AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums Belize by District Stann Creek how should we bring our spending money?

We're coming to Placencia for our honeymoon at the beginning of May and we're wondering what is the best way to spend our tourist dollars? Are credit cards accepted? Should we bring cash? travelers checks? Are there ATMs? Is that in itself a funny question?? Thanks so much for any help you can offer!
Sincerely,
Jody

Money is good (USD - 20's and 50's) - change them as you need to and spend BZD.
Credit cards are perfect for biger bills like hotel and tours.
You will get "more for your money" with cash.

traveller checks are very widely accepted too.

I generally bring $300-500 in cash to get started and travellers cheques for the balance. Works great, I have enough cash to enjoy myself for a few days, not that cashing the cheques is any problem either.

Thank you so much everyone! Where is the most affordable place in town to exchange cash?

no need to exchange cash, if you are bringing US greenbacks. Accepted everywhere!

Your change will be given to you in either BZ or a combo of US & BZ.

Please Don't take this the wrong way.

I am bringing some supplies for the local schools that somebody posted are in dire need. While making a list I was wondering what might be a good thing to bring to AC to trade for local goods? What do people want down there(besides $$$) that would be good to swap for say a snorkel trip or a local painting, etc. I would just like to know that some things that "I" take for granted in the states might not be available there like a dive watch, women's makeup, sunglasses, or a Nike hat, etc due to duties or taffifs being outrageous on certain goods. When I was in barbados people wanted to buy my wife's bathing suit because they cost so much due to taxes. Just wondering.

Bigshot,

I thought you said you had been to Ambergris Caye before. If you have, you know that just about anything available in the U.S. is available in Belize, if not in San Pedro then in Belize City or Chetumal. True, some items cost more due to import duties and transportation costs, but I'd say 99% of local residents would prefer cash over trinkets, and some Sanpedranos are wealthy enough to buy and sell the average tourist several times over.

--Lan Sluder

Good answer, Lan!

Never been before was scheduled to go but the hurricane hit in fall/2001. When I was in Jaco last year a woman from my home town told me she would kill for red licorice....can't get it in Costa Rica. That was basically what I was geting at, was not trying to swindle a dive trip for a fake Rolex.

Well, things like the most recent Sunday New York Times or a rare bottle of single-malt Scotch or a McDonald's cheeseburger or a dozen bagels from Queens are the kinds of things expats (mostly) miss, but the typical snorkel tour guide would want cash.

--Lan Sluder

White castle cheeseburgers! (anyone know TV Tom??!!)

Barbara, how are you? Last I saw TV Tom he was doing OK, I guess you know he had a healthproblem.As far as money goes, all Belize Bank locations and I think most others as well now have ATMs that will except foreign credit cards AND money master cards. By far the cheapest and safest way to go. Look up Belize Bank on-line and see if they have a MAC machine in Placencia. I don't know when you are going, but BIG Punta Rock festival in Placencia May 1!

Lan,
Those of us who "crave" McDonalds now just need to catch a quick flight and taxi ride to Chetumal. They have a HUGE McDonalds! Also a beautiful brand new 10 movie theatre, and YEAH---a Wal-Mart on the way!!!!!!!!! Now, if they could just get an Arby's, Olive Garden, Home Depot, and a Dillards..... oh, and a Piggly Wiggly would be nice too!
I don't mind having to go that far, as I don't want to spoil Belize, but I sure so love having it close by.
(Note: I don't have the McDonalds cravings, but I did miss a Subway.... now, there is one in Belize City.)
Cheerz,
Vicki

I like the fact that Belize is still unchained in regard to Mickey D and the Starbucks goddess, among others. However, when traveling in the States, I will stop and get two $1 double cheeseburgers and a glass of water, because I can't imagine that they don't lose money off of me if I do that.

I don't think that anyone directly mentioned that there will usually be a 5% charge on the use of a credit card for merchandise or services and you can get a marginally better rate of exchange at any bank. The locals know that and that is why you are most likely to get change in Belizean currency.

Ok....I am bringing an 8 pack of White's(w/cheese of course)......those who know the smell will come from miles away like sleepwalkers in the night.......hahahahahahah

We have no ATMs in Placencia that will accept international credit cards. (At least not yet, although two are promised, 1 by Scotia Bank, 1 by Atlantic Bank - not Belize Bank here.)

If you plan to use credit cards, bring a Visa. About 3 months ago, MasterCard imposed a $0 floor limit on ALL Belize businesses. Therefore, smaller businesses that don't have electronic credit card machines will NOT accept MasterCards after business hours (they can't call and get an authorization code).

Traveler's checks are fine, but PLEASE, don't fill in the name of the merchant or the date! If you do, the merchant will have to deposit the traveler's check in the bank, and the banks hold them for 40 days before actually depositing the money in the merchant's account. If you leave the date and payee blank, the traveler's checks can be used as cash.

You might want to check out our Dis 'N Dat page for more info about Placencia, its banks, tours, food, customs, etc. http://www.destinationsbelize.com/dis_n_da.htm

Have fun!

Mary Destinations Belize

Mary - your Dis N Dat page for Placencia is wonderful! Tons of great information - can't wait to get there! We'll be in Placencia around the middle of June for a week or so, and we'll probably get a chance to try most of the restaurants you suggested, as well as the vendors. Loved the food sections, as well as the "where to get it" info. Also really appreciated the warnings about illegal lobsters and the issues with shrimp farming - Will avoid lobsters other than from co-op, and I can certainly get shrimp a lot of other places! Thanks again - Sharon

I brought 20 $2 bills u.s. to give out or trade for belikins. I wrote on them " keep this and you will never be broke" and signed them "Danny". They seemed to go over good with the locals.

G'morning Mary,

Just wanted to tell you that you have one of the nicest web sites! We're actually going to San Pedro in two days and I've done lots of surfing checking things out. I can honestly say that of all the "places" I've visited on-line, yours is the most personal. Just like sitting down in your best friends kitchen and sharing stories over a cup of coffee.

great site!

Great site.

Bill Thornton, you need to read on this site.
"Hints on driving thru Mexico", good info.

Thanks to all of you for the compliments on our Website. It's taking more and more time, as Placencia gets more and more busy, so it's good to know that people enjoy it and/or find it helpful.

Thanks again!

Mary