Belize Travel Information
Before You Travel | How to Get There | Boarding Time/Check Out | What's On Board | What to Bring | Health & Safety
This page provides useful planning, pre-departure and travel information. From servicing airports to base arrival procedures, it will tell you what to expect to make your vacation smooth and care free.
We suggest you read the following information carefully several weeks prior to departure and also print a copy to take with you.
COVID-19 Travel Guidelines
It is important that you refer to our main COVID-19 page for Belize to see detailed guidelines and information sources before you go on vacation.
Before You Travel
Address
The Moorings Belize Ltd
(c/o Laru Beya Resort)
Placencia Peninsula
Placencia, Belize
Base Hours
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., seven days a week (evening staff to cover until all flights have arrived)
Time Zone
UTC/GMT -6 hours
Tourist Information Center
Belize Tourism BoardNew Central Bank Building,
Level 2 Gabourel Lane P.O. Box 325
Belize City, Belize
Tel: 1-800-624-0686
Email: [email protected]
Website: travelbelize.org
General Information
Area: Approximately 8,866 square miles. Belize's mainland is approximately 180 miles long and up to 68 miles wide. Belize also consists of over 200 cayes (islands), ranging in size from a few hundred feet to 25 miles long and four miles wide; most of which are located inside the 200 mile Belize Reef.
Location: Belize lies on the eastern coastline of Central America, bordered on the north by Mexico, on the west and south by Guatemala, and on the east by the Caribbean Sea. It's separated by sea from its neighbor to the southwest, Honduras.
Capital city: Belize City
Population: 350,000
People: There is a great deal of ethnic diversity among Belizeans, who include Creoles (African-European), Mestizo (Spanish-Indian), Garifuna (African-Indian), Mayan, Anglo-European, Middle Eastern and Asian.
Language: English is the official language and is widely spoken, as is Spanish. Other languages include Creole, Mayan and Garifuna.
Religion: Roman Catholic, Protestant, others.
Government: Independent nation since 1981, member of British Commonwealth of Nations.
Climate: For more information, view this destination's Cruising Conditions.
How to Get There
Airport
By air from Belize International Airport with transfer to Placencia Regional Airport; then by taxi from the airstrip to the Laru Beya Marina. Flight is approximately 45 minutes.
By taxi to Belize City; then by bus from Belize City to Placencia via Dangriga. Bus trip takes a minimum of 6 hours.
Flights
Due to the number of flights we organize, the Moorings can offer some great rates to many destinations. Please make sure you contact our inhouse flight specialist at 866.649.2003 before you book your flights.
Transfers
Two local airlines serve Belize, Tropic Air and Maya Island Air. For your convenience you can make advance bookings with Tropic Air through the Moorings.
The distance from the airstrip to the base is approximately 3 miles. Taxi fares are USD $3 per person with a minimum charge of USD $10.
Car Rentals
If you are planning to make a tour of the country, spending a few days in the mountains and a few days at the beach, you might want to rent a car. However, if you are just coming to the base, we suggest that you fly to Placencia. The scenery driving down is quite lovely, but chances are, once you make the drive down, you won't feel like driving back and if you are renting a car in Belize, you must return your vehicle to where you picked it up otherwise a one way drop off fee in Placencia will be charged. Car rentals in Belize range from $75 US to $85 US per day. It is possible to rent a golf cart in Placencia for local exploring and shopping.
Boarding Time/Check Out
Boarding Time Procedures
Charter Boarding Time: 12:00 p.m.
Sleep Aboard: Time: 6:00 p.m.
Briefing Times: 9:00 a.m. for 12:00 p.m. starts and 4:00 p.m. for evening starts.
All skippers must attend a Chart Briefing which covers all you need to know about the cruising area, use of the VHF radio, how to call for assistance, and more. A Boat Briefing will also be provided onboard your yacht.
Late Arrivals
If clients arrive after office hours, their yacht will be on the C Dock in front of the office. The Chart Briefing and Boat Briefing will be held the following morning prior to departure.
Check Out Procedures
Charter End Time: 11:00 a.m.
A debriefing and final walkthrough will be done upon return so please allow enough time to complete this before the charter end time.
What's on Board
Provisioning
Moorings Care packages are included on every yacht. These packages contain some of the basics to get you started for your vacation. Additional items are available to be purchased and delivered directly to your yacht. Visit our Provisioning Page to learn more.
Mobile phones
Check with your service provider for information about cell coverage in this region.
WiFi is available at The Moorings base in Belize. WiFi Connection at Thatch Caye Resort and Hatchet Caye. WiFi is not available on the yacht when you leave the marina.
Music/iPods
While most of our newer boats have Bluetooth capability, we cannot guarantee all boats are outfitted with this equipment. For your convenience, we highly recommend you bring an AUX cord so you can listen to music from your mobile devices.
Electricity
No shore power for yachts. There is a 12V cigarette lighter outlet by the chart table on the majority of our yachts.
Electrical System: 110 volts AC.
For more information on what's included on your yacht, please view the full list here for Bareboat Charters or here for Crewed Charters.
What to Bring
Customs & Immigration
Entry, exit, and visa requirements depend on the locations you are departing from and traveling to. You are responsible for having the correct documents so make sure to check with the consulate of the countries you plan to visit before you travel. Visit travel.state.gov for the latest information.
Cruising Licenses
A formal sailing license is mandatory to charter here. Review the power or sail requirements for Belize while planning your vacation. Please contact our Vacation Planners at 888.952.8420 if you have any questions.
Luggage & Packing List
Soft-sided luggage or duffel bags are best, as luggage storage space on your yacht may be limited. We have no facilities for holding luggage at the base. Pack lightly and review our suggested packing list for required and necessary items to bring.
- Pack essential prescription medicine and change of clothing in a carry-on bag*
- Passport and other travel documentation
- Tickets and paper confirmations for pre-planned activities
- Light-colored, light-weight clothing
- Formal wear for upscale dining establishments
- Swimwear and cover up
- Hats and sunglasses
- Sandals and flip-flops
- Athletic shoes and hiking boots
- Travel-sized toiletries and hygiene products
- Insect repellent and OTC pain relievers/ointments
AUX cable for playing music through your device
12V DC to 110V AC power inverter (for boats without generators**)
12V to USB power adapter for charging mobile devices
*We would highly recommend packing prescription medicine and essential clothing (swimsuit, t-shirt and shorts) in your hand luggage as occasionally your luggage may arrive at the base after you do.
**All boats include a 12V DC outlet (a "car" outlet). Boats with generators have 110V outlets in the Caribbean and 220V in the Mediterranean and Exotic locations.
Drones
The use of flying drones may be restricted in some areas. For current drone regulations in this destination, please visit belizetourismboard.org/tourism-resources/belize-drone-requirements/
Currency
The local currency is the Belizean dollar. Most restaurants, markets, and other service providers will readily accept US dollars. They will generally give you change in Belizean dollars unless you request otherwise.
Accepted Forms of Payment: US Dollars and US travelers checks accepted throughout. Visa and MasterCard are also accepted at resorts and most restaurants on the mainland but supermarkets in Placencia and restaurants at the cayes will require cash.
Gratuity
10-15% is generally acceptable if it has not been added already
Taxes & Fees
You might incur some costs while on charter such as mooring and docking fees or cruising taxes. We highly recommend bringing enough of the local currency to cover these costs as they are not always payable by USD, debit, and/or credit cards. Please see our Base Notes for additional information.
Security Deposit
A security deposit must be paid at the base by Visa or Master Card and is refundable at the end of your charter subject to there being no loss or damage. To significantly decrease your security deposit, purchase our Yacht Damage Waiver insurance ahead of time.
Health & Safety
Vaccination and Immunization Information
This destination is generally risk-free of contagious disease. Visit cdc.gov for the latest information.
Travel Advice
Your health and safety are important to us. For advice on how to stay safe while on charter, please review our Travel Advice Information.
Please note that a travel advisory is in place for Belize. Current travel and safety information can be obtained by visiting travel.state.gov
Swim Safe
Swimming is often a fun and important part of a vacation. However local rules, flag systems, currents and where swimming may be permitted, can be different and vary from country to country. Snorkel vests, Life Jackets and Diver Down flags are all available on board.
Children
- Talk to children about water safety at the start of a vacation, making them aware of the potential dangers.
- Accidents can happen at any time on vacation, but often they happen on the first and last day, so keep watch and do not get distracted when your children are playing by, or in the water.
- Children in or near water should always be supervised by an adult and never left unattended.
- Get in the water with them, it is easier to keep an eye on them as well as good fun. Floatation devices are highly recommended for children but are not a substitute for supervision.
Be aware of your surroundings
- Check warning flags and signage on the beach and only swim where it is permitted.
- Beware of dangerous currents, these can be very powerful. Not all beaches have lifeguards and/or warning flags.
- Beware of underwater hazards, such as reefs, rocks, sudden changes in depth and marine life.
- Never swim where a sign says not to e.g. in zoned areas for jet boats or jet skis.
- Never swim at night or after drinking alcohol.
Look out for others
- Never swim alone, ‘buddy up’ with others in your party and use the snorkel vests provided.
- Know how and where to get help. If you see someone in difficulty; raise the alarm, preferably the emergency services. Ensure you know the correct number for the country you are in.
Do not overestimate your ability
- Consider swimming lessons before you go if you think it would be useful to learn proper swimming technique.
- Even if you regularly swim in a pool, remember that open water swimming can be very different.
Safety
All yachts are equipped with adult life jackets, harnesses, snorkel vests & diver down flags. You can see all this equipment demonstrated in our online safety briefing, and we strongly recommend that you make use this equipment during your vacation. This safety equipment will be displayed in the saloon of your boat on boarding - If you have any questions feel free to ask our base staff during your briefing.
We have a very limited supply of children's life jackets on base so highly recommend that if you are travelling with children, you bring their own. This ensures that children have correctly fitting jackets that are comfortable for them.
Children should not be allowed in the dinghy without a life jacket or buoyancy aid and should wear a buoyancy aid or harness whilst on deck.
Children under the age of 16 should not operate an outboard engine and should be supervised at all times when in the dinghy.
Travel Insurance
The Moorings offers comprehensive travel insurance for your peace of mind. If you have your own travel insurance, verify that it covers the destinations and activities of your Moorings vacation.
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