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General
Information
Geographically this
country is small in size (8,866
square miles), but, it's gigantic
in attractions and diversity. The
mainland and coastal cayes are remarkable
wonders. The topography changes
rapidly as do compass points. Travelers
see estuaries, rivers, jungle, mountains,
coral reefs, expansive underground
caves, glorious waterfalls and an
incredible collection of wildlife.
Every year more and more visitors
are discovering Belize. Most come
to dive, fish, enjoy the wildlife
and explore ancient ruins. Some
come to relax, some for the education,
and many for the diving.
Belize offers all ranges of diving
- from shore diving in shallow water
to the Great Blue Hole at over 200
feet (61m) deep.
The Belize Barrier Reef spans 185
miles (297 km) of coast with the
largest barrier reef in the Western
hemisphere. Dive sites are located
inside and outside of the reef.
Outside the reef, look for spur
and groove formations - narrow canyons
of corals. Inside the reef, patch
reefs are covered with hundreds
of brightly colored fish and coral
species.
Belize boasts three offshore atolls:
Turneffe, Glover's Reef and Lighthouse
Reef. Together they easily provide
more than a hundred dive and snorkeling
sites. Lighthouse atoll is where
you will find the famous Blue Hole,
with a depth of 480 feet and stalagtites
at 130 feet.
Great diving can be found from the
mainland or from a number of resorts
on the tiny islands offshore.
Most of the Belize marine ecosystem
is protected under World Heritage
Sites and because of this, the diving
remains pristine.
Climate Annual Mean - Temp 79F 26C
Water Temps 75 - 84F 24 - 29C
U/W Visibility Often 100+ ft 30+
m
on the atolls, a little lower inside
the reef
Getting
There
By Air
International flights to Belize
go through Charlotte, Dallas, Houston,
Miami, Los Angeles and Montego Bay,
Jamaica. Flights arrive in Belize
City, then if you are heading to
the offshore cays and atolls, you
will travel from here either by
boat or small private charter plane,
depending on location.
The major airlines servicing Belize
are:
American
Airlines
Continental
Delta
(Saturday Service Only)
TACA
US
Airways
These airlines also service Belize
via Flores, Guatemala
Maya Island Air
1-800-521-1247
501-226-2435
501-226-2192
Tropic Air
1-800-422-3435
501-226-2012
501-226-2338
Caribbean Holidays
now agents for Tikal Jets
81 Albert St.
Tel: 501-227-2583
Entry Requirements
With the exception of cruise ship
passengers, all visitors to Belize
must present a valid passport before
entering the country. Passports
must be valid up until time of departure.
In cases where a visitor remains
in the country for over 30 days,
an extension of entry must be requested.
Extensions are available for the
cost of:
- Up to 6 months for US $25
- After 6 months US $50 per month
VISAS
United States and Canadian citizens,
nationals of Caricom countries and
of the European Community member
nations (Belgium, Germany, France,
Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands,
Denmark, Ireland, UK, Greece, Spain,
Portugal, Austria, Finland, Sweden),
Hong Kong, Mexico, New Zealand,
Norway and Venezuela do not require
visas.
Entry visas should be obtained outside
of Belize. For the nearest place
to obtain a visa please visit: Belize
Consuls and Embassies.
Visas are required for nationals
of the following countries: Afghanistan,
Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina,
Bangladesh, Bolivia, Bosnia, Brazil,
Central African Republic, Chad,
China, Columbia, Cuba, El Salvador,
Ethiopia, Haiti, Honduras, India,
Japan, Korea (North and South),
Libya, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco,
Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama,
Peru, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand,
Ukraine, and Zaire.
Departure Fees
International Passengers by Air
Philip Goldson International Airport
- Passenger
Service Fee $15.00
- Airport
Development Fee $15.00
- Conservation
Fee $3.75
- Security
Fee $1.25
- Total
Airport Departure Fees: US $35.00
- Payable
ONLY in US currency.
- All
fees apply to non-Belizean citizens
and non-Belizean permanent residents.
International Passengers by Land
Santa Elena: Northern border with
Mexico
Benque Viejo del Carmen: Western
adjacency zone with Guatemala
- Border
Processing Fee $15.00
- Conservation
Fee $3.75
- Total
Border Departure Fees: US $18.75
or BZ $37.50
- Payable
in US or Belize currency.
- All
fees apply to non-Belizean citizens
- Exemptions:
children under 12; permanent
residents of Belize; visitors
from border towns for first
24 hours.
International Passengers by Sea
Departure by boat from Punta Gorda,
Dangriga or San Pedro
- Conservation
Fee $3.75
- Total
Sea Departure Fees: US $3.75
or BZ $7.50
- Payable
in US or Belize currency.
Domestic Air Passengers
International Airport to Domestic
Airport
- Security
Fee $0.75
- Total
Fee for Domestic Air Passengers:
US $0.75 or BZ $1.50
Travel
Tips
Getting
Around
If you are short on time or would
like to forego the scenic highways,
flying is safe, fast and efficient
in Belize.
The least expensive way to get around
Belize on a day to day basis is
by bus. Buses run regular schedules
and by other Central American standards,
Belizean buses are clean, roomy
and efficient.
No reservations are required though
often recommended as some bus routes
fill up quickly and completely.
Taxis are available in towns and
resort areas, and they are easily
recognized by their green license
plates. Unless specific arrangements
are made prior to your arrival at
Belize International Airport (P.S.W.
Goldson), taxis are available at
the entrance to the main terminal.
Although there are no meters on
the taxis, the drivers do charge
somewhat standard fares, but it
is always important to understand
what your fare will be, prior to
hiring a taxi.
Communication
You won't find telephones on every
corner of the open road in Belize.
If you plan to rent a car and discover
Belize at your own pace, its smart
to pack your cellular phone or arrange
for one through Belize Telecommunications
Ltd. when you arrive. Also, some
rent-a-car companies now offer cellular
phones. It might spare you a headache
in the event of a breakdown.
What to Wear
If you are visiting the Cayes and/or
the Barrier Reef, bring your shorts,
T-shirts, and bathing suits, as
well as some comfortable tennis
shoes or deck shoes. As the sun
is probably more intense than what
you are used to at home, bring a
cap to protect your head from the
tropical sun when you are boating
and/or fishing and use sunscreen
protection.
Loose fitting, light colored cotton
pants and camping shirts, along
with a comfortable pair of hiking
shoes or boots are appropriate for
exploring the Mainland or trekking
through the rain forest. When visiting
the Maya Ruins or traipsing through
the jungle, a hat with a wide brim
will provide shade from the tropical
sun, as well as provide protection
from a tropical shower.
Ambergris Caye, the largest of about
1000 cayes (islands) located in
the northern most waters of Belize,
Central America. This narrow strip
of paradise surrounded by the azure
Caribbean, is approximately 25 miles
long and was once a part of the
Yucatan Peninsula. Get there by
small plane or water taxi.
Caye Caulker is located 12 miles
from the mainland. It is only 5
miles long and seperated into 2
parts. The main village is on the
southern portion. Get there by small
plane or water taxi.
Business Hours
Banks: Monday - Thursday 8:00 A.M.
to 1:00 P.M. Friday 8:00 A.M. to
1:00 P.M. and 3:00 P.M. to 6:00
P.M.
Commerce & Industry: Monday
- Friday 8:00 A.M. to 12:00P.M.
1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. Some businesses
are open on Saturdays
Electricity
Although most of the electricity
is provided by Diesel/Generator
Sets, the power is stable at 110
Volts A.C., which is the same voltage
as in the United States.
Medical
There is a well staffed hospital
and several private doctors in Belize
City. Also the District Towns and
larger Villages have hospitals or
clinics.
Water
Potable water is available in most
areas of Belize, but it is advisable
to ask, and if in doubt, to drink
boiled or bottled water.
Health
There are no serious epidemic diseases
in Belize. No inoculations are required
for entry, but anti-malaria tablets
are recommended for extended stays
in the jungle.
Language
Everyone in Belize speaks English.
Tipping
Tip if you find the service good.
Tipping can range from 10-15%.
Telephone Service
Belize Telecommunications Limited
provides telephone communication
between Belize and the United States
and Canada. Direct dial service
is available.
Time
Time observed year round is GMT-6,
which is the same as United States
Central Standard Time. Daylight
Savings Time is not observed in
Belize
Climate
The climate is subtropical, with
a brisk prevailing wind from the
Caribbean Sea. The country has an
annual mean temperature of 79 degrees
Fahrenheit, and the humidity is
nicely tempered by the Sea breezes.
Variation in weather features, emphasizes
the interesting difference in elevation,
geology, plant and animal life.
A summer high temperature, usually
never exceeds 96 degrees Fahrenheit,
and winter lows are seldom below
60 degrees Fahrenheit, even at night.
Saltwater temperature varies between
75 degrees Fahrenheit and 84 degrees
Fahrenheit.
Rainfall
Annual rainfall ranges from 50 inches
in the North to 170 inches in the
South. Although the rainy season
is usually between June and August
and the dry season is between February
and May, global weather changes
are making historical predictions
somewhat invalid. At the end of
October, the weather does become
cooler, and from November to February,
it is pleasant with showers of rain.
Average humidity is 85 percent.