The exchange rate at the Belize borders is usually a little better than the normal 2-1 for US Dollars. The money changers in Granada near the bank also gave me a slightly better rate and no lines. I think we can agree that changing Canadian Dollars to US Dollars before you leave home is the most beneficial for traveling with some cash but a low fee ATM card is the best all around for convenience and rates.
You must not of changed money on the Cambodia/Laos border.
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What does changing Cambodian Riel to Lao Kip have to do with US/CAD currency?
No I haven't as I never crossed that border but I have changed Cambodian Riel to Thai Baht and Vietnamese Dong, Thai Baht to Lao Kip with the border money changers no problem.
As stated before, in case you missed it, I never during an 11 month RTW had the need to use my emergency US$.
So it's just plain ludicrous to advise a Canadian to waste money changing CAD to USD!