Sightseeing, Activities and Adventure
Belize sits right in the heart of Central America, flanked by Mexico and Guatemala, and is lapped on its shoreline by the Western Caribbean Sea. Historically it has maintained a rather low profile but in recent times the profile of the country as a tourist destination has risen thanks to the twin wonders of its Mayan history and its underwater splendor.
The
Caracol Ruins are the most high profile of the Mayan ruins, set close to Guatemala in the Chiquibul Forest, and are a must-see for anyone who intends to spend time on the mainland to learn about the areas ancient peoples and culture.
Altun Ha was a major trade center and is the most extensively excavated ruin in Belize. There are 13 temples and residences to view here.
Cerros and
Lamanai, with its long history and beautiful scenic setting, are also worth a visit.
The
Museum of Belize is a former colonial prison and much of it is dedicated to displaying this aspect of its history. It also is a great place to introduce the ancient Mayan and colonial history of the country. Built in the 19th century, it is an impressive brick building found at the corner of Gabourel and Hutson streets in Belize City.
Belize Zoo, some 31 miles (50 km) west of the capital, enjoys international acclaim as a wildlife education center exhibiting over 100 native species, the larger of which are housed in sizeable enclosures allowing a good degree of natural behavior.
For more information on what to do in Belize and where to do it, visit
The Belize Tourism Board.
Time Zones
Belize is the same as United States Central Time, -6 GMTBusiness Hours in Belize
Banks: Monday - Thursday 08:00 to 13:00 hrs, Friday 08:00 to 13:00 and 15:00 to 16:00. Industry: Monday - Friday 08:00 to 12:00 hrs, 13:00 to 17:00. Some businesses are open on Saturday.
The Belize Dollar (BZ$) has a fixed exchange rate of BZ$2 to US$1. The majority of hotels, resorts, restaurants, and tour operators will accept US currency, travelers checks, or credit card. Credit card payments often attract a 5% service charge. Always make sure that you understand which dollar rate is being quoted as the term 'dollar' is what you will hear for both currencies.Electricity
Although most of the electricity is provided by diesel/generator sets, the power is stable at 110/220 volts AC, 60 Hz - the same voltage as in the USA. Plugs are either North American 3-pin flat blades with round grounding pin, or British 3-pin rectangular blade plugs.Communications
Internet service is widely available but is still expensive so do not expect internet cafes on every street corner. Some hotels will be connected, possibly with satellite internet, but as a general rule you might not be able to have access for several days during your stay. However, the Belizean dive resorts that we offer do provide a wi-fi service. Telephone and fax facilities are widely available. The international dialing country code for Belize is +501.
The postal service in Belize is quite reliable and air mail takes about 8 days to Europe, 2 days to the USA. The main post office is on the north side of the swing bridge in Belize City.Codes of Behavior
Tipping and bargaining
Tipping is customary in restaurants where there is no service charge included and 10-15% is the norm. Higher end hotels, resorts and tour operators often include a 10% service charge meaning that further tipping is not required. Private tour guides may also expect a similar gratuity.
Clothing
Formal clothing is almost never a necessity, even in the most expensive places. Wear cool light clothing, avoid excessive sweating and fungal infections. Protect yourself from the strong sun. Polarized sunglasses, a hat, and the rest of the "slip, slop, slap, wrap" advice should be heeded. You should be aware that refreshments are not always readily available when sightseeing, so pack all necessities in a small backpack.
Criminality
Crime should not be a major concern for most tourists. Avoid wearing expensive jewelry or accessories and exercise a reasonable amount of caution as "a stranger in a strange land". Deep inland there are probably some miscreants ferrying cocaine upstream or across borders but we do not expect Dive The World customers to encounter any such individuals.
