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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 16
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So I was wondering if it was easy to access ATM's or if credit cards were acceptable everywhere. I know this is probably a crazy question but I just got back from Russia and had lots of problems... I don't want to take anything for granted.
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,054
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Don't count on using your ATM card in Belize. The banks do have ATM machines at some locations, but most don't accept foreign-issued cards (Barclays and ScotiaBank ATMs do accept foreign cards ... sometimes). Credit cards are accepted at nearly all hotels and many restaurants and shops. In some cases there is a surcharge (typically 5%) for credit card use, however. You can get a cash advance on your bank card at most banks in Belize, for a small fee (plus whatever your bank charges). --Lan Sluder Belize First Magazine http://www.belizefirst.com/
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 79
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We ate at most of the "popular" restaurants and paid with credit cards and didn't see any service charges. I think you said you were staying at Ramon's right? We stayed there and charged everything (bar & rest. tabs) to the room and settled up when we checked out. No extra charges. Nice clear tally of transactions on the final bill. They made it very easy and "thought free". Thats what vacations are all about!
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,054
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To clarify on the credit cards, it's not a service charge, it's a SURCHARGE. By my estimate, about one-third of Belize hotels and tourist-oriented restaurants do impose a surcharge. It ranges from 2% to 10% but is usually 5%. In the past, nearly all businesses in Belize honoring credit cards imposed a surcharge. Now it's less common, but it's still a practice that some places, especially the smaller and less successful ones, do follow. On Ambergris, only a handful of restaurants impose it, and a few hotels do. It's more common on the mainland.
--Lan Sluder
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 165
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While in Belize recently I tried to use my visa card, which I have had for 15 years and have used in foreign countries before, but this time it was declined by Visa. Reason: Unusual activity on my card. Ask how mad I was about that. I called Visa and they said I should have notified them that I was going out of the country and would be using my card. So now I'm shopping around for another card so I can cut up this one. So, a forewarning- hopefully this hasn't happened to anyone else.
Karen Pasquariello
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 105
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Karen I think your VISA provider was trying to do you a favour and you missed it..Credit card theft is REAL! I always call before I take off, They are happy to put a note on your account to the effect that you will be traveling out of the country. They are just trying to cover their rear (and yours) in case of theft. Just be sure to take you provider"s phone## with you so you can report loss or theft asap,and Charge On!! Almost got mine paid off..... time to go back again.
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,054
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Karen,
I agree -- that's not how you'd like to have your bank card handle things. They weren't protecting you -- they were just trying to protect themselves, and they didn't have your interests in mind at all. The only time this has happened to me is with a Providian Bank card -- that's a bank that has had some run ins with state attorneys general, and I quickly dropped the card.
I've never had any problem with American Express, which I've had for 25 years. I think Amex is a little more sophisticated about international credit card use than are some banks.
Just to be on the safe side, it probably does make sense to tell your card issuer you are planning to be out of the country and may be making unusual purchases.
--Lan Sluder
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 381
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I have to agree with Deano. Although it can be somewhat embarrassing when my card is not approved or message says to call Visa for approval I appreciate the fact that they noticed activity that was different.
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 7,059
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I agree, this is a good thing. My credit card provider, calls me immediately to check if I have made charges out of my area, sometimes while I am still on the phone booking my vacation, that is being prepaid. I appreciate this, sure prevents alot of hassle later. Funny they have been quicker to call on charges in Florida than in Belize. LOL They seem to accept Belize as my area now. LOL
Dare To Deviate
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 170
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Someone I work with wasn't aware that his wallet had been stolen that morning until he got a call from Visa mid-morning asking if he was trying to buy $4000 worth of jewelry by way of a pay phone! I commend them for noticing and acting so quickly. His Master Card wasn't so on the ball, and the $4000 was charged on that one.
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