What to Pack for Belize: Essential Items and Tips

Making it even easier to pack for Belize, is our packing list with the essential items, taking into account the many, varied activities available, with some important travel tips thrown in too. 

Clothing and Other Personal Items

While specific clothing can vary, Belize travel generally requires lightweight, activity-oriented items for warm weather. Cotton is a classic choice for its ability to absorb sweat but clothing made from hemp also provides excellent moisture absorption and breathability. Flip flops or sandals are sure to come in handy but you’ll also want water shoes and perhaps water-resistant hiking shoes if you plan to hike in the jungle. Bring at least two bathing suits so that you have one that’s dry when the other is wet.

Note: If you’re aiming for carry-on only (and even if you aren’t) packing cubes are a great way to compress your belongings so that you can take more while preventing wrinkles. 

The general basics include:

• Casual t-shirts
• Tank tops
• Long-sleeve shirt for jungle hikes and sun protection
• Nicer shirt or blouse for dining at upscale restaurants
• Shorts and/or skirts 
• Sundresses
• Quick dry pants (you’ll want to keep your legs covered for jungle hikes)
• Bathing suit
• Long-sleeved rashguard (a must if you’re planning on snorkeling, diving, or other watersports due to the intense sun)
• Lightweight waterproof jacket in case of rain showers
• Socks (avoid socks made from polyester and other synthetic materials as they trap moisture and heat)
• Underwear
• Flip flops or sandals
• Water resistant hiking shoes for jungle hiking 
• Water shoes
• Toiletries such as shampoo and conditioner
• Prescription and/or over-the-counter medications
• Sun Hat
• Sunscreen

Sun & Insect Protection

Sun protection is important in Belize due to the strong sun near the equator which means you can burn more easily. When it comes to sunscreen, it’s a must to use something that’s safe for the coral reefs as certain chemicals can damage them. Look for sunscreen that is  labeled “reef safe.” These contain titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, with an SPF that uses physical UVA and UVB filters. In addition to sunscreen, you’ll want a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. 

Bringing insect repellent that contains 20% Picaridin is a good idea as it’s considered effective for mosquitos and other biting insects while being relatively safe for the skin. You’ll want a lotion rather than bug spray as it’s considered a hazardous material due to its flammable properties and banned by the FAA on aircraft. Mosquitos are more active just after a heavy rain and around dawn and dusk. Generally, there are more mosquitos during the peak of summer, the wet season, so you may need more if you plan to visit then. When the rain stops in December, most disappear until the rains returns.

Electronics & Accessories

Electronics aren’t a must for your trip to Belize but most visitors bring their cell phones. Don’t forget the charging cords, and you may want a power bank which can be especially handy for those long days in the outdoors. If you plan on bringing a camera, you’ll need the charger for that and perhaps extra memory cards and backup batteries. When snorkeling and diving, if you want to capture photos of the breathtaking underwater world, at minimum, you’ll need a waterproof phone case. GoPros, or GoPro-like cameras are popular for underwater photography and will also require a charger and memory card. 

A few of the other electronics and accessories to consider include:

• Headphones (ideal for your flights)
• Kindle and charger (also good for a long flight)
• Travel outlet adapters if you’re coming from a location that doesn’t use the standard North American outlets)
• Binoculars (for a closer look at animals and birds)

Critical Items 

If you’re visiting Belize from outside the country, you’ll obviously need a passport to enter. Be sure that it has at least six months of validity beyond your planned departure date and ensure that there is at least one empty page for the entry and exit stamps. No visa is required for citizens of the US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and many other countries unless you plan to stay for longer than 30 days. 

Don’t forget your driver’s license if you plan to rent a car or a golf cart. Credit cards are a must for renting too. Keep in mind that while many shops, bars, and restaurants accept them, some do not and others may require a minimum amount spent. Of the major credit cards, Discover and Amex aren’t often accepted, so you’ll be better off with Mastercard or Visa. You’ll want some cash for tips and small purchases but it’s usually cheaper to get it from an ATM in Belize rather than use a currency exchange venue. 

Travel insurance isn’t mandatory but it is highly recommended as it can provide crucial coverage for a medical emergency, evacuation services, trip delays, cancelations, and more.  

In addition to the originals, it’s a good idea to bring digital and hard copies of your passport, driver’s license, and travel insurance.

Nice to Have

There are some items that aren’t necessities but can be helpful depending on the activities you plan to participate in.

Daypack. A lightweight, packable daypack that you can easily fold up and put into your carry-on or luggage can be great for carrying any items you might need on a hike, on a boat tour, or for a day at the beach. 

Waterproof dry bag. If you want to bring electronic items like a camera, phone, or anything else that can be damaged by water on an excursion, consider bringing a waterproof dry bag that will keep everything protected. 

First-aid kit. You can purchase many medications over-the-counter in Belize but it may be difficult to find items you’re used to at home. Putting together your own first-aid kit, you might include anti-diarrheal medicine, pain relief like Tylenol or Advil, motion sickness relief for boat excursions, antacids, and items for cuts and wounds like Band-aids and gauze.

What to Skip

While you might be tempted to pack a fancy outfit for dinners or going out at night, when it comes to what to wear in Belize, there’s really no need for that. Everything is laid-back, particularly in the Cayes. Often times you can get away with a swimsuit and cover-up. Heeled shoes are a definite no. If you want to dress up a bit for fine dining meals, a sundress or nicer top and skirt for women and a collared shirt with longer shorts for men is perfect. 

Avoid jeans and any denim material as it will make you sweat more in the tropical climate. If you’re thinking about bringing a hairdryer, curling iron, or flat iron, it’s probably not necessary. Due to the humidity, that “perfect” hair will last about five minutes. It’s best to embrace your hair as is, letting it air-dry and perhaps putting it up in a ponytail.