Belize Travel Information & Planning Guide

This page provides useful planning, pre-departure and travel information ahead of your idyllic Belize yacht charter. From servicing airports to base arrival procedures, it will tell you what to expect to make your Belize sailing 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.  If you have any questions about your upcoming yacht charter in Belize, please get in touch with us today.

Before You Travel to Belize

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: info@travelbelize.org
Website: travelbelize.org

General Information about Belize
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. 

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How to Get to Your Belize Yacht Charter

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.

Transfers  
Two local airlines serve Belize, Tropic Air and Maya Island Air.

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 during your Belize yacht charter. 

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.

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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.

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What’s on Board Your Belize Yacht Charter

Provisioning 
Moorings Care packages are included on every yacht. These packages contain some of the basics to get you started for your Belize sailing vacation. Additional items are available to be purchased and delivered directly to your yacht. Visit our Provisioning Page to learn more about food and drink supplies during your Belize yacht charter.

Mobile phones  
Check with your service provider for information about cell coverage in Belize. 
WiFi is available at The Moorings base in Belize. WiFi Connection at Thatch Caye Resort and Hatchet Caye.

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.

Find out more about what’s included on bareboat charters and what’s included on crewed charters.

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What to Bring on Your Belize Yacht Charter

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 not mandatory to charter here, however, a Temporary Certificate of Competency is required.  Please submit a power resume or sailing CV for Belize while planning your holiday. Please contact our Holiday Planners at +18884594977 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 for your Belize yacht charter 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. Learn more about the current drone regulations in Belize.

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 in Belize 
10-15% is generally acceptable if it has not been added already.

Taxes & Fees
You might incur some costs while on your Belize yacht 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.

Security Deposit 
A security deposit must be paid at the base by Visa or MasterCard and is refundable at the end of your yacht charter in Belize, subject to there being no loss or damage. To significantly decrease your security deposit, purchase our Yacht Damage Waiver insurance ahead of time.

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Health & Safety

Vaccination and Immunization Information
Belize is generally risk-free of contagious disease. Visit cdc.gov for the latest information.

*Please note country entry/exit and vaccination/immunization requirements can and do change. The Moorings is not accountable for these requirement changes and we advise visiting the destination’s authority website to receive the latest updates.

Travel Advice   
Your health and safety are important to us. For advice on how to stay safe while on your Belize yacht charter, please review our Travel Advice Information. 

Please note that a travel advisory is in place for Belize. View the current travel and safety information.

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 of 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 traveling 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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About the Marina in Belize

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)

Marina Facilities

• Hotel 
• Restaurant 
• Bar 
• Pool

Local Dock Facilities 

• Lagoon side at Placencia Village and Roberts Grove dock 
• Placencia Sailing Club (Chabil Mar Marina) south of base in lagoon 
• The Placencia Marina, ocean side north of Maya Beach 
• The Reserve Marina, located in the Sapodilla Lagoon Cucmber Beach Marina, south of Belize City

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Belize Sailing Charter Cruising Grounds

Experience Level

Review the power or sail requirements for Belize while planning your vacation. Please contact our Vacation Planners at 866.649.2003 if you have any questions.

To sail a yacht in Belize, you’ll need to obtain a Temporary Certificate of Competency in advance of travel. Our pre-departure team will reach out to you to help you navigate this process.

To be able to charter a yacht in Belize, you will need to have spent at least 20 days or 400 miles as skipper on an equivalent size yacht.

Level 3 sailing destinations are our most challenging. Suitable only for confident, experienced sailors, Level 3 destinations offer long spells of open water sailing, broad tidal ranges, strong winds, and remote anchorages.

Cruising Area in Belize
All bareboat yacht charters in Belize are required to stay inside the barrier reef. Local skippers must be on board for any and all excursions outside the barrier reef.

• South Water Caye Marine Reserve – stretches from the Tobacco Range in the north through Southwater and Twin Cayes, Blue Ground Range, Pelican and Lagoon, south as far as Crawl Caye and all places between 
• Gladden Spit/Silk Cayes* Marine Reserve – From Gladden Spit* south to and including Queen Cayes 
• Laughing Bird Caye* 
• Sapodilla Cayes* – stretching from Tom Owens in the north to Sapodilla Caye* in the south and out to Seal Caye in the west 

*These reserves require guides for entry and have a daily fee. Our Belize base will go over these requirements during the charter briefing and share the ways we can get tour guides to the yachts you would like to enter those reserves as well as suggest alternative snorkeling sites.

While the base can assist in securing a guide for your yacht, this will be an additional expense that the charterer must pay. The cost of a guide will vary depending on how we get him/her out to the yacht.

If they accompany a boat going out to the reserve and we can arrange a minimal cost for the transport to and from the reserve, the guide is going to cost about US$50; if we have to arrange transport to the reserve, it will cost in the region of US$150 for the guide.

Belize Cruising Area Restrictions  
The Belize authorities take the protection of their reefs very seriously and you must ensure you are aware of and understand the strict sailing area restrictions and regulations of where sailing is prohibited, and ensure you stay well clear of the reefs at all times during your Belize yacht charter.

Please be aware that should you damage the reef during your charter, the Belize authorities have the option of imposing fines and/or confiscating your passport, with potential criminal implications, until such time as any fine or resolution is achieved. Find out more about our sustainable travel policies and tips for eco-friendly sailing.

Restricted Zones 

• Glover’s reef, Turneffe reef and Lighthouse reef. 
• Tom Owens

Charterers will receive a sailing chart that outlines red zones for the cruising ground.

It is strictly forbidden to sail alone, we require two persons minimum on board.

Cruising to Guatemala

There is no restriction on sailing to Guatemala, but please note the following details.

Clearing out of Belize can be quite time consuming. While you are in the Rio Dulce it is strongly recommended that you stay in marinas overnight as there is a form of piracy on Dulce River (Rio Dulce) itself.

You will need to go to Big Creek (near Placencia) to clear out of customs and Belize Port Authority, then take a taxi to Mango Creek to clear immigration.

On your return you will also need to clear in with the BAHA (Belize Agricultural Authority) as well as Customs, Belize Port Authority and Immigration. It is recommended that you do not bring in fresh produce and meats as this will probably be confiscated, regardless of whether this was purchased in Belize or not.

In Guatemala, you will need to clear in at Livingston. It is best to arrive at Livingston early (around 10am) and secure the services of Servamar, an agency which gets all the paperwork done for a small fee. The alternative is the better part of the day spent trudging up and down steep hills to the various authorities.

Naturally, you would be responsible for all expenses incurred. Generally when our clients go to Guatemala, we recommend a local skipper is hired who can support with all the legalities. 

Charts & Pilot Books
All the charts and pilot books you will need for the sailing area are issued at your chart briefing.

Nighttime Sailing  
You must be moored at least one hour before sunset. Night Sailing is not allowed without permission from the base manager. The decision to allow night sailing is based on your skill level and can be requested in advance. You will need to fill out the Sailing or Power CV for the base to review but we cannot guarantee approval.

Cruising Permits & Taxes
Departure Tax: $56 USD per person is charged when leaving Belize; this must be paid in US Dollars ONLY. If paid by credit card there is an additional charge. 

Travelers entering Belize International by air and connecting to in-country flights are charged an additional $0.75 US security fee.

Moorings Fees & Taxes
There are marine park fees in effect in large parts of our cruising grounds and a flat rate of $10 USD per person per day applies in all of them now, including at Laughing Bird Caye.

These fees are not for use of the mooring buoys, which are now in place in some of the cayes, but are simply a fee to be in the marine reserve* and these fees apply to people staying on cayes there too.

• 3 moorings in the Pelican Cayes range near Hideaway Caye
• 3 moorings on the east side of Thatch Caye Resort 
• 3 moorings on the west side of Thatch Caye Resort in the Inner Channel 
• 4 moorings at Ray Caye, $15 USD per night

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Around the Belize Base

Accommodations

• The Placencia Hotel  
• Laru Beya Resort 

Banks
While most banks have automated teller machines, ATM’s in Placencia are located at Atlantic Bank and adjacent to MNM Hardware Store.

Banking Hours: 8:00am – 2:00pm / M – F

Post Office  
Placencia Post Office – Next to Placencia Office Supply about 300 yards from the main pier. 
Hours: 8:30am – 12:00pm & 1:00pm – 4:00pm (Weekdays)  
First class mail between Belize and the US averages 8-10 days for delivery.  
International Express mail from the US to Belize usually arrives in 3 business days; cost is $14.00.

Supermarkets in Belize
Supermarkets are located in Placencia Village. Supermarkets are generally open daily and the hours of operation vary based on the day of the week and the supermarket. All supermarkets accept Visa and Mastercard.

Most supermarkets: 8am – 10pm daily and seldom closed on public holidays. *Restocking near Placencia can be difficult and costly. Water can be purchased from Placencia Harbor, but is expensive and subject to availability throughout the rest of the cruising grounds. If you are making arrangements with a dive shop, we recommend asking them to bring out ice on the dive boat if you are in need.

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For more information on what’s included on your yacht, please view the full list here for Bareboat Charters or here for Crewed Charters.

Average Sailing Conditions in Belize

Historical weather (averages by month):

Month	°F Max	°F Min	°C Max	°C Min	Avg Precip (in)	Avg Precip (mm)	Avg Water Temp (°F)	Avg Water Temp (°C)	Ave Wind Speed (knots)
January	81	67	27	19	12	204	77	25	NE 15-20
February	86	69	30	21	6	152	77	25	E 15-20
March	84	71	29	22	4	102	78	26	E 15-20
April	86	74	30	23	5	127	80	27	E 15-20
May	87	75	31	24	7	178	82	28	SE 15-20
June	87	75	31	24	13	330	83	28	SE 15-20
July	87	75	31	24	15	381	84	29	SE 15-20
August	88	75	32	24	14	355	85	29	SE 15-20
September	87	74	31	23	15	381	84	29	SE 15-20
October	86	72	30	22	16	406	83	28	SE 15-20
November	83	68	28	20	12	305	82	28	NE 15-20
December	81	68	27	20	14	355	80	27	NE 15-20

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