San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize

BELIZE MISSION TRIP

ARRIVAL INFORMATION

Arrivalinfo - Revised 7/15/07

Once you are on the airplane bound for Belize, each member of your group will receive two forms:  an Immigration Form and a Customs Declaration.

1) Immigration Form – Everyone fills out an Immigration Form.  Where it asks, “Reason for Visiting Belize” – answer is “Pleasure”.  Address in Belize is: (Name of your Hotel), San Pedro, and Ambergris Caye.   If the Official asks why you are in Belize, your answer is “I’m with the Anglican Diocese of Belize and will be volunteering at Holy Cross Anglican Primary School in San Pedro”.

2) Customs Declaration – Fill out one per family.  You have nothing to declare.  Your personal items are not counted when filling out “Amount of Goods Brought into Belize”.

When you land in Belize, you’ll walk across the tarmac into the arrival building.   You will enter the building (there is a bathroom if needed) and line up for Immigration.  Have your passport and Immigration Form ready.

Once your passport is stamped, you will walk straight forward to baggage claim.  Put your passport up!  Keep your group together until everyone has their bags.  COUNT BAGS – including carry on items!!!  It’s incredibly easy to leave a bag in the airport, which causes all sorts of problems.

When everyone is ready, go to the “Nothing to Declare” Customs line – have your Custom forms ready.  Even if you are bringing donated items for the Anglican Schools, go through the “Nothing to Declare” line.  All visitors are allowed two suitcases and one carry on and very few bags are checked.  If your bags are checked just tell them that you are bringing donated items.  If they want to charge custom fees, it is usually a nominal amount.

You will NOT be arrested or detained for bringing donated items to the school- worst possible scenario, you pay a small Custom’s fee or you just leave everything with the Custom’s Official and the Diocese will handle the matter.

You will not be able to take the little luggage carts past Customs but there are airport porters (they are wonderful) who will help with your bags.  They expect a tip of at least $2US dollar per bag and are a big help in transferring luggage either to the vans if you are taking the Water Taxi to San Pedro or to the Maya Island Air check in counter it you are flying to San Pedro. Well worth the small cost!

Once cleared through Customs (it’s really easy and there is no expectation of a bribe – smile) you will do one of the following:

1) If you are taking the water taxi to San Pedro, just go straight outside.  Look for Philip Elliott; president of the Belize Tour Guide Association and a good friend of the Anglican Diocese who will take you to the water taxi in Belize City. His phone number is Belize is: 601-2162 or from the States: 011-501-601-2162;

OR

2) If you are flying to San Pedro go back into the terminal to the Maya Island Air counter. You will check your bags and go through Airport Security. Exit tax to San Pedro is 75 cents US – its helpful to have exact change.

Either way, I will meet your group in San Pedro!!! Safe travels!! My phone number is 610-3421 or from the States 011-501-610-3421