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 we have 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.
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 from a Dr., lawyer or Indian Chief that says you are a good person.
If you have time, a letter from your local police department stating that you have a clean record is good.
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.
The roads are rough and the buses are even rougher – but they run everywhere for practically nothing and you get to meet many people along the way. There is a bus schedule on the office door.
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 (4% processing fee applies with credit card transactions.) 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.
Where you need to fill in where you are going:
Belize – It is Corozal District, Progresso Village
Mexico – It is the State of Quintano Roo, City of Chetumal
If you fly into Cancun:
Exchange rate averages around 10 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),
‘ Get Transfers’, owned by George and Ester, is in Corozal and do this daily. Their expertise would also be helpful for the two boarder crossings. Their phone number from the US is 011-501-422-2485 or from Mexico 00-501-422-2485.
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: 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.
If you decide to take a taxi to the Belize boarder, 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)
Note: possible new fee, (transmigrant fee), that I was charged on my last trip in, being told that if you are just traveling through Mexico, and not there for a certain length of time, they charge you $20.00 US as you leave the country. We have found in Mexico, the charges vary depending on the officer in charge – you never really know.
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, as 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 get 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 they can not leave 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, mop/broom, 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 it’s always nice to have the larger selection of things in town.
Candy’s Food Patio around the corner is generally open for lunch. 2 blocks away
Ms. Martha’s shop has fresh fruits & vegetables, 1 block down the street
Bustillos General Store, has meats, beverages, breads, staples, hardware and just about anything you could want. 2 blocks away (public phone is here as well)
Anhill’s Internet Café is 2 blocks away
Self serve Laundry Facilities are available $3.00/load bze for washer and $3.00/load bze for dryer. Most everyone uses the clotheslines, the constant breeze makes them wrinkle free and you don’t have to spend the money for the gas dryer.
Immigrations requires you to check in every 30 days. You can do this in any immigration office throughout the Country, or at the boarder. They will charge you a fee of $50. bze and re stamp your passport, 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, which you can apply for after being here for one year.
There is a Departure tax when you exit the country. It is $37.50 U.S. at the Belize City airport and a slightly lesser amount when you exit at the northern boarder.
40% of Belize is in protected rainforest National Preserves, this money goes towards the management of these preserves.
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 (no zip codes)
(you are welcome to use this address for your mail, if you’ll be here long enough to receive it)
To call from the states: 011-501-666-5000
(it’s cheaper to get a phone card good for Belize - .20 cents per minute is average)
e-mail: belizelandoffice@hotmail.com
BUS SCHEDULE
to/from Progresso & Orange Walk
SUBJECT TO CHANGE-best to confirm all information provided
From Orange Walk you can get anywhere in the country –
Mostly by traveling from O/W to Belize City and out to your destination
Time Bus Line Destination Cost
4:30 am Tillets O/W – through to Belize City $8.00 bz
pick this bus up by the waterfront at the street corner of Maguna’s by the Police Station
5:30 am Tillets O/W 2.00 bz
6:30 am Tillets O/W 2.00 bz
pick this bus up by the waterfront, 3 streets down, before the Kay residence
1-1:30 pm Tillets O/W 2.00 bz
pick this bus up by Bustillos store or at the bus stop at the south end of the village
11:00 am Tillets from O/W to Progresso 2.00 bz
pick these bus’s up by the lands office, by the San Estephan Bridge, overlooking the river and the octagon restaurant
3:30 pm “ “ “ “ “
5:00 pm “ “ “ “ “
6:30 pm “ “ “ “ “
6:15 am Hereida’s from Progresso to Corozal 2.00 bz
There are continual bus’s between Corozal and Orange Walk throughout the day In case
you got to Corozal and there were not any bus’s coming back at the time you want one. 5.00 bz
7 am + - Lino’s from Progresso to Freezone 2.00 bz
this bus returns from the Freezone to Progresso – gets to the village late – around 9 pm
Maya Island Air and Tropic Air both service Ranchito Airport (just south of Corozal) – with flights to and from BZE and the islands
