FAQ

Question 1

Passport, visa & entry requirements

Accepted Answer

* In order to enter Belize (and Guatemala on the tour extension), U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
* We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
* There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
* If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
* You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to **[goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements](/entry-requirements?tourCode=BEL)** and searching the code BEL.

Question 2

Tour pacing & mobility

Accepted Answer

* You will walk for at least 2.5 hours daily over moderately uneven terrain including paved roads, grass, and sand with some hills and stairs.
* Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
* You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times, as well as getting in and out of boats and ferries.
* Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
* If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Question 3

Transportation & arrival information

Accepted Answer

- Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in and depart from Belize City. A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
- TTransfers to and from the airport at the beginning and end of the tour are included for travelers who purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who booked their own flights are responsible for securing their own airport transfers.
- Boat rides to the Lamanai Mayan ruins, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Coral Gardens, and the Xunantunich Mayan ruins, as well as a round-trip ferry from Belize City to Ambergris Caye, are included in the price of your tour.
- All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.

Question 4

Baggage allowance

Accepted Answer

* Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include boats and ferries.
* Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
* Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
* Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.

Question 5

Clothing & packing tips

Accepted Answer

* We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
* A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
* Waterproof shoes or sandals, a swimsuit, sunscreen, and insect repellent are recommended for daily activities.
* Binoculars are handy for a closer look at local wildlife and scenery.
* A small bottle of hand sanitizer may be helpful when other facilities are not readily available while on the road.
* You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.

Question 6

Health

Accepted Answer

* At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at **cdc.gov**.
* Take proper care with sun exposure, as the sun can be especially strong in this region.
* Drink bottled water only. Refrain from ingesting tap water, including when brushing your teeth.
* Avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables unless they’re cooked or washed in clean water and peeled.
* Travelers prone to seasickness should note that this tour includes several boat transfers.
* There are inherent risks associated with water activities, particularly for those with pre-existing medical conditions. Discuss your planned activities with your doctor or healthcare provider for the best advice on participation.
* If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
* If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
* You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to **[goaheadtours.com/entry-requirement](/entry-requirements?tourCode=BEL)**[s](/entry-requirements?tourCode=BEL) and searching the code BEL.

Question 7

Cuisine

Accepted Answer

* Belize’s culinary influences derive from Spanish, Mexican, African, Caribbean, and Mayan cultures. While staples such as rice, beans, corn, and fruit are involved in nearly every meal, seafood is the shining star. Lobster, shrimp, and fish can be found on most menus. Local fruits like pineapples, mangos, and melons are abundant and fresh. For dessert, you’re likely to find favorites like bread pudding and flan.
* Guatemalan cuisine, on the tour extension, is inspired by both Mayan and Spanish traditions. Most meals are centered around staples such as rice and beans or stews and seasoned meats. Don’t miss the *tamales*, dough filled with meat or fruits and wrapped in green *maxan* leaves. Traditional treats include *arroz con leche*, *tres leches* cakes, and locally grown fruits, such as mango, papaya, banana, and avocado. Coffee lovers will want to sample Guatemala’s world-class brew.

Question 8

Electricity & air conditioning

Accepted Answer

* Belize operates on 110-120 volts and uses Types A, B, or G plugs with two flat pins, two flat pins and one round pin or three flat pins, respectively.
* Guatemala (on the tour extension) operates on 120 volts and uses Types A or B plugs with two flat pins, or two flat pins and one round pin, respectively.
* We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
* The strength of the air conditioning in Central American hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
* Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Question 9

Connectivity

Accepted Answer

* Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
* There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
* Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Question 10

Time zones

Accepted Answer

* Belize (and Guatemala on the tour extension) are six hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and one hour behind Eastern Time (ET). These countries do not observe Daylight Saving Time.
* When it’s noon in New York City, it’s 11am on tour from November through March and 10am from April through October.

Question 11

Currency

Accepted Answer

* You will use the Belize dollar in Belize (and the Guatemalan quetzal in Guatemala on the tour extension).
* Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
* We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
* You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
* Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
* International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.

Question 12

Tipping

Accepted Answer

* At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency or USD. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
* We recommend tipping the equivalent of $10USD to $12USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
* If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
* Tips can only be paid in cash.

Question 13

Purchasing excursions on tour

Accepted Answer

* Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour.
* Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for excursions.
* Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
* Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information.
* International travel is, by its very nature, unpredictable. We must therefore reserve the right to change this itinerary, without advance notice, to meet with local conditions at the time of travel. We appreciate your understanding. Please refer to our website for Terms & Conditions, dates, and prices.

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Hotels

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FAQ