Will any take AC ATMs US cards?
If so, what is the local ATM service charge?
After traveling the world using an ATM, we really don't want to bring traveler's checks and hassle with that.

There are a couple of ATMs on AC. I believe one is in town at the Belize Bank (not sure if that is the correct name). They take US cards and the money you receive is Belize not American. I don't recall if there was a service charge but if there was it couldn't have been all that much because if it was, I would have recalled it.

Bring US cash in denominations of $20 and under. Travelers cheques can be used, but cash is always easier.

Enjoy!

I used my ATM at the Bank in town (don't remember name.) I was shocked and pleased to note that they don't have a service charge.

For what it's worth, we were there in September and used our BofA ATM card. There is only one bank in downtown San Pedro that will take American ATM cards 24 hours a day. The max we could withdraw was $500 BZ ($250 US)per day. When I got home my bank statement showed withdrawals of $254.73, reflecting a service charge of $4.73,or $8.46 BZ, plus BofA charged $3 for using a non BofA ATM.

Another boarder tried to correct me last time I posted this info to say the daily max was $300 US, but we tried several times and could not withdraw more than $250. Maybe a BofA issue, maybe the difference between an ATM Card and a credit card.

We had no problems using traveller's checks - they spent just like cash everywhere from shops to the island water taxi terminal to our hotel.

"Bring US cash in denominations of $20 and under. Travelers cheques can be used, but cash is always easier."

This is bad advice!!! bring some cash, mostly Travelers cheques, your ATM card and credit cards.

It's far better to have $2000.00 worth of Travelers cheques stolen than $2000.00 cash!!!

Joe

Some of us have problems with travelers' cheques, though. I've got horrible handwriting, and my signature is illegible. Thinking I was being smart, I purchased some cheques in the states and signed my name very neatly so it would be recognizable. Problem was, when I was down there and had to sign my name the second time, I could never make it match up to my first, since it wasn't my usual sloppy signature! I even had a dive shop call me the next morning and make me pay them with cash because they were unable to cash my cheque!

However, for those of you whose handwriting surpasses an 8 year old's proficiency, I suppose you won't have as big a problem as I did

Personally, I was pleasantly surprised with the situation there. I have not gotten my Mastercard bill yet, though. I travel abroad every year, and have not used Travelers Cheques in many years. I always bring some "just in case". I usually use my ATM, and pay the withdrawl fee at home (but get the bank exchange rate for the day), and use my credit card whenever possible (same good rate). Not in Belize. I brought Travelers Cheques (20's), and found it pretty cheap overall. Used my Mastercard to book a few nights in a couple hotels over the internet, used it again to pay for a couple other unplannned nights while there, and used TC's otherwise, taking local $ in change. They always took the TC (and my signature is terribly childish), never charged a service charge, and always got the usual 2:1 exchange rate. Also, never once used an ATM.

When there last Feb. we took mostly traveler's checks and would just go to Milo's Money Exchange on Pescador Drive when the cash ran low. At the end of the trip we went in w/Belize money and they exchanged it for American. Was great for us, doing it that way again in Jan. 80 days and counting down!
Coco

Our hotel (Xanadu) was happy to cash travelers checks whenever we needed.