Currency
Belize Dollar (Bz$) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations
of Bz$100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 2. Coins are in denominations
of Bz$1, and 100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 cents.
Currency exchange
Currency can be exchanged at most banks, hotels and travel
agencies.
Credit cards
American Express, Visa and MasterCard (limited) are accepted.
Check with your credit card company for details of merchant
acceptability and other services which may be available. Most
establishments will add a 5% service charge to the bills of
customers using credit cards.
Travellrs cheques
These can be exchanged, commission will usually be charged.
Duty Free
The following goods may be taken into Belize without incurring
customs duty:
a)200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 225g of tobacco.
b)568ml of alcoholic beverages.
c)1 bottle of perfume for personal use.
Prohibited items
The following items may not be exported from Belize: pre-Colombian
articles, marine products, unprocessed coral or turtle shells.
Getting There
By Air:
International services, mainly of a regional nature, are provided
by Tropic Air, American Airlines, and Continental.
By Sea:
Belize has greatly improved its port facilities, but these
cater for cargo vessels. There is a motor-yacht link between
Punta Gorda and Puerto Barrios in Guatemala.
By Road:
There are road linking to major roads. Regular scheduled bus
services ply the routes between Mexico and Guatemala.
Social Conventions
British influence can still be seen in many social situations.
Flowers or confectionery are acceptable gifts to give to hosts
if invited to their home for a meal. Dress is casual, although
beachwear should not be worn in towns. It may be inadvisable
to discuss politics, particularly if of a partisan nature.
Tipping
Few places add service charges, and 10% is normal. However
taxi drivers are not tipped.
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