BELIZE INFORMATION SHEET
MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS: The country of Belize does not require any specific immunizations for entry. However, The Center For Disease Control has issued a set of recommendations for travel to Belize. The CDC suggests the use of a prescription anti malaria drug- chloroquinine (brand name Aralen). Dengue fever, which is transmitted by mosquitoes during daylight hours, has been recorded in Belize. Clothing and repellent is recommended to prevent both the transmission of malaria and dengue fever. As a general precaution in third world areas such as Belize, the CDC suggests getting a gamma globulin shot for prevention of hepatitis A. Tetanus-diphtheria and measles boosters should be current. Please consult your physician and the CDC (888-232-3228) regarding your trip. All medical precautions are the decision of each participant.
MALARIA: The Center of Disease Control (CDC) reports that there is a risk of malaria in all parts of Belize except Belize City. They recommend the use of a prescription anti malarial drug and the protection against mosquito bites using clothing and repellent. To my knowledge, no one has contracted Malaria over the last 23 years that I have led trips to Belize. The majority of participants have taken a prescription anti malarial drug. For more information, you may review the CDC traveler’s web page
INSECT REPELLENT: Mosquitoes, black flies, and sand gnats will be encountered in Belize. Avon Skin so Soft is the best defense against sand gnats found in coastal areas. A strong pump style repellent is good against mosquitoes and black flies that occur in the jungle. A layer of lightweight, light in color clothing is an effective defense against insects. The skies are not black with insects! However, if you can’t tolerate a week of insect bites, a trip to the tropics is not for you!
PHYSICAL CONDITIONING: While experience in snorkeling, hiking or tubing is not required to participate in this program, good general health is recommended. Most activities are optional. Your Blue Water Ventures guides will offer a variety of excursions each day for those who want to keep active. Some level of upper body conditioning is advisable to prepare for snorkeling.
DRINKING WATER: At each site, participants are briefed on policies towards drinking water. Obviously, we are extremely cautious with our decisions about potable water. Most water consumed is bottled with a few exceptions.
CLIMATE: March is part of the dry season in Belize, although rain showers are always a possibility in the tropics. Your rain gear should be of good quality and durable. Temperatures should be reasonably pleasant with daytime highs in the low 90's and lows in the 70's. Easterly trade winds often prevail making temperatures comfortable.
CLOTHING: Loose fitting cotton or quick drying nylon work well in the tropics. Lighter colors seem more comfortable in the heat. Jeans take too long to dry out and are not recommended. Laundry is done by hand as needed by each participant.
APPROPRIATE DRESS: For the most part, the dress code is causal throughout the Belize itinerary. However, at several sites we will ask everyone to wear t-shirts with sleeves (no tank tops or tight fitting midriffs at these sites). By dressing appropriately, we are showing sensitivity to the Belizean people. When packing, please include several loose fitting, short sleeved t-shirts in addition to tank tops.
LOCAL CUISINE: Meals are Belizean in style and an intricate part of our cultural education. You may anticipate plenty of chicken, fresh seafood, rice and beans, local fruit, tortillas, and ice cold drinks. Vegetarian meals can be arranged upon request. Please specify dietary restrictions or allergies on your registration form.
ILLEGAL DRUG USE: The Belizean government has very severe penalties for the use of illegal drugs. Do not bring illegal substances in to Belize or purchase/use them during this program.
PASSPORTS: Everyone is required to have a current passport for entry into Belize. It usually takes 6-8 weeks to process a passport. Please visit your local post office to obtain and submit a passport application or this may be done online. Please make three photocopies of your passport (one to keep at home, two copies to travel with).
LUGGAGE: A medium to large duffel bag with a length long zipper or an internal frame backpack is recommended. Laundry bags or army duffels are difficult to organize and are not recommended. Hard-shelled suitcases are acceptable, but since space is limited, soft duffels are preferable. Before departure please check the airlines for an update on luggage restrictions.
MONEY: US dollars are accepted throughout Belize. Small denominations (20 bills or less) are recommended since you will often receive Belizean dollars in change. There are some crafts - slate and woodcarvings @ 10-50 dollars, and typical t-shirts @ 10-15 dollars. The only additional money you'll need during the trip is for meals while traveling through airports, alcoholic beverages. and tips for your Blue Water Ventures guides (see below). An airport departure tax of $40 is the responsibility of each participant. Traveler's checks are recommended if you are carrying over $200.
TIPPING: All in country tipping is included in the price of the trip. It is customary to tip your assistant Blue Water Ventures guide if you feel that she has served you well. May we suggest a tip of $50 per person.
HOW TO REACH OUR GROUP:In the event of an emergency, family or friends back home may reach our group. Updated contact numbers will be provided before departure. Cell service may be available in certain areas of Belize. You may want to contact your provider before you depart to see if you are covered in Belize and what the fees are for making/receiving calls and texting.
GENERAL SAFETY: At each site, participants are thoroughly briefed on all safety precautions and specific guidelines that everyone is expected to follow.
FAMILY STAYS: Participants are given the option to spend an evening in the Maya Center Village with a Mayan family. In pairs, they will meet their family, have meals and sleep overnight in a traditional Mayan home. The next morning after breakfast our group reunites and will share impressions of their night in the village.
GIFTS: Participants may like to bring a gift for their host family that they will be staying with in the Maya Center. Suggestions of appropriate gifts include: school supplies (crayons, pencils, construction paper, water color paints, rulers, erasers, glue, etc.), small kit of tools, soccer ball, children books, educational games.
MAP OF BELIZE: To view a general map of Belize, please visit: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/mapshells/central_america/belize/belize.htm
For more detailed maps visit: http://ambergriscaye.com/pages/town/map.html
Be sure to scroll down and review the cool map selection on the right side of the page.
USEFUL LINKS:
Belize Tourist Board: http://www.travelbelize.org/
General Info: http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107333.html
Geography of Belize: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Belize
Wildlife Conservation: http://www.wcs.org/belize
ACCOMMODATIONS--please review this section!
Yamwits Lodge: Dormitory style rooms located on a citrus farm in Central Belize, off the Hummingbird Highway. Shared bathrooms/showers.
Hopkins Village: Double-triple occupancy cabanas with both private and shared bathrooms/showers as wellas a rental home. Cabanas are located in a traditional Garifuna village close to a sandy beach on The Caribbean Sea. Sea breeze provides our "air conditioning".
Maya Center: Double-triple occupancy cabanas with shared bathrooms and showers. Some cabanas are dormitory in style (sleeps up to 6 people). Hymen Herb Center, Botanical Garden and Cottages are rustic but comfortable. In pairs, you will also be staying one night with a host family in the village. Homes are traditional Mayan dwellings with thatched roofs -(some have electricity, others are lighted by lanterns; latrines are basic and outside).
Ricardo's Beach Huts: Double-triple occupancy cabanas over water and adjacent to island. One dormitory cabana (sleeps up to six people). Outdoor latrines flushed by sea currents. Electricity is provided for a few hours at night powered by an island generator. There is no indoor plumbing. Bathing and laundry is done in saltwater with a bucket of freshwater as rinse. Sun showers purchased at camping stores work great!
Belize City: Double occupancy rooms in a local hotel catering to the eco-adventure traveler. Private bathrooms with hot showers. View of the Belize City seaport from the hotel verandahs.
Kim Powell, MRPA
Owner, Operator & Naturalist
Blue Water Ventures
phone & fax: 831-459-8548
www.bluewaterventures.org
email: bluewaterventures@sbcglobal.net
108 Mason St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060