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Most first-time visitors to San Pedro, Belize overpack, bringing unneeded items and assuming some essentials can be purchased upon arrival. This post is for leisure travelers, wellness travelers, snorkelers and scuba divers planning an active vacation in San Pedro, Belize. For wedding guests and travelers attending corporate or other special events, please consider the occasions of your visit and pack accordingly.
We all know to pack a toothbrush, underclothes and prescriptions as we would for any trip. This packing guide does not include the obvious. Instead, this packing guide has three objectives: 1) simplify travel 2) offer packing tips with essentials specific to San Pedro, Belize, and 3) avoid overpacking and packing unneeded items. Please note that this blog post contains affiliate links. When products are purchased using these links, we receive a small commission.
1. Simplify
How can we pack for a trip for a week or more in just a carry on and a personal item? Many of us have the misconception that we need one or more outfits for each day of our trip. However, the notion of wearing something different every day of the week is unique to the United States. Very few people in the rest of the world think this way. Residents of the US also often think in terms of a different wardrobe for each activity in our daily lives. When it comes to efficient packing, think of versatile clothes that are appropriate for multiple activities, made of quick-drying fabrics that hang dry relatively wrinkle-free.
For example, this is my typical travel day outfit and a list of other activities for which each piece works.
This top from CRZ Yoga : bra, sports bra, yoga top, swim top, scuba diving top, paddle boarding top, kayaking top
Bestisun Lightweight Long Sleeve Yoga Workout Top : swim coverup, sleep top, yoga, weight lifting, gym workouts, morning walks
Yoga pants from CRZ Yoga : yoga, weight lifting, gym workouts, morning walks
Cotton Scarf : shoulder wrap in air conditioning, hair accessory, swim coverup, beach towel, head cover, umbrella
KEEN Women’s Drift Creek Water Shoes : water sports, walking, gym workouts. For travel, walking and working out, I wear KEENs with Birkenstock Insoles and these nude compression socks.
By choosing quick-drying, wrinkle resistant fabrics, like polyamide, we can pack a few sets of clothes for a trip of any length. In a hot, humid climate like Belize, we’ll need to rinse our clothes after we wear then and hang them to dry. We can even use soap or shampoo to give our clothes a wash.
Regardless of destination, limiting luggage to one personal item and one carry on, avoiding checked bags, simplifies travel. Travelers without checked bags can easy change flights after our trip begins should there be a travel delay or cancellation. If we check a bag, our opportunities to change plans once our trip has started are limited because airlines require passengers to travel on the same flights as our luggage. Baggage crews do not sort through passenger luggage and reroute the bags when a passenger changes flights during a trip.
The ‘Carry on Rule’ is especially true when traveling to Belize. Flights to Belize are extremely limited. Missing a flight oftentimes means waiting a day or more for the next flight. Traveling only with carry ons give us more flexibility to change flights once a trip has started in order to make our connecting flight to Belize.
Additionally, traveling with only a checked bag and a personal item simplifies Belize customs inspections. In Belize International Airport, passengers are subject to closer customs inspections than most other popular tourist destinations. Travelers with checked bags are the more likely to be selected to open bags and explain the contents. Belize Customs Department looks for undeclared electronics and other items, especially new items, that could be sold without paying import taxes.
Why?
Unlike the United States, Belize is not a consumer society. We do not have vast shopping malls and big-box stores. As a nation of about 400,000 people, our economy is too small to attract large consumer product manufacturers and distributers. Small Belizean stores oftentimes import consumer goods after paying near-retail prices and high import taxes, making consumer goods very expensive in Belize. As such, Belize customs officers are looking for travelers attempting to smuggle consumer goods - especially electronics - into Belize. Customs officers can and do charge import duty on luggage if the contents appear to be for purposes other than personal use.
What should we do?
Minimize the number of bags. If we must check a bag, try to share a checked bag with a travel companion.
Remove all new product tags and packaging from clothes, gear, everything - especially electronics.
If bringing duplicate items, such as food products, prepare an explanation of personal use in advance. Those of us with food allergies have a valid reason to bring food, for example.
If customs officers open our bags and ask the purpose of the contents, simply respond, “for personal use.”
Note that Belize observes a limit on the legal amount of cash each traveler is allowed to bring to Belize. The limited is USD $10,000 per traveler.
2) Pack Essentials in a Durable, Rolling Carry On Bag
Start with a durable, rolling carry on. Keep in mind that our carry on bag becomes a checked item when we check into our regional flight or ferry transfer to San Pedro. Those of us who travel with expensive luggage might consider the versatile Explore Land Travel Luggage Cover. With its stretchy fabric and small to extra-large sizes, it fits most luggage. We also like the Samsonite Freeform Hardside Expandable Carry-on with double spinner wheels as an affordable, durable carry on.
Our personal item can be as large as 18” x 14” x 8,” which is large enough to add significant packing space for essentials. My favorite personal item for traveling to San Pedro, Belize is a backpack cooler, like the 49-can Starter Backpack Cooler. This stylish backpack serves as our handbag, lunchbox, and electronics carrier in flight. And we have a handy cooler for frosty beverages during our vacation.
Aside from the obvious things we would pack for any trip, here is a list of essentials specific to San Pedro, Belize:
US Cash in small, unmarked, untorn bills. Unlike the US, many vendors in Belize do not accept credit cards. Additionally, Belizean vendors inspect US bills for marks and tears. Marked or torn bills are not accepted. Many guests discover this issue and use marked and torn bills to tip tour guides and wait staff. Although the gratuities are accepted with a smile, the torn and marked bills cannot be used in Belize. Tipping with torn and marked bills is almost like not tipping at all. We highly recommend inspecting cash before embarking on our trip and leave torn, marked bills at home. Bring small denominations of US currency and try to pay with exact change. Change will often be given in Belizean currency, which can only be used in Belize.
A 17 May 2024 update from San Pedro, Belize: Today, a vendor declined to accept this older US $100 bill because 1) it is the older design (more likely to be conterfeit) and 2) the bill has small ink marks between the two 7s on the right side of the bill. This bill was dispensed to me by a major national bank in the US in April, 2024.
With the exception of government and bank transactions, US currency is accepted at an exchange rate of USD $1 = BZ $2. Belize limits the amount of cash per traveler to USD $10,000. There are a few ATMs in San Pedro, but they only distribute Belizean currency, which, again, can only be used in Belize. NOTE: Some vendors display prices in US dollars while others display prices in Belize dollars. Verify the currency before committing to a purchase. When in doubt, assume a price is in Belize. We will quickly be corrected if the price is in USD.
Visa or Mastercard. Neither American Express nor Discover are widely accepted in Belize. Venues that accept credit cards only accept Visa or Mastercard. Debit cards are not accepted. Very few vendors use Venmo, Apple Pay, Zelle, etc.
Cell phone with WhatsApp, Facebook and FB Messenger Apps. Most Belizeans use Wi-Fi and the aforementioned apps instead of subscribing to a cell phone plan. Dining reservations, tour bookings, etc, are most often accepted over WhatsApp. If we need to stay on the grid, acquire an international dialing plan that includes Belize (AT&T) before traveling. Carriers such as Verizon also have a per diem charge for cellular service in Belize, typically USA $10 per day.
Valid US Driver’s License in order to rent a golf cart
Travel size toiletries and grooming items - we have limited choices when it comes to buying cleansers and other skin products in San Pedro.
Sunscreen
In San Pedro, I use Supergoop! Mineral Mattescreen (SPF 40). Supergoop is my favorite standalone sunscreen. However, if I am in space-saving mode, I also use EltaMD Tinted Face Sunscreen Moisturizer as a sunscreen, moisturizer, foundation combo. It is an excellent sunscreen and saves valuable packing space since it pulls triple duty!
Books or ebooks
Download movies and series episodes from Netflix, etc before leaving the US. Bring a cell Phone, iPad, etc with downloaded movies. Even if our room, villa or house has a television, apps like Netflix have limited selections due to international licensing issues. This might be especially important if traveling with children.
USB/HDMI cables if screen sharing to a television
Electronics chargers
Power bank to recharge electronics
Protein bars and other processed travel snacks. Belize offers fresh local seasonal produce like pineapple, papaya and mangos in abundance, but has limited selections of processed food familiar to US residents.
Stevia! For those of us who use stevia packets to sweeten tea and coffee, pack it for Belize! Stevia is generally not found in our coffee shops. Good stevia that is undamaged from our humidity is difficult to find in stores and is expensive.
Sturdy walking flip flops with arch support, like Vionics for women and men.
Sunglasses
A sun hat with a chin strap. Our sun is intense and we sometimes have strong winds.
Walking or running shoes
Quick drying Bathing suit
A medium to large rectangular cotton scarf. Scarves have always been a travel essential for me because their utility is endless and they occupy very little packing space. In fact, I usually wear mine on my flights or tie it around my carry on handle to identify my bag in the overhead storage compartment of the aircraft. A scarf can be a hair tie or hair covering, an umbrella, a jacket, a wrap, a picnic blanket, a beach towel, a spill cleaner, a concealer if we spill something on our clothes, a torniquete in case of injury, etc.
Short or long sleeved rash guard for sun protection in the water. These are typically in abundance in San Pedro and make excellent souvenirs, although sizes may be limited in the off season.
3-4 outfits, like casual dresses, shirts, shorts and skirts made of quick-drying, moisture-wicking fabric. For a stay in San Pedro of one week or longer, pack 3-4 outfits made of quick drying, moisture wicking fabric that can be rinsed in the shower and hanged to dry in the event our resort does not offer complimentary laundry services.
My favorite clothes for San Pedro are from the The Columbia Store on Amazon. Columbia offers many clothing items that cool the body while wicking moisture. My personal favorite for ladies is the simple T-shirt dress in a moisture-wicking fabric. This dress is great for walking, even a cardio walk. It works for day and night and can be worn over a bathing suit. The dress's short sleeves and high neckline protect our shoulders from sunburn. For day, the ladies Alpine Chill Zero Short Sleeve Tee and budget-conscious Chill Zero Skort are comfortable, stylish choices that double as workout wear. For men, the Chill Zero Tee and Short are super picks. For a nice evening, the Tamiami Short Sleeve Shirt and PFG Uncharted Short are popular picks.
Two sets of quick-drying workout clothes is enough for one daily workout. For yoga retreats with two daily sessions, pack 3 sets of clothes. Select versatile clothes that can be worn for several activities. Rinse and hang the active wear after working out.
Divers and snorkelers should bring our masks and full-body skins (due to stinging “pica pica” that occasionally visit our waters). Snorkelers should bring a snorkel. Divers should also bring our dive computers. Dive shops offer BCDs, regulators, fins and wetsuits in all but the most extreme sizes. Personally, I travel with all of my dive gear except a wetsuit, personal marker buoy and “save a dive” kit and skimp on clothes and other personal items.
For new divers and snorkelers, it is a good idea to purchase a mask at a local dive shop, where we can try on a mask and ensure a good fit. Snorkelers should also buy a snorkel. San Pedro does not have a full dive shop that sells dive gear, although we might find a store here an there with limited choices in masks and fins. A super mask for small faces is Scubapro Sub Vu Mini Mask. Large men like the ScubaPro Frameless Gorilla Mask. For long hair, we recommend a mask strap cover.
Nothing is more frustrating than an ill-fitting rental mask filled with water blocking our vision, just when our group sees a dolphin or spotted eagle ray. A good fitting mask should adhere on our face with suction, without the head strap. Ask the dive shop how to remove the silicon film from the mask. A small bottle of mask defog is also a smart purchase when traveling. Otherwise, I use baby shampoo to defog my mask.
Packing for weather: Generally, we dress for hot, humid weather. However, note a couple of seasonal considerations. December, January and early February, we sometimes have cold fronts with drier air and morning temperatures in the 60s (Fahrenheit). Personally, I wear a long-sleeved shirt and any sweater or jacket on travel day instead of using luggage space for these items. For rainy season, especially especially October - December, I pack this Columbia space-saving rain jacket, but only because the Men's PFG version doesn 't fit me.
3) Leave This Stuff at Home
This is the most important list - the DO NOT PACK list. Unless we are traveling for a specific occasion that has a dress code, save valuable packing space by leaving these items at home. Although Ambergris Caye has one or two resorts that feel more like Bermuda than Belize, by and large, the Caye is extremely casual. In my opinion, Victoria House is the most posh resort on the Caye; and I feel comfortable with this ‘DO NOT PACK’ list even for Victoria House.
DO NOT PACK:
American Express. I only know of one store that accepts it; and they charge a premium to use it.
Hair styling appliances like straighteners and curlers. Our climate isn’t conducive to perfect hair. Save the packing space for dive gear. Try our local coconut oil to tame the frizzies.
Unessential makeup - our climate is not conducive to heavy makeup
Heels - not high heels, not low heels, not even wedges. If a street or walkway is paved, it is most likely very uneven. Often we walk in sand. Heels sink in sand.
Dressy dresses. Silk dresses. Dresses made of heavy fabrics. Tailored dresses.
Sports jackets, suits, blazers
Neck ties
Dress shirts
Dress slacks
Jeans, dockers, slacks, long pants - tourists do not need long pants unless we have a mainland excursion, like horseback riding, that requires covered legs. Those of us who are higly sensitive to the sun might also cover our legs. Aside from business men and women and uniformed employees, most men wear shorts. Most women wear dresses, skirts and shorts.
Loafers, dress shoes. Once in a while, we see a gentleman in loafers and no socks. It is rare.
Anything that requires dry cleaning that you expect to be cleaned here. We do not have dry cleaning services in San Pedro.
Socks for each day. Pack 2 pairs of sock if walking and running is a daily exercise routine. Rinse the socks after workouts. Almost all travelers say they pack way too many socks.
Clothes and shoes that stain easily, show wear and tear, or mean a lot to you and you would not want to ruin them. We live outside in San Pedro, riding in open-air golf carts, riding bikes, walking and sweating a lot. We have salt air, Saharan dust, and more. Unless we are here for a special occasion, leave our best stuff at home.
In summary, San Pedro, Belize is a simple, extremely casual place with hot, humid weather, lots of water sports and sunshine. Wear loose, comfortable clothes that we are not afraid to get dirty. Embrace the curly, wavy, frizzy, ponytail or try the local coconut oil instead of toting hair appliances.
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