Being closely connected to the Caribbean, Belize is a very casual place to visit. Shorts, flip-flops and a T-shirt will pretty much take care of any dress requirements you will find. The average temperature in Belize is a pleasant 81°F, with summer highs in the upper 90’s and lows that rarely ever fall beneath 70°F.

Most of the time you won't even need the flip-flops.  Be sure to bring lots of sunscreen with you to protect yourself from the beautiful, balmy Caribbean sun. A good pair of polarized sunglasses will make sure you're able to see everything around you, instead of squinting your eyes against the bright light. Bug spray is always a must, especially if you are going to be traveling during the wet season (roughly from June-November).

If you have any special needs items, i.e. medications, supplements, contacts/glasses etc…, be sure to bring those with you with extras if you can. It can be very hard to track down specialized items in Belize, as these may not be commonly stocked in stores. Belize uses 110 volt, 60 cycle electricity, which is the same as the U.S. Outlets are typically the 2 pronged flat type so U.S. travelers will not need a specialized adapter.

If you have any questions or concerns about what to bring with you, please feel free to give us a call or send an email to caribbeanislandgirl@gmail.com.  We're more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

The following items are exempt from duties and taxes:
  • Clothing, jewelry, and toiletries that are for personal use during your stay in Belize;
  • Wines or spirits not exceeding one liter in total;
  • Tobacco, not exceeding 250 grams or less than 50 cigars, or less than 200 cigarettes;
  • Goods less than $200BZ through the airport and $50BZ elsewhere that belong to the visitor and are for personal use, such as gifts or souvenirs.
Visitors may claim these items no more than twice a year through the airport, and no more than once a month through other entry points. 

To avoid paying duty on the foreign-made high-ticket items that you already own and will take on your trip to Belize, register them with customs before you leave the country. Consider filing a certificate of registration for items such as laptops, cameras, watches, and other digital devices identified with serial numbers or other permanent markings; you can keep the certificate for other trips. Otherwise, bring with you a sales receipt or insurance form to show that you owned the item before you left the United States.
PACKING TIPS
Remember the slogan down here is “No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem”.  Bring twice the money and half the clothes, that’s what they say.  
TIP #1 - ONLY PACK THE ESSENTIALS - Save yourself some hassle and stress when traveling and only carry the essentials.  Cover all the basics and make a list of things you absolutely need.  To develop your list, search through blogs and websites to see what others recommend.

TIP #2 - FIT MORE INTO YOUR SUITCASE - The best way to gain space in your suitcase is by rolling your clothes.  You will end up making less of more and possibly not have to pay extra baggage fees.

TIP #3 - BUY STUFF AT YOUR DESTINATION - Take into account that Belize will have tons of stores where you can buy stuff that you will need.  I recommend that you only pack the essentials and then make a list of the things that you can get at your destination.

TIP #4 - BELIZE HAS SEASONS - December, January, February, March, April and until mid-May is Belize's dry season.  The heat makes for a fun time in Belize but you must pack for it - use appropriate clothes and protect yourself against the sun (bring sunblock).  June, July, August, September, October and November is the rainy season.  For a couple of hours a day, there may be unexpected rain outbursts and a poncho can come in handy.

TIP #5 - USE LAYERS - Heavy clothes can be comfy and warm but it takes up a lot of space in your luggage.  It is better to bring lighter clothes and layer up for the same effect.

TIP #6 - SET ASIDE HEAVY ITEMS - Heavy items can be worn during transit.  I usually wear my jacket, thick jeans and sturdy boots since it frees up some space and makes my bags lighter.

TIP #7 - DRESSY vs. CASUAL - Contrary to you traveling to Paris or NYC, tropical destinations are all about dressing casually.  Most of the time you will be hiking and beach lounging so it is all about dressing comfortably.  Plus, being overdressed will make you stick out like a sore thumb and may draw unnecessary attention.

TIP #8 - OVER-PACK vs. UNDER-PACK - What's worse to over-pack or under-pack?  People that prefer over-packing say that even though you don't end up using some things, the security of having it is reassuring - people who are against over-packing say large bags are too much of a burden and why bother since it is always possible to just buy stuff at your destination if you ever need it.

TIP #9 - IF COMING TO DIVE OR SNORKEL - If you’re diving or fishing you can bring your own equipment if you wish (prescription mask, snorkel, fins, suit, etc. – BUT NO WEIGHTS).  Diving and snorkeling gear is available for rent at the various dive shops.  Please keep in mind, when you book a diving, snorkeling or fishing trip with Black Orchid, your dive, snorkeling and fishing gear is  included.

TIP #10 - IF COMING TO GO ON THE VARIOUS TOURS - If you plan to take any of the  jungle tours on the mainland, you will need to bring a good pair of walking shoes, hiking boots (or tennis shoes), loose cotton pants, dark sunglasses, a wide brimmed hat, insect repellent and your camera.
​
Let's just say that it is best to do what makes you happy and try to strike a balance.  Personally, I just travel with a carry-on so you can imagine that I don't bring alot of stuff with me.
WHAT TO PACK FOR A 1 (to) 2 WEEK STAY - IN BELIZE
CLOTHES
The climate in Belize is subtropical with an annual average temperature of 80 degrees F.  So dress accordingly.  You’ll mostly wear casual, tropical light weight clothing, jeans (maybe), shorts, and short-sleeved shirts or t-shirts.  Pack a hat to protect your head.  Include a sweater, lightweight waterproof jacket (for evenings on the beach or boat rides), tropical weight long-sleeved shirt and long pants (if going into the jungle).  Be sure to take a change of clothing in your carry-on luggage, just in case your luggage is temporarily lost or misplaced in transit.  With a tropical climate, you will find, that you are perfectly content & comfortable with simple lightweight clothing.
  • Avoid polyester clothing (or any blends) it does not allow for air flow, and you will find it to be hot and uncomfortable.
  • Regular T-shirts & long sleeved T-shirts for sunburn protection & jungle hiking.
  • Couple dress shirts or blouses.
  • Shorts or skirts (preferably cotton), remember you're in the tropics.
  • Beachwear/swimwear - Women a sarong is multipurpose and very handy.
  • Two pairs of long pants.  Sometimes dressy & somethings for the jungle.
  • Underwear, of course.
  • A lightweight jacket or raincoat.  Something waterproof to keep you dry and warm if the temperature drops.
  • Comfortable socks, nothing to thick.
  • A hat to cover your face from the sun.  A baseball cap or some other type of hat
Note:  If you plan on doing any rappelling, you will need a pair of pants that goes to your ankles, along with a good quality pair of hiking shoes/boots for foot protection.

SHOES
  • Hiking or walking shoes (best to wear these when traveling, so it doesn't weight down your suitcase).
  • One or two beach sandals or slip flops.

TOILETRIES
  • Razor
  • Toothbrush & toothpaste
  • Shampoo & body soap
  • Brush or comb
  • Deodorant & Antiperspirant
  • Beach towels
  • Cosmetics & other personal items (such as body lotion, antibacterial wipes, etc.)

BOOKS & DOCUMENTS
  • Airline ticket & itinerary information
  • A passport that will not expire in the next six months.  Have photocopies (paper & digital)
  • Identification cards (driver's license) and insurance card with emergency contact information.
  • Most credit cards and debit cards are accepted in Belize and there are Banks/ATM's scattered around town.
  • A good guidebook (i.e a bird identification guide, if birding)
  • Reading material (books, magazines, maps, guidebooks)

HEALTH PRODUCTS & BABY ITEMS
  • If you wear prescriptions glasses, pack a spare pair or bring a floating strap if you'll be kayaking or canoeing.
  • Bring your contact lenses and cleaning solutions.  Eye drops if you have them.
  • Important medicines and vitamins or doctor prescriptions.
  • Insect repelent - you will need copious amounts for jungle hikes.
  • Sunblock is your friend.  Choose one that is highly water resistant and coral reef friendly.
  • Health Kit (special medicines, lotions, personal sanitary items)
  • Baby Items (diapers, formulas, bottles, blanket, stroller, diaper bag, wet ones)

MISCELLANEOUS
  • Zip-lock bags
  • A Small Flashlight - for power outages
  • Binoculars for birding
  • Pocket knife
  • Laptop or tablet
  • Cell phone - if you have a good international roaming plan or just to take Instagram photos
  • Day pack for day activities is very useful
  • Don't forget the chargers for all your electronics
  • Headphones for flight time
  • Small Dry Pack w/ Bars & Favorite Snacks
  • Address of family and friends for sending postcards or emergency contacts.
  • PADI dive card - if you plan on diving
  • Prescription Mask - if you plan on snorkeling or diving.
  • Dry Bag (for camera, cell phones or Ipods) when participating in water activities
EYE WEAR & CARE – Bright, sunny days require sunglasses, polarized is best.  Lens cleaners may not be readily available down here, so please bring your own.  Take plenty of eye lubricant (moisturizers) and cleaning solutions.  Lens wearers who also use eyeglasses should plan on wearing glasses – rather than lenses – more often to give your eyes a break.
FOOTWARE – Sandals or “flip ons” are the preferred footwear.  Bring a good pair of walking shoes, hiking boots or tennis shoes (with several pairs of socks) if you are planning on doing any jungle excursions.
SUNSCREEN, LOTIONS & REPELLENTS – It’s necessary to protect your skin from the sun’s ultraviolet rays.  Pack plenty of sunscreen.  Your favorite brand may not be readily available and an unfamiliar brand may cause a bad reaction.  As bugs do live in jungles and in beach areas, take along insect repellent.  If you tend to have very sensitive skin, think about bringing some hydrocortisone cream.
CAMERAS & FILM – Specific kinds of film, assuming you have not gone digital, may be hard to find.  Bring extra batteries for your camera, along with plenty of film.  Upscale gift shops sell pocket-type and underwater disposable cameras.  To be safe, bring your own.
DIVING, SNORKELING, FISHING EQUIPMENT – Bring your own or leave it at home.  It’s your preference.  If you have a prescription lens mask, be sure and bring that, along with your PADI certification card.  Many divers will want to bring their own BC, regulator, wet suit, fins and mask.  Leave your weights at home.  They are normally included included in your tour rates.  Do not bring spear guns.  They will be confiscated at the airport.  Although most fishing trips include bait and tackle, serious fly fishing and spin casting anglers will probably want to bring their own gear.
BIRD WATCHING – A good pair of binoculars and a guide book are invaluable to increase your birding enjoyment. 
JUST IN CASE – Take a small flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries and water bottle for caving, hiking and water adventures.
Photocopy important documents such as passports, driver’s license, credit cards, prescription medication forms, airline ticket and other important information.
ESSENTIAL – Carry essential medications with you.  Bring an extra supply of prescription medications to carry along with you on a daily basis, especially when traveling to remote areas.  Bubble wrap is an excellent way to protect fragile gift items you want to take home, such as woodcarvings and other items. 
  1. Bring along any prescription medicines, that you or your kids may need while in Belize. 
  2. Be sure to bring, use and re-apply high protection sun-block generously.  It is hard to keep kids out of the sun and even on an overcast day one can get badly burnt, potentially ruining your vacation.
  3. Although lifejackets are a requirement for all boat operators, smaller sizes are not common, so bring along life jackets for babies and small children.  Kids can also wear these when playing in the pool.
  4. Communicate with guest services about the interests your family has in additional activities while in Belize.  There is an assortment of tour packages available to choose from.
  5. Stock up on high-energy snacks like granola bars and bottled water in cities or major towns before going on tours so that your children always have something available to eat and drink.
  6. Pack water toys, stuffed animals and books to keep your children busy especially on the journey to Belize.
  7. You will find a selection of disposable diapers, cereals and formulas in town, however, if you have a preferred brand, be sure to bring your own.

WHAT TO PACK FOR A WEEK STAY – Most of what you will be wearing, will be casual.  For evening attire, even the nicest restaurants on the island accept casual attire.  Clothing selections should be items that are lightweight and loose cotton fitting attire.  Belize can be hot, so prepare adequately for the sun.  As a basic rule, if you cannot get along without it, bring a spare.  This applies for contact lenses, glasses, sunglasses, flashlight and any personal medications.

  • 2 swimming suits
  • 3 pairs shorts/capris
  • Long Pants – Long Shirts
  • Comfortable Evening Attire (dresses, pants & shirts)
  • Sandals (1 pair, comfortable)
  • Tennis shoes w/ 2-3 sets of socks (1 pair, comfortable)
  • Swim Shoes (esp. recommended for elderly, we have lots of tile down here and tile is slippery when wet)
  • Lightweight jacket for walking on the beach and while riding in boats.
  • Lightweight rain jacket w/hood (if you are coming during the raining season)
  • Dark Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen lotion (plenty)
  • Hat (wide brimmed)
  • Camera

Packing for Rainy Season - in Belize

Light Rain Jacket & Small Umbrella
Since “the weather” can come and go quickly, it’s always a good idea to travel with a light jacket (with hood) and a small umbrella.  Make sure it's waterproof and breathable.  Can you buy it in Belize?  Good ones?  No.  Most locals take a large black leaf bag, cut a hole for your head and arms and use that.  So bring something with you when you come.

Zip-lock bags
No matter when you are traveling (or where), bringing a few extra Ziplock bags is always a good idea.  Great to take on a snorkeling trip for your camera or, just in case it starts to rain to protect your phone or your wallet.  Can you buy these in Belize?  Absolutely, but they'll be 2-3x's the price compared to home.  So bring some with you.

Water Proof (non-slip) Sandals
Flip flops are the perfect island shoe, but become pretty useless for walking in when it rains.  Bring with you a good pair of waterproof (non-slip) sandals.  If you are planning on any jungle or Mayan ruin excursion, bring with you a good pair of hiking shoes. 

Mosquito Repellent & Anti-Itch Cream
Can you buy these in Belize?  Yes, but they'll be 2-3x's the price compared to home.  So bring your favorite brand with you. 

Protecting Yourself From Bugs That Bite - In Belize

THE MOSQUITO:  Most people already know how to deal with these guys.  Warm climates, fresh water, and rainy season, bring them out.  In Belize, the time mosquitoes are most prevalent are May to November.   If you plan on doing any jungle tours or trips to Mayan ruins, then you will experience these guys regardless of the time of year.
They are worst in the early morning and in the evening and during those times, spray is a must.  Bring some insect repellent with you when you come.  Those containing light DEET or picardin work best for me.   If headed into a mosquito-rich area, try some of the heavier sprays – ones that have a bit more oilyness to them.  They tend to last longer when sweating and help protect against other nippers.

SANDFLIES:  Sandflies are tiny bugs that you can hardly see.  Locally, they are known as "no-see-ums".  They are super annoying, bite like hell, and leave a raised red bump on your skin.  They are common on or near sand where these fiends lay their eggs.  For beaches that are common raked or heavily used, there are less sandflies.  On Ambergris Caye, you will find less as you get closer to town.  In more remote areas, they can be annoying, especially as the sun sets and the wind is low.  An oily barrier works best from protecting your tender skin from these little jerks.  They are so small that it prevents them from biting.  I like a nice oily bug repellent that leaves them choking and drowning, it does double duty but coconut oil or baby oil seems to do the trick.

BOTLASS OR “BATTLE ASS” FLIES:  These bugs live up to their name.  You don’t really even notice them, until you see a droplet of blood on your ankle.  At this point, prepare yourself for a bite that is SO itchy (come evening), that you will want to rip off your own foot.  The bite turns red, almost purple and itch uncontrollably.  At this point, Benadryl and lots of it is your only remedy.  Avoid these bugs at all cost.  Have hoses and socks, and lots of heavy oily bug spray to keep these guys away.  Don't mess with baby oil, go for the bug spray with DEET.

DOCTOR FLIES:  I have no idea where they got their names, but they're bite is not nice.  They can be aggressive about following you, but easy to kill.  They seem to come out about the time when bushes and scrubs start to flower and fruits are blooming (late spring/early summer).

FIRE ANTS:  Most bugs bite to protect, no so with fire ants.  They just bite to bite.  If you're in a forested area, wear closed shoes.  If you on a sandy or dirt area, just simply look down for any any piles nearby.  If you look down and there is a red ant on your foot…kill it quick, if there's one, there are more.  You will immediately start to feel a burning sting, step away from where you are standing and brush off your legs and feet.   

My suggestions for these nuisances when visiting Belize:
  • Don’t freak out!  Bugs in Belize are manageable.  Sometimes non-existent depending on the time of year.
  • Come prepared.  Repellent is EXPENSIVE here, so bring some with you. 
  • Bring some anti-itch cream (liquid Benadryl), no one likes to be on vacation with itchy skin. 
  • Bring medication if you are highly allergic to bites. 

Things to Avoid

​THINGS TO AVOID – Remember no liquids in your carry on luggage.
  • Avoid polyester clothing – leave it at home
  • Leave fancy/expensive jewelry & watches at home (save it for city life)
  • Do not bring diving weights or spear guns
  • No fresh fruit or meat (especially pork) can be brought into the country
  • If bringing more than $10,000.00 USD in currency, you will need to declare it
  • No ammunitions or firearms
  • No illegal drugs

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