Belize Bruce's Footsteps to Belize

By Belize Bruce

Belize Bruce has been living and traveling in Belize for many, many years and knows first hand the country, it's multi-cultural people, the best places to visit (and what to avoid!), it's natural resources, jungles and the ocean. He has lived with the Kek Chi Mayans, East Indian's, Garifuna and the Creole (Kriol) peoples of Belize for several decades and understands how it's Government and Business's operate.

Belize Bruce's Footsteps to Belize can make your Belize Experience an adventure that you will not forget! Learn the tips that the "locals" know and use this guide to get the most out of your travels in Belize. From what to pack and take with you on your trip, what to expect, what kinds of foods are common and how to communicate and understand the people of Belize so you can have a much more rewarding trip.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Belize Bruce
• Release date: Jun 24, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301315956

Belize Bruce

Belize Bruce has been living and traveling in Belize for many, many years and knows first hand the country, it's multicultural people, the best places to visit (and what to avoid!), it's natural resources, jungles and the ocean. BelizeBruce has lived with the Kek Chi Mayans, East Indian's, Garifuna and the Creole (Kriol) peoples of Belize for several decades and understands how it's Government and Business's operate.

Book preview

Belize Bruce’s Footsteps To Belize

© 2013 Bruce Carroll.

All Rights Reserved.

rev.1.001

Smashwords Edition

Www.BelizeBruce.Com

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

Copy_Right_Page

Chapter_01_WHY I WROTE THIS

Chapter_02_GENERAL ADVICEUSEFUL

Chapter_03_USEFUL STUFF TO BRING

Chapter_04_TRAVEL

Chapter_05_DRIVING TO BELIZE

Chapter_06_HEALTH

Chapter_07_HAZARDS

Chapter_08_HUSTLES & SCAMS

Chapter_09_MONEY

Chapter_10_WATER, FOOD AND BOOZE

Chapter_11_LANGUAGES

Chapter_12_SUMMARY

Chapter_13_RESOURCES

Chapter_14_ABOUT THE AUTHOR

WHY I WROTE THIS

I’ve compiled this eBook from my many years of traveling and living abroad. It is not a where to stay guidebook, but more of a how to travel and understand Belize guidebook. It is meant to compliment a regular travel guide.

I also list the Hazards that you might encounter, not because I want to scare you off, but because I just want to make sure that you are aware of some of the potential dangers and how to stay safe and avoid them. Once you know and understand the hazards, then the rest of the jungle is safe!

For the most part, if you are just traveling as a tourist, you’ll never even be aware of most of them. But always remember, they are there, just as there are hazards in every part of the World.

I created this eBook and my Email list to help those of you that wish to follow in my footsteps and keep current with the latest Belize news, living/retirement and travel information.

Belize Bruce

GENERAL ADVICE

To travel to Belize, all you need is a valid passport, somehow to get there and back (i.e. plane or bus tickets) and a sense of adventure. No shots are required, and you don’t need to obtain a travel visa from the USA, as you’ll automatically get one valid for 30 days once you enter Belize. This is renewable for a small fee, should you wish to extend your stay for more than a month.

Electricity voltage is standard US 110-120 volts, with the standard US 2 prong plug with ground. So if you are trekking from the US, no adapters are required. From other countries, please bring a standard travel adapter kit.

Having a Driver’s License is also helpful if you want to rent a vehicle while in country, but nothing more is required to visit this beautiful neo-tropical, mostly English speaking country in Central America. If you plan on driving to Belize, you’ll also need to purchase Belize Car Insurance, available at the border.

PRE-TRIP

Start taking 500mg of Vitamin B1 two-three weeks prior to your trip and keep taking during your trip. It'll help keep the mosquitoes at bay after 2-3 weeks of constant use. You’ll be able to smell it emitting thru your pores and although it doesn’t stop all mosquitos, you’ll notice that when they land on you, more times than not, they’ll take off and go bite your traveling companion that isn’t taking any B1!

Other good advice is to reduce your sugar use, drinking sodas, and anything with sweeteners before you travel. I can’t stress enough the need to cut down on your sugar intake so the insects don’t find you too sweet! But if you don't then I'd like for you to be next to me, since the insects will find your blood sweeter!

Also pick up a Spanish Phrase book. You may not ever need it if you just stay in Belize, but it is useful for traveling most anywhere in Central American.

BEST ADVICE, EVER!

Travel light! If you tour Belize (or any country) like a pack mule, you’ll enjoy it much less. I did this my first trek of Belize back in 1992 where I had a duffle bag of Scuba Gear, a duffle bag of Backpacking/Camping gear, and a full back pack PLUS a day pack. Whew! How I hated every time I had to move from somewhere to another place. I ended up mailing most of it back home in a box that forever changed my life and only then did I get into the flow of eco-trekking!

Even today I see tourist trekkers with a full backpack and a full frontal day pack. For one, Belize is in the Neo-Tropics, and it’s very hot without all that gear strapped to you, and two, everyone I know NEVER uses everything they bring. So why bring it? If there is something you find that really need while trekking, you’ll usually be able to buy it in country.

I usually only travel with just a day pack, sometimes along with a fanny pack. It’s pretty ratty looking because if it looked brand new, shiny and something that wasn’t available locally, it’s a target for theft. The main theme for eco-trekkers is to blend in as much as possible, don’t flaunt wealth and go with the flow (and cut down on your sugar and soda intake beforehand).

DON’T FLASH CASH!

I keep a passport/money pouch inside my shorts with a belt loop. Here I keep my main stash of cash, my passports and other important docs and ID’s. I never keep more money than I can afford to lose in any of my 3 places!

My 2nd place is in one of my front pockets with loose cash which is my current spending money for the day.