Hello, I am a single man, and I will be going to Belize for about 12 days the end of April 2008. First time outside the northwestern USA. Just bringing a carry on travel pack. Will be travelling to different locations sightseeing, staying at places listed on the Toucan trail. How much and what type of clothing should I bring? Gifts for people that are helpful? Tipping etiquette? Have a rough idea of what I want to see, just not sure what to bring. Don't want to bring to much , but still be comfortable. Any and all suggestions would be appreciated.
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Re: First trip to Belize and outside USA
Wed, December 12, 2007 - 3:23 AMHi, Robert :)
When I traveled this time last year I ended up wearing only a few of the things I packed. I wore shorts and a loose top and in the day and light pants and cover up for evening also the only shoes I wore were my Keens. I used my swimsuit every day and I was glad I brought my own snorkel because it would have cost much more than the $20 I dropped at the swim shop here to rent there.
When we went to shops there wasn't that much in the way of non- touristy clothing 'til we got off the cayes. Clothing was expensive for my tastes, so I wouldn't recommend planning to shop... but who knows?
At the end of the day, I never wanted for anything, everything was so laid back and mellow :)
You're gonna have a blast!
Oh, and if you get the chance, go see Lamanai :) -
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Re: First trip to Belize and outside USA
Wed, December 12, 2007 - 9:43 AMThanks for the response. Can not wait to go.
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Re: First trip to Belize and outside USA
Thu, January 3, 2008 - 1:37 PMWe were also there last Feb.
My first and foremost recommendation to anyone who has never traveled outside the USA is to make several copies of your passport. Give one to your family at home just in case, pack one in your luggage...just in case.
Second, Keens over Teva's since they are close toed for jungle hiking.
You may also want a pair of cheapo flip flops
i generally wore shorts and tanktops day in and day out. If your going to a place that has a laundry on site or near by pack less. I could have gotten by with 3 t-shirts, 2 tank tops and 2 pairs of shorts over 11 days. Never any need to "dress up"
2 Swim suits is a must if you plan to be on Caye Caulker or any other beach destination.....don't go to San Pedro unless you like touristy areas. I agree with whoever said to snorkle Hol Chan, but I suggest Juni's boat. He takes 7 people max. Moterboats out and sails in. RaggaMuffins has a good reputation for sure, but they are more mass marketed and i don't think as good.
I always recommend bringing a sarong. They make great towels & shower cover ups.
Bring some kind of bug spray or wipe....lots of sand fleas .
Also, if you plan on snorkling bring your own gear. The rented stuff generally leaves people fighting their masks and seeing nothing.
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Re: First trip to Belize and outside USA
Tue, January 1, 2008 - 12:37 PMCheck out my Belize Travel Planner, which answers some of your questions:
www.moon.com/planner/belize/index.html
Have a great trip!
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Re: First trip to Belize and outside USA
Thu, January 3, 2008 - 11:22 AMRobert:
It'll be nice and warm here around that time, so just some light shirts and shorts are great. A pair of Tevas and one good walking show would be good too since you'll want to see Caracol and MPR and there's some hiking involved. No need to tip much here, nobody does it or expects it - except maybe on San Pedro, which we highly recommend not going to unless you want drugs on your vacation... Caye Caulker is a much better choice, and if you go there, you must do Raggaemuffin's Hol Chan Marine Reserve tour. I still do Hol Chan 4 or 5 times a year.
I live in Cayo, and assume that with 12 days that you'll be in the neighborhood half of it since Cayo is where most of the cool activities are to be found, so I'll attach my Best of Cayo page that I set up for one of my online communities(and as a case study for how to build quick and simple websites for my web design classes). www.shc.edu.bz/marcus/cou...yobest.html
Hope it helps. Have a great new year, and a safe trip down. See you in Cayo!
Godspeed,
-MM -
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Re: First trip to Belize and outside USA
Fri, January 4, 2008 - 9:03 AMThanks for the great advice so far from everyone. As a followup ? , what do people do about carrying cash and passports? Web sites indicate that ATM cards from the USA don't work and very few bussinesses take credit cards. I am just bringing a carry on back pack, plan on staying in Toucan Trail type lodging. Will be going to Tikal, rest of time split between Cayo Dist. and Caye Caulker. How do you all recommend securing my stuff when out snorkling, atm cave trip, etc. -
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Re: First trip to Belize and outside USA
Fri, January 4, 2008 - 2:58 PMatm cave trip.....no need to secure anything. i highly doubt there will be more people there then your group and your guide. our guide had a guy stay in the van while we were in the cave.
i paid for almost everything with my Visa/Debt Card. As long as you have one of these it shouldn't be a problem and we had no problems getting cash advances at bank atms.
as for securing your stuff while snorkling....leave it in the motel. -
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Re: First trip to Belize and outside USA
Fri, January 4, 2008 - 5:01 PMI love here too and know the good Dr here in Cayo and he is spot on. I will say that Atlantic Bank and Bank of BEllize have great ATMS and you get your cash in $ BZ. The only place you can get American $ is in the Airport bank on the way out. I;d stick to local currency but if you insist not, recall that it's 2$ Bz to 1 $ US. Simple.
I love Cayo. I really love where I live here too. ATM cave trip is a must and don't wear a lot of skin oil oil or bug spray into that ecosystem please.
In fact I never use bug spray and I'm fine. Just keep your passport locked up safely when you are not able to carry it, don't wear too much bling and don't flash cash, ever anywhere. That's just easy.
Oh yeah... Belizeans do take a lunch HOUR from 12-1. YOu betcha. Just so you are warned that sometimes things that might be open aren't for lunch break. Just a thought.
I know you'll have fun. I do EVERY DAY! It's that hard to avoid.
Enjoy. I know I do all the time. And yes, it does get a little cool in the evenings in the mountains. It's not my imagination.
Have fun!
MA
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Re: First trip to Belize and outside USA
Fri, January 4, 2008 - 7:29 PMGuatemala is well, hmm, interesting when it comes to the whole money and ATM thing. You mentioned that you're going to Tikal from Cayo so here are a few things I learned after taking that trip twice:
1. On both trips I met people who were struggling with money because the ATMs in Guatemala were inoperative for some reason. Both times people reported that the banks where having problems and people couldn't get money. The first time it was Christmas day so I kinda understood. The second time was early-January. Maybe the bank thing was taking a long time resolve or maybe the Guatemalan bank system goes kaput every once and awhile. I would carry cash into Guatemala. It'll just be easier all around.
2. There will be money-changers when you get to the Guatemalan border. They will make you think that it will be difficult to get money-changed elsewhere. Last year, they offered a really sucky rate of 6 quetzales to the dollar. Since the dollar has fallen a bit, it may be different but be warned that the money-changers make their living off of getting American dollars for the crappiest rate possible. You may want to change a little money with them and then wait till you get to a town. I got a rate of 7.1 quetzales to the dollar in the small town before Tikal. It's called El Remate and it's beautiful. Flores is interesting too.
3. You can pay for a room with American Dollars in El Remate or Flores but those dollars better be in great shape. No wrinkled, torn, or otherwise disheveled bills will be accepted. Keep'em pretty or you may have trouble.
4. And lastly, if you decide to stay in Flores for you Tikal trip, check Los Amigos Hostel. The food is good. Veggie and meat dishes are offered. The rooms are clean and cheap.
Okay, that's it for now. If I think of anything else or if you have questions, holla!
All Peace
Jocelyn Maria of the Light -
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Re: First trip to Belize and outside USA
Fri, January 11, 2008 - 11:30 AMDoes it make any sense to get traveller's checques for trips through MExico, Belize, Guatemala? -
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Re: First trip to Belize and outside USA
Fri, January 11, 2008 - 5:25 PMDepends. I have had no problem cashing checks in BZ or Mexico but have never tried in Guatemala. I think I just can't figure out what to do with the left over Queztales save for buying a postcard or giving them to kids who have helped me in some way.
In Bank of Belize, they require a Passprt or official ID ( I just carry the passport) and when cashing over 200$ in Trav checks they don' t take out a percentage. That's nice. You can always change your dollars belize into Queztales at the border and not lose much of anything. Just be sure to know the current exchange rates but you knew that ; )!
YOu'll need the Q's to pay the border fees and the entrance fees to parks, etc. I have also used us $ at some places. I think that the lack of really good atms in G have been daunting to me. Then again, I don't get out much to Guatemala unless I have my husband and/r friends with me.
Have fun!
I think that trav checks policies just very but I have had no probs n BZ or Mexico!
M.A.
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Re: First trip to Belize and outside USA
Wed, January 23, 2008 - 7:19 AMI would say not and certainly not for Guatemala.
There are cash machines all over Belize and in most places in Guatemala.
Take a bank card and cash up a little often that way you can never lose much.
I always carry a money belt too.
Be smart and use you intuition.
Bliss
Jason
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Re: First trip to Belize and outside USA
Tue, January 22, 2008 - 11:11 AMI am from Belize and I agree with the other replies. All you will need are shorts, T-shirts, flip flops and bathing suite. And yes don't plan on buying clothes in Belize it is friggin expensive. But plan on having a good time cause you will. Also take mosquito repellant. You will need it. I went home last October for the first time after 11 years and I was the only one getting bit apperently my family was either used to it or the mosquitos just like d the taste of fresh meat :0 . I left Belize looking like I had some sort of wierd disease but I had a blast.
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Re: First trip to Belize and outside USA
Mon, January 28, 2008 - 5:41 AMHi Robert,
I normally bring underwear and a few pairs of socks, shorts, tees and a nylon windbreaker/wind pants. I bring boots if I'm going to be hiking, sneakers and maybe sandals. Bring bug juice. Usually, I don't use it, but when I need it there's no substitute. I use military stuff that's about half DEET. I tip. I give away little things. If you can bring a Polaroid camera, you'll be a hero. People love to have a photo of themselves, and parents love to have photos of their kids.
Dan
