40 Days Pandemic Rainy Solo Trip in Central America
December 27, 2020 to January 04, 2021
My 115th country visited on my journey beyond #lakbay100, 93rd solo backpacking trip, 5th country in North America and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure. Belize served also as the second country on my 2020-2021 America Pandemic Adventures Filipino Solo Trip, the new normal of traveling.
Belize, formerly the colony of British Honduras, is the only country in Central America without a coastline on the Pacific Ocean (only the Caribbean Sea to its east), and the only one in the region with English as its official language. With a long Caribbean coast, Belize is a culturally diverse and mixed race country with one foot in Latin America and the other in the Caribbean. There is the creole/ (Afro-European mixture) population as well as the native Maya people and the Mestizos that tend to live in the north and northwest of the country Spanish is often spoken. In the south east along the Caribbean coast live the Garifuna (Black Caribs) an Afro-Amerindian culture. World class attractions include exploring the lush jungles with exotic plants and animals, deep sea fishing, swimming, snorkeling and diving in the Caribbean sea with its attractive reefs, and visiting the Mayan ruins.
https://wikitravel.org/en/Belize
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| 9 Days Pandemic Rainy Solo Trip in Belize |
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT BELIZE
timezone - UTC -0600H capital - Belmopan language - English currency - Dollar (BZD)
1. Belize is also called the “Jewel in the heart of the Caribbean basin”.
2. Belizeans are laid back individuals with a go-slow approach, socialize a lot and live in small towns and villages.
3. Belize has around 900 Mayan sites. The tallest building in Belize is a Mayan temple!
4. Belize has the only Jaguar reserve in the world, otherwise known as Cockscomb Basin Wildlife sanctuary.
5. The Great Blue Hole, part of Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, is the world’s largest sea sinkhole.
6. Belize is the only Central American country where English is the official language.
7. There is no McDonalds, Burger King, Starbucks or KFC in the entire country of Belize!!!
9 DAYS SOLO PANDEMIC TRIP IN RAINY BELIZE ITINERARY
Day 01: Dec. 27, 2020 Sun / Cancun to Belize
Day 02: Dec. 28, 2020 Mon / Belize City
Day 03: Dec. 29, 2020 Tue / Belize City
Day 04: Dec. 30, 2020 Wed / Caye Caulker
Day 05: Dec. 31, 2020 Thu / Ambergris Caye
Day 06: Jan. 01, 2021 Fri / Benque (New Year)
Day 07: Jan. 02, 2021 Sat / Belize City
Day 08: Jan. 03, 2021 Sun / Placencia
Day 09: Jan. 04, 2021 Mon / Belize City
GRAND TOTAL: $482 + 462 USD = 703 USD
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| 9 Days Pandemic Rainy Solo Trip in Belize |
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| 9 Days Pandemic Rainy Solo Trip in Belize |
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| 9 Days Pandemic Rainy Solo Trip in Belize |
BELIZE SOLO TRAVEL TIPS DURING PANDEMIC:
Airport Immigration Issues: Normal set of questions; What am I going to do, How long will I stay, Proof of my departure flight/hotel booking and how much cash did I bring. I've waited for less than 10 minutes due to the Officer took a photocopy of my passport and hotel booking.
Places Visited: Belize City, Altun Ha, San Pedro (Ambergris Caye), Caye Caulker, Benque (Xunantunich), Placencia
01. I only visited 2 Mayan Ruins (Altun Ha and Xunantunich), I missed Lamanai boat departure. Lamanai boat tour costs $125 (62.5 USD with lunch), starts at 0900H to 1430H daily and once only. There's an every hour bus departure in Novelo Bus Terminal. For Lamanai, bus going to Coroazan and drop off to Lamanai Tours (before Orange Walk). Fare cost $6 for less than 2 hours travel time. For Altun Ha, bus going to Coroazan and drop off to Sandhill Altun Ha junction. Fare cost $3 one way for less than an hour travel time. Park admission fee costs $10. For Xunantunich, bus going to Benque and drop off to Xunantunich bridge. Fare cost $10 one way for 2.5 hour travel time. Park admission fee costs $10.
02. There are two ferry companies that serve the Belize, Caye Caulker and San Pedro (Ambergris Caye). Ocean Ferry Belize and San Pedro Belize Ferry, both offers almost the same fare, travel time and departure/arrival times. Return fare for Belize - San Pedro costs $56 while San Pedro - Caye Caulker costs $36. Earliest departure is 0630H while the last is 1630H.
03. Belize is the only English language dominant and has the highest cost of tourist living in Central America.
04. Almost all archeological parks (except for museums) are open to public and public buses are on irregular schedule (with early last departures).
05. On airport arrival, Belize requires Negative PCR test within 96 hours and health registration downloadable inside of this website https://belizing.com/coronavirus/
06. On airport departure, my next destination (Guatemala) requires negative PCR Test valid within 72 hours. PCR Test for travelers are centralized via Ministry of Health. Email dhsmohw@health.gov.bz and dhsoffice@health.gov.bz at least one week in advance as the test is usually twice a week only. I made my PCR Test in Matron Roberts PolyClinic in Belize City with email approval, appointment and physical passport requirement. Tests costs $100 (50 USD) with 4 days result. This test serves as my 11th PCR Nasal Swab Test (traveled to 8 countries across 3 continents within 5 months, all negative result).
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| 9 Days Pandemic Rainy Solo Trip in Belize |
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| 9 Days Pandemic Rainy Solo Trip in Belize |
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