Ch 7:

Central Bank Gov.: Airport Is Breaking the Law

Everyday, hundreds of visitors who leave Belize from the Phillip Goldson International Airport are forced to pay their US$36.50 departure fee in U.S. dollars. Belizeans can still pay in Belize dollars but visitors are told they must pay in U.S. dollars. It's a regulation that's caused some concern for travelers, many who have e mailed us complaining that the practice leaves them stuck with Belize dollars. Well, today at a press briefing on the budget, the Governor of the Central Bank, Belize's monetary authority said it's wrong, it shouldn't continue and he'll do what he can to stop it.

Sydney Campbell, Central Bank Governor
"I've heard of it and we are in the process of trying to talk to these people to try to make sure that no undue harassment is done to people when they are trying to leave Belize because it would a negative side for us in the international press. If a tourist comes into Belize and sells his foreign exchange to the official system and ends up with Belize dollars, then he has the right then to pay his exit tax with Belize dollars because he has given it to the system already. There are areas where people can argue legitimately that, 'I came in and I complied with the law; I sold it to the banking system, I have an official receipt to say that I've sold it to the system, then how could you ask me to pay the departure other than in Belize dollars which is the proceeds from the sale of the hard currency I brought in.' So that issue I know will be one we have to resolve."

Jules Vasquez,
Isn't it true that Belize dollars is legal tender in Belize because, you can pay it in one cents if you want.

Sydney Campbell,
"Indeed the legal tender is the Belize currency true."

Jules Vasquez,
And you should be able to use it in all transactions.

Sydney Campbell,
"Yes very true. I will make sure we look into it and try to have some resolution to the problem but it is a matter we'll make sure we explore try and put some system in place to ensure that if the practice is not in sync with what is required in Belize, it is discontinued."

Airport Chief Executive Officer Pablo Espat today told us that the airport management and ownership have been forced to make the collection in U.S. dollars because of a dispute with American Airlines. Because the airport has foreign loan obligations in U.S. dollars, it asked all the airlines which include the departure fees into the ticket price, to simply pass that money unto them in U.S. dollars. Well, all agreed, except American which, it appears, would prefer to hold on to the U.S. dollars and pay the airport management in Belize dollars, even if the money was collected in the name of the airport.

Well, that didn't work and the only compromise was that American would stop including the fee in its ticket prices and the airport would do its own collection, in U.S. dollars. Espat says that if Governor Campbell changes that, it will make life harder for the airport management and for the Central Bank because it would then have to find the foreign exchange for the airport to service its debt.

So tell me are we going to have to Pay $36.50 USD X 2 to leave the country or what ( our tickets are with american airlines)

IMO, if i were you, i would be prepared to pay in us dollars. ask if you can use your leftover bz's, but have USD available just in case.

We did...but...we asked American in advance if our tickets had the exit fee paid and they replied "No, you will pay the exit fee."

We were prepared.

I flew American this last trip and never had to pay. I figured it was added into my plane ticket. Did I just luck out or what?

interesting......

Theoretically tix issued before Oct 05 had the dept tax included for most airlines. But it has been wildly inconsistent lately. Best to have the USD on you to pay it and if not collected, then you'll have cash when you get home.

Now you guys do realize that there is an exit tax (departure tax) to leave the United States of America too, right?

Often times these taxes are included in your airline tickets, but sometimes they aren't. If you buy from a travel agent they deal with all of the little bits and pieces for you, but if you buy direct from the airline, or these on-line cheap ticket places, the tickets seem cheaper because they don't always have all of the add-ons - that you still have to pay!

Oh, and if you are stuck with Belize dollars, either save them for your next trip, or maybe donate to the red cross. I know I've seen collection boxes at the airport.

just left tues they charged $31 .25 in us dollars. at the immigration counter ,and yes flew american airlines ..

We always fly AA, and this past trip, were asked to pay the fee, and we did, with BZ money. We asked why they would all of a sudden accept BZ money, and were told that if you have exact amount, BZ money was OK. Otherwise, you had to give American money, and change given was in American money. Go figure..???

Just got around to reading this - Thanks NYgal, very informative and convinces me that continuing to fly TACA is what I want to do!

Last time i left Belize there was a Bank/money exchange teller window that i used to break a large US bill into smaller US denomination bills to eat on.
Wonder if they would exchange Belize $ back to US for ya? :p

H E Y!!!! They charged ME!!!

Wy - what'd they charge ya with?

Yes, the bank in the BZE airport will change BZD back to USD for you.

Flew out on Delta on March 2nd, did not pay...was included in ticket.

What... is it me or are there 3 seperate threads on departure taxes? LOL

The way my tickets are set up, I have to pay every single time. They charge me $7.25BZ at the ticket counter and another $31.75USD (this has to be USD!!) just before the security check p.

just like that little single thread on your sweater TQ, pull it and it all unravels :p

I'd complain to my employer if I were you TQ!

I know klc, I think the same thing! I have to pay departure taxes, what the...?

When going to Mexico, I have to pay $45USD, that's why I never go. A shame really because it's only 2 hours away.

what did i miss - K, you're unraveling sweaters now? never have to pay a departure tax out of MX - maybe Tiajuana doesn't count?

I think just as the others have noted, that most carriers roll it into the cost of the ticket so no one really knows about it... or maybe some don't charge. I only pay $.50 when walking across the boarder to and from Matamoros and Progress, Mexico. Who knows.

I did a mini vacation to Puerto Vallarta a few months ago and paid no departure tax.

unraveled sweaters - sounds like sumthng HIZHONUR would think of doing ( personnaly, I just prefer to take them off in one piece

klc, too funny!

Laurie... are ya sure the airline didn't roll the cost into the ticket bcuz Puerto Vallarta definitely charges.

This is BS. You ever wonder why so many complain about all of the airlines but you hear little bad about Continental??? I always fly with them. If the flight is delayed, there is a reason. They don't just delay the flights to [#%!] people off. It's for good reason. American makes me sick and so does Southwest with their crabby hostesses!!!

Hmmmm spl, sounds like someone needs a nap. I don't think any airline delays flights just to [#%!] people off. I have had a bad experience on Continental as well. Lost luggage and crappy attitude. But, just chalk it up to those who serve the puplic. Sometimes we all have a bad day. But, I almost always have a good experience on AA, and they are easy to deal with. You don't get out of paying the fee, whether it's included in your ticket or before you pass through security. The best thing is to look at your ticket. It will have it written on it somewhere (usually) that it includes all transfer/departure fees. If it doesn't, ask at the counter when you get your boarding pass in the US (if you don't do one of those self ticketing thingies)

there you go. Someone always coming to the rescue for the crap airlines. They should hire good people like you.

I get the ticketing thingies. thanks.

LOL...I don't rescue anyone who doesn't deserve it. And, I am glad you get the ticketing thingies...I use air miles usually, so can't do it. But,I guess my whole point is be aware of what you are paying, and what you are getting. Not just airlines, but other stuff, too. I don't think AA is a crap airline, but you are entitled to you opinion. I know they have always treated me well, and that's all I have to go on.

Whew!....
We use them too. Of course the air-miles we have accumulated aren't always as good as it sounds...some days they are full with "paying" customers. Of course, we change our plans....or....Pay and get the seat we want. Amazing how fast those seats open up then... Oh well, doesn't matter. ( what good are air-miles if you don't get to use them?)
We've played it every way possible and it doesn't matter, we still travel....and pay to exit one way or another.

This was just an informational post.

TQ: Out of curiosity, I looked at my ticket to PV and you are right about the departure tax included with ticket. I did Suntrips and the package deal included that fee. If you go, you have to pay to get in and pay to get out too!

I know. They really need someone to re-think the whole departure taxes thing. In the industry I'm in employees are ALWAYS saying that they would go to Mexico more frequently if the departure taxes were much less (it's only 2 hours from Houston). It's a shame really because the country would benefit so much more with the shopping than they do with the departure taxes. And that is exactly why we shop in Progresso/Matamoros. It's like $.25 to get in, $.50 (yes, cents) to leave. I'm not sure if it's because these are boarder towns to TX... who knows. Although, all you would do in these places is shop - not much else.

We have bought our tickets for our last two trips from hot wire. Each time our departure fee was paid for in the ticket price.

That's great Magoo. I've never used hotwire, but travelocity hasn't included it, nor has expedia. At least in the past. They may do it now, but I haven't used them in a long time.

TQ... do you drive down from Houston? How long does it take to Progresso/Matamoros?

I've been considering it but haven't done it yet.

I called American Airlines and they told me that all taxes and fes are paid on my tickets so who do I believe

Be prepared...it's as easy as that...

Denny IF you go just get directions from ERNIE

HA! Yep, I could give him directions

poor hiz honor - everyone always tryin to tell him where to go . . .