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Packing For Multi-Stop Reef & Inland Trips
Multi-destination Reef & Inland/Jungle packing guide
Packing Advice For All Belize Trips
This guide includes tips on packing for any Island Expeditions trip, a general packing checklist, and packing specifics for both reef and inland trips.
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Luggage
-Soft sided luggage works best — especially for motor boat, small plane and van transfers. Try to avoid large hard-shell suitcases with roller wheels.
-Travelling with 1-2 days of essentials in your carry-on bag is helpful in the event your checked bag gets delayed.
-For multi-destination itineraries, our staff in Belize will direct you on how to pack for the next leg of your journey.
-We can provide storage for extra bags when necessary and on certain trips
Waterproofing
-We recommend packing 1 or 2 waterproof dry bags for essentials.
-Approximate capacity of a 20-litre dry bag:
- Change of clothes, light jacket, regular beach towel, phone, wallet, keys, sunscreen, sunglasses, snacks, 1L water bottle
-Approximate capacity of a 10-litre dry bag:
- Light change of clothes, compact travel towel, phone, wallet, keys, sunscreen, sunglasses, small snacks
-Extra precaution should be given to essential electronics that are not waterproof: cameras, laptops, tablets, phones, etc
Essentials
-Essential medications should be stored in multiple bags in the event you get separated from a piece of your luggage
-Protect your personal documents. Keep digital copies and store paper backups separately.
-Other important documents: Travel insurance policy, Island Expeditions contact numbers, personal emergency contact information
-It is good practice to carry emergency cash (USD$200-$400) separate from money budgeted for meals, gratuities, etc.
Luggage
- Soft sided luggage works best — especially for motor boat, small plane and van transfers. Try to avoid large hard-shell suitcases with roller wheels.
- Travelling with 1-2 days of essentials in your carry-on bag is helpful in the event your checked bag gets delayed.
- For multi-destination itineraries, our staff in Belize will direct you on how to pack for the next leg of your journey.
- We can provide storage for extra bags when necessary and on certain trips
Waterproofing
- We recommend packing 1 or 2 waterproof dry bags for essentials.
- Approximate capacity of a 20-litre dry bag:
- Change of clothes, light jacket, regular beach towel, phone, wallet, keys, sunscreen, sunglasses, snacks, 1L water bottle
- Approximate capacity of a 10-litre dry bag:
- Light change of clothes, compact travel towel, phone, wallet, keys, sunscreen, sunglasses, small snacks
- Extra precaution should be given to essential electronics that are not waterproof: cameras, laptops, tablets, phones, etc
Essentials
- Essential medications should be stored in multiple bags in the event you get separated from a piece of your luggage
- Protect your personal documents. Keep digital copies and store paper backups separately.
- Other important documents: Travel insurance policy, Island Expeditions contact numbers, personal emergency contact information
- It is good practice to carry emergency cash (USD$200-$400) separate from money budgeted for meals, gratuities, etc.
General Packing List For All Belize Trips
Everybody packs for a vacation differently, so please ensure you have enough clothes for the duration of your trip. Here is a general checklist of essential and optional items. Reference this list when packing for any tropical vacation!
Essential Items
– Cell Phone
– Chargers
– Passport
– Photo Copy of Passport
– Credit / Bank Cards
– Cash
– Emergency Contacts List
– Travel Insurance Policy & Emergency Assistance Details
– Drivers License (if renting a vehicle)
– Flight/Accommodation Details
– Refillable Water Bottle
– Child Travel Consent Letter (notarized letter of consent for single parents travelling with a minor(s)
General Clothing
– Underwear (Sports-Bras)
– Socks
– Sleepwear
– T-shirts / Blouse /Tanktops
– Belt (if needed)
– Quickdry Long Sleeve Shirt (for sun protection / bugs)
– Quickdry Long Pants (for sun protection / bugs)
– Quickdry Shorts
– Cotton / Casual Shorts (for the evening)
– Dresses / Skirts / Sarongs
– Lightweight Sweater/Fleece
– Swimwear (at least 2)
– Breathable Rainjacket (doubles as a windbreaker)
– Wide-Brimmed Sun Hat or Baseball Cap
– Hiking / Comfortable Walking Shoes
Miscellaneous Items
– Tablet / E-Reader / Books
– Portable Power Bank / Charging Cables
– Headphones
– Travel Pillow
– Small Day Pack
– Bag for Wet Clothing / Laundry
– Eye Mask
– Ear Plugs
– Disinfecting Wipes
– Sunglasses / Croakies (eyewear retainers)
– Small First-Aid Kit (bandaids/bandages)
– Snacks
– Waterproof Camera (GoPro, etc) / Memory Cards
– Luggage Lock
Toiletries & Personal
– Reef Safe Sunscreen
– Aloe Vera, Skincare Creams / Lotions
– AfterBite / Benadryl Cream (to ease itching from bug bites)
– Toothbrush / Toothpaste / Dental Floss
– Deodorant
– Biodegradable Shampoo / Conditioner / Soap
– Hair Brush
– Shaving Kit
– Menstrual Products
– Hair Ties
– Hand Sanitizer
– Tweezers
– Nail Clippers
– Insect Repellent
– Lip Balm with SPF
– Prescription Glasses/Contacts & Lens Solution
– Prescription Medications
– Over-the-Counter Medications
– Oral Rehydration Solution (for dehydration)
– Medication for Travellers Diarrhea – as advised by your healthcare provider
– Epi Pen (if applicable)
– Motion Sickness Medication (for boat rides – if applicable)
Essential Items
-Cell Phone
-Chargers
-Passport
-Photo Copy of Passport
-Credit / Bank Cards
-Cash
-Emergency Contacts List
-Travel Insurance Policy & Emergency Assistance Details
-Drivers License (if renting a vehicle)
-Flight/Accommodation Details
-Refillable Water Bottle
-Child Travel Consent Letter (notarized letter of consent for single parents travelling with a minor(s)
General Clothing
-Underwear (Sports-Bras)
-Socks
-Sleepwear
-T-shirts / Blouse /Tanktops
-Belt (if needed)
-Quickdry Long Sleeve Shirt (for sun protection / bugs)
-Quickdry Long Pants (for sun protection / bugs)
-Quickdry Shorts
-Cotton / Casual Shorts (for the evening)
-Dresses / Skirts / Sarongs
-Lightweight Sweater/Fleece
-Swimwear (at least 2)
-Breathable Rainjacket (doubles as a windbreaker)
-Wide-Brimmed Sun Hat or Baseball Cap
-Hiking / Comfortable Walking Shoes
Misc.
Items
-Tablet / E-Reader / Books
-Portable Power Bank / Charging Cables
-Headphones
-Travel Pillow
-Small Day Pack
-Bag for Wet Clothing / Laundry
-Eye Mask
-Ear Plugs
-Disinfecting Wipes
-Sunglasses / Croakies (eyewear retainers)
-Small First-Aid Kit (bandaids/bandages)
-Snacks
-Waterproof Camera (GoPro, etc) / Memory Cards
-Luggage Lock
Toiletries & Personal
-Reef Safe Sunscreen
-Aloe Vera, Skincare Creams / Lotions
-AfterBite / Benadryl Cream (to ease itching from bug bites)
-Toothbrush / Toothpaste / Dental Floss
-Deodorant
-Biodegradable Shampoo / Conditioner / Soap
-Hair Brush
-Shaving Kit
-Menstrual Products
-Hair Ties
-Hand Sanitizer
-Tweezers
-Nail Clippers
-Insect Repellent
-Lip Balm with SPF
-Prescription Glasses/Contacts & Lens Solution
-Prescription Medications
-Over-the-Counter Medications
-Oral Rehydration Solution (for dehydration)
-Medication for Travellers Diarrhea – as advised by your healthcare provider
-Epi Pen (if applicable)
-Motion Sickness Medication (for boat rides – if applicable)
Inland & Rainforest Packing List
In addition to the items listed in the general packing list, we highly recommend you incorporate the following items for the Inland portion of your trip
Essentials
-Sturdy Hiking / Walking Shoes (with good grip for muddy or uneven trails)
– Sport Sandals / Water Shoes (for swimming, waterfall rappel, caving, cave tubing, etc)
– Small Day-Pack with Rain Cover
– Lightweight Long Pants & Long Sleeve Shirt – Moisture Wicking (exposed skin is more susceptible to insect bites)
– Moisture-Wicking Hiking Socks (an extra pare is also nice)
– Headlamp with Spare Batteries
– Small / Medium Dry Bag (one or two, for essentials)
– Swimwear & Lightweight Towel
– Buff or Neck Gaiters (keeps you cool when wet / protects from insect bites)
– Re-fillable Water Bottle
Optional
– Camera gear and waterproofing
– Binoculars / Monocular / Spotting Scope
– Drybag(s)
– “Insect Shield” Clothing (for those particularly susceptible to insect bites)
– Bag for Muddy Shoes / Wet Clothing
– Spare Pair of Hiking / Walking Shoes (in case one pair gets wet)
– Small Cloth / Bandana for Wiping Away Sweat (not needed if using a neck gaiter/buff)
– Lightweight/ Packable Hiking Poles
– Secure Strap for Sunglasses / Prescription Glasses
– Waterproof Phone Pouch
– Field Guide for Bird Identification
Essentials
– Sport Sandals / Water Shoes (sturdy soles and heel straps or enclosed heels)
– Sandals or Flip-Flops
– Long-sleeve sun shirts (for paddling and onshore wear)
– Long-sleeve rash guards (for sun protection while snorkeling)
– Paddling / Bike Gloves for Paddling
– Headlamp with Spare Batteries
– Small / Medium Dry Bag (one or two, for essentials)
– Lightweight Beach Towel
– Lightweight Shower Towel
– Reef Safe sunscreen
– 2-3 Garbage bags for extra waterproofing and wet clothing (“contractor” strength works the best)
– Buff or Neck Gaiters (Essential for sun protection)
Lighthouse and Glover’s Reef Basecamps are both stocked with comprehensive first-aid kits. A limited supply of over-the-counter medications are available as needed.
Essentials
-Sturdy Hiking / Walking Shoes (with good grip for muddy or uneven trails)
– Sport Sandals / Water Shoes (for swimming, waterfall rappel, caving, cave tubing, etc)
– Small Day-Pack with Rain Cover
– Lightweight Long Pants & Long Sleeve Shirt – Moisture Wicking (exposed skin is more susceptible to insect bites)
– Moisture-Wicking Hiking Socks (an extra pare is also nice)
– Headlamp with Spare Batteries
– Small / Medium Dry Bag (one or two, for essentials)
– Swimwear & Lightweight Towel
– Buff or Neck Gaiters (keeps you cool when wet / protects from insect bites)
– Re-fillable Water Bottle
Optional
– Camera gear and waterproofing
– Binoculars / Monocular / Spotting Scope
– Drybag(s)
– “Insect Shield” Clothing (for those particularly susceptible to insect bites)
– Bag for Muddy Shoes / Wet Clothing
– Spare Pair of Hiking / Walking Shoes (in case one pair gets wet)
– Small Cloth / Bandana for Wiping Away Sweat (not needed if using a neck gaiter/buff)
– Lightweight/ Packable Hiking Poles
– Secure Strap for Sunglasses / Prescription Glasses
– Waterproof Phone Pouch
– Field Guide for Bird Identification
Reef & Basecamp Packing List
In addition to the items listed in the general packing list, we highly recommend you incorporate the following items for the marine portion of your trip.
Optional
– Lycra skin-suit (great for sun protection and adds a bit of warmth)
– Swim Leggings / Lightweight Water Tights (great for sun protection and adds a bit of warmth)
– Secure Strap for Sunglasses / Prescription Glasses
– Sorong
– Waterproof Phone Pouch
– Vaseline (essential for snorkeling with facial hair)
– Socks (especially if renting snorkeling fins)
– Fishing Rod and Tackle (Either Spin or Fly)
– Sun Sleeves — If you have a short sleeve rash guard (Outdoor Research or similar, for sun protection)
– Shortie wetsuit – (3mm) especially for kids (not essential but water temperatures can be cooler from Dec-Feb)
– Personal snorkel gear (mask, fins snorkel)
– Prescription Snorkel Mask
Essentials
-Sport Sandals / Water Shoes (sturdy soles and heel straps or enclosed heels)
-Sandals or Flip-Flops
-Long-sleeve sun shirts (for paddling and onshore wear)
-Long-sleeve rash guards (for sun protection while snorkeling)
-Paddling / Bike Gloves for Paddling
-Headlamp with Spare Batteries
-Small / Medium Dry Bag (one or two, for essentials)
-Lightweight Beach Towel
-Lightweight Shower Towel
-Reef Safe sunscreen
-2-3 Garbage bags for extra waterproofing and wet clothing (“contractor” strength works the best)
-Buff or Neck Gaiters (Essential for sun protection)
Lighthouse and Glover’s Reef Basecamps are both stocked with comprehensive first-aid kits. A limited supply of over-the-counter medications are available as needed.
Optional
-Lycra skin-suit (great for sun protection and adds a bit of warmth)
-Swim Leggings / Lightweight Water Tights (great for sun protection and adds a bit of warmth)
-Secure Strap for Sunglasses / Prescription Glasses
-Sorong
-Waterproof Phone Pouch
-Vaseline (essential for snorkeling with facial hair)
-Socks (especially if renting snorkeling fins)
-Fishing Rod and Tackle (Either Spin or Fly)
-Sun Sleeves – If you have a short sleeve rash guard (Outdoor Research or similar, for sun protection)
-Shortie wetsuit – (3mm) especially for kids (not essential but water temperatures can be cooler from Dec-Feb)
-Personal snorkel gear (mask, fins snorkel)
-Prescription Snorkel Mask