Top Seven Insider Belize Travel Tips.  Prepare to be surprised!

If you are thinking about visiting Belize, you’ve probably reviewed a bunch of Belize travel tips on various websites, blogs, tweets, etc.  The top seven insider Belize travel tips in this article may be somewhat surprising.  We’ve gathered these tips for traveling in Belize based on our guests’ most frequent questions and the ‘surprising’ experiences they’ve shared with us. 

In addition to the information here, you may also want to check-out even more Belize Travel Tips with Essentials to Pack for a Belize vacation , What Not to bring to Belize, and other Surprising Facts about Belize.

Ground transportation and eating out seem to be the areas our guests have the most, shall we say, ‘unique’ experiences.  Whether staying on a caye, at the beach or in a jungle village, here are our top tips for traveling in Belize:

Belize Travel Tip #1 Watch Out for the Sleeping Policemen!

No, the Belizean police force isn’t sleeping, but that’s what we call speed bumps or pedestrian bumps.  And they are literally everywhere – especially on the main highways of Belize!  Usually there will be a yellow caution sign indicating there’s a speed bump ahead, but not always.  So, if you are renting a car, watch out for these sleeping policeman.  I can’t tell you how many times our guests have arrived with stories of how they ‘sailed’ over a speed bump, hitting their heads on the ceiling of their vehicle! 

#2 Belizeans drive on both sides of the road…. At the same time! 

Yes, it’s true!  We often have guests ask which side of the road do you drive on?  Well, technically it is the right side (vs. the left side), which is odd, because this was a British Colony… but I digress.  The tendency here is to ignore ‘sides’ of the road and drive wherever one wants.  Drivers here (Belizeans, and Expats alike), often throw caution to the wind and pass on hills and curves!  And remember those speed bumps mentioned above?  Well, that seems to be another reason to ‘pass’ someone. 

So, as you, the cautious tourist slows down to cross over the speedbump at a safe speed, a local driver will take that opportunity to pass you, zooming over the speedbump to avoid hitting the oncoming vehicle!  The lesson here is to be alert and let them drive where they want – just don’t join in that particular adventure!

#3 Public transportation buses are retired U.S. school buses 

So, where do old, decrepit, school buses go when they are no longer safe to operate on U.S. roads?  Why Belize, of course!  With fuel prices so high in Belize (over $7 U.S. per gallon as of this date), many of our guests ask about public transportation to save money.  The Belize bus system is the most economic mode of transportation but remember…. These are old U.S. school buses.  That means no air conditioning, uncomfortable beat-up seats, broken windows, mechanically challenged …. and did I mention NO air conditioning?!   If you have a sense of adventure and are not on a tight schedule, Belizean buses can be a great beginning to your Belize journey.

#4 This is a road?

Frequently guests comment on the rough road conditions here.  And we have had guests ask, ‘Is this really a road?’  There are only four main highways in Belize, and much of the roadways here are not paved.  There’s even an unpaved highway! If you rent a car, the rental agent will hand you a map with a big, red ‘X’ across the Coastal Highway, telling you not to travel on it!  Other that that, expect the roads to be bumpy with no curbs or shoulders, and not many striped roads (refer to #2 above).  The road to the ATM Cave takes top honors for “Is this a Road?” contest!  But, it’s all part of the adventure, right?

#5 Arrive at your destination before dark 

This is not a security issue, it is a safety issue, as there are very few lighted roads in Belize.  You’re in a strange place for the first time, travel weary, yet excited.  Focus isn’t top of the mind at this point.  So, for those guests that have never visited Belize before and have rented a car, this is the most important of our Belize travel tips.  Get here before dark, usually between 5-6pm.  After having a chance to rest, feel free to travel the Belize roads at night.

Here is information on all types of Ground Transportation from Belize City to the San Ignacio area. We include information on Car Rentals, Taxis, Shuttle Services, Private Ground Transport, Public Buses, and Private Ground transport. There’s even info about Commuter flights, which are usually only offered during high season. Also included are step-by-step driving directions.

#6 Have a sense of adventure when Dining out

Adventure isn’t just for Maya ruins, cave tubing, and waterfalls, it’s for eating out as well.  We encourage all our guests to ‘eat like a local’ go off the beaten path in Belize!  Sample the grab and go Belizean food from the street vendors; salbutes, garnaches, panades, BBQ chicken, and experience the ‘comfort food’ that Belizeans eat on a daily basis; stew chicken with rice and beans.  We recommend several Belizean restaurants for the best local cuisine.  And if you’re interested in what some of these common foods are, and how to cook them, check-out our Common Belizean Recipes webpage.

Here’s some information about the eateries & markets in our little village. But even if you are staying somewhere else, you’ll find similar experiences, so check it out!

Belize Travel Tip #7 Patience is more than a virtue, it’s a necessity

Eating at most Belizean restaurants requires patience, from beginning to end.  Belizeans are polite, and don’t like to rush you.  So, they may not greet you when you enter – so just have a seat.  Many restaurants don’t have printed menus, so look around the room to see if there’s a chalkboard with the day’s offerings.  And there may not be prices listed.  If there aren’t prices, and it’s a true Belizean restaurant (i.e., doesn’t cater to tourists) you can safely assume the prices are in BZE$, but it never hurts to ask. 

You’ll also need to ask for the bill or walk up to the counter to pay when you’re done.  At most restaurants, the server won’t bring you the bill, even after clearing the table. 

Don’t expect all the food to come out the same time.  Depending on what was ordered, it could take up to 15 minutes for everyone to be served – so forget the common courtesy of waiting for everyone to get their food before starting to eat your own.  If you don’t start eating it when it arrives, it may be cold by the time everyone else is served.  Feel free to share your meal, if you really feel that bad about starting without them.

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Bonus Belize Travel Tips

First, before you arrive in Belize, we recommend reading our blog post about the Belize Customs Form and other useful arrival tips. The post even includes a photo of the actual Belize Customs Form, which can help you prepare in advance.

Second, we have a dedicated page for Frequently Asked Questions, where we’ve compiled answers to common queries from our guests. If you don’t find the answer to your question here, be sure to check out our FAQs page for more information.

Additionally, Belize uses 110-volt, 60 cycle electricity, the same as in the US. Most electrical outlets in Belize are the two-pronged flat type. If your device has a third prong, make sure to bring an adapter.

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