Jericho Cafe Belize

Money; Is it better to take canadian travellers cheques to Belize or American express and change into Belize dollars when you get there, how much are the Banks giving in return or is it still better to take American express?

You do not need to use traveller's checks. ATM cards will work just fine. Belize is heavy on the US dollar pegging. Euros and Canadian Dollars are hard to exchange even though they are worth more than the greenback and if going to a bank you will take a hit on the exchange.

Use your ATM cards and you will be fine as your bank will adjust to the day's rate and you don't have something extra to carry.

International Currency Converter

Belize Newspapers and News Media

What type of plugs do they have in Central America?

Worldwide plug/voltage/frequency information

Some useful transportation sites for Central America:

A bus company serving all of Central America except Belize=Tica Bus.
A very good bus company serving Guatemala, Honduras, & El Salvadore=Hedman Alas Bus.
Chicken Bus terminals and Shuttle bus costs from Guatemala City=Chicken Bus.

Getting there and away

Most international flights in this region go to/from the USA and Canada. Sometimes you get a better rate on the airfare if you travel through the USA then direct from your home country then direct or through another latin american country (like Brazil or Mexico). Namely through Miami, New York, Houston, Dallas, or Los Angeles. That means you must be either a citizen of a country on the visa waiver program or be able to qualify for a US visa or better yet have one in hand. Even if you have NO plans on staying in the USA ALL visitors are required to proceed through immigration and customs as if you're entering into the USA.

There are no "in-transit" zones in the US for internatonal to international connections. As for your stuff you may have to re-claim and proceed through US Customs even if you've checked your stuff all the way to C. America and then re-check your stuff with the airline right after clearing customs.

Because of that it may be worthwhile to fly direct if possible. Iberia *DO* offer flights from Madrid to S. Jose, CR and Martin Air from Amsterdam. I don't know about KLM or British Air. But BA does goes to Mexico City and can conintue to C. America through their code-share partners on Mexicana or GrupoTACA.

How to approach an airfare quest.

Getting good airfares requires some research. No website will always have the best prices and odds are that no one here is familiar with what the prices currently are, because they can change rapidly. Here are some ideas.

WHAT SHOULD I PACK???

I can pack everything I need for an extended trip into a carry-on sized bag by choosing clothes that layer. I have a carry-on sized conversion pack (straps tuck away as needed) that has an attached day pack. I pack valuables and some personal items in the day pack and most of the clothes (that I'm not wearing) in the main compartment. Here's what I took to Honduras to accommodate 2-3 weeks inland with high altitude mountain hikes included and 2-3 weeks of beach time:

3-4 wicking-type shirts
1 light weight long sleeved shirt
2 pairs of light weight convertible (zip off to become shorts) long pants
1 sarong (skirt, swim wrap, doubles as towel or sleeping sheet)
1 bandana and one silicon-neck-cooler bandana
1 sunhat with strap
1 light weight sleeveless nightgown
2 swimsuits
1 light weight fleece jacket (liner type that can be worn alone)
1 light weight goretex rain coat
uns and socks (incl. 1 neoprene pair I wear under Keens for hiking and under fins for diving/snorkel’g)
flip flops for beach and showers
Keen water shoes for everything else, including lots of light hiking (they have great support and a rubber toe protector); if you're planning hardcore hiking, take boots

Cash, ATM and VISA cards, passport, etc.
Flight and lodging reservations, emails, receipts, etc.
Small medical kit and sewing kit
Cheap watch with alarm
Toiletries and prescription meds
Sunglasses, spare glasses, disposable contacts for diving/rainforests
Sunblock and bug stuff (Cactus Juice and Sawyer's Time Release Deet Formula, baby oil for sand flies)
Water purification pump (I'm a budget traveller)
Collapsible drinking cup
LCD headlamp
Compass
Earplugs
Camera, etc. (and underwater bag or 1-2 underwater disposables)
Smallish waterproof binoculars
Guidebook and copied map pages
Laminated plant and animal i.d. cards
Journal/writing materials
Reading material and Spanish/English dictionary
Small gifts for kids and hosts
Small dice and yahtzee papers
A small, flexible disc (like a frisbee)
Various ziplocks, cable ties, small bungie cords
3-4’ of duct tape wrapped around a waterproof marker
String and a few clothespins or 3-4 feet of braided surgical tubing - great clothesline
Half a roll of t.p. removed from core and flattened

I buy water and reuse the bottle and usually pick up an inexpensive pocket knife when I get there. I like having my own snorkel and mask, but my husband joined me two weeks into the trip and brought them with him; he has to check luggage anyway because of his fishing poles. :)

Frequently asked questions

Money; Is it better to take canadian travellers cheques to Belize or American express and change into Belize dollars when you get there, how much are the Banks giving in return or is it still better to take American express?	You do not need to use traveller's checks. ATM cards will work just fine. Belize is heavy on the US dollar pegging. Euros and Canadian Dollars are hard to exchange even though they are worth more than the greenback and if going to a bank you will take a hit on the exchange. Use your ATM cards and you will be fine as your bank will adjust to the day's rate and you don't have something extra to carry. International Currency Converter

Belize Newspapers and News Media

What type of plugs do they have in Central America?	Worldwide plug/voltage/frequency information

Some useful transportation sites for Central America:	A bus company serving all of Central America except Belize=Tica Bus. A very good bus company serving Guatemala, Honduras, & El Salvadore=Hedman Alas Bus. Chicken Bus terminals and Shuttle bus costs from Guatemala City=Chicken Bus.

Getting there and away	Most international flights in this region go to/from the USA and Canada. Sometimes you get a better rate on the airfare if you travel through the USA then direct from your home country then direct or through another latin american country (like Brazil or Mexico). Namely through Miami, New York, Houston, Dallas, or Los Angeles. That means you must be either a citizen of a country on the visa waiver program or be able to qualify for a US visa or better yet have one in hand. Even if you have NO plans on staying in the USA ALL visitors are required to proceed through immigration and customs as if you're entering into the USA. There are no "in-transit" zones in the US for internatonal to international connections. As for your stuff you may have to re-claim and proceed through US Customs even if you've checked your stuff all the way to C. America and then re-check your stuff with the airline right after clearing customs. Because of that it may be worthwhile to fly direct if possible. Iberia DO offer flights from Madrid to S. Jose, CR and Martin Air from Amsterdam. I don't know about KLM or British Air. But BA does goes to Mexico City and can conintue to C. America through their code-share partners on Mexicana or GrupoTACA.

How to approach an airfare quest.	Getting good airfares requires some research. No website will always have the best prices and odds are that no one here is familiar with what the prices currently are, because they can change rapidly. Here are some ideas.

WHAT SHOULD I PACK???	I can pack everything I need for an extended trip into a carry-on sized bag by choosing clothes that layer. I have a carry-on sized conversion pack (straps tuck away as needed) that has an attached day pack. I pack valuables and some personal items in the day pack and most of the clothes (that I'm not wearing) in the main compartment. Here's what I took to Honduras to accommodate 2-3 weeks inland with high altitude mountain hikes included and 2-3 weeks of beach time: 3-4 wicking-type shirts 1 light weight long sleeved shirt 2 pairs of light weight convertible (zip off to become shorts) long pants 1 sarong (skirt, swim wrap, doubles as towel or sleeping sheet) 1 bandana and one silicon-neck-cooler bandana 1 sunhat with strap 1 light weight sleeveless nightgown 2 swimsuits 1 light weight fleece jacket (liner type that can be worn alone) 1 light weight goretex rain coat uns and socks (incl. 1 neoprene pair I wear under Keens for hiking and under fins for diving/snorkel’g) flip flops for beach and showers Keen water shoes for everything else, including lots of light hiking (they have great support and a rubber toe protector); if you're planning hardcore hiking, take boots Cash, ATM and VISA cards, passport, etc. Flight and lodging reservations, emails, receipts, etc. Small medical kit and sewing kit Cheap watch with alarm Toiletries and prescription meds Sunglasses, spare glasses, disposable contacts for diving/rainforests Sunblock and bug stuff (Cactus Juice and Sawyer's Time Release Deet Formula, baby oil for sand flies) Water purification pump (I'm a budget traveller) Collapsible drinking cup LCD headlamp Compass Earplugs Camera, etc. (and underwater bag or 1-2 underwater disposables) Smallish waterproof binoculars Guidebook and copied map pages Laminated plant and animal i.d. cards Journal/writing materials Reading material and Spanish/English dictionary Small gifts for kids and hosts Small dice and yahtzee papers A small, flexible disc (like a frisbee) Various ziplocks, cable ties, small bungie cords 3-4’ of duct tape wrapped around a waterproof marker String and a few clothespins or 3-4 feet of braided surgical tubing - great clothesline Half a roll of t.p. removed from core and flattened I buy water and reuse the bottle and usually pick up an inexpensive pocket knife when I get there. I like having my own snorkel and mask, but my husband joined me two weeks into the trip and brought them with him; he has to check luggage anyway because of his fishing poles. :)