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Just got back and here are a few general tips that I would have appreciated knowing beforehand: Take American cash, and plenty of it. Everyone accepts USD, and there are not many ATMs. The rate is 2 Belize $ per USD. Many places don't accept credit cards.

Everything is very expensive! If you're staying in one place for a few days, bring ground coffee from home. Also, bring snacks such as tuna, etc. Chips and dips are prohibitively expensive, but local specialities are reasonable, such as tortillas and the local cheeses made by the Mennonites.

If travelling from the border to Flores for purposes of seeing Tikal, DON'T accept the taxi fees proposed by the swarms at the border. Instead, either walk the 100 meters to the center of town and take a "collectivo" (you can't miss it) for about $10.00, or propose $30.00 - $40.00 for a taxi ride all the way. Believe me, the touts WILL accept this price.

If taking a day trip to Tikal from Flores, DON'T buy from a guy named Enrique who works for SAN JUAN TOURS. He adds on an extra 50 Qzl for himself, and doesn't inform those who are going for the sunrise tour that there is an extra 100 Qzl fee! This has caused many people to miss the park. Buy your day excursion by going into one of the many tourist offices in Flores.

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1

Thanks for your tips.

Do they take USA$ cash for the Belize exit tax, as well?

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2

They ONLY take US$$ or credit card from non-residents for the exit fee.

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3

Any tips are good tips, but anyone who doesn't know that US$ are accepted in Belize hasn't done their research well enough.

I think when departing Belize from the international airport, the taxes must be paid in US$, but aren't the taxes always included in the ticket price now??

At a land border, the departure fee can be paid in BZ$ or US$.


Here's my bus and transportation information: https://belizebus.wordpress.com
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4

We've had to pay the exit tax in the past but not this last August with a different airline; other visits I've known that it was included by some airlines and not by others but it's possible they all include it now.


My photos w/ blog & travelogue links on the main page of each collection: http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections
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5

Yes but don't the chips get smashed in ones backpack? Also don't forget peanut butter...ha!!

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6

I will just be in Belize for less than two days--going in and out by land border--so if it is acceptable to not use local currency, that is a bit easier.

So I am kinda curious--for those that leave Belize to visit Tikal and come back a day or two later, do they still have to pay that onerous exit tax? I am crossing Belize from Guatemala to Mexico and am a bit surprised at how high the prices are in Belize.

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7

So I am kinda curious--for those that leave Belize to visit Tikal and come back a day or two later, do they still have to pay that onerous exit tax?

For tourists, yes.
Citizens & permanent residents of Belize are exempt.
Children under 12 years of age are exempt.
There are some other exemptions.


Here's my bus and transportation information: https://belizebus.wordpress.com
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8

Yes, if you leave to Tikal you do have to pay the tax.

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9

Thanks Misterbee and Bakbouk for satisfying my curiousity.

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