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Frequently Asked Questions
Below are a few common questions about Belize or our trips
Popular Questions
Belize's dry season starts in November and runs through May each year. We generally recommend visiting Belize from December through April each year. The peak dry season is typically February and March. Anytime during these months would be perfect for snorkeling and kayaking in Belize.
We generally recommend a week in Belize at the minumum. There is a lot to see, and it's impossible to see it all in this short period of time. 3 to 4 nights on the Cayes is what we suggest at a minimum and then we hope you allow some time to explore the inland of Belize. If you extend your stay to 10 days to two weeks, that is more ideal to see a few different locations.
Yes, on all of our reef trips, we definitely snorkel. Most departures we do have opportunities to fish for dinner outside of park boundaries. For those that are interested in fishing, we will do our best to get you out fishing Belizean style.
We do offer active trips. Each itinerary has a different level of activity. However, a medium fitness level is recommended. We do have some suggestions for exersices that you can do ahead of your trip, if you are interested. Contact one of our trip planners for details.
Each trip has a unique trip itinerary. However, at our basecamp trips are generally split into a morning activity and and afternoon activity. Several options are presented and you can participate in the activities you wish to join. These include, kayak snorkels, motor boat snorkels, fishing trips, lionfish hunts, etc. Choose what you want to do each day. This gives the opportunity to split off into smaller groups as well, and to allow everyone to participate in the activities that appeal to them.
Our guests typically range from 40 to 70. We have many guests outside of these ages, too. We have had guests travel with us in their 80's and as young as 10. Younger families should contact us to discuss what trip may be appropriate. Families (with children old enough to swim) often choose one of our basecamp trips to Glover's Reef or Lighthouse Reef because of the flexibility. Family groups and multigenerational groups also appreciate the flexibility of these trip itineraries.
Yes, single travellers love joining the comradery of our small groups. If you prefer you're own accommodations thoughout, we do have a single supplement, but if you are flexible we are happy to try and join you with another single traveller with the same gender. Contact our trip planners for details.
Our Classic trips all your accommodations, meals, transfers, guiding services, and use of specialized equipment. From your arrival at the Belize International Airport to the end of the trip itinerary. On our shorter trips and exursions, we meet you at the boat and take care for you from that point on. Please refer the itineraries of each trip for complete details of what is included.
Belize is very safe for travellers. As tourism is the major economic driver in the country, and travellers are well recieved on the streets of Belize.
We love working with people to help you organize your holiday. We have almost 40 years operating in the country and we can help get you to the more remarkable, more remote locations in the country. We can either help you with a small segment of your vacation, or take care of all the logistics from beginning to end. Contact one of our trip planners to assist you with an exeptional holiday.
On the cayes, there is a profusion of fish, reef creatures, and birds soaring overhead. Some of the species we see include sea turtles, parrot fish, nurse sharks, octupus, magnificent frigate birds, and red footed boobies. Inland, we have over 600 documented species of birds plus a fascinating group of mammals which include jaguar, baird's tapir, black howler monkeys, and so much more.
For each departure we provide a complete packing list, listed under Planning & Packing. Bring your clothes, waterbottle, hat, and we will provide you with most of your specialized equipment.
Good question. We take great pride in our hospitality and helping plan the ultimate holiday. We are not the cheapest option, but we do offer access to some of Belize's most remarkable locations and pride ourselves in offering a unique way to explore the Belize reef in a small family sized group of like minded travellers. We have many past guests that can attest to the value of traveling with Island Expeditions.
Is This Trip Right for Me?
We do offer active trips. Each itinerary has a different level of activity. However, a medium fitness level is recommended. We do have some suggestions for exersices that you can do ahead of your trip, if you are interested. Contact one of our trip planners for details.
Belize's dry season starts in November and runs through May each year. We generally recommend visiting Belize from December through April each year. The peak dry season is typically February and March. Anytime during these months would be perfect for snorkeling and kayaking in Belize.
Our guests typically range from 40 to 70. We have many guests outside of these ages, too. We have had guests travel with us in their 80's and as young as 10. Younger families should contact us to discuss what trip may be appropriate. Families (with children old enough to swim) often choose one of our basecamp trips to Glover's Reef or Lighthouse Reef because of the flexibility. Family groups and multigenerational groups also appreciate the flexibility of these trip itineraries.
Each trip has a unique trip itinerary. However, at our basecamp trips are generally split into a morning activity and and afternoon activity. Several options are presented and you can participate in the activities you wish to join. These include, kayak snorkels, motor boat snorkels, fishing trips, lionfish hunts, etc. Choose what you want to do each day. This gives the opportunity to split off into smaller groups as well, and to allow everyone to participate in the activities that appeal to them.
Yes, single travellers love joining the comradery of our small groups. If you prefer you're own accommodations thoughout, we do have a single supplement, but if you are flexible we are happy to try and join you with another single traveller with the same gender. Contact our trip planners for details.
It is possible, but we do require that you have a certain comfort level around water. Many guests that are nervous in the water will wear their PFD's (lifejackets) while snorkeling and other water based activities. Contact our trip planner to discuss what trips may be most appropriate.
No experience is necessary. We will teach you right from the beginning. We will start with dryland introduction to snorkeling and kayaking and then head out on the water to teach you paddle strokes and assist you with your snorkel gear to ensure a perfect fit. Kayak sailing is a unique activity we do on our trips, so we definitely will show you the ropes and how to glide along the reefs with our kayaks.
We do offer active vacations, but at our Glover's Reef and Lighthouse Reef basecamps we offer you as much flexibility as you wish. You can participate in as many or as few of the planned activities as you wish. Contact our trip planners to discuss more details on one of the trips you are considering.
Not at all. You will become part of the family as soon as you join us. The comradery that forms with all of our groups help solo travellers become part of the family.
Yes, the rooming is based on double occupancy and we love having couples join us on our trips.
This depends. Visit our Famil Trips and Pricing page for further details. However, families and multi-generational families do enjoy the flexibility of our basecamp trips to Lighthouse Reef and Glover's Reef. Lighthouse Reef basecamp is expecially suitable for a wide age range as it offers walk in snorkeling.
Belize-Specific Questions
Belize is very safe for travellers. As tourism is the major economic driver in the country, and travellers are well recieved on the streets of Belize.
English is the official language of Belize. However, the language of the streets of Belize is an English-based Creole (Kriol) which sounds very similar to a Jamaican patois. There are two dialects of Mayan language (Ketchi & Mopan) that are common, depending on where you are in the country. Of course, Spanish is spoken throughout most of the country. There are many Chinese speaking people, and German speaking Mennonites as well.
The official currency of Belize is the Belize Dollar ($bz). This currency is fixed 2 to 1 with the US Dollar. So, if something is priced at $10bz, it would be equivalent to $5usd.
Amercian and Candian Travellers do not require a visa to visit Belize. Also citizens of the UK, the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, and approximately 90 other countries do not require visas to enter Belize.
The best time to visit Belize is from December through May each year. The peak of the dry season would be considered February and March. June to October is considered the rainy season in Belize.
Although we can't guarantee any weather conditions. Traveling during the dry season (December through May) means that you will likely have stable warm weather for your trip.
We do have mosquitoes in Belize. However, we do not see them that frequently on the cayes. When there's wind there are very few bugs. Inland, you will need to protect yourself from bugs more often, but it is typically during the hour just before dusk.
Yes, Belize has a modern chlorination system in most cities and towns. It does have a chlorene taste to it. We will provide you with safe filtered drinking water for your entire trip. Don't forget to bring your refillable water bottle.
We will provide you with a packing list for your trip as part of the Essential Information Package you will recieve after signing up for your trip. It can be found under Planning & Packing on our site, as well.
Yes, we suggest reef safe sunscreen for your snorkeling trip. The Essential Information Package will include some information on what you should be looking for.
Even "Reef Safe" can be misleading. Especially in the use of "nano particles" of otherwise safe ingredients The chemicals that you want to avoid are:
- Oxybenzone
- Octinoxate
- Nano-Zinc oxide (not to be confused with regular zinc oxide)
- Nano- Titanium oxide
- OD-PABA
- Benzophenone-8 & Benzophenone-1
- Octocrylene
- 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor
- 3-Benzylidene camphor