Difference between revisions of "Belize"
| Line 6: | Line 6: | ||
==Required Paperwork== | ==Required Paperwork== | ||
| − | * | + | * Passport of registered owner (original and 1 copy). |
* [[Vehicle registration]] (original and 1 copy). | * [[Vehicle registration]] (original and 1 copy). | ||
* [[Drivers license]] of registered owner (original and 1 copy). | * [[Drivers license]] of registered owner (original and 1 copy). | ||
| Line 12: | Line 12: | ||
==Process at border== | ==Process at border== | ||
* Your vehicle will be fumigated, which costs <price cost="80" currency="MXN" />. Be sure to get a receipt. | * Your vehicle will be fumigated, which costs <price cost="80" currency="MXN" />. Be sure to get a receipt. | ||
| − | * The owner of the vehicle gains entry at immigration (''migración''), including a stamp in their | + | * The owner of the vehicle gains entry at immigration (''migración''), including a stamp in their Passport. |
| − | * The owner must show the new | + | * The owner must show the new passport stamp, [[drivers license]] and the original [[vehicle registration]] to customs (''aduana''). |
* The owner is issued a temporary import permit for the vehicle. | * The owner is issued a temporary import permit for the vehicle. | ||
| Line 77: | Line 77: | ||
==Checkpoints== | ==Checkpoints== | ||
| − | Police checkpoints are common in Belize, where the Police primarily want to see your vehicle insurance. You'll be asked to show your | + | Police checkpoints are common in Belize, where the Police primarily want to see your vehicle insurance. You'll be asked to show your Passport, [[Vehicle registration]], [[drivers license]], vehicle insurance and the temporary import permit you were issued at the border. |
==Traveling with pets== | ==Traveling with pets== | ||
Revision as of 19:37, 16 November 2011
Currency to display:
Contents
At the border
Correct as of: Jan 2010
Required Paperwork
- Passport of registered owner (original and 1 copy).
- Vehicle registration (original and 1 copy).
- Drivers license of registered owner (original and 1 copy).
Process at border
- Your vehicle will be fumigated, which costs $80.00 MXN. Be sure to get a receipt.
- The owner of the vehicle gains entry at immigration (migración), including a stamp in their Passport.
- The owner must show the new passport stamp, drivers license and the original vehicle registration to customs (aduana).
- The owner is issued a temporary import permit for the vehicle.
NOTE: You will encounter pushy locals offering to help you with paperwork to get across the border. They may try to trick you into buying insurance from them for a very high price. See Central America Border Crossings for advice.
Cost of entry
- $80.00 MXN for fumigation.
Permitted length of stay
90 days.
Extension of stay
Unknown.
Describe the process to extend the permitted length of entry for the vehicle, if possible.
Storing a vehicle and temporarily leaving the country
(unknown)
Describe if/how a vehicle can be stored, and for how long.
Also mention if the owner / temporary importer can leave the country while the vehicle is in storage.
Exiting with a vehicle
- People must pay an exit tax of BZ$37.50 BZD per person.
- The registered owner presents the temporary import paper to customs.
- The registered owner is stamped out of Guatemala at immigration.
NOTE: As with entering Belize, you will definitely encounter very pushy locals offering to help you with paperwork to get across the border. See Central America Border Crossings for advice.
Overland Essentials
Vehicle Insurance
Insurance requirements
Insurance is mandatory in Belize, and you will be asked for it by Police
Cost of insurance
BZ$46.00 BZD for two weeks for a 4x4.
Where to purchase insurance
There are a couple of offices right at the border. The Insurance Corporation of Belize Ltd. seems to understand the idea of Overlanding and so purchasing insurance there is easy.
Driving license
Technically an International Driving Permit is required.
In reality, showing a license from anywhere in the world seems to be good enough.
Driving side of road
Right.
Right hand drive vehicles are permitted without problem.
Mandatory items in vehicle
None.
Roads
General Road quality
Roads in Belize are typically good, though you can expect dirt roads to be impassible mud pits in the rainy season.
Road signs
Road signs are common enough, and are generally good enough to rely on.
Toll roads
None.
Bribery
Police bribery is uncommon in Belize, but it might happen. See the bribery tips page for advice.
Checkpoints
Police checkpoints are common in Belize, where the Police primarily want to see your vehicle insurance. You'll be asked to show your Passport, Vehicle registration, drivers license, vehicle insurance and the temporary import permit you were issued at the border.
Traveling with pets
Unknown.
List the entry requirements and anything else required to travel with a pet.
Gasoline / Petrol / Diesel
Last updated: Sept. 2009
Price
Currency and unit to display:
| Gasoline Grade | Price |
|---|---|
| Regular | BZ$9.00 BZD per Gallon (US) [1] |
| Super (90) | ?? |
| Premium (95) | ?? |
| Ultra (97) | ?? |
| Normal Diesel | $0.95 USD per Liter[2] |
| Diesel (low sulfur) | ?? |
Gasoline Availability / Frequency
Gasoline is common.
Gasoline Quality
Accepted to be good quality. Sulfur content of diesel is unknown.
External information about gasoline
- Price Information: gasoline-germany.com - International Gas / Petrol / Diesel prices - Belize Last updated 2009
Safety / Security Considerations
Driving at night
Driving at night is probably OK in Belize, though definitely not recommended in big cities like Belize City due to safety considerations.
- The border with [Guatemala] is known to be particularly full of bandits and people wishing to visit the ruins of Caracol in the area will be given a military escort along the roads.
Vehicle parking
Find a secure parking lot to park in big cities. Price unknown.
Special driving considerations
None.
Security advisories and information
- Country Specific Information - U.S. Department of State
- Travel Reports and Warnings - Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
- Travel advice by country - Foreign and Commonwealth office (U.K.)
- Travel Advice for Belize - Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Camping
Camping is becoming more popular in Belize, and you will almost always find somewhere in the rural areas. Roadside camping is also OK in smaller places.
Camping guide books
The [Traveler's Guide to Mexican Camping] also contains information on Belize. Information includes detailled maps, GPS co-ordinates, and descriptions of campground facilities.
Drinking water
Tap water in Belize is not safe to drink.
Paper maps
The Mexico Road Atlas also has maps of Belize. It can be bought at gas stations within Mexico for around $20.00 USD. It is updated yearly, and is in Spanish.
GPS
- Open Street Map: Appears to have good coverage.[3]
- Garmin: Apparently no map of Belize.
- TomTom: No map of Belize. [4]
Directions and GPS co-ordinates for camping, propane, gas, repairs, etc.
- Camping Sites: Belize - Detailed list of campsites and propane filling with description, directions and GPS co-ordinates. Some at hotels (lists facilities and price), some roadside and free.
- Central America Camping Locations - List of campsites, with basic directions and GPS co-ordinates. Mostly free sites.
Overland Travel Interest
Special Overland interests
Guide Books
Vehicle Maintenance
Dealers
4x4s / Trucks
- Toyota Global Dealer Locator
- Land Rover International Dealer Locator
- Mercedes Benz International (select country on bottom right)
- Jeep International site locator
Motorbikes
Local Garages
Add known good mechanics here.
Buying and selling vehicles
Buying a vehicle as a foreigner
Unknown.
Describe how a foreigner can buy a vehicle.
List any difficulties or limitations on where the vehicle can be driven.
Selling a foreign-plated vehicle
Unknown.
Describe how a foreigner can sell a foreign-plated vehicle, or list not possible.'
References
- ↑ Belize Wilderness | The Road Chose Me
- ↑ fuel price - anybody ? - The HUBB
- ↑ OpenStreetMap Belize
- ↑ TomTom Map availability
