AIRLINES/INTERNATIONAL

AIRLINES/LOCAL

CLIMATE/CLOTHING
With brisk prevailing winds from the Caribbean, the subtropical climate here averages 80?F. Winter is generally cool and dry. Spring is warm and dry. Brief, refreshing showers hold down the temperatures in summer and fall. Light, informal clothing works best, except on excursions through thick jungles, when long sleeves and pants help to protect the skin. Pack a light sweater or jacket for cool winter evenings and high mountain treks.

CUSTOMS/ENTRY/DEPARTURE
Entering Belize. A visitor 18 or older may bring one liter of wine or spirits, plus 250 grams of tobacco, 50 cigars, or 200 cigarettes, if not returning from a visit to a neighboring border town. A traveler possessing BZ$10,000, or foreign currency equivalent, must complete a Report of Currency Importation form C300, available from customs. Animals. A pet must be in good health and have a veterinary certificate from a registered veterinarian in its country of origin, a valid rabies vaccination certificate, and an import permit from the Belize Agricultural Health Authority. Contact BAHA at 224-5230/4794 or foodsafety@ btl.net for details.

Firearms and drugs. It is illegal to take firearms or ammunition into or out of Belize. Mandatory jail sentences and heavy fines are imposed for the possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs.
Land/sea borders. Official land/sea border points include Santa Elena to the north, Benque Viejo del Carmen to the west, and Punta Gorda to the south.

Private Aircraft. Planes should clear through Philip Goldson International Airport with the Belize Civil Aviation Depart­ment and the Belize Airports Authority. For details, check the web site www.travelbelize.org/private_airplanes.html.

Private boats. Vessels may be entered or cleared at the ports of Belize City, Big Creek, San Pedro, Dangriga, and Punta Gorda. Call VHF channel 16 for details.

Departing Belize. It is prohibited by law to take pre-Columbian articles, marine products (unless permitted by the fisheries department), unprocessed coral, or turtle shells. Belizean dollars may be used in duty-free shops.

Departure Tax. Visitors leaving by Philip Goldson International Airport pay US$35.00 in US currency, including $15.00 passenger service fee, $15.00 airport development fee, $3.75 Protected Areas Conservation Trust fee, and $1.25 security fee. Belizean citizens and residents are exempt from the fees. Visitors leaving by the northern border with Mexico or the western border with Guatemala pay US$18.75 in US or Belizean currency, including $15.00 border processing fee and $3.75 PACT fee. Belizean citizens and residents, children under 12, and one-day visitors from border towns are exempt from the fees. Visitors leaving by boat from Punta Gorda, Dangriga, or San Pedro pay US$3.75 PACT fee, in US or Belizean currency.

Passports and visas. Both adults and children require passports valid beyond the duration of their stays, plus proof of return. Visitors from the United States, United Kingdom, and most Caribbean countries do not require visas to enter. Most other nationals do. After one month, visitors must apply for an extension. US citizens must have onward or return tickets and should register at the consular section of the US Embassy in Belize City upon their arrival.

Returning to Canada. A traveler may bring duty-free merchandise worth up to CAN$200 if out of the country for 48 hours or more; CAN$750 if out for seven days or more. Adults may include 1.5 litres of wine or 1.14 litres of liquor duty-free, plus 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, and certain other tobacco products partially exempt.

Returning to the UK. A traveler may bring 200 cigarettes, one liter of spirits (persons 17 or older), two liters of still table wine, 60ml of perfume, 250ml of toilet water, and £145 worth of other goods duty-free.

Returning to the US. A traveler may usually bring duty-free merchandise worth up to US$800. An adult may in­clude 200 cigarettes, 100 cigars, and one liter of alcohol duty-free, plus a second liter if produced by a Caribbean Basin nation such as Belize. Beyond the exemption, duty on the next US$1,000 of merchandise is three percent, plus any Internal Revenue Service tax. Cuban products may not be imported. Both adults and children require passports to reenter the US.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Belize runs on 110 volts AC, as in North America.

EMBASSIES/CONSULATE

EMERGENCY/MEDICAL
Emergencies. In a police emergency, dial 911. For fire or medical emergencies, dial 90.

Hospitals and clinics. Medical care is available from the hospitals and clinics below. Consult with medical insurance companies prior to traveling to determine whether health policies apply overseas or cover emergencies such as medical evacuation.

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