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Posted By: Good Peter More charges for visiting yachts - 01/23/11 03:24 AM
The Belize Port Authority has now established a desk in the customs office in San Pedro.
Here are the new charges for visiting boats.

Belize Port Authority Charges
These charges are just from the Belize Port Authority and are independent of Customs, Immigration, Health and Agricultural charges.
Information received from Charlotte Martinez, Belize Port Authority, in January 2011 (phone 223-0716).
Charges are based on Gross Registered Tonnage, an obsolete term, still used in Belize. These tons are measurements of volume, not weight, one ton is equivalent to 100 cubic feet.
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gross_register_tonnage

Boarding costs between BZ$30 and BZ$75 depending on tonnage, for less than 30 GRT it is BZ$30
Navigational Aids Dues are 1.5 times the GRT
Pilotage Dues, paid even if pilots are not used, BZ$6 times draught, plus BZD0.08 times GRT, times 2.
Daily Port Dues BZ$30 for the first 48 hours then 10 BZ$ a day.
Exit fee BZ$30

Temporary Registration, assuming customs will grant the stay costs:-
3 months, BZ$250. 9 months BZD750, 1 year BZD1,000.
A safety inspection is obligatory, BZ$50. If outside Belize City transportation costs need to be paid.

Seems like Belize is getting even more expensive to visit? Another reason to skip Belize and head straight for Guatemala or Honduras, they need the gringo's money.
Posted By: CarlosCabanas Re: More charges for visiting yachts - 01/23/11 03:04 PM
Hey I've got a good idea.... Let's just keeping raising taxes and fees everywhere until these pesky tourists stop coming!!

Really a tax for navigational aids? Do we have any? I know of one large buoy outside of Tuffy's cut. I'm sure there are a couple outside of Belize City? Are the cruise lines paying this tax, or are they exempt because they would probably stop coming?
Posted By: SFJeff Re: More charges for visiting yachts - 01/23/11 03:27 PM
"Navigational aid dues" = $ for the Port Authority employees to sit at Cholo's and drink beer while arguing whether or not boats coming in through the cut will clear it.

Posted By: TravelinMan1 Re: More charges for visiting yachts - 01/23/11 04:22 PM
Wait for it, Wait for it.

Jesse should be on any minute to tell you that if you don't like move back to wherever.

Posted By: TravelinMan1 Re: More charges for visiting yachts - 01/23/11 04:24 PM
Oh yes I forgot that Elbert would also mention that you should have a tour guide aboard during your stay here in Belize so that you did not damage the reef.
Posted By: elbert Re: More charges for visiting yachts - 01/23/11 07:16 PM
yep that is exactly what i think, boats visiting should not be allowed to visit the reef for fishing, snorkeling, diving or and related activity with out a licensed Belizean Tour guide with them.
Even if you want to skinny dip on the reef at night with your girl friend, you should get a local Belizean tour guide to do that for you.
Posted By: CarlosCabanas Re: More charges for visiting yachts - 01/23/11 07:35 PM
I have seen more tour guides collecting illegal sized conch, and lobster out of season or while diving, than tourists. (Not necessarily yours Elbert, actually one was ours and I fired him for it!)
Posted By: elbert Re: More charges for visiting yachts - 01/23/11 08:14 PM
The guides are not saints buy a great measure but the majority know to protect the reef and can keep from getting themselves and their guest from getting hurt or damaging the reef.
look to other areas of the world where you find World Heritage Sites and notice how they protect theirs.
You wont find visitors allowed to go not escorted by a trained guide.
Posted By: CaptOneIron Re: More charges for visiting yachts - 01/23/11 10:37 PM
You know if you just sit back and peruse these boards and try not to be emotional or involved in things it all just seems so sad. So unbelievably sad. A bit like watching someone drink themself to death.
Posted By: Mike Campbell Re: More charges for visiting yachts - 01/24/11 01:58 PM
I have noticed that some guides are so intent on pleasing the tourist that they do not respect the size limits. They will do what it takes to please the guest. Protection of the reef and natural resources should be #1 for all tour guides. I would like to see size limits and maximum catch limits on all reef fishing. I hate it when the guide comes back and says oh we caught 50 fish. I often cook the fish and see lots and lots of tiny fish of various species not to mention lobster and conch. I think this does much harm to the reef and our fish population which unquestionably drives our tourism industry. We are slowly killing our business. It is completely the fault of the guides.
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