9 Things I Wish I knew Before Traveling To Belize – Helpful Travel Tips for First Time Visitors

IF YOU ARE GOING TO AN ISLAND, BRING YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE.

That may sound silly or obvious at first thought, but I almost left mine because I obviously had to bring my passport. That should be good enough, right?  My initial thought was to keep at least one form of identification safe, in off chance (lol) something happens, and I need to get a new one or something… No.

There are cabs on the islands but not many and they can’t get to a lot of places. Their main mode of transportation there is golf carts. For reals. And they do ask for your license. And even if you get around that, you may be asked for it at a police checkpoint. I have never seen the Belizean jail, but I bet it doesn’t have AC.

I paid $25 for a cab to my hotel, from the airport, in San Pedro. That is a 15 min golf cart drive. I paid $50/day for a golf cart and used an entire gas tank in two days exploring the island and different beaches. Also note that cabs do not have access to many places.

So, unless you don’t plan on adventuring, bring your license, rent a golf cart!

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IF YOU’RE STAYING ON THE MAINLAND, DON’T EXPECT TO TAKE A CAB EVERYWHERE unless you are very wealthy or have all the time in the world.

Belize is small. Like 1/7^th the size of the state of New York. However, there are only 3 paved highways in the entire country, so getting from point A to point B, will typically take longer than you would expect. Even more important, there is not a lot to do in one small area there (in my opinion). If you want to experience more than one aspect of Belize (jungle, ancient ruins, caves, beach, etc.…), it will be quite a jaunt to get from one to the other. And their cabs are NOT cheaper there. It cost me $28 USD + tip for a 10-minute ride from one airport to another.

[If you think it’s just a tourist price] 1 gallon of gas there was $7.50 when I visited. Between that and the inevitable cost of vehicle maintenance with an infrastructure such as theirs, it would have to be more expensive.

Also keep in mind, you may not have service out in the jungle to call a cab. On that note, I have Verizon and had absolutely no issues with service at any time. My Google Maps GPS hesitated a few times, but otherwise worked great.

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BRING MULTIPLE TYPES OF BUG SPRAY.

I concluded that what may deter PNW bugs, may be an aphrodisiac to Caribbean bugs. And those mofos will eat you alive, in front of your face, and you won’t even know it. You will literally look down and have blood dripping down your legs from “sand fleas” (BS name… should be “flying leaches”) and you didn’t even feel anything. They didn’t look like what you’ll find on the internet, though. They were white, flat and about the size of a pencil eraser. You’ll find them on your skin when wading in shallow beach water. You WILL feel the incessant itching however, everyday there after your first. The “Deet” containing, “Off”, on which I used, didn’t work. However, everybody had it so apparently it works for some people. That’s why I say bring multiple kinds.

After leaving, I was told by many locals that baby oil works!!!

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CASH CASH CASH!

I know it goes against everything that travelers are taught, but bring a good stash with you: you will not regret it (unless you get mugged).

Here in the states, using our cards, phones, and watches to pay for everyday items is easier and more prevalent, than using cash. Most other countries, however, are predominantly cash operating. In The resorts, casinos, and larger attractions in bigger cities, you should be able to use your card, but no where else. They wouldn’t even take a CARD at the international airport for the “leaving fee” (like leaving the airport property/parking lot). And ATM’s are very hard to come by.

Out of the few they do have, even fewer work with international banks.

Then, about 1 in 3 of the remaining ATM’s are out of order or money, and the rest have lines going down the street to use. It’s not fun. Bring cash!

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DON’T BOTHER BRINGING BLOW-DRYERS, ETC… I can pretty much guarantee the following

1. Your hotel will have one – or – if you’re staying somewhere that doesn’t have one, you probably don’t have AC and will be way too fucking hot to even consider it.
2. Even if you have AC where your staying, it will be too fucking hot to use one.
3. If you do use one, your hair will be wet again within an hour, so you won’t do it again.

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[TO MY FELLOW ALCOHOLICS] DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SWIM AT NIGHT!

This is not for the obvious reasons, it is because of the FUCKING SEAGRASS!! This shit is putrid! It smells like shit, like the kind of shit that singes your nose hairs and leaves the smell forever burnt into your memory.

If you get in it

and it gets on your skin

I can guarantee at least 2 nights of little to no sleep.

Trust me. I did it.

And everything will smell like it for days. It’s bad enough when the wind blows it your way, don’t get it on you.

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IF YOU ARE ANY SHADE OF WHITE AND PLAN A DAY ON THE BEACH, WEAR A HAT AND HAVE SOMEONE HELP YOU APPLY SUNSCREEN MULTIPLE TIMES. I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH.

I, weirdly enough, do not burn [or tan] that easy. Let me tell you though, a couple hours on the beach, WITH SUNSCREEN ON MIND YOU, I got some gnarly sunburns, and even worse tan lines!!

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TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ONE OF THE RAPID COVID TESTING SITES BEFORE RETURNING

I went to Egypt and France in March of 2021 and I was never asked for a Negative Covid Test when I returned. I then [stupidly] assumed they wouldn’t give AF, when returning to the US from Belize, as well.

I was wrong. And they charge $75 USD at the airport.

My ghetto ass, literally didn’t have $75 left that I could access at this point. It was a long story but basically I threw a white-girl-fit, was super dramatic and called the embassy – they didn’t budge on the requirement. So… I had my friend Apple Pay my ass $75 so I could get home lol. They do not care about vax status. I REPEAT, THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT VAX STATUS. I cant count the number of flights I’ve been on since covid hit, but I know I’ve been to 3 other countries, and not once did vaccination status (having it or not) have any effect on my flight. Just an FYI. You have to get a negative covid test.

On a positive note, I literally made it through the check-in/customs process in about 22 minutes. I only had 30 minutes until my flight boarded when I got my test back. And I made it on-time, with enough time to spare to go grab a glass of cab. 🙂

Cheers!

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BRING CHARCOAL TABLETS

I actually did this, after reading it somewhere, but felt it important enough to throw on anyways.

First thing you must understand, is I have a stomach of steel. I eat 3-day old McDonalds like its going out of style. My drunk ass will eat shit that I wouldn’t feed my cats; and I don’t even like cats. I ate and drank every street food and peddlers drink in Egypt and my stomach didn’t even make a sound.

But my 3rd day in Belize, I felt bloated when I woke up and soon there after, I had flat-poop (my old roommate’s daughter used to call it that and I like that word better than the alternative lol).

10 minutes later – again.

10 minute later- again.

No stomach ache, just again and again, until I popped 2 of those charcoal tabs.

Worked instantly, like literally.

I got a bottle off Amazon for like $11. Here’s the link. That could have been a terrible last 2 days of my vacation. $11 is nothing. Do it.