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The national currency is the Belize dollar, which is
conveniently fixed at two to one with the US dollar (US $1=Bz$2);
US dollars are also widely accepted (sometimes preferred), either in
cash or travelers' checks. This apparently simple dual currency
system can be problematic: it's all too easy to assume the price
of your hotel room, or trip for example, is in Belize dollars, only
to find payment is demanded in the same number of US dollars - a
common cause of misunderstanding and aggravation. All Belizean notes
(divided into 100 cents) and coins carry the British imperial legacy
in the form of a portrait of Queen Elizabeth, while quarters are
called "shillings".
You'll find at least one bank (generally open Mon-Thurs
8am-2.30pm, Fri 8am-4.30pm) in every town, and also in the main
seaside destinations of San Pedro, Caye Caulker and Placencia.
Although the exchange rate is fixed, banks in Belize will give
slightly less than Bz$2 for US$1 for both cash and travelers'
cheques; on the other hand, moneychangers at the borders will
often give slightly higher rates, especially for larger sums;
anywhere else beware of rip-offs. You can usually buy US dollars
from the banks and sometimes from hotels or restaurants.
Credit and debit cards
are widely used in Belize, with Visa the best option, and are
increasingly accepted even in smaller hotels and restaurants, though
you might pay an extra 5 or even 7 percent for the privilege - check
before you pay. Although banks can give you a Visa / MasterCard
cash advance over the counter, Barclays is the only bank which
doesn't impose an extra charge to use plastic, and also has the only
ATMs which accept foreign-issued cards.
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 Belize
travel guide
Caribbean
guide
Even traveling as a couple it's difficult to survive on less than
US$18 a day per person - though it can be done - but US$25 a day
will cover a decent budget hotel, meals and drinks, bus travel and a
short taxi ride, for example. For a simple room you can
expect to pay at least US$9 single, US$15 double, whereas a night in
an up market lodge will set you back anything from US$65 to US$150
(though it's always worth asking for a discount out of season). Food
and drink are fairly pricey too, with an average breakfast costing
around US$4-5, lunch US$5-7, and dinner US$6-8. A small bottle of
Belikin beer, the only local brew, costs at least US$1.60;
imported cans cost twice as much.
Bus travel
is much more reasonable, with the longest journey in the country,
from Belize City to Punta Gorda, costing US$12. A taxi ride
within a town costs US$2.50 for one or two people; for more
passengers and longer rides agree a price beforehand.
Hotel rooms are subject to a seven percent tax, usually added
separately (and many of the more expensive places will also impose a
service charge of around ten percent). There's also an eight
percent sales tax, which applies to most goods and services
(including meals in restaurants, though not to drinks).
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It doesn't apply to hotel rooms, though some
package operators may slap it on anyway; check carefully to
see what you're paying.
Leaving Belize you must pay a US$10 exit tax, plus the
PACT conservation fee of US$3.75, at all departure points.
Belize
Belize City
Where to go
When to go
Getting around
Costs, money, banks
Currency, exchange
 Eating
and drinking
Mail &
communications
Safety and the police
Work and study
Information
The media
Holidays
and festivals
Shopping,
souvenirs
Belize city
Arrival and information
Restaurants
Nightlife,
entertainment
Tours,
buses
Listings
Travel details
Explore Belize City
North side
South side
Cayo and the west
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Belize city
to San
Ignacio
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Belize zoo
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Belmopan
Practicalities
Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
Guanacaste
Park
Benque Viejo del Carmen
Caracol Ruins
Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve
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San Antonio
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San Ignacio
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Arrival
Restaurants
Kayaking,canoeing
Xunantunich, San Jose
Corozal, Orange Walk
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Travel details |
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