battys 207-4924
Venus 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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How much does gas cost? |
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Gas costs about US$3.00 per gallon. |
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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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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 $100 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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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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What about tipping? |
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Tips of 10% are acceptable, with more for outstanding
service. |
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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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What about getting married in
Belize? |
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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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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 Telephone 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:
Progresso Heights 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. |
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