Passports/Visas

• All visitors must have a passport that is valid through the length of their stay

•  US, UK, and Canadian citizens do not need a visa prior to arrival

•  Non-US citizens should call the Belize Consulate (800.624.0686) or the Belize Embassy   (202.332.9636) for visa requirements

• Upon departure from the US all visitors must have a round-trip ticket, or proof of departure to another country

Health/Vaccinations

• No vaccinations are required for entrance into Belize

• Beyond Touring suggests consulting your physician in respect to anti-malarial medication

• Please advise Beyond Touring if you have any physical or medical limitations

• Belize offers purified water and unlike other Central American countries there are no safety issues regarding food or water consumption

• Belize is a tropical environment, there are mosquitoes and other insects, generally either long sleeve shirts/pants or a light application of insect repellent will suffice

Currency/Electricity/Phones

• Exchange rate:  $1.00 US = $2.00 BZE

• All major credit cards are accepted with Visa and MasterCard being the most widely used at the majority of places Beyond Touring frequents

• Travelers checks need a passport for verification and there is sometimes a fee

• Electricity is 110 volts, no adapters are necessary for US appliances, some lodges utilize generators

• Belize’s telecommunication system is reliable and AT&T, Sprint, and MCI are all easily accessed

• Internet access is available at some of the properties we frequent

Weather

• Belize can be best described as having sub-tropical climate

• Temperatures average between 50° F and 95° F with an average of 79° F

• November to February is the coolest months with an average of 75° F

• May to September is the warmest with an average of 81°F

• Belize has a dry season, which runs approximately from December – May

• The rainy season runs June – November but changing global weather patterns are making it more difficult to predict

What to Bring

• Water bottle or canteen

• Insect repellant

• Your favorite field bag or small pack

• Flashlight

• Poncho or waterproof protection for rain

• Light sweatshirt or long-sleeve shirt or light covering for occasional cool evenings

• Loose 100% cotton clothing; shorts are fine; trousers are useful for bush walking; for town, trousers or, for women, shorts are fine but skirts or light dresses are nice; T-shirts or cotton shirts or tops serve well

• Sun block and sunglasses

• Gallon-size zip-lock bags; good to put stuff in when it rains

• Binoculars, bird, and mammal guides (see reading list provided)

• You might wish to make sure you have clean nicer shirts/shorts or trousers to wear to dinner

• Shoes should be light with good traction; sneakers or tennis shoes are often too slippery on trails; heavy boots sometimes have too much tread; running shoes are fine, or some sort of light leather or canvas shoe or boot; synthetic lining often makes leather boots hot, so look for no lining or at least lining of a breathable fabric

• Cotton socks

• Bathing suit; mask and snorkel if you plan to go to the cayes

• Large towel or beach towel for swimming

•  Sandals or flip-flops

• Camera, film

• Travel clock/alarm and batteries

• Journal