x	>> General Information and Requirements for Visitors      >> Geography      >> Culture      >> Economy      >> History ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- General Information and Requirements for Visitors A valid passport is necessary for entry into Belize. United States citizens are not required to have travel visas but citizens of most other countries will need a visa. Visitors are permitted to stay in Belize for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days. Extensions for another thirty (30) days can be obtained at Immigration offices located in Punta Gorda, Belmopan, Orange Walk, Big Creek, Dangriga and Belize City at a cost of US$12.50. Only three extensions are allowed for a total of ninety (90) days. The currency unit is the Belize dollar (BZ$). There is a fixed rate of exchange of BZ$2 to US$1. The four banks of Belize; Belize Bank, Barclays Bank, Atlantic Bank, and the Canadian based Bank of Nova Scotia will cash travelers checks, give cash advances on Visa or Master cards and have wire transfer services. Hours of operation generally are 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM. five days a week. On Fridays they stay open longer. Philip S. Goldson International Airport is situated 10 miles from Belize City. Regular international services are maintained by three major airlines, TACA from Houston, Miami and Los Angeles, American Airlines from Miami, and Continental from Houston. Continental has two flights a day from Houston during the busy season, December to May. Taxi fare from the International airport to Belize City is a standard $US15. Telephone communications are provided by Belize Telecommunications Limited (BTL), a private company, which owns the telephone service that covers all of Belize. A cellular network has now been introduced and is available throughout much of the country. BTL provides telephone, direct dial and Internet connection services. When using the phone in Belize dial: 113 for local directory assistance 114 for local and regional operator assisted calls 115 for international operator assisted calls including calling card calls 911 for emergencies Electricity in many places is provided by diesel generator equipment. Power is at 110 volts AC, which is the same as in the United States. A small surge suppresser is recommended for computers and other sensitive equipment. Climate is sub-tropical, tempered by trade winds. Extreme temperatures in coastal districts range from about 10°C (50°F) to about 35.6°C. (96°F). Inland the range is greater. Belize has an annual mean temperature of 79° Fahrenheit. Rainfall varies from an annual average of 50 inches in the north to 180 inches in the extreme south. The dry season usually extends from February to May with a possible dry spell in August. The official hurricane season is from June 1 to November 30. What to Bring: Hiking boots or shoes with good tread. Long pants and sleeves for hiking and evenings. Short pants and cool cotton clothes. Light weight rain gear with hood, bathing suit and sun hat. Sun screen and insect repellent. Binoculars and camera with plenty of film. Flash light or head lamp. Valid Passport and necessary visa. top ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Geography Belize (formerly British Honduras) lies on the east coast of Central America, bounded on the north and northwest by Mexico and on the south and west by Guatemala. The shallow coastal waters are sheltered by a line of coral reefs, with many small islands called Cayes (pronounced keys). Total land area of Belize is 8,866 sq. miles including 266 sq. miles of islands. This is roughly the size of Massachusetts. A low coastal plain, much of it covered with mangrove swamp, typifies the coastline. Although the mangrove Cayes are normally uninhabitable by humans, they provide a superior habitat for birds and marine life. The low-lying plain to the north, once under water, is swampy near the coast but rises to a slight plateau in the west. Today the terrain is crisscrossed by waterways and much of the Corozal and Orange Walk Districts are heavily cultivated in sugar cane. Central Belize's sandy soil supports large savannas. The Rio Bravo Conservation Area is located here. This area, largely uninhabited and supports an abundance of wildlife. Southwest from Belize City the land begins to rise gradually towards the interior. The Cayo District in the west is home to the Mountain Pine Ridge at 305-914 meters above sea level. The Maya Mountains and the Cockscomb Range form the backbone of the southern half of the country and is the western border of the Stann Creek District. Victoria Peak in the Cockscomb Range is the highest point in Belize at 1124 meters above sea level. Southern Belize, which is in the Toledo District, consists of many steep rivers carrying sand, clay, and silt, which have enriched the coastal belt over the years. This has allowed the area to develop significant agricultural products such as citrus and bananas. Along with an annual rainfall of some 170 inches, southern Belize has a true tropical rainforest that is rich with ferns, palms, and tropical hardwoods. top ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you would like us to help you plan your next eco-tour to Belize contact us here!	--------------- --------------- Read All About Our Recent Trip To Tikal! --------------- Have Questions? Contact Us Here.