FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
We recommend reading through some of the frequently asked questions before contacting guest services. Often times, your question will be answered among the many questions others have already asked. We are constantly expanding our list of questions, as we discover additional repetitive questions being asked.
1. How long is the flight from Houston to Belize City?
Just about 2 hours.
2. How will I be able to communicate and get around?
Belize is English speaking, so you will have no problems communicating with taxi drivers, airline agents, bank tellers, store keepers, merchants, etc. Taxi's are readily available, and if going to the island of Ambergris Caye, you can rent either a golf cart, a bicycle, or walk most anywhere in town on foot.
3. If I was going to visit Belize, what is the one thing I shouldn't miss?
Not that's a tough question. That's like asking what is the one ride you don't want to miss at Disney World. Let me answer it this way. In spending time on the island, if you were to pick one tour that would really set the tone of your visit here.......this is what I recommend.
1. If you are a older couple wanting a romantic time together on your anniversary - definitely do the sunset sail.
2. If you are a couple on your honeymoon - the couples massage.
3. If you are a bunch of guys looking for a high impact energy hiking adventure - ATV motor bike riding through the jungle
4. If you are college students seeking adventure - Cave tubing & Zip Lining
5. If you are a family seeking time together - Belize Zoo, Cave Tubing, the Manatee/Snorkel Adventure is great too.
6. If you are alone, seeking personal growth & spiritual awareness - Spa Massages
7. If are friends seeking a trilling adventures - Horseback riding in the rainforest
8. If you are the beginner scuba diver - beginning certification classes & beginner dives.
9. If you are the advanced scuba diver - Diving the Blue Hole and/or Turneffe Island wall dives
1. If you are a older couple wanting a romantic time together on your anniversary - definitely do the sunset sail.
2. If you are a couple on your honeymoon - the couples massage.
3. If you are a bunch of guys looking for a high impact energy hiking adventure - ATV motor bike riding through the jungle
4. If you are college students seeking adventure - Cave tubing & Zip Lining
5. If you are a family seeking time together - Belize Zoo, Cave Tubing, the Manatee/Snorkel Adventure is great too.
6. If you are alone, seeking personal growth & spiritual awareness - Spa Massages
7. If are friends seeking a trilling adventures - Horseback riding in the rainforest
8. If you are the beginner scuba diver - beginning certification classes & beginner dives.
9. If you are the advanced scuba diver - Diving the Blue Hole and/or Turneffe Island wall dives
4. What is the best time of the year to come to Belize?
The answer to this question, depends on your circumstances. For a family with kids getting out of school, June/July, but this time of year can also be hot. For those looking for the cheaper rates, September/October. For a couple looking for a get-a-way on their anniversary or wedding, well this date is already set for you. For those free to go whenever and wherever the wind takes them, then my favorite time of year down here is February/March. Belize also has a long list as to calendar and special events, you may want to look this over and then decide accordingly. Also, check our website under Tours & Activities, Things to Do.
5. What diving sites would you recommend for beginners?
Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley, are absolutely a great place to start. Because this area is protected under government laws, Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley have experienced an explosion in marine life.
6. What is the best amount of time to spend on the island and see everything?
We think at least one to two weeks (but I will tell you), at the end of your stay, you are always going to feel, like you didn't get to see and do it all. I think this is an important feeling to retain on any vacation, as that is the feeling which makes a person want to come back. I would never stay less than one week. The standard vacation for many is one week, as it is fairly easy for many to get this time off from work. Vacation stays which are much longer in length, will usually tend to offer a cheaper, as resorts offer discounted rates for extended stays. Most of our vacation packages are designed with the one week stay in mind.
7. What is the climate like in Belize?
For the most part, Belize experiences a sub-tropical climate most of the year. The rainy season, corresponds with hurricane season (June to November), each year. For this reason, many visitors are attracted to the dry season, which also corresponds to winter in the North (mid November and the end of April).
8. What kind of medical facilities does Belize have?
Belize City has a number of large hospitals and enjoys many of the same facilities enjoyed by larger countries. On the island of Ambergris Caye, there are many small medical clinics, where each doctor has his or her own emergency room facilities.
9. Where is Belize located?
Belize is one of the seven countries that makes up Central America. It is located directly South of the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula and sits on the Eastern edge of the Caribbean Ocean. It borders, Mexico to the North, Guatemala to the West & South, and the Caribbean ocean to the East.
10. When is the best time to go to Belize?
February-April is the driest time of year while July is the wettest month. High season runs from mid November (Thanksgiving) to April. The rest of the year is less crowded, lodging is discounted and the tropical diversity is most evident during this time of year.
11. Can I drink the water?
Water in Beilze for the most part is potable, but we recommend drinking bottled water, as it is easily available here in Belize.
12. Do I need shots?
None are required, but you might consider a gamma globulin shot for hepatitis A and B as they are a good idea anytime you travel, as are boosters for typhoid, and tetnus. As for malaria pills, the form of malaria found in Belize can be cured with Chloroquine. This is the same drug that is used as a preventative as well. Chloroquine can cause liver damage if used over a long period of time, so many on extended stays opt to take their chances. It's a good idea to carry mosquito repellent with you while you're in the jungle/bush.
13. How much will it cost? Should I book in advance?
Belize is one of those countries where you can choose to spend a substantial amount of money or stick to a modest budget and still have a good time. In general, budget travelers looking for a clean place to stay in town can get by on about $35-40.00 USD for room and meals on the mainland.
Prices overall are a bit higher on the Cayes because of the additional transport costs related to shipping goods from the mainland. Transportation and activities will obviously add to your daily expenditures. At the other end of the spectrum, staying at one of the more upscale all-inclusive jungle lodges and taking advantage of all their optional activities might run $300.00 USD or more a day.
In the High Season (November to April) reservations are a good idea at the more established places. If you are traveling with a group, ask about discounts.
Prices overall are a bit higher on the Cayes because of the additional transport costs related to shipping goods from the mainland. Transportation and activities will obviously add to your daily expenditures. At the other end of the spectrum, staying at one of the more upscale all-inclusive jungle lodges and taking advantage of all their optional activities might run $300.00 USD or more a day.
In the High Season (November to April) reservations are a good idea at the more established places. If you are traveling with a group, ask about discounts.
14. Where can I stay on Ambergris Caye on a budget?
In looking over all the resorts we have to offer for Ambergris Caye, I believe there are two places that stand out to me as being exceptional for those traveling on a budget. 1) Pedro's Inn, and 2) Royal Caribbean Resort. Both of these places are clean, modest, have pools onsite, and possess modern conveniences without all the glitter. For anyone looking to come to Ambergris with a backpack and a walking stick, I would definitely recommend Pedro's Inn.
15. How did Belize get it's name?
The camp set up by a Scottish sea captain, Peter Wallace, eventually became Belize City. Some say that the name "Belize" is derived from the Spanish pronunciation of "Wallace", which could sound something like the word. Others speculate that Belize comes from the Mayan words belix, meaning "muddy water", or Belikin, translated as "land that faces the sea". Perhaps it derives from the French balise, a reference to the beacons used to guide pirates back to port at night. Yet another theory is that the name comes from the old British verb obelize, which means to mark a map with an obelus, a sign that suggests a place is corrupt and undesirable. During its many years as a pirate haven, English mapmakers routinely obelized the camp found by Peter Wallace. Today, Belize is one of the tropical, tourism and expat havens of the world.
