Destination Guide - Belize

CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE
1	The Belize Blast by Mountain Bike, Kayak, Inner Tube, Rope & Foot (9 Days)

Surrounded by alpine ridge mountains, cascading waterfalls and jagged towering cliffs, Belize is a rich natural wonderland that was once the heart of the Mayan Civilization. This tiny Central American nation stretches just 260 km/165 miles and boasts the largest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere. But this is not only a destination for water sports enthusiasts, Belize has the largest undisturbed area of rainforest in all of Central America. It is a lush paradise that is home to howler monkeys, jaguars and pumas and hundreds of species of birds and mammals. Belize is amazingly rich in culture and has over 600 Mayan ruins, many of which are only now being excavated.

Official Name: Belize
Population: 307,000
Capital City: Belmopan, pop. 5000
People: Mestizo, Creole, Mayan and Garifuna
Languages: English is the official language. Also Spanish, Creole, Mayan dialects and Garifuna is spoken
Religion: 49.6% Roman Catholic, 27% Protestant, 14% other and 9.4% none
Currency: Belizean dollar
Time: GMT minus 6 hours
Electricity: 110V 60Hz (http://www.kropla.com)
Major Industries: Food processing, tourism, constructions and oil
Airport Departure Tax: $39.50 USD (subject to change)

IMPORTANT FACTS

Travel Documents

A valid passport is required for Canadian and American citizens for travel in Belize. For citizens of other countries you should contact the embassy or consulate for entry requirements. We suggest that you carry a photocopy of your passport separately and leave a copy with friends or family at home. There are no visas required for people traveling with Canadian or US passports. (Note: please make sure that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your date of arrival in Belize).

Climate

The climate of Belize is sub-tropical. Temperatures can range from 20' C to 30'C (70'-90' F) during the day. During the dry season there can be the occasional "Northern" which blows in from the Gulf of Mexico. The "Northern" brings cooler temperatures and rain squalls, but they rarely last more than a few days.

Food

Belizeans eat widely from among the food groups. Some of the staples include bread for breakfast, tamales, panades, and meat pies for lunch and beans and rice with meat and salad for dinner. Fruits are quite common while raw vegetables are not.

Water

We do not recommend that you drink the tap water, but check with your guide or host first before consuming. Bottled water is recommended when traveling in the country and is easily purchased at stores. If you are susceptible to changes in the water, you will find that fresh juices, soft drinks and beer are readily available.

Vaccinations

There are no vaccinations that are mandatory, although some are definitely recommended. These are tetanus and polio, typhoid, and hepatitis A and B. This information can change on a daily basis, and it is highly recommended that you contact your doctor or a travel clinic for the most up-to-date recommendations on vaccinations and malaria. A great website is http://www.cdc.gov/.