GETTING HERE
Traveling to Belize is as easy as 1, 2, 3.
There are many direct flights from Canada and the US, and European travelers can fly via the US or Cancun and catch a puddle jumper to Belize City.
What Airlines fly to Belize?
- Alaska Airlines American Airlines Delta
- JetBlue Southwest
- Sun Country* Tropic Air United WestJet
- Air Canada* Copa
- TAG
*Some airlines have seasonal schedules, usually from December to April each year.
- Canadian Gateways: Calgary (YYC) Toronto (YYZ)
- US Gateways: Atlanta (ATL) Charlotte (CLT) Chicago (ORD) Dallas (DFW) Denver (DEN) Houston (HOU and
IAH)Newark (EWR) New York (JFK) Seattle (SEA) Los Angeles (LAX) Miami (MIA) Minneapolis (MSP) - Mexican Gateways: Cancun (CUN)
- Central American Gateways: Guatemala City (GUA) Panama City (PTY) Roatan (RTB) San Pedro Sula (SAP)
San Salvador (SAL)
If you are spending time traveling in Belize before or after sailing, domestic puddle jumpers connect the mainland to the cayes and tourist destinations in the north and south of the country. The two carriers are Maya Island Air and Tropic Air. Be sure to have your camera handy, as the views of the reef and cayes are breathtaking.
Please refer to the Belize Tourism Website for the most current list of airline carriers providing services to Belize, or contact us to find the easiest route.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Entry Requirements: All visitors must have a passport that is valid for no less than 6 months after arrival. Except for a few countries, most individuals do not require a visa. Countries that don’t require a visa include Members of the European Union, CARICOM, Canada, and the United States of America, to name a few.
Traveling with Children: For children traveling with one parent or with another relative or guardian: Please make arrangements to bring a permission letter – signed and notarized before your arrival in Belize. Most International Airlines will deny boarding privileges to individuals who do not possess proper documentation for a child to leave the country (US, Canada, and even some European countries).
Immigration: We encourage you to contact the airline or immigration department before your vacation dates to ensure you are not hindered at the airport when trying to board your flight to Belize.
Customs: Upon returning to the US, residents are allowed a duty-free tax exemption of $400 per person (or $1,100 per family). In addition, they can also bring back one quart of alcohol and 200 cigarettes without being charged duty fees.
Currency: The Belize dollar is the official currency in Belize. The official value is pegged at 2 BZ$ = 1 US$. US dollars are widely accepted, so there is no need to exchange your money before arrival. Most accommodations and tours are listed at US prices, as are most hotel bars and upscale restaurants. Most small restaurants and shops are listed in BZ dollars. ATMs are available across the country, particularly in most tourist destinations, including Belize City, Belmopan, Caye Caulker, Corozal, Orange Walk, Placencia, Punta Gorda, San Ignacio, and San Pedro. Be sure to check whether prices are in Belize or US dollars!
Language: English is the official language of Belize, but most of the population also speaks a creole patois, and many Belizeans are multilingual. Yucatec, Mopán, and Kekchí are spoken by the Maya in Belize. Mestizos speak Spanish, and the Garifuna speak an Arawak-based language and generally also speak either English or Spanish. The Mennonites in Belize speak Plautdietsch, an archaic Low Saxon (Germanic) language influenced by the Dutch.
Weather: Belize’s climate is classed as sub-tropical, with a cool continuous air stream flowing over from the Caribbean Sea and a mean temperature of 79 degrees Fahrenheit. The dry season is from December to May, although December can still receive some good downpours. March can get a little windy with the trade winds, which is great for those into kite/windsurfing, and April to June are the ultimate months for sun and barely any clouds in the sky. The rainy season runs from June through November, and whilst the early months can still be spectacular times to visit, some mainland attractions, such as caves and jungle treks, are closed due to the risk of flooding. In the height of the summer months, the coast can get extremely hot and humid. September and October are the prime time for tropical storms; hurricanes are rare.
Sargassum: A type of macroalgae naturally abundant in the Sargasso Sea – has long been seen floating in large masses across the North Atlantic. Climate change, nitrogen and phosphorus inflows, and artificial fertilizers have caused exponential growth over the past decade, affecting the shores of the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico.
There is no “seaweed season,” and we cannot foresee when or how often this phenomenon will appear along our coastline.
Health: No vaccinations are required for entry into Belize, although a number of standard immunizations are listed for general precautions. These include chickenpox, diphtheria, hepatitis A and B, measles, tetanus, and typhoid. Pharmacies are prevalent in tourist destinations and are generally well-equipped. Belize Sailing Vacations does not recommend any specific medications, but always check with your travel doctor for specific advice.
Electrical Outlets: Belize has 110 power and uses US power outlets, so unless you are coming from a European country, you do not need a travel adaptor.
Tipping Etiquette: Belize has a similar tipping culture to the US. 10% to 20% is the norm for taxis, tour guides, and bar and restaurant bills. Most hotels charge a service fee; however, most villas don’t, so a housekeeping gratuity is appreciated. At some hotels and higher-end restaurants, an automatic gratuity is often added, so be sure to check your bill.
Gratuity for the Captain and Chef: is welcome and at your discretion. The suggested gratuity is 15-20% of the charter rate.
- PACKING TIPS
The average temperature in Belize is approximately 85 degrees, with occasional tropical rainfall. We recommend the following items to make your trip more comfortable. Belize (and the destinations you will be visiting) is very casual, and you do not need to dress up for meals (unless you want to).A soft duffel bag, carry-on size (no hard cases so that we can stash your empty bags while underway)
- 2 swimsuits, 3-4 pairs of shorts, 5-6 short sleeve shirts (SPF sun/swim shirts are recommended), and something
- casual for dinner or lunch during island stops (sundress, )
- Hat, insect repellent spray, lip protection, reef-safe sunscreen*, sunglasses
- 1 lightweight rain jacket, 1 long sleeve shirt, 1 sweatshirt
- 1 pair of hiking boots/tennis shoes (if you plan on hiking or running), 1 pair of sandals, 1 pair of water shoes A good book or two, your favorite playlist (although we have great music on-board!), cards, dominoes, and other easy-to-pack games your family enjoys
- We have snorkeling gear on-board; however, if you have that special mask that fits, bring it
Protecting the environment: We believe in doing our part to protect the beautiful Belizean barrier reef, we recommend the use of health- and reef-safe sunscreens. Most common sunscreens include the chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate which not only interfere with the human hormone system but are also harmful to coral and underwater life and can lead to coral bleaching. We recommend mineral-based sunscreens that only include zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as active ingredients. Thank you for helping us protect Belize’s fragile coral reef system and underwater life!
Here is a list of approved reef-safe sunscreen brands that can be purchased online.
- Avasol Responsible Suncare SPF 30/50
- Babo Botanicals Clear Zinc Lotion SPF30
- Loving Naturals Clear Body All-natural Sunscreen SPF30+
- Raw Elements Certified Natural Sunscreen SPF30
- Thinksport Straight Goop On Sunscreen SPF50
Book Your Next Charter with Out of the Blue Yacht Charters
www.outoftheblueyachtcharters.com
Click here to View & Book a Catamaran in Belize
Direct- 757-759-8960
info@outoftheblueyachtcharters.com
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(Vacations, 2023)
