TRAVEL TIPS

Best tme to visit:

The busier time of the year for travelers to Belize is November to May, which are the winter months of the Northern Hemisphere. Still, many visitors prefer the more quiet days of the summer months from June to October for their vacation in Belize. Both times of the year have their own unique attractions and the choice of when to visit is totally up to you, your budget and the adventure you crave.

Belize in Winter

Belize has proven to be the choice location for those wanting to escape the harsh winter of the North. Besides the favorable temperature, Belize is also a favorite destination because of the following:

Belize is one of the most easily accessible of all tropical locations by geography and entry requirements.

Belize is English speaking thus making it easier for you to get around by yourself, within a group or if you have special needs.

This is the dry season in Belize which means that you should have no problem predicting bright, sunny skies during your vacation.

Belize in Summer

Belize is also the ideal place for those needing a summer break, which although tropical, may provide cooler temperatures than home. During the summer months it is also true that:

Belize receives less visitors giving you the opportunity to find the privacy and isolation you desire.

Although it is the rainy season, these showers of blessing are sporadic and short in duration, thus not likely to ruin your vacation plans.

The best feature about spending a summer vacation in Belize is the summer savings. Rates start falling from around May 1st. and remain slashed until November at most places.

Guide, Tour operators & Hotels

All guides, tour operators and hotels are required to be licensed by the Belize Tourism Board. The Belize Tourism Board, with the assistance of educational institutions and other tourism groups, holds training and certification programs several times a year throughout the country.

What to wear:

Belize is a very informal country, with a very casual life-style. Unless you are invited to a Government function, please leave your "After Five" attire at home.

Leave your jewelry and expensive watches at home because you will not need them. If you must have a watch, bring an inexpensive watch that is suitable for diving and hiking.

If you are visiting the Cayes and/or the Barrier Reef, bring your shorts, T-shirts, and bathing suits, as well as some comfortable tennis shoes or deck shoes. As the sun is probably more intense than what you are used to at home, bring a cap to protect your head from the tropical sun when you are boating and/or fishing. In addition to protecting your eyes from both the sun and the reflective glare off of the water, a pair of "polarized" sun glasses will enhance the variable colors of the coastal waters of Belize.

Loose fitting, light colored cotton pants and camping shirts, along with a comfortable pair of hiking shoes or boots are appropriate for exploring the Mainland or trekking through the rain forest. When visiting the Maya Ruins or traipsing through the jungle, a hat with a wide brim will provide shade from the tropical sun, as well as provide protection from a tropical shower.

Be aware that water, beverages, and snacks are not always readily available while sightseeing- so a day pack, to carry a water bottle, energy bars, camera, film, binoculars, poncho, hand towel, etc., is a welcomed accessory. Although you do not wear it, a hiking staff can prove to be a valuable aid to climbing ruins, crossing streams, or walking up or down steep trails.

Passport, Visa (if applicable), Prescription Drugs, Personal Items, Spare eye-glasses, Sunglasses, Sun Tan Lotion, Sun Screen, Sun Burn Cream, Insect Repellant, Camera/Film, Batteries, Cash, Travel Checks, Credit Cards

Personal Equipment

SCUBA diving gear with certification card and dive log, snorkeling gear, binoculars, fishing tackle, golf clubs, etc.