Belize

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From Drive the Americas

Contents 1 Basic Facts 2 Border Crossing Information 2.1 Entry Requirements 2.1.1 Necessary documents 2.1.2 Costs 2.2 Exit Requirements 2.2.1 Necessary documents 2.2.2 Costs 2.3 Individual Experiences 3 Roads and Driving 3.1 Road Signs 3.2 Bumps 3.3 Military Checkpoints 3.4 Other Road Hazards 3.5 Driving Tips 3.6 Visiting the Cayes with a car 3.7 Driving at Night 3.8 Gas Prices 4 Camping and Hotels 4.1 Southern Belize 5 Notes

[edit] Basic Facts

• Population: 320,000^[1]
• Capital: Belmopan
• Fun Fact:

Belize is home to one of the top-ten scuba diving locations in the world (according to Jacques Cousteau), the Blue Hole.

[edit] Border Crossing Information

[edit] Entry Requirements

[edit] Necessary documents

• Passport
• Vehicle Title
• Vehicle Registration
• Valid Drivers License
• Several photocopies of each of these documents
• Insurance must be purchased after finishing with customs

[edit] Costs

• There is no ENTRY FEE

Belize is a relatively easy border crossing. When leaving Chetumal, Mexico, at the border crossing you will be approached by people trying to sell you insurance. Insurance is required in Belize but you will be able to buy it from the Insurance Corporation of Belize located behind immigration after customs has approved your permit and let you drive through.

Park in the parking lot in front of immigration and head in to get your passport stamped as well as your car permit. You may be approached by someone who can help you work through the process, keep in mind that these are not "official" immigration employees and they will require a tip for their assistance. After immigration has approved your passport, head to the Customs desk located behind the immigration desk to start the paperwork to import your car.

The car importation was simple as well. Make sure you have all your original documents as well as photocopies of everything. Everything seems to move a bit slower in Belize so be patient and don't push the officers to hurry, as things are laid-back and all documents are filled out by hand. A car inspection is required but it may be pretty slack. Once everything is filled out and the car has been inspected you will receive a car permit slip. Don't lose this document as it must be canceled when exiting Belize.

Insurance is purchased from the Insurance Corporation of Belize. Make sure to have sufficient coverage for the time you are in Belize as the insurance is set to expire at a specific time. There are other locations where you can renew your insurance as well. You will be a given an insurance sticker to put in the upper right-hand corner of your windshield.

[edit] Exit Requirements

[edit] Necessary documents

• Passport
• Belize Vehicle Import Permit

[edit] Costs

• $37.50 Belize Dollars exit fee per person

Canceling the Belize Vehicle Import Permit and Tourist Permit: There is only one border crossing point for cars between Belize and Guatemala, at Benque del Carmen/Melchor de Mencos. To cancel the vehicle permit, first head to Belize immigration where they will stamp your passports for exit. You will then be directed to the Customs desk in the Entry building. This seems pretty weird because you are basically walking into the building the wrong way. Once you reach the desk, present your car permit to the official and request that it be canceled.

[edit] Individual Experiences

People's experiences vary depending on crowds at the border, corrupt or honest border officials, and rules can also change. People's individual experiences are included here.

[edit] Roads and Driving

[edit] Road Signs

Road signs are in English but generally speaking highway numbers and signs are non-existent. There are not too many roads in Belize but be prepared to ask around for directions.

[edit] Bumps

Speed bumps are present in Belize but they are nowhere near as often or as huge as other Central American countries. They are found close to communities.

[edit] Military Checkpoints

There is supposedly a checkpoint just before Burrel Boom where you will have to present your car documents. If you pass through there on the weekend, there may not be anyone working there, but it is always a good idea to make sure your papers are in order.

[edit] Other Road Hazards

Donkeys, cattle, horses, dogs, pedestrians, and bicyclists will be a common site on and along the roads. Many roads lack shoulders or sidewalks, so there are few places for pedestrians to walk except on the roadbed itself.

[edit] Driving Tips

It's possible to drive from the Chetumal border to Placencia in about six hours – you can skip Belize City via Burrell Boom, turn off the Northern Highway to your right at around mile 13, this skirts Belize City and puts you on the western highway. Good road information can be found at ambergriscaye The 56 mile Hummingbird Highway is in great condition and takes you some beautiful Belizean scenery and definitely worth driving if you have the chance.

[edit] Visiting the Cayes with a car

If you are going to head out to the Cayes (islands), you will need to leave your car behind. Belize City has a high crime rate, buy you may be able to leave your car at one of the nicer hotels in the area. Spend a night and/or give a nice tip to the security guard. You could also leave your car at a surrounding town and bus into Belize City.

[edit] Driving at Night

The many hazards listed here are dangerous enough in daylight, so driving in the evening is especially dangerous. Belize has a very high car accident rate and it would seem that this number would increase at night.

[edit] Gas Prices

Belize is a small country, unleaded and diesel gas stations are easily found.

Gas prices are expressed in the units of the specific country.

10/8/08: Price is in Belize dollar ($) per gallon

Regular: $7.14/gallon

Conversion: 1L = 0.26 gallons

[edit] Camping and Hotels

[edit] Southern Belize

Placencia

Located behind the soccer field in Placencia, the Garden Cabanas are cute little cottages raised off the ground which can accommodate two to three people. A small but pretty well equipped kitchen, private bathroom (with hot water) and stereo system are found inside. Prices vary depending on the season and the cabinas start at $30 USD per night and go upwards of $50 USD per night in the high season. You may be able to negotiate a discount for a longer stay. Vehicles can be parked along the side of the road, it is pretty quiet and safe though leaving valables in the car is not recommended.

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[edit] Notes

1. ↑ International Monetary Fund. Retrieved on 2008-10-09.