Stingo
Well-known member
Do any of you have any experience of cruising in Belize? If so, please share your thoughts on the good and the bad.
TIA
TIA
Belize Cruising
- Thread starter Stingo
- Start date
Tradewinds
Well-known member
No experience. Any specific questions you could try the OCC Port Officer for Belize. I've PM'd his details.
Stingo
Well-known member
@Tradewinds the Ocean Cruising Club had some decent info eg recommended cruising guides for the area, clearance procedures etc
Thank you for pointing me in that direction.
Thank you for pointing me in that direction.
john_q
Active member
I cruise there regularly, have done since 2007 - what do you need to know?
Are you chartering or on your own boat?
A starter for 10
There are Facebook groups worth following for local knowledge
US and BZ$ accepted everywhere, exchange rate fixed at 2BZ$ to 1US$
VERY EXPENSIVE to check in now, do not use Placencia or Belize City as US$500 extra due to COVID changes
Punta Gorda check in in January 2022 -US$300 for 30 days 2 people, 40 foot monohull, no pets
Officials extremely rude and unwelcoming and like "creative" charging
BIG FINES if you hit the reef US$200,000 plus
You must renew visas and boat papers every 30 days.
The boat is only allowed in Belize for 90 days unless you do Temporary/ Full importation
Stores only available in 4 or 5 locations so you need to plan ahead
Some anchorages attract park fees
Charts (paper and electronic) are VERY INACCURATE, but I think it part of the fun,
Chart Plotters trust at your peril/own risk.
Beautiful people and country, stunning reefs, diving and snorkeling
Close to Mexico, Guatemala, and Bay islands
Good sailing inside the reef
Outer Atolls remote but well worth a visit
Very few marinas and most of them are very Shallow
Freya Ruacher guide is the only cruising guide, old but still reasonably valid
Are you chartering or on your own boat?
A starter for 10
There are Facebook groups worth following for local knowledge
US and BZ$ accepted everywhere, exchange rate fixed at 2BZ$ to 1US$
VERY EXPENSIVE to check in now, do not use Placencia or Belize City as US$500 extra due to COVID changes
Punta Gorda check in in January 2022 -US$300 for 30 days 2 people, 40 foot monohull, no pets
Officials extremely rude and unwelcoming and like "creative" charging
BIG FINES if you hit the reef US$200,000 plus
You must renew visas and boat papers every 30 days.
The boat is only allowed in Belize for 90 days unless you do Temporary/ Full importation
Stores only available in 4 or 5 locations so you need to plan ahead
Some anchorages attract park fees
Charts (paper and electronic) are VERY INACCURATE, but I think it part of the fun,
Chart Plotters trust at your peril/own risk.
Beautiful people and country, stunning reefs, diving and snorkeling
Close to Mexico, Guatemala, and Bay islands
Good sailing inside the reef
Outer Atolls remote but well worth a visit
Very few marinas and most of them are very Shallow
Freya Ruacher guide is the only cruising guide, old but still reasonably valid
Stingo
Well-known member
Geez, @john_q , that doesn't sound at all encouraging. Ninety days is far too limiting
I'm currently boatless, but have plans to buy a floaty thing and become a semi-permanent cruiser again - 6 months a year there and 6 months here, thereby avoiding the hurricane season.
I'm currently boatless, but have plans to buy a floaty thing and become a semi-permanent cruiser again - 6 months a year there and 6 months here, thereby avoiding the hurricane season.
Last edited by a moderator:
john_q
Active member
As I say We really like Belize, it is the official stuff that is a pain in the arse
