When using a credit card in Belize, at a restaurant, grocery store or any shop that accepts credit cards, is the card charged in $US or $BZ? Can I request it be charged in $US? Just wondering which of my major credit cards to bring, as one charges a foreign conversion fee (MasterCard) and one does not (Visa). Thanks!

Our VISA has a 3% "foreign transaction fee" -- doesn't matter if it is charged in US $or not. When not using cash we use our debit card which has a 1% transaction fee so still a charge but less.

No. The merchant charges in Bz and its converted (for a fee) by the originating bank in the US. Use your Visa.

Bear is right, use your Visa.Also try to find the cheapest ATM,you will need some cash. I think Scotia Bank has cheapest fee not sure......Anyone know???

Use your Visa. Mastercard always charges me a 3% fee. Visa charges me 3% or $3.00, whichever is cheaper. Then again cash is your best friend!

American Express doesn't charge any foreign transaction fees. We use AMEX any where we can and pay cash for everything else.

All my cards charged, Visa, American Exp., MasterCard until last year when I did some research and found Capital One MasterCard...no fees no charges and 1% payback when purchasing international.

MaryMo....I find it hard to believe that American EXp doesn't
charge you exchange fees....better check your statement.
Is yout card registered in the US?

It's true -- the Amex Platinum and Centurian cards have no foreign exchange fees. Of course the Platinum annual fee is US$450.

We also have an American Express but it is a Costco TrueEarnings card. They charge 2.7% fee. Our credit union debit card charges 2%. And... I double-checked the Visa (Chase/Amazon) again and what do you know? They are now charging 3%. One more card to check, hubby's company Citibank card. Really don't like to carry a lot of cash so we may be using the debit card.