Planning Your Trip to Belize
Getting Started
We recommend all guests get the All Inclusive Package at Sweet Songs! It includes all meals, beverages, access to hiking trails and use of river tubes, canoes, and bikes.
What to Bring?
Clothing:
Casual summer clothing is appropriate, but make sure that you bring along a hat to protect your head and include a sweater or jacket for cool weather at higher elevations or boat trips, light rain gear, close-toed shoes for hiking and exploring caves and long pants for horseback riding.
Eye Wear & Care:
Bright, sunny days require sunglasses, Polarized is best.
Footwear:
Tennis shoes, comfortable walking shoes, sandals. Bring hiking boots with good tread or tennis shoes and socks for jungle excursions and water shoes for wading in the rivers and the sea.
Sunscreen Lotions & Repellents:
It’s necessary to protect your skin from the sun's ultraviolet rays. Pack plenty of eco-friendly sunscreen, as bugs do live in the jungle, as well as in beach areas.
Just In Case:
Binoculars are invaluable to increase your enjoyment. Take a small flashlight or head lamp with rechargeable batteries, along with water bottle and a wet/dry bag to protect valuables while caving, canoeing, hiking and adventuring.
Photocopy important documents such as passport, driver's license, credit cards, prescription medication forms and, airline ticket. Bring an extra supply of prescription medications.
A Few Travel Tips
Passport:
You will need a valid passport for entry into Belize. Citizens of the US, the British Commonwealth (except India), Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica and the EU will be issued a 30-day visa upon entry. Other citizens contact the nearest Belizean consulate or embassy for more information. To stay more than 30 days you may apply for a visa extension at the Belize Immigration office in Belmopan. Extensions are renewable monthly at a cost of $25.00. Make sure that you have at least 6 months left on your passport or you may not be allowed to travel.
Air Travel:
The Philip S. Goldson International Airport is situated about 10 miles by road from Belize City and 78 miles from Sweet Songs Jungle Lodge. Local airlines offer regular flights within Belize. We're happy to coordinate this for you. We offer land transportation to the lodge from the Belize International Airport.
Departure Fees:
A Belize departure fee is normally included in your airline ticket. Visitors leaving by road into Guatemala or Mexico pay US $20.00 or the equivalent in Belize currency, which is BZ $40.00
ATM Services:
There is ATM service at all of the banks and the exchange rate is $2 BZ to $1 US. Most businesses accept US currency.
Time Zone:
Belize is located in the US Central Standard time zone and Mountain Standard during Daylight Savings time in the US. Daylight Savings Is not observed in Belize and daylight hours vary little throughout the year.
Electricity:
Current in Belize is 110 volts AC, the same as in the US. A small surge suppressor is highly recommended for computers and other sensitive equipment. At the lodge we use a combination of Solar and Diesel Power and ask that you unplug your electronic items after they are charged and turn off all lights and fans when you leave your room.
Climate:
Belize’s climate is sub-tropical, tempered by trade winds. Extreme temperatures in coastal districts range from about 10°C (50°F) to about 36°C. (96°F). Belize has an annual mean temperature of 79 degrees Fahrenheit. Annual Rainfall in Belize varies from an average of 50 inches in the north to 180 inches in the extreme south. The dry season usually extends from February to the end of May, with a possible dry spell in August.
Where else to stay in Belize?
When planning your trip to Belize, most experts recommend a combination of jungle and beach activities. Start your trip inland where the activities can require more energy and then continue on to the coast to dive, snorkel and take it easy, if you like. We offer multiple combination packages with beach and island resorts.
While it is common to confine a Belize stay to the coast or offshore Caye, this will limit your inland experience to day trips only; most likely requiring spending several hours on the road only to arrive at a popular inland destination, such as Xunantunich, a Maya archaeological site, or Cave Tubing at Jaguar Paw, and have it full of tourists. By staying at Sweet Songs for a few days, you can be right next to these popular sites and see them when they are far less crowded.
So If you would like to see more truly magnificent Maya Archaeological Sites, venture into the Maya Underworld to witness more incredibly impressive cave systems, swim, tube and canoe in pristine waters, take in the abundant wildlife while hiking about, and allow for some time just absorbing some of the finest handiwork nature has to offer, keep in mind that Cayo District has all of this and so much more!
And it goes without saying for unsurpassed diving, snorkeling and fishing, Belize's Barrier Reef, with its abundance of marine life, make it a must for your Belize Vacation. Click below to browse all Muy'Ono Resort options. Pick a few and stay awhile to make the most of your getaway to Belize.