Getting to Belize

From the United States:
Miami, Florida.- American Airlines or TACA International Airlines.  Houston, Texas - Continental Airlines or TACA
New Orleans, Louisiana - TACA; All flights are less than 2 hours and cost approximately $350-400 plus tax. 

From Europe:
There are currently no direct or same-day connecting flights from Europe to Belize (and none that are planned at present). The most convenient route is via Miami or Houston with an overnight stay on the outbound leg only.  Return flights from Belize connect with overnight flights from Miami and Houston to London and other European destinations.  British Airways has started direct flights from London to Cancun one day each week (Monday).  Again, arrival time does not co-incide with flights from Cancun to Belize so an overnight here is necessary. 

Depending on the season, day of the week and airline chosen, round trip tickets from London to Belize range from £450 - £700 plus taxes which can be as high as £50.  Traveling to Ambergris Caye from the Belize mainland is made easy by a short boat ride or plane ride. Tropic Air and Maya Island Air have regular flights about every 30 minutes during the daylight hours and flight time is approximately 20 minutes. 

Departure Tax:                                                             A tax of $15.00 US is charged when leaving Belize; this must be paid in cash or travellers' checks (credit cards not accepted for departure tax.) Further, travellers entering Belize International by air and connecting to in-country flights are charged a $.75 US security fee.  When crossing the Western border between Belize and Guatemala for visits to Tikal and Flores there is a $3.50 charge to depart Belize (but this figure is then deducted from the departure tax when finally leaving from Belize from the International Airport).  The visa charge to enter Guatemala at the Western Border is $5.00.

Getting Around Belize by Air
The easiest method of travelling around Belize is by air. International travelers fly into the newly renovated and expanded Philip Goldson International Airport in Belize City.  From there, connections can be made to various destinations within Belize, including: Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, Corozal, Dangriga, Big Creek, Placencia and Punta Gorda, as well as to Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras. Travellers already in Belize City should utilize the smaller Municipal Airport for in-country flights, as costs are much lower.  Charter flights can also be arranged to off-the-beaten track destinations as there are many private airstrips throughout the country. 

Belizean Airlines Offering In-Country Service:                    Maya Island Air: (501) 02-31348. Scheduled flights and private charters.  Tropic Air: (501) 026-2012. Scheduled flights and private charters.  Caribee Air Service: (501) 02 44253. Private charters only.  Javier's Flying Service Ltd: (501) 02 35360. Private charters only.

Getting Around Belize by Road
Driving around Belize is straightforward as there are only 4 main roads in Belize - going North, West, South and even further South! These are easily remembered as: The Northern Highway - Belize City to Corozal and the Mexican Border
The Western Highway - Belize City to San Ignacio and the Guatemalan Border.  The Hummingbird Highway - Belmopan to Dangriga.  The Southern Highway - Dangriga to Punta Gorda. 

Car Hire:                                                                           Although the roads have been significantly improved during the last few years, some are still pot-holed and can make driving for any distance very uncomfortable (especially the Southern Highway from Placencia down to Punta Gorda (take a tip - fly!).  Car hire is expensive and it is very important to check the small print in the insurance as most companies do not offer fully comprehensive cover.  A four wheel drive vehicle booked through a reputable company is essential.  If you are not happy changing wheels on an isolated road in the dark - think twice before considering this option. Most rental companies will not allow you to cross the border into Guatemala or Mexico, so ask before you rent.

Private Transfers and Taxis:                                                  Although this is a fairly expensive option (approximately $200 per day for up to 4 people depending on the distances involved) it has the advantage of going at your own pace, stopping when you want and travelling in comfort.  A friendly and knowledgeable licensed tour guide/driver will add considerably to your enjoyment as he cheerfully and proudly tells you all about his wonderful country.

Bus Services:                                                                       Public buses (mostly ex-USA school buses) are an inexpensive way of getting around.  It helps if you have plenty of time as buses stop on demand so this can add considerably to the journey time.  Buses depart out of Belize City for most of the major towns (Corozal, Orange Walk, San Ignacio, Belmopan, Dangriga, Punta Gorda) and border towns in Mexico and Guatemala.

Battys: (501) 02 74924
Novelos: (501) 02 77372
Venus: (501) 02 73354
Z-Line: (501) 05 22211 (operates out of Dangriga)

Climate:
The climate is sub-tropical, with a brisk prevailing wind from the Caribbean Sea.  The annual temperature averages about 80 degrees.  Winter storms may bring the temperature down to the low 60's and it can reach the mid-90's on the mainland in 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.  The dry season generally lasts from November through May; the rainy season is typically June-November.  Hurricanes occasionally occur; they are most likely to hit in August and September.  Rainfall is heaviest in the south and the jungle areas, lightest in the north and on the Cayes.  Water temperature averages between 79 and 83 degrees F.

Language:
English is the official language and the language of instruction in schools but almost everyone speaks an English dialect, or Creole patios, the vernacular of the country.  Spanish is also widely spoken.

Currency:
Local currency is the Belize Dollar.  One U.S. dollar is worth BZ$2. U.S. dollars should be exchanged directly in purchasing goods and services, as banks will charge a fee (currently is at .0125) to exchange U.S. to Belize dollars. U.S. dollars are accepted everywhere in Belize.

Credit Cards/Travellers' Checks:
Nearly all hotels, restaurants and shops in the major towns and tourist areas take all major credit cards.  Street vendors and smaller establishments in remote areas may accept only cash or travellers' checks.  It's important to keep travellers' checks in a waterproof pouch, as they are considered void if they get wet.  Representatives of VISA, MasterCard and American Express can be contacted at the four commercial banks in Belize City. American Express also has a representative at Belize Global Travel Services, Inc. Telephone: 02-77257.