Packing for Your Moho River Extension Trip

General Tips

As a general rule, don't bring more than you can carry.  This will help ensure smooth and efficient transfers in airports, Customs, hotels, and loading vans.  Please follow the Personal Equipment & Packing List as closely as possible.  When traveling in Belize, luggage is placed on the roof racks of our vehicles.  Soft luggage is preferred over hard-cased luggage.  This allows for easier transport onto roof racks or into stowage compartments on boats.  Try to keep your gear in one main bag, preferably a backpack or duffle bag.  Also, carry a daypack to keep things handy that you will need during each day.

Carry-on Luggage 

With heightened security and busy airports it pays to pack wisely to make your airport travel run smoothly.  For a complete list of important packing tips please visit www.tsa.gov.

Make sure everything you have is labeled, don’t put any metal objects in your carry-on baggage or wear metal jewelry, clothing, etc., and have your entire luggage unlocked for inspection.  Recent changes to carry-on baggage restrictions may disallow carrying any liquids on the plane with you - check your airport authority for the most recent updates.  If you purchase any duty-free liquids previous to your trip into Belize, please check those into your main luggage or you will have to surrender them to the airport authority.

When packing your carry-on, try to include what you would need to be comfortable in Belize your first few days in case your checked baggage is misrouted by the airline.

Packing for your Trip

When traveling to Belize it is best to travel with one larger check-in bag and one carry-on bag.  We recommend a medium duffle bag and a medium day pack as a carry-on.  These bags are easy to move around, can be toted easily, fit in boats, small planes, and van/bus roof racks.  Backpacks can work too; do try to avoid large suitcases.  While on tour with Island Expeditions, our staff will instruct you on how to prepare for travel between locations and we will provide storage for extra bags in our Dangriga office when necessary.  Most airlines have reduced the weight maximums for each bag to 50 pounds.  Be sure to check with your airline for weight restrictions and carry-on allowances.

It is recommended you have one small waterproof bag for your documents, camera, etc., that you can carry in the cockpit of your kayak and have handy on motorboat trips.  It is especially important that electronic equipment such as digital cameras, video cameras, etc. is fully waterproofed, especially on the boat ride to and from the atoll.

The evening on the day you arrive we will provide a large waterproof backpack for you (one dry bag per couple) and you will be instructed on what to do and how to arrange your gear for your journey.  For the motor charter to the Belize Barrier Reef and to Glover’s Reef we recommend you pack your clothing in garbage bags INSIDE your provided duffle bag as an added waterproofing precaution as the boat rides can sometime be wet. 

EXTRA LUGGAGE: You will leave your luggage and extra belongings not needed at the cayes at our Operations Base in Dangriga.  As we load from our vehicle to the boat on Friday afternoon you will leave your stay-behind-bag with your guide which will be stored in a locked storage area.  Ensure that your name is clearly marked on your bag and that you do not leave any passports, money, electronics, or other valuables in your bag - these items should travel with you to take care of.

PLEASE NOTE: we cannot be deemed responsible for people’s personal property while travelling.  There are a variety of luggage and personal property insurance policies available to purchase. 

Sleeping Linens

While you are in the jungle you will need to have your own sleeping linens.  Don’t forget:
- We provide you with a thermorest
- Light-weight sleeping bag or a cotton sheet and light weight fleece blanket
- Nylon stuff sac

Reef vs. River and Transfers

Separating some of your gear into reef and river components will be helpful.  Any extra gear can be stored at our Base in Dangriga.  Our drivers will facilitate any transfer of items and ensure that any gear you switch is moved appropriately.  Large dry bags will be provided while out on the river.  Plastic bags and Zip-locks are great for extra water-proofing.

Generally in the field you should have at least two sets of clothing; one wet for river and sea, and one dry for the evening.  Also, a sturdy pair of sport sandals or water shoes is very important.