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Frequently Asked Questions about Belize
Q: What language is spoken in Belize? A: English is the official language and is widely spoken, as is Spanish. Other languages include Creole, Mayan and Garifuna. Q: How many people live in Belize? A: The population of Belize is approximately 270,000. There is a great deal of ethnic diversity among Belizeans, who include Creoles (African-European), Mestizo (Spanish-Indian), Garifuna (African-Indian), Mayan, Anglo-European, Middle Eastern and Asian. Q: What about Tipping? A: Gratuities have become the norm in most restaurants, major hotels and at the airports. Tipping of guides for adventures or resort staff depends on the policies of the company running the adventures or the resort itself. Some companies include gratuities as part of the costs while others discourage tipping all together. If you are not sure, please ask in advance.
Q: Where is Belize located? A: Belize lies on the eastern coastline of Central America, bordered on the north by Mexico (the Yucatan Peninsula), on the west and south by Guatemala, and on the east by the sparkling waters of the Caribbean Sea. It is separated by sea from its neighbor to the southwest, Honduras. Q: What is the climate like in Belize? A: Belize is subtropical, with a mean annual temperature of 80 degrees F. Winter storms may bring the temperature down to the low 60's but it can also reach the mid-90's on the mainland during the hottest part of summer. Trade winds blow along the coast and on the cayes most of the year, keeping temperatures pleasant even in the hottest months, except for a few weeks, generally around mid-August through mid-September. The dry season generally lasts from November through May while the rainy season is typically June-November. Hurricanes occasionally occur between August through October. Rainfall is heaviest in the south and the jungle areas (around 180 inches) lightest in the north and on the Cayes (around 50 inches). Water temperature averages between 79 and 83 degrees F. Note: Some adventures, such as cave tubing or other caving and jungle expeditions can be effected by either too much or too little rainfall. These adventures usually indicate this as part of their descriptions. Q: Should I be worried about Wild Animals or Poisonous Snakes? A: The reef islands have no poisonous snakes and most of the critters are pretty benign. There are rare sightings of Fer-de-lance, Bushmaster and Coral snakes in the mainland jungle areas. There are also occasional sightings of tarantulas and scorpions. Belize is rich in exotic wildlife...iguanas, amazing birds, manatees, reef fish, howler monkeys. Larger animals, such as the Jaguar do exist in the jungle but are rarely seen. The biggest pest, well, smallest actually, is the no-see-um or sand fly. They can be irritating during dusk and dawn.
Q: Do I need Malaria pills or special shots? A: Shots are not required to enter the country. However, one should consider having a gamma globulin for Hepatitis A, booster for Typhoid, as well as Tetanus. On occasion Malaria has been found in Belize and can be prevented or cured with Chloroquine. Chloroquine can cause liver damage when used for a prolonged time period. Often travelers on long visits choose to carry mosquito repellant while in the jungle in lieu of taking Chloroquine for a prolonged period. For professional advise, consult your local Health Department or family physician. Q: Can I drink the water? A: Try your best to stay away from food items sold on the street and wash fruits and vegetables before eating. Buy bottled water while out on trips and excursions and do the see and smell test on all food purchases.. Q: What type of medical facilities A: Belize City has not only a hospital, but also an MRI clinic and other medical services including a number of doctors. District towns and larger villages have either a hospital or a clinic as well.
Q: What type of medical facilities A: Belize City has not only a hospital, but also an MRI clinic and other medical services including a number of doctors. District towns and larger villages have either a hospital or a clinic as well.
Q:
Do I need a passport?
BY AIR:
You can ship items via air to the Phillip S.W.
Goldson International Airport, P.O. Box 367, Belize City, which is
approximately 10 miles from Belize City (Phone: 025-2013/2014). The main
airlines are Belize Air International, Continental, American Airlines
(from Miami, Dallas, Houston), Taca Airlines (from Miami, Houston, Los
Angeles, San Francisco and New Orleans).
BY SEA:
The main seaport of entry into the country is the Belize Port Authority,
Belize City. Other seaports of entry are Corozal Town, Dangriga, Punta
Gorda Town, San Pedro and Barranco. The requirements of a boat are the
boat's official documentation, clearance from the last port of call,
three copies of the crew and passenger manifesto, three copies of stores
used or a list of cargo on board (if there are not any, an imballast
manifesto). The main Ocean Carriers are NedLloyd from Europe, Hyde
from Miami, Harrison from Europe, Hapag-Lloyd from Europe, Hamilton
Brothers from Tampa, Carol from the Caribbean and Europe.
Q:
Is there an Arrival or Departure
Tax?
Q:
What type of clothing and extra
stuff should I bring?
Q:
What type of electricity is used
in Belize.
If you are a business
visitor planning to spend some time in Belize and want a temporary
internet account, you can make arrangements by contacting B.T.L.
directly via e-mail at sales@btl.net).
Q:
What currency does Belize use? PLEASE NOTE: it is very important to keep in mind that your credit card company usually adds additional service charges or may charge a slightly higher exchange rate for purchases made in foreign countries. For example, if you purchase a package in Belize for a quoted $500 US, your credit card will typically be charged $1000 Belize (2:1 ratio), however, when your bank or credit card company converts the Belize dollars to your own homeland currency they typically charge you a higher exchange rate and/or add an additional service or processing fee (typically the same way a bank has one rate if you buy money, another rate when you sell money).
These additional charges are outside the control of the resort or
tour company making the initial charge to your credit card and are not
the result of them overcharging your account. Some Belize resorts or tour companies may charge
you a rate of $2.04 Belize to $1.00 US to cover their bank charge for
credit card processing, but the company should inform you of this before any payment is made.
Q:
Is there a tourism board for
visitors?
Q: How much tax is charged on purchases and services? A: Sales Tax is currently set at 15% and applies to all goods and services except hotel accommodations. There is a 9% hotel tax. Some hotels also add a 10-15% "service charge" to the bill so inquire about this when checking hotel prices. Please Note: Although sales tax is the only tax that is added to some selected items and all services in the country, the Government of Belize may soon implement the General Sales Tax (GST) This is being decided by the House of Representatives and the Senate and this may change prices on all services in the country. Some hotels include service charges in their rates, and it is up to you to find out the exact percentage when making your reservations and when checking out.
Q: What time zone is Belize in? A: Belize is on Central Standard Time, however, they do not observe Daylight Savings Time. The local time is Greenwich mean time minus six hours.
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