Things to Bring:
Passport, light clothing, hat & sunglasses as well as an over shirt and long pants as some of the evenings get cool. The days will be in around 80 degrees and the nights 60 -70 degrees. Good foot wear is nice if you plan to climb the Mayan Ruins or hike in the Mountains. You may want a swim suit, water shoes, sun screen, bug spray and a flashlight. If you would be so kind as to bring a newspaper – USA today or something that you have at home.
It’s always a treat to get updated on the world news or have a crossword puzzle out of the paper.
No need to bring dress up clothing, everyone dress’s casual here.
No need for an inverter - Electrical is the same 110 as in the states.
Your U.S. cell phone more than likely will not work here, or will be very expensive to use here. Calling cards are available everywhere, averaging $ .30 cents/ minute US to call the States. Internet café’s are readily available for internet access, they charge $2.00 US per hour to use the computer. Yes, you will be able to access your US e-mail accounts. There is wireless internet available for your laptop or PC.
If you will want to open a Bank Account in Belize: Bring a letter of recommendation from TWO US banks, where you have an account. If you only use one bank, then get a second letter of recommendation from a Dr., lawyer or Indian Chief. A letter from your local police department stating that you have a clean record is also good to have.
Vehicle Rental:
Is expensive due to the road conditions. They Run about $70. US per day or $500. US per week. Gas & Diesel run about $5.00 US per gallon. It’s cheaper to hire a local taxi man if you’re just going for a day trip.
Bus travel:
We are located on the bus line. The buses run to all major towns, schedule is attached under the Directions heading. Bus fare is extremely economical and you get to meet many people along the way.
Luggage:
International travel still allows you to take 2 suitcases, up to 50 lbs. each, for free.
Types of Payment accepted:
We welcome cash, travelers checks, Master Card and Visa. US coin is not accepted in Belize.
Customs and immigrations forms:
During your flight the airline will pass out custom declaration forms and immigration forms to fill out and hand into immigrations when you enter the Country. (Note that fruits, vegetables or meats are not allowed) The questionnaire asks if you have more than $10,000. US dollars with you or more than 1 carton of cigarettes or 1 liter of alcohol, if so, you must declare it. You will need to fill one of these out, weather you are landing in Mexico or Belize.
The form asks where you are going, fill in either:
Corozal District, Progresso Village if you are flying into Belize City or
State of Quintano Roo, City of Chetumal if you are flying into Cancun
If you fly into Cancun:
Exchange rate averages around 10-12 pesos to one US dollar. The bus station and Bank ATM machines provide pesos.
Once you clear immigrations and customs and have picked up your bags – You will be approached by different people wanting to provide their transportation services.
If you want to take the bus, exit the airport terminal, turn to the right, (south) walk to the end of the sidewalk. Look for the large ADO buses. Buses departing the airport do not go directly to Chetumal. You must take either the bus ($3.50 US) or a taxi ($18.00 US) to Cancun’s Central Bus Station. You can purchase a ticket to the Central Bus Station directly from the bus conductor.
At the Central Station, purchase a ticket on ADO for Chetumal for approximately $20.00 US. They accept master card and visa. The bus has assigned seating and you can check your luggage. ADO suggests you arrive at the terminal 30-45 minutes before departure. The buses leave every hour.
Once at the Chetumal Bus Station, you can take a Mexican cab to the boarder – then catch a Belize Bus or Cab into the Town of Corozal.
If you prefer to be picked up at the bus station, (or airport, if you flew into Chetumal), just let us know, we have several people right in town that we can connect you with.
To Make a call while in Mexico:
Buy a Tel/Mex phone card for 30 pesos ($3.00US) at any newsstand or convenience store. You will find these stands in the airport and the bus station. Use the card in any Tel/Mex pay phone to call and let someone know you arrived and when to expect you in Chetumal. To call Belize from Mexico, dial 00 before the number.
Dial 00-501-666-5000 to reach us, if you have any problems along the way.
NOTE: TIME CHANGE: Fall and Winter it is one hour later in Cancun and Chetumal, Mexico than it is in Belize – if you are calling someone for a pick-up, be sure to specify Mexican time or Belize time. March – October we are on the same time zone. Mexico goes on the day light savings time, while Belize does not.
If you decide to take a taxi from the Chetumal Bus station to the Belize Border, you are only about 15 minutes away. Here you will go through Belize Customs and immigrations. From this boarder it is another 15 minute ride to Corozal. You can take a taxi or Gilharry Bus Service run small size buses continually during the day.
Note: If you are arriving in Cancun late in the day and want to stay overnight before heading out - consider the following:
The Cancun Central Bus Station is 30 minutes north of the airport.
1. take a taxi ($18.00 US) to a hotel near the Cancun Central Bus Station OR
2. Playa de Carmen is an hour south of the Cancun airport. If you have not been to Playa de Carmen, it is a charming place. In case you decide to go this route instead…
Take the “playa Bus” from the Cancun Airport ($8.50 US). You will be taken to the “Beach Bus Station” which is one hour south of the airport.
Across the street from the station is a bank for exchanging currency. There are numerous hotels within walking distance, ranging in price from $40 US on up.
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To take the bus to Chetumal from Playa de Carmen, you must go to the Main Playa Bus Station, ten blocks away. Take a taxi ($5 US) from the stand outside the Playa Beach Bus Stand to the Main Bus Station - Buy a ticket on ADO to Chetumal (about $20 US)
If you fly into Belize City:
When you get off the plane, you will be outside on the ground. Follow the crowd into the immigrations building – go through the line, get your passport stamped in for up to 30 days and collect your luggage.
Once you are through Customs, head out the door – this is where arrivals are met. No one is allowed into the baggage area or customs area except incoming passengers.
Note: there is an ATM right there, just before you go out the door, in case you want it, the money will come out in Belize currency (2 to 1 to the US dollar)
If you have rented a vehicle – there are detailed driving directions to get you from the Belize Airport to here.
(go to the “directions” heading)
There are not any bus’s from the Belize Airport – only taxi’s which charge $25.00 US to go to Belize City Bus station (about 25 minutes) – there you buy a ticket to Orange Walk for $4.00 US, In Orange Walk you will be able to get on the 5 pm bus to Progresso for $1.00 US
Belize has it’s own currency $2.00 to $1.00 US, fixed to the US dollar. It’s less confusing to use the local currency in the shops and restaurants, which are generally shown in Belize dollars. Real Estate for Sale and/or Rent and Hotels are in US dollars.
Mayan Artifacts are plentiful everywhere and the locals are always trying to sell them to the tourists – just remember that you can not take them out of the Country.
Once you are here:
The apartments are for longer term, self sufficient stays. They are fully furnished and equipped with dishes, pots and pans, coffee pot, juicer, blender, silverware, sheets, towels, towels, etc. You can shop for everything that you will need in the line of groceries, beverages, paper goods, etc. once you are in Belize. Most things can be purchased in the Village, but the selection will not be as large as the shops in Orange Walk & Corozal.
Self serve Laundry Facilities are available $1.50 u.s. for washer and $1.50 u.s. for dryer. Most everyone uses the clotheslines, the constant breeze makes them wrinkle free.
Immigrations requires you to check in every 30 days. You can do this in any immigration office throughout the Country, or at the Border. They will charge you a fee of $50. Bze and re stamp your passport for another 30 days, for the first 6 months you are in the country. The fee increases to $100. Bze commencing the 7th month you are in the country, until you become a resident. You can apply for residency after being here for one year.
There is a work permit available for foreigners that want to do business here prior to obtaining their residency. The cost is 2,000. Belize for the year. This will no longer be required once you have residency. It also eliminates the need to pay the immigration extension fees and to check in every 30 days. Since this costs $900.00 Belize for a one year time frame - it reduces the cost of the one year work permit to $1,100. Belize.
There is a Departure tax when you exit the country. It is $37.50 U.S. at the Belize City airport or $32.50 Bze when you exit at the northern Border.
Emergency Contact Information for you while you are in Belize:
Linda Cabral or Phil Duff
P.O. Box 363
Corozal Town, Corozal District
Belize, Central America (there are no zip codes)
you are welcome to use this PO Box number for your mail
To call from the states: 011-501-666-5000 or 011-501-660-9033 for cell phone
When calling Belize from abroad, consider getting a phone calling card that is good for the area – it will be far less than using your cell or home phone.
e-mail: belizelandoffice@gmail.com
Please feel free to e-mail us with any questions that you may have.
You can also check out www.belizeforum.com/belize for lots of good information on Belize
