PREPARING FOR YOUR BELIZE ADVENTURE – Some General Information and thoughts on traveling to Belize

PACKING FOR LAMANAI OUTPOST
 Pack-On-Top ready for your  Jungle-Riverboat  trip into the lodge, waterproof windbreaker, sunscreen, binoculars, sunglasses & hat
 A small rechargeable LED flashlight or headlight
 Lightweight safari-style drip-dry clothing; many use the cargo pants that covert into shorts via zip-off legs
 Closed-top lightweight walking or hiking shoes
 Swimsuit or shorts-and-t-shirt for  Swimming  or  Lake-Tubing 
 A small backpack & some Ziplocs to keep cameras & such dry when canoeing or out on tour

GENERAL PACKING & MEDICAL TIPS
 Pack enough in your carry-on to get you through 2 days if your checked luggage is lost – it does happen
 Luggage allowances on Belize’s domestic airlines generally mirror coach allowances on the major airlines
 Make copies of passports, credit cards, dive cards etc & pack them in a carry-on separate to the originals
 In our experience, inoculations and are not necessary beyond what you require at home
 The US-State Department Sept 14^th 2020 states  No Inoculations Required
 Pack your prescription medications and a good ‘Traveler’s Assortment’ of over-the-counter type medications in your carry-on
 There are no Eckerd or Walgreen type stores in Belize
 Pack spare glasses, contacts lens and such in your carry-on – bring prescription face masks for snorkeling if needed
 Belize is very casual, there is NOWHERE you can’t go to in shorts, a polo & sandals
 Lightweight tropical clothing & open flat soled shoes or sandals work well on the island
 High heels can be a pain on uneven paths, grass & sand
 A pair of old throwaway tennis shoes or soft hiking boots if you will be doing the ATM or one of Belize’s other caving adventures

CREDIT CARDS, CASH & THE EXCHANGE RATE
 US-cash is accepted pretty much everywhere in Belize, bring what you will need with you, 5, 10 & 20 dollar notes are best
 Larger notes are fine with restaurants, hotels & guides who know you – 50 and 100 notes are sometimes counterfeited
 Change will generally be given in Belize dollars – the exchange rate is BZ$2 to US$1
 Although you can exchange BZ$ back to US$ at the airport, it is a major pain – best to spend it prior to departure
 Visa and Mastercard are accepted at Lamanai Outpost and at most places in Belize – Amex and Discover are not accepted in Belize at this time
 We recommend carrying a couple of credit cards in case one develops issues
 The UK Pound, Euro and such are not readily accepted – change into US-cash before reaching Belize