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Home > Belize Tours > Frequently Asked Questions

Beachcoming Belize off Long Caye

Top Questions About Our Belize Packages

This page covers all aspects of our all inclusive Caribbean vacations for our confirmed guests as well as information for those considering our eco tours at our private Caribbean island. You can find further information here on Belize weather, what to bring on our tours, and other complete information on our Belize tours.

 

Please feel free to call us at (800) 390-5715

We will gladly answer any questions about our Belize active vacations

Remember: There is no such thing as a 'stupid' question!

 

Request complete information on our Belize adventure packages!

 

To view the answers to these questions, simply click on the question.

1. What can I do to get ready for my trip?

2. How do I fly to Belize?

3. Do I really need to fly in a day early as recommended on your Flying to Belize page?

4. On Belize Adventure Week, the first night’s meeting time is at 4:30 p.m., and my flight arrives at 4:20 p.m., will I make it on time?

5. I want to go on the island trip, but I can't arrive until Saturday; aren't the arrival days flexible?

6. Do I need a passport?

7. What if my passport gets lost in Belize?

8. I see I need a "buddy" for each activity. What if I am traveling alone?

9. I prefer solo travelling, do you charge a single suppliment? I prefer not to sleep in the same room with someone because I have problems with sleeping. In reading your literature am I concerned with being forced into shared sleeping quarters. Did I misinterpret your brochure?

10. Do you sell accommodations only on your private island at Glover's Reef?

11. Can we rent your kayaks without going on a trip?

12. I just checked out your trip and it looks fantastic. However, I was wondering about the rates. Why are your prices in line with a fancy resort when you have rustic accommodations? Perhaps I missed something?

13. I only want a one or two day trip, can you take me kayaking (or windsurfing, or scuba diving, or snorkeling)?

14. How are the days on the island organized? Are activities set on specific days (like windsurfing on Mondays, kayaking on Tuesdays, and so on...) or is there flexibility on the agenda? Could we do 3 days of windsurfing and no kayaking? Or what if we want to chill out one day and not do anything?

15. Why don't you offer the Adventure Island at Glover's Reef Half-Week option every week?

16. Will I get bored being out on the island for an entire week?

17. How can I find out about Belize weather?

18. Do I need experience to join your kayaking adventures?

19. Is the sea kayaking too difficult for beginners?

20. Will there be enough sea kayaking for an advanced kayaker?

21. Are the inland activities really suitable for beginners?

22. Can I bring my kids along on your trips?

23. How big are your groups?

24. What are the bathroom facilities like on these trips?

25. Where do we sleep on the island?

26. Can my family contact me if there is an emergency?

27. Is it possible to send and receive e-mail on the trips?

28. What happens if I get hurt?

29. Will insects be a problem?

30. What do we drink on Long Caye?

31. Is it necessary to treat the drinking water of inland Belize?

32. What is the food like?

33. Should I bring gloves for diving and snorkeling?

34. I have questions about snorkeling gear (or fishing gear, or water shoes, or ....) What kind should I get?

35. It says to bring long underwear on the equipment list, is that necessary?

36. Who carries the gear on the river portages?

37. Can I charge my batteries for my digital camera, video, etc. on the trip?

38. Why do we need to bring money if your trips are all-inclusive?

39. My trip is only a few weeks away but I haven't received my T-shirt and I am supposed to wear it when I meet my group, where is it?

40. I'm very excited about my upcoming trip with you, but I haven't even done any exercises yet.... are there any arm exercises (that can be done at home) you can recommend? Since it's winter, I'm too lazy to even go to the pool ;-)

41. Is it customary to tip the staff?

42. I've heard bad things about Belize City, are they true?

 

 

1. What can I do to get ready for my trip?

First, the most productive thing you can do is read all of our published material about your trip, and read it as soon as you sign up. Many factors influence your enjoyment of your trip, and many of these hinge on being prepared. We consider the following to be required reading for those joining us: (1) the detailed itinerary information of the trip you are signing up for, (2) this page, (3) the Belize page, (4) the Flying to Belize page, (5) Our Hints for a Better Vacation, and (6) our Reservation and Cancellation Policy. You can request all of these documents by filling out our on-line form. Our staff will be happy to answer questions you may have; give us a call (800) 390-5715.

Back to topBelize International airport

2. I want to vacation in Belize. How do I get there?

Please visit our Flying to Belize page for complete information on flying to Belize.

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3. Do I really need to fly in a day early as recommended on your Flying to Belize page?

Most of our guests arriving Day 1 of their trip do not experience any problems on the way. However, there is a percentage that do; we have seen a definite increase in cancelled and delayed flights. There are not many flights to Belize, so if you miss your flight you will arrive a full 24 hours later than you originally intended. Being a day late is not a good way to begin your vacation! If you can arrange to get the additional time off work, arriving a day early is the best way to avoid any problems in meeting the group on time. One reason so few of our guests have trouble is because of our recommendation to fly a day early. Holidays are when most problems occur because the airline industry is generally over-booked. If you do plan to extend your stay by several days, we recommend you extend it before your trip with us, rather than after. This both eliminates the possibility of missing our meeting, and allows you time to get accustomed to the heat in Belize. To read our recommendations of what to do in Belize before your trip, visit Things to Do in Belize. For complete general Belize information visit this page.Maya Mountain Lodge, Western Belize

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4. On Belize Adventure Week, the first night’s meeting time is at 4:30 p.m., and my flight arrives at 4:20 p.m., will I make it on time?

Belize Adventure Week meets at 4:30 p.m. to drive to Western Belize, leaving the Biltmore by 5:00 p.m. A flight arriving at 4:20 is fine, but do not accept flights that arrive after 4:30 p.m. If you miss our ride, you will have to catch a Belize cab which will cost $1-200.

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5. I want to go on the island trip, but I can't arrive until Saturday; aren't the arrival days flexible?

The only way to arrive late or depart early is to charter your own boat. Our boat runs out of Belize City every Saturday during the season, and also many Wednesdays, but not all. The boat that takes you out to the island brings back the departing group from the week before. It's a 2.5 - 3 hour boat ride, so the boat must leave first thing in the morning to get out there, get unloaded, get re-loaded, and return by dark. It is not possible to delay this boat ride even a few hours.

 

You can charter a boat out of Dangriga, Belize (approx. $50 per person to fly to Dangriga from Belize City) for $300-$625 for the boat (the discrepancy depends on which boat is available, and what the weather is like that day. You don't want to use the $300 boat if it's rough).

 

People who choose to arrive late because they can't meet our schedule need to stay in close contact with us. Occasionally extreme weather means we have to delay our boat a day, so rather than fly on to Dangriga you would meet the delayed group in Belize City and go out with us the next day. The rest of the group will be on another activity we provide until 5 pm. You need to contact the Moab office right before you leave the US to make sure "Plan A" is still a go.

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6. Do I need a passport?

Passports are required for travel to Belize. Don’t wait until the last minute to apply! For an application, contact the U.S. Post Office. You will send the U.S. Passport Service a certified birth certificate along with passport photos and the completed form. Passports are good for ten years and cannot expire while you are there or you will not be allowed into the country. Visas are automatically distributed on the plane to U.S., Canada, and British citizens. Persons from other countries need to contact their consulate. More Belize information is found elsewhere on our site.

 

Need a passport for travel to Belize?

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7. What if my passport gets lost in Belize?

As a precaution, make two copies of the first page and carry one in a different place from your passport and leave one with a friend at home.

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8. I see I need a "buddy" for each activity. What if I am traveling alone?

Many of our guests are a single traveling alone. You need not worry about needing a buddy for sport activities, there are always plenty of people looking for activity partners on our trips.

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9. I prefer solo traveling. Do you charge a single supplement? I prefer not to sleep in the same room with someone because I have problems with sleeping. In reading your literature am I concerned with being forced into shared sleeping quarters. Did I misinterpret your brochure?

We do not charge a single supplement because we feel that both couples and singles should pay the same price. Getting your own room on our adventure trips is something that happens more often than not for single travelers, but we can’t guarantee it. These are very small lodges that we use both in the jungle and on our Sunrise on Long Cayeisland; we can’t manufacture more rooms for trips with lots of singles, or trips that fill. If you choose a date that is a popular week, like Christmas or President’s Day, you might have to share. If you choose a less popular time to travel, you will probably get your own room on the island. If you can wait to sign up until the last minute we can figure the rooming out and let you know how it will be. But we can’t tell you months in advance that you would get your own room for any date because we have no idea how many others may sign up. Other lodges charge extra for singles, we don’t do that. We feel that singles should be charged the same as everyone else, so occasionally we have to room singles with another single of the same sex if no other configuration works. We’ve been doing this for years and are very good at figuring out the rooming so everyone is happy. If you are traveling alone don’t worry about rooming with someone else, we spend little time in our cabanas. Most people are very active and if they are chilling out they are just as likely to be ‘hanging out’ (literally) in our hammock palapa as in their cabana. Mostly you will use your lodging to change clothes and to fall fast asleep after an exciting day!

 

Inland it is more common to share because the price we pay to the lodge for your lodging is a double occupancy price. If you do get a single, we simply pay the difference for you.

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Want more information on our trips? Request further information from us and we'll send it today.

 

Beach cabana, Long Caye, Belize

 

10. Do you sell accommodations only on your private island at Glover's Reef?

We do not sell accommodations only. Our island is extremely remote, and safe and reliable transport is expensive. There is no restaurant nearby, in fact there is no one on the island but our guests, our staff, and the dive shop crew. The only way to ensure that vacations at our exclusive location are affordable is to group visitors together on specific dates. Therefore, we package everything together and the only way to visit our island is to purchase a package. The packages include hotel and restaurant meals in Belize City immediately before and after the full-week island trip, transport to and from the island, lodging and meals while on the island, unlimited beer and soda, and complete use of our sports equipment, which includes instruction. There would be no discount if you wanted to stay at the island but didn’t want to participate in one or more of the sports. We have an exclusive location with limited group sizes, and all of the equipment and staff are there for you regardless of how much you take advantage of it. Sea kayaks in Belize

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11. Can we rent your kayaks without going on a trip?

We don’t rent our sports gear for many reasons. Transport and duty fees double the value of gear and there is no way to replace it. Our equipment is based at our private island resort 35 miles off shore, which is reserved for our guests; it would have to be transported at least that far for rental use.

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12. I just checked out your trip and it looks fantastic. However, I was wondering about the rates. Why are your prices in line with a fancy resort when you have rustic accommodations? Perhaps I missed something?

While other lodges focus on accommodations, we focus on sports. We have over 40 sea kayaks for 22 people (so everyone gets a kayak that fits them), multiple windsurf set-ups for beginner, intermediate and advanced sailors, top-of-the line surf kayaks for the ultimate surfing trip, surf boards for those with experience and Kayak surfing Glover's Reefchosen for our wave, brand new paddleboards, special kayaks for fishermen, and expert staff with 5 - 20 years experience guiding and instructing these sports. All of this gear is driven over 3000 miles to Belize. No resort in Belize comes close to the sports experience we provide. At our place you won't find maid service, flush toilets, or umbrellas in your drinks. But you will get the best sports experience available in the country: kayaking to wild spots for a snorkeling trip out of the kayaks with expert guides or windsurfing to the next island over. If accommodations are your priority you should shop around. Our program is not for everyone, but it is no less expensive to deliver this kind of experience. Not to mention the fact that we have a private island! It's the best island in Belize, with all the best toys.Tikal, part of our Mayan Odyssey itinerary

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13. I only want a one or two day trip, can you take me kayaking (or windsurfing, or scuba diving, or snorkeling)?

We don’t do any daily excursions; our shortest trip to our private island is five days in length. Our island is 35 miles offshore, it takes two-and-a-half hours just to get there, there would be no time to do anything while there if you planned to stay only a day or two. For a shorter trip, try our Mayan Odyssey package. This 2 or 3-night itinerary includes an excursion to Caracol ruins and an exploratory hike deep into Actun Tunichil Muknal, a Mayan ceremonial cave full of artifacts.

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Long Caye Belize beach

 

14. How are the days on the island organized? Are activities set on specific days (like windsurfing on Mondays, kayaking on Tuesdays, and so on...) or is there flexibility on the agenda? Could we do 3 days of windsurfing and no kayaking? Or what if we want to chill out one day and not do anything?

The Adventure Island at Glover’s Reef itinerary is more structured at the beginning and completely flexible by the end of the week. No one is required to participate in any sport, but if you do want to try a sport you must first attend an orientation/safety session, regardless of your past experience. So the first 24 hours on the island is busy while we complete the orientations so everyone can use the equipment. We do snorkel orientation as soon as we get there on Saturday, then sea kayak orientation Sunday morning. Those we do not repeat. After that, remaining orientations can be repeated multiple times. You may join a guided activity or go off on your own as long as you have a buddy and as long as you have already attended the orientation session. You can also take a day off if you choose. As the week progresses, the hammocks become increasingly popular.

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15. Why don't you offer the Adventure Island at Glover's Reef Half-Week option every week?

The launch that picks up the Half-Week Glover’s Reef guests on Wednesday brings out the Adventure Week guests. As the price reflects this shared charter, we do not offer the Half-Week itinerary when there is no Adventure Week option. This trip is also not offered during holidays and other peak times to maximize the use of the limited space on our private island. On holiday weeks we may open up Half-Week seats five weeks prior to departure if the Full-Week trip still has space available.

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16. Will I get bored being out on the island for an entire week?

Not at all. Long Caye offers the ultimate blend of adventure and relaxation. If you are anything like our past guests, you will beg to stay a second week! (And there is a discount for booking two weeks in a row.) On our island your options include learning to sea kayak, snorkel, scuba dive, windsurf, kayak surf, and roll a kayak. Depending on your ability and fitness level, each sport can take several days of practice to begin to feel proficient. And of course, everyone likes a bit of hammock time each day.

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17. How can I find out about Belize weather?

In general, late November - May is the “dry” season, with February - April enjoying the most ideal weather. Ideal weather means a Belize temperature in the low 80s during the day and the low 70s at night, and winds at 10-15 mph. During some years the early parts of the dry season are still fairly stormy. June through early November is the “rainy” season, but out at Glover’s it’s not nearly as wet as on the mainland. The worst weather of the year is during September and October. We have found three good weather sites on the Internet. These forecasts are for Belize City, there are no forecasts for Glover’s Reef: USA Today's site, Wunderground's site, and Intellicast's site. Looking for wind or wave information for our island? (not a good general weather site) Follow this link: Glover's Reef wind and waves to a satellite buoy station with wind and wave information, located 31 miles WNW of our island, right in the area where we cross the Blue on our way to Glover's Reef. Please remember there is no way to predict the weather for a specific set of dates!Sea kayak orientation

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18. Do I need experience to join your kayaking adventures?

No experience is necessary for any of our trips, but unpredictable weather can create strenuous conditions, so you should be in good shape. We recommend working out on a rowing machine or swimming laps before your trip. The better shape you are in, the more you will enjoy yourself. Full instruction is included in all sports, and the 80-degree water is an ideal setting to learn or improve your skills. Our Adventure Island at Glover’s Reef trip is the easiest trip we offer, as you schedule your own days. Both the Glover’s trip and the Belize Adventure Week itinerary can be enjoyed by those in good shape but with no prior experience; instruction is provided for all sports.There are no currents and small tides, perfect for beginning sea kayakers.

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19. Is the sea kayaking too difficult for beginners?

The Adventure Island at Glover’s Reef itinerary is perfect for beginners, as our longest paddle without a rest is usually two-three miles. We have found that people in average shape have no trouble, especially with preconditioning as mentioned above.

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20. Will there be enough sea kayaking for an advanced kayaker?

Depending on the group, your guide may lead longer excursions, paddle outside the reef in the open sea, or allow advanced kayakers to paddle on their own with a “buddy”. There is more to see at Glover’s Reef than one could ever cover in one week. If you desire an even more active vacation, try our Belize Adventure Week trip.Whitewater kayaking in the Cayo district on the Mopan River

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21. Are the inland activities really suitable for beginners?

No experience is required for any activity (e.g. on the Belize Adventure Week itinerary novice river-runners can go down the Mopan in a kayak with no prior experience), although our inland activities are more strenuous than our island sports. Inland we spend up to six hours a day participating in moderately strenuous adventure sports. Some guests may find the activities very strenuous. If a guest would like to skip one particular activity, they are free to join our shuttle driver to drive around to pick up the group. On the Caves Branch River underground caves trip there is a portage which adds to the difficulty of the trip. There is no substitute for being in good physical shape.

 

Kids love our Belize adventures

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22. Can I bring my kids along on your trips?

The Adventure Island at Glover's Reef trip is great for kids ages 3+, although all of our gear is adult gear, and we do not have kid-specific activities. Families love our island-based trips, as guests may paddle as little or as much as they like. Parents may wish to hire a babysitter on the island. There is a price break for children under 12, but there are also restrictions. Please see our Kids Policy. Our minimum age on Belize Adventure Week is 10. We are often asked to make an exception to this policy, but we do not allow kids 9 years old and under on this trip, and if kids ages 10 and 11 cannot keep up, the parents will have to sit an activity out, or hire a babysitter. Families with kids under 10 years old should choose Adventure Island at Glover’s Reef. The inland sports are best attempted with an adult-size body, for issues of both size and strength. In the past when parents of kids ages 9-10 have told us that their kid was exceptional and we did make an exception, they later commented they should not have taken their child on the Belize Adventure Week trip. Please see our web page on our family vacation destination for restrictions and rates.

Glover's Reef group, 2008

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23. How big are your groups?

We specialize in small group adventure travel! On the Glover’s Reef trip our maximum is 22 guests. On Belize Adventure Week the maximum is 12. All of our trips have a minimum of 4 adults, but we will run a trip for 2-3 adults with an additional surcharge. Occasionally we overbook under special circumstances. On any Full-Week Adventure Week at Glover’s Reef trip where the Half-Week trip is also offered, the Belize Adventure Week guests will arrive on the boat that takes the Half-Week guests off the island. If both trips are full the total number of guests on the island during the second half of the week will be no more than 34, with the staff totaling as many as eight persons. If the size of your group is important to you, simply call and we will be happy to keep you posted on the size of any trip, or check out our Availability page. Those traveling at peak times (Christmas, Presidents’ Day, Spring Break, and Easter) can expect full trips. Those traveling at other times will often find that the trips are not full.Long Caye restroom

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24. What are the bathroom facilities like on these trips?

Out on the island we have composting toilets, and bathe with well-water (not heated) using outdoor showers pumped by the sun to a gravity flow tank; the shower stalls are completely private. Please note the bathroom facilities on our island are not attached to the rooms, requiring a walk of at least 50’. All inland lodging facilities consist of guest rooms with flush toilets and hot showers. For more information and photos of all of our island facilities, please visit our Long Caye facilities page.Long Caye cabana

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25. Where do we sleep on the island?

Everyone sleeps in beach-front cabanas. We have six double-bed cabanas and the rest have two single beds. We provide mattresses, linens, blankets, and pillows. Double occupancy is a necessity when trips are full. We will not reserve specific cabanas in advance as the trip leader must consider the needs of everyone in the group before assigning cabanas. For more information and photos of all of our island cabanas, please visit our Belize Accommodations page.

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26. Can my family contact me if there is an emergency?

Leave our office number in the United States with your relatives for emergency contact, but inform them that it could take over a day to get through. You should not promise to call home when you arrive in Belize; it can be difficult and very expensive. Your cell phone will probably not work in Belize.

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27. Is it possible to send and receive e-mail on the trips?

Only on the inland part of Belize Adventure Week. Maya Mountain Lodge has internet access for guests. On the island our communication systems are for staff and emergency use only. Please see the question above for emergency contact.

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28. What happens if I get hurt?

Staff members are trained in First Aid and cell phone contact is maintained at all times (as long as the phones are working in Belize!) Evacuations (boat or helicopter) can be arranged, but you will have to pay all expenses incurred. If inland, transportation to Belize City is easily arranged, but also at your expense. Be sure you have funds on hand to pay for any emergency! Hospitals in Belize do accept credit cards. Be sure to purchase a travel insurance policy, they should reimburse you for evacuation expenses in the event that you were injured and needed to leave the trip (call Travelex: (800) 228-9792, and tell them that you are with Slickrock. Our location number is 44-0013), or visit their website. We recommend Travelex, but you may, of course purchase a policy from many different providers. Please note that if you purchase the plan from Travelex within 10 days from your booking date all pre-existing medical conditions are eligible for coverage. The easiest way to get a quote from Travelex is to visit their website, enter your state on the left, and then click "Go". You may then compare their various policies and get a fast ball-park idea of what it will cost. Travel insurance rates are based on your age and on the cost of your travel package.

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29. Will insects be a problem?

Unlike most other locations in Belize, we are blessed with a non-buggy island, and we treat for bugs if present. During rare periods of calm weather there could be a few “no-see-ums” or mosquitoes present on the island. Inland guests can expect a few mosquitoes in the evening in the jungle, but our accommodations there are screened.Beer, soda, water; all included in your trip price!

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30. What do we drink on Long Caye?

We have a rainwater collection system, which is common throughout remote areas in Belize. In all of our years here, no one has had any adverse reactions to the water on our island. We have a propane refrigerator to chill our beer and soda, which is included in the trip price. We do not have diet drinks because our distributor (which uses returnable bottles), does not carry diet sodas. We also have fresh orange juice available at all times, and juice concentrates for mixing with water or for cocktails. Regarding alcohol, we supply beer only on the island. We ask guests to bring their own rum or other alcoholic beverages which you can purchase once you arrive in Belize.

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31. Is it necessary to treat the drinking water of inland Belize?

The water is safe where we stay, and we also carry bottled water in the van. Fish tacos!

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32. What is the food like?

Our island menu is designed to take advantage of the fresh seafood of Belize and fresh fruits and vegetables available in the local markets. Please visit our Glover's Reef Menu page. Inland we eat home-style Belizean meals at our lodges (sorry but we can’t provide a copy of their menu). On the island guests with special dietary needs are accommodated as much as possible (we will leave nuts out of a dish if someone is allergic to them) but we are not able to cook entirely different dishes for individuals. Often there are several people with special diets present on one trip, our system cannot accommodate special dishes for each person. Because there is no grocery store on the island, all ingredients are carefully planned for each meal. If the cooks prepared special items for persons with special diets we would lack the correct amount of ingredients for later meals. If you have a special diet, please read the menu and make sure you can get enough to eat by simply eliminating certain dishes or ingredients. Persons with a Vegan or gluten-free diet cannot be accommodated.  Snorkeling at The Aquarium, 1/2 mile from Long Caye, Glover's Reef, Belize

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33. Should I bring gloves for diving and snorkeling?

No, you should never touch coral. Gloves can smother live coral, degrading the pristine nature of this National Marine Reserve. We encourage everyone to be conscientious about preserving an area we feel fortunate to have access to.

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34. I have questions about snorkeling gear (or fishing gear, or water shoes, or ....) What kind should I get?

Many of our sports require special gear that we do not provide as it is personal gear and must fit your body (or in the case of fishing, the fishing is fantastic at our island for those who don’t require instruction). Please refer to the listed brochures or comparable websites for more information on what to bring: Snorkeling gear, wetsuits, and water shoes: request the Adventure Island at Glover’s Reef or Belize Adventure Week flyers. Fishing, Windsurfing, and Surfing: these each have their own web pages.Portaging on the Caves Branch River, Belize

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35. It says to bring long underwear on the equipment list, is that necessary?

Yes; in “cold” weather (60-65 degrees) the extra layer extends the warmth of your other clothes. Cold spells can happen at any time of the year, and long underwear is something most people already own, plus it doesn’t take up much room in your luggage.

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36. Who carries the gear on the river portages?

On the Caves Branch River (Belize Adventure Week itinerary) we make two portages. It is not possible for the guides to do this alone. Everyone helps out to get the gear through the jungle to the next safe spot to resume running the river. If individuals have back problems, they certainly should not help, but they should make sure they are not signed up for a very small trip where there would be no one else to assist the guides during the portages.

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37. Can I charge my batteries for my digital camera, video, etc. on the trip?

First of all, you should note that the island environment is extremely hard on electronics. Because waves break directly on our shore the air on the island is permeated with salt and is corrosive to electronic devices. Do not bring your computer with you, it will definitely shorten its life.

 

Inland all lodges have electrical outlets in the rooms. On the island we have a 12 Volt electric system and cigarette lighter outlets available for charging. To charge batteries you can either get a charger that plugs directly into a car cigarette lighter or purchase an inverter (changes 12V or DC power to regular AC power) to plug your regular battery charger into. About 96% of battery chargers work on small, inexpensive inverters, but not all. You can test your charger/inverter in your car quite easily. If it charges in your car, it will charge on the island. The Xantrex "X Power" is a popular, effective, and inexpensive inverter. The electrical outlets in inland Belize are just like those in the US.

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38. Why do we need to bring money if your trips are all-inclusive?

Our all inclusive Belize trips cover everything except alcoholic beverages, Belize exit tax, scuba diving, tips, and taxis to and from the airport. This can still add up to several hundred dollars. Also, if you or your luggage were delayed, an already difficult situation would be greatly compounded if you were relying on credit cards or unreliable ATM machines. It can cost up to $600 to catch up with the trip. Please see the “What to Bring” list for your particular trip for further information, you can request this flyer by using our on-line form.

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39. My trip is only a few weeks away but I haven't received my T-shirt and I am supposed to wear it when I meet my group, where is it?

We hold T-shirts until receipt of both the final payment and your completed registration form. If you don’t get these to us until a week before the trip, your T-shirt will probably arrive while you are gone. We do not send T-shirts by express mail. For those booking through an agent, the agent may be holding payment, which may explain why your T-shirt has not yet arrived. We have also found that t-shirts sent to Canada take 2 weeks minimum.Long Caye hammock palapa

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40. I'm very excited about my upcoming trip with you, but I haven't even done any exercises yet.... are there any arm exercises (that can be done at home) you can recommend? Since it's winter, I'm too lazy to even go to the pool ;- )

As far as physical conditioning goes, the best thing anyone can do to get ready for a trip like this is to increase stamina and general health. Basically, you will be walking, bending over, scrambling up, lugging boats over rocks, getting in and out of boats, swimming, falling into the water from your windsurf board and getting back on, etc. One should focus on all-body conditioning like yoga and also stay really healthy and DON'T hang out around sick people. For complete Belize medical information, see our Belize information page.

 

Do you have streaming internet at home? Here's a fantastic streaming yoga class on line! yogatoday.com. It's not free, but affordable. You have to have a fast internet connection. If you don't, you can download these classes, also for a fee.

 

We received a suggestion from a guest on a recent (January 2009) Belize Adventure Week trip about what she wished she had done to get prepared for this trip: "The people who sign up for Adventure Week should be doing squats and lunges. The muscles on the tops of my thighs were sore for a week after doing the ATM cave. While exercising today I realized that the squats and lunges were the best for that activity and regretted not having done a lot more of those prior to the trip."

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41. Is it customary to tip the staff?

Tips should reflect your satisfaction with crew performance and are not required. For those who do want to tip, tipping is normally organized as a group tip at the end of the trip (one guest collects the entire tip from all members of the group). The trip leader then splits the tip between all staff members. The standard in the industry for each guest is 5-10% of the trip price. Our inland crew includes: trip leader, local guide, driver, and assistant river guide(s); our island crew includes: trip leader, island manager, local guide(s), cook, assistant cook, and island caretaker. You can find information on Belize money elsewhere on our site.

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42. I've heard bad things about Belize City, are they true?

Belize City has an unsavory reputation, which is somewhat deserved. You should not walk alone at night, but it is safe to walk around during the day provided you adopt a confident attitude. If you’re worried, stay at one of the better hotels and take cabs within the city. If approached by street people, ignore them or say, “Thanks, I’m all set.” They are rarely dangerous, but once you acknowledge them, they’re hard to get rid of. Act like you know where you are going, and watch out for scams like “fund-raisers.” When taking a cab in Belize, always settle the price before getting in (make clear it is per cab, not per person.) Surprises are common in this region and one should be prepared to accept canceled reservations, closed businesses, or broken commitments from locals. Our staff makes every effort to insulate you from these problems, but we too must live with their system.

 

For more Belize tourism information, see our Belize page. We also have a map of Belize City you can view online or you can order a Belize map from our Utah office.

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