AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums The Cayes Caye Caulker Banking and ATM cards

Good Day Everybody

Just two questions.

Q1) Can ATM cards from the US be used on CC?

Q2) Is it possible to have a bank account
there on CC?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

I had no problem using my ATM check card anywhere where Visa is accepted. I could also use it to get cash advances (which came out of my checking account in the states)from the bank. Your ATM card has to have the Visa symbol on it.

There Just Atlantic Bank here. Sometimes they want you to stay a bit before you open an account because they have so many dead accounts. Just explain that you are not just passing and bring a letter that you are in good standing with your own bank. That often helps here in the local system.
We fund our account by using a debit card every so often.It seems cheaper than other ways.

Thanks Keycocker I will do that.

We've always used credit cards and ATM cards exclusivly on vacation but we found that on CC that travelers checks in large amounts worked great. We just cashed them at the bank and we were good to go.

The best thing on CC is cash. Bring lots
of small bills. If you use your credit card
on CC most businesses will add a 5% surcharge. The bank charges a fee to cash
Travelers checks, but businesses do not.
However if it is a large maount you won't be able to use it for a small purchase so
now you have to go to the bank.
Cash is king

Its not as simple to open a bank account in Belize, as it used to be in the old days. It will be difficult to open a bank account in Belize unless you have a work permit, residency, or own property. The GOB has put a moratorium on accounts from foreigners. Don't ask me why, I have no idea. The only account you can get easily is an offshore account, however, you can not walk into a bank here in Belize and deposit cash into an offshore account, you have to have the funds wired in. All of the banks in Belize have offshore branches.
Most people leave money in their U.S. account and draw on it (at our local bank) with a debit/check card. But back to the banking in Belize issue, if you decide you want to try and open an account, you will need 2 bank references, written on bank stationery, in SEALED envelopes. The letter only needs to state that you have had an account since (date) and that your account is in good standing. The letter does NOT need to include any average daily balance or such. You will need 2 local personal references. Also, it wouldn't hurt to bring your last 3 statements, in case they ask for them. It seems like a lot of trouble, and it IS, but those are the rules. Don't kill the messenger.