Amberris Caye, Belize
Madonna sang it as La Isla Bonita and reinforced the motto. Today, neither hurricanes nor political strife discourage VIP and wealthy vacationers from enjoying this tropical getaway.
south of Belize
On the way to Guatemala, we see how the proscribed existence of the Garifuna people, descendants of African slaves and Arawak Indians, contrasts with that of several much more airy bathing areas.
VISA AND OTHER PROCEDURES
Portuguese and Brazilian citizens do not need a visa for up to 90 days. Both must have passports valid for at least 6 months after arrival in Belize.
HEALTH AND SAFETY CARE
Belizean authorities require yellow fever vaccination certificate for all visitors over one year of age who come from a transmission risk destination in the country or who have transited for more than 12 hours at airports in those countries. The main vaccine – or booster – recommended is for Hepatitis A.
For more information on traveling health to Belize, see the Health Portal of the Ministry of Health and Tropical Medicine & Traveler Clinic. In FitForTravel find country-specific health and disease prevention advice (in English).
TRIP TO BELIZE
fly with the TAP from Lisbon to Miami and from Miami to Belize City, from €1100
INTERNAL FLIGHTS
Belize is served by two domestic airlines to Maya Island Air and Tropic Air. These two companies operate small aircraft on the following routes: Belize City – Dangriga – Placencia – Punta Gorda; Belize City – Caye Caulker – San Pedro; San Pedro – Sarteneja – Corozal. Both offer different daily rates on these routes at very affordable prices.
TRUCK
A number of small private companies employing old US school buses provide road transport of passengers via three main routes: Northern Highway, Western Highway and Southern or Hummingbird Highway. Occasional express services use more modern buses, some with air conditioning. As a rule, journeys cost around €2 per hour on expresses and a little more than €1 on regular buses.
CAR RENTAL
While relatively expensive, it is the ideal solution for anyone who has the time and motivation to explore much of Belize, from the Caribbean coast to the dense jungles of the interior. Expect to pay from €60 per day or €350 per week, plus fuel to rent a conventional car. Insurance is mandatory and is included in the total price. You will pay a little more to have a vehicle with 4 wheel drive that will allow you to leave the main roads for the unpaved ones. These are easily in a sorry state after tropical rains, so you should not approach areas far from the main roads without being properly prepared.
Many of the companies from rent-a-car they have offices at Philip Goldson International Airport, possibly also in Belize City. They usually require drivers over 25 years of age, a driving license from the country of origin and a credit card.
SHIP
Two companies provide the nautical link between Belize City, Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye. They are the Caye Caulker Water Taxi Association and the Thunderbolt service. Another, the Hokey Pokey Water Taxi connects Placencia to Mango Creek in just over 10 minutes, saving you considerable time connecting to Belize's southernmost city, Punta Gorda.
Belize is hot and humid all year round, with more rainfall in the south than in the north. The slightly drier season runs from December to May. If you want to avoid the hurricane season at all, avoid visiting Belize from June to November, even more so September to November, when Belize was devastated by the biggest hurricanes that crossed the country.
The currency of Belize is the Belizean Dollar (BZD) but the most expensive and sophisticated establishments list their prices in US Dollars. They exist in most cities and guaranteed in Belize City, Belmopan, Caye Caulker, Corozal Town, Dangriga, Orange Walk Town, Punta Gorda, San Ignacio and San Pedro at least some ATMs. These boxes only dispense Belizean dollars. The finest establishments accept credit card payments.
Belize is one of the most expensive countries in Central America, largely because its tourist economy is fueled by visitors and retirees from the United States and Canada. Sacrificing your comfort to the fullest, you can explore Belize for around €30 a day. At an intermediate comfort level, the daily price easily reaches €100, €130 daily.
ACCOMMODATION
It goes from €10 per night for Belize's most basic rooms, simple four walls and shared bathroom with guests in other rooms. On a higher level, there are hotel rooms that are already much more comfortable, with private bathroom with expectable hot water and some concern with the decoration. A night in a double room of this type is around €65 to €100 per night.
On a higher level, there are the luxurious resorts spread all over the country, both on the idyllic coastline and in the lush jungle of the interior. Stays at these resorts start at €130 per night, probably only with breakfast included.
Accommodation prices are almost always significantly higher during the dry season.
FOOD
The least expensive meal you'll find will be something like beans and rice and fried fish at a restaurant dedicated to serving local customers. Expect to pay from €5 to €10, drink included.
Expect to pay €10 to €20 for a two- or three-course meal plus drink (lobster and similar snacks not included), this in restaurants tourist, already with certain concerns of comfort and visual. in the best resorts, these values can increase substantially.
INTERNET
Belize has one of the most expensive Internets in the Americas. Speeds have increased a lot in recent times but, due to high prices, ADSL has become popular in its lowest modes: 512K at 1 or 2 MB. At the exorbitant prices at which the servers provide the service, don't count on finding Internet offered outside the most sophisticated resorts and, even in these, the service may not be very reliable.