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All You Need To Know...
About Traveling To Belize
- TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: A passport is required of US, Canadian and
European visitors. If your passport expires in 6 months, you need to renew it
now. Citizens of some other countries are also required to obtain a visa.
Passport, return/onward ticket and sufficient funds (at least $60/night) required.
Visa not required for stay up to 30 days. If visit exceeds 1 month, obtain a stay
permit from the Immigration Authorities in Belize. AIDS test required for those
staying more than 3 months; US test accepted if within 3 months of visit. For
longer stays and other information, contact the Embassy of Belize, 2535
Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20008 (202-332-9636) or the Belize
Mission in New York at (212599-0233). For information regarding visas in Belize
please call 011-501-822-2423.
WHAT LANGUAGE IS SPOKEN? English is the official language of Belize
and the exchange rate is simple...$2 BZ = $1 US. The Electricity runs the same as
the U.S. 100 Volts AC. Belize observes Central Standard Time w/o observing
daylight savings. The Ethnic make-up of Belize consists of 44% Mestizo (mixed
European & Maya), 30% Creole, 11% Maya, 7% Garifuna and 8% other.
WHAT IS AMBERGRIS CAYE? Ambergris Caye is the most popular tourist
destination in Belize. Ambergris Caye is a resort island with good lodging,
restaurants and water sports. Unlike Belize City, the streets are made of sand and
you will not find a building over three stories high. The second most popular
tourist destination in Belize is Cayo where you will find wild-west jungle lodges,
Maya ruins, butterfly farms, Mennonites, the gateway to Cool Mountain Pine
Ridge and mighty Caracol plus all sorts of outdoor activities including river
running and caving. Most people choose to stay on Ambergris Caye where they
can enjoy the quaint town, slower-pace and beautiful beaches. Most people take
day tours to the mainland. The big tour companies make it a day event and will
pick you up in a jet boat and transport you to the mainland. They will feed you
and provide all transportation. They are organized, efficient and fun. You will
leave in the morning and be delivered back to Ambergris Cay by mid to late
afternoon. You will be overloaded with tour companies once you get there. Let
our staff recommend and set you up with the best and most economical tour
companies.
HOW TO GET TO BELIZE: Belize is easily accessible by direct flights from
Charlotte, Dallas, Houston and Miami with connecting flights from many other
cities. The Phillip Goldson International Airport is the main port of entry into
Belize. Four major airlines service Belize out of the U.S.:
- American Airlines www.aa.com or 1-800-433-7000;
- Continental Airlines www.continental.com or 1-800-231-0856;
- US Airways www.usairways.com 1-800-622-1015;
- Taca Airlines 1-800-400-8222.
- Delta Airlines www.delta.com
HOW TO GET FROM BELIZE CITY TO AMBERGRIS CAYE: You have
two choices. You can take a 1 hour 20 minute water taxi for $33 round-trip or
you can take a 15 minute charter flight for $100 round-trip. The resort is 30 miles
from Belize City on the island of Ambergris Caye, less than three miles south of
the San Pedro airstrip.
SCHEDULING 15 MINUTE CHARTER FLIGHT FROM BZE TO THE
SAN PEDRO AIRSTRIP: The charter flight must be scheduled prior to
departing from your trip. This charter can be arranged through two companies.
Both charge approximately $102 round-trip. Free shuttle service from the San
Pedro Airstrip is provided by the resort. The two airlines that offer the charter
from Belize City to San Pedro:
- Tropic Air 1-800-422-3435 (www.tropicair.com)
- Maya Island Air 1-800-521-1247 (www.mayaairways.com)
SCHEDULING 1HR/20MIN WATER TAXI FROM BZE TO SAN PEDRO:
The water taxi is run by Caye Caulker Water Taxi Association ccwatertaxi@btl.
net or cayecaulkerwatertaxi.com (Tel. 226-0992). The last water taxi for San
Pedro leaves Belize City at 5:00 PM. Water taxi schedules and prices are as
follows:
SAN PEDRO TO BELIZE BELIZE TO SAN PEDRO
07.00 am 08.00 am
08.00 am 09.00 am
09.30 am 10.30 am
11.30 am 12.00 pm
01.00 pm 01.30 pm
02.30 pm 03.00 pm
03.30 pm 04.30 pm
04.30 pm 05.30 pm
RATE ONE WAY ROUND TRIP
Belize City to San Pedro $15.00 $27.50
San Pedro to Caye Caulker $10.00 $17.50
San Pedro to Belize City $15.00 $27.50
Caye Caulker to Belize City $10.00 $17.50
Caye Caulker to San Pedro $10.00 $17.50
Belize City to Caye Caulker $10.00 $17.50
IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT BELIZE: Government: Belize is a democratic
member of the British Commonwealth, with a Westminster-style system with a
prime Minister, an elected house of representatives and an appointed senate. The
current prime minister is Said Musa, a British-educated lawyer of Palestinian and
Belize heritage. Belize is the size of the U.S. State of Massachusetts with a
population of 240,000. Ambergris Cay has a population of 4500. English is the
official language but Creole and Spanish are also widely spoken.
ABOUT SAN PEDRO: San Pedro Town (Saint Peter Town) is the only
inhabited area on the island of Ambergris Caye. The town of San Pedro is an
evolved fishing village where the dress is casual, the pace is slow, the people are
friendly and the streets are still covered with dirt and sand. Many of the local
pubs have dirt floors and the island’s dress code consists of t-shirts, shorts and
bare feet.
HOW SAFE IS AMBERGRIS CAYE?: Safety is always a concern and
common sense should be used anywhere you travel. The most common crimes
against tourists are petty theft and pick pocketing. Violent or physical crimes are
rare. In general, Ambergris Caye has a much lower crime rate than Belize City or
the U.S. in general.
FIVE REASONS TO VISIT BELIZE: . #1 World-class diving/snorkeling.
Regardless of level or ability there is a mask for you in Belize. #2 Maya Sites.
Belize is the center of the Maya world. Dozens of ruins can be visited and Cahal
Pech, Caracol, El Pilar, Lamanai, Lubaantun and Xunantunich are some of the
most interesting. #3 Ecotravel (Wildlife, birds and nature). Most of Belize is
untouched and uninhabited with over 500 species of birds and 700 species of
butterflies. Rare animals still thrive in Belize's bush. #4 Adventure. Adventures
to fit any level including hiking, canoing, kayaking, windsurfing, caving and
spelunking. #5 Culture. Belize is a fascinating multi-racial, multi-culteral and
multi-lingual society.
MOVIES FILMED IN BELIZE: Two good movies that were filmed in Belize
are Dogs of War (1981) and Mosquito Coast (1986).
FUN DATES TO VISIT: The best festivals St. George's Caye Day (Sept. 10-
21), Independence Day (Sept. 21), Garifuna Settlement Day (Nov. 19), Marti
Gras (recent, celetrated with parades, paint bombs and drinking), and Costa
Maya Festival (formerly Sea and Air Fest celebrated with beauty contests, music
and dances (late July/early Aug.)
WHERE IS SUNSET CONDOS IN BELIZE? The resort is located on
Ambergris Caye, Belize just 30 miles north east of Belize City, 2.34 miles south
of the "heart" of San Pedro Town.
HOW MUCH AND WHAT TYPE OF MONEY SHOULD I BRING?: . The
Belize dollar is tied to the U.S. dollar at a fixed 2(BZ)=1(USD). U.S. dollars are
accepted everywhere. Canadian , Mexican and European monies are not widely
accepted. Belize Bank has an ATM in San Pedro. There is no need to exchange
currency before arriving. Most places accept U.S. Dollars and major credit
cards. However, they will charge a 4% processing fee for credit cards. The
Belize government currently charges a departure tax of $37.50 per person. Make
sure you have enough cash on hand for your flight home.
GETTING AROUND THE ISLAND: The most common vehicle is a golf cart.
We can arrange to have one delivered to you at the front office. Rental fees are
approximately $60 U.S. for one day for a 4 seat golf cart and $287 U.S. for five
days. You can also rent a 6 person golf cart for approximately $105 for one day
or $462 U.S. for five days. We provide complimentary bikes and a personal cab
driver. Cab rides are available for approximately $7.50 to $10 U.S. roundtrip.
NOTE: All pricing is subject to change.
WHAT TO PACK: How about a couple of swimsuits? You won't need much
but some casual clothing like shorts, T shirts, and sandals. For nighttime, you
may want to bring casual pants and skirts. A lightweight sweater or sweat shirt
will suffice for the occasional cool evening. The island wear is definitely casual
and the popular slogan is, "No shirt, no shoes, no problems." Aside from all the
standard things you would bring on any trip, the following things will be helpful:
Extra swimsuits, light-weight cotton clothes, comfortable shoes, reading material
(maps, guidebooks), camera with extra film, small flashlight, hat, dark sunglasses,
basic health kit, insect repellent, sunscreen, Pepto, favorite snacks, battery
operated radio, light wind/rain breaker, binoculars, small day pack and energy
bars. You won’t need to dress up, and should leave fancy jewelry at home.
Belize can be hot, so prepare adequately for the sun with sun glasses, wide
brimmed hats, and plenty of sun block. For night time and exploring, it’s a good
idea to bring loose cotton pants. Again, a sweatshirt or sweater should suffice for
the evening. You may do a lot of walking, so bring comfortable all-terrain walking
shoes, and a spare pair in case they get wet.
DIVING AND SNORKELING EQUIPMENT: For Diving, Snorkeling and
Fishing: If you're diving or fishing you can bring your own equipment if you
wish. Diving and snorkeling gear is available for rent. When you book a fishing
trip with a guide, the fishing gear is included. If you plan to take jungle day tours
to the mainland you'll need hiking boots, loose cotton pants, and insect repellent.
As a basic rule, if you cannot get along without it, bring a spare. This applies for
contact lenses and glasses, sunglasses, flashlight and any personal medications.
CUSTOMS: Visitors may bring in personal effects, such as wearing apparel,
jewelry, binoculars, cameras and laptops. Each person is allowed to import one
carton (200 only) of cigarettes and one bottle of alcoholic beverage, duty free.
WEATHER: The average high temperature in Jan (80/70), Feb (80/71), Mar.
(83/74), Apr. (85/76), May (87/79), Jun. (87/79), Jul. (86/79), Aug. (86/77),
Sept. (86/77), Oct. (84/75(, Nov. (84/75), and Dec. (82/73). The average water
temperature is 83 degrees. The rainy season is June-July with quick downfalls
followed by sunshine.
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at Caribe Island Condo. One of them being my
father.. Each condo is individually owned.
All items in the condos belong to the owners.
If you are looking for an affordable, luxury
resort, you have come to the right place.
Please browse the site. I would be happy to
answer any questions you may have. Just
email me or call and book today
(317)569-0291 or toll-free (866)527-8851. I
look forward to helping you plan a wonderful
vacation. ~ Deborah
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