time zone
Belize observes Central Standard Time year-round.
Daylight Savings Time is not observed.
language
English is the official language. Most Belizeans speak at
least one other language: Creole, Spanish or Maya.
what to wear
Shorts, T-shirts and sundresses are the rule of the day. You'll
want sandals for the "surf" and comfortable sneakers for
the "turf" portion of the trip. Consider a sweater or
sweatshirt for evenings during "winter," especially in the
mountains. Long pants are recommended when touring the
jungle.
what to bring
Good sunscreen is a must. Insect repellent is useful during
jungle hikes or when the air is calm along the coastline.
Film, batteries, health and beauty aids can be expensive,
with limited brands. Drinkable water is generally not a
problem.
electricity
110 volts. No adapters necessary for U.S. appliances. Some
remote hotels have electricity furnished by generators.
entry requirements
A valid passport is required to enter Belize. U.S. citizens do
not need a visa. Citizens of other countries should check
with the Belize embassy in their country for regulations.
exit requirements
When leaving Belize, there is an exit fee, $39.25 US per
person. Consult with a Magnum Belize representative on
whether this fee is included in your tour package. If not, the
exit fee is a good way to use up your extra Belize dollars.
respect environmental rules
In an effort to preserve Belize's natural resources for the
enjoyment of all, the following are prohibited by law: Removing
and exporting black coral, hunting without a
license, picking orchids in forest reserves, removing
archaeological artifacts, spearfishing while wearing scuba
diving apparel, and overnight camping in any public place,
including forest reserve. Please respect the beauty of Belize!
main industries
Tourism, bananas, coca, citrus, cane sugar, fish, cultured
shrimp, lumber, garments.
food
Rice, beans, and chicken are staples of the Belizean diet.
A wide variety of Creole, Mexican, Central American,
Chinese and American cuisine are also served. Fresh fruit
and seafood is widely available.
religion
About half of Belize's population is Roman Catholic;
another 30% is Protestant.
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air service
Belize City, an easy two-hour flight from Miami, New
Orleans, or Houston, is the hub for visiting the mainland or
the cayes. There is domestic air service to all main cities in
Belize and to Flores, Guatemala. Magnum Belize Tours
can help you book both international and domestic flights
at the same time you reserve your accommodations.
taxi service
Taxis are available at the Philip S.W. Goldson International
Airport and generally in all towns. Fares are strictly
regulated within Belize City.
internet/phone service
Internet cafes can be found in more populated areas like
Belize City and San Pedro, and more resorts and hotels
now offer Internet service; some provide wireless
connections as well, though not always in rooms.
Long-distance telephone and prepaid cellular service
options are available.
bus service
Regular, scheduled bus service operates to and from all
main towns, to the border of Guatemala and across the
Mexican border to Chetumal and Cancun.
customs delcaration
Duty-free importation is allowed for: The accompanied
baggage of the passenger, wearing apparel, jewelry,
binoculars and cameras, all of which are not intended for
any other person or resale. Each person is allowed to
import: One carton (200 only) cigarettes and one bottle
(fifth) of alcoholic beverage, duty-free.
safety
Most residents realize that tourism is a key to the Belizean
economy, and crime against visitors is rare. The same
principles of travel apply here as they do in any unfamiliar
city or country: stay alert, don't venture into unfamiliar
areas at night, safeguard your possessions and don't leave
personal items unattended.
currency
The currency exchange is a stable $2 BZ-$1 US. Stores
and restaurants accept U.S. and Belizean currency
interchangeableably. It's best to bring a combination of
cash and/or travelers checks (smaller denominations
recommended) along with major credit cards (Visa,
MasterCard, American Express) that are widely accepted.
ATM service is limited; it's best not to rely on an ATM card
to withdraw funds.
tipping
Some hotels and restaurants add a 10% service charge,
distributed amongst service staff. In general, however,
follow the same guidelines you would use at home, tipping
as a way of rewarding good service.
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