Belize Packing List

SUGGESTED PACKING LIST: BELIZE

___ Passport
___ Malaria medication review at More Info page.
___ COVID-19 vaccination Card or a Digital  Record 
___ COVID-19 Test Kit, 2 are recommended
___ Rain gear (durable, not a flimsy thin plastic style–bring both a top and bottom)
___ 1-2 Bathing suits
___ 4-5 T-Shirts (at least two that are loose fitting short sleeved t-shirts)
___ 2 Long-sleeved shirts (quick dry and light weight; cotton is ok)
___ 3-4 Pairs of shorts (quick dry and light weight )
___ 2 Pairs of lightweight long pants (leggings are good for sunburn prevention & surgical scrubs are  great in the jungle)
___ 1 lightweight sweatshirt, sweater or capilene/fleece long sleeve shirt
___ 1 Pair of hiking shoes (either a sturdy tennis shoe or hiking boot )
___ 1 Pair of old tennis shoes, Aqua socks/ surf bootys or sandals with a back strap for support — any style is fine but they will get wet;
we don’t recommend crocs as they offer little support;  Some clients like Keens (such as the Newport H2) that provide toe protection
___ 2 Pairs of socks (for hiking and to use with fins if needed)
___ 1 Flannel sheet or sleeping bag liner
___ 1 small bath towel (sarongs are nice to have instead of bulky beach towels or “camp towels” found  at sporting good stores
___ Bandana (very versatile item; can be worn as a “do rag” among other things) or Buffs for head and neck ware sun protection~ You will receive a Blue Water Ventures Blue Rag “Buff”
___ Toiletries (toothbrush, paste, lotions, aloe, etc,)
___ Sunscreen ( 20 or higher strength) & lip balm with sunscreen,  review Coral Safe   and   Coral Safe Sunscreen Guide
___ Good body lotion
___ Sunglasses with leash
___ Hat with visor or wide rim
___ Small Dry Bag to protect personal gear such as cameras, extra clothing and binoculars while kayaking
___ Insect repellent–we like Lemon Eucalyptus by Repel, an effective non toxic alternative to DEET,  others prefer the use of DEET. Avon Skin so Soft Bug Guard if we encounter no see ums /sand gnats.
___ Anti- itch cream (i.e. benadryl) – for insect bites
___ Baby powder--great for removing sand from feet
___ Personal medicines ( anti diarrhea, bandaids, neosporine, pain reliever)
___ Joy dishwashing soap for laundry and bathing (Joy, Dawn and CampSuds are biodegradable; Dr. Brommer’s is not recommended`does not suds up well)
___  Compact Day pack lined on the inside with a garbage bag or dry bag
___ Quart size water bottle, non disposable
___ Duffel bag for your clothing and other personal gear — lined on the inside with a garbage bag to waterproof, rollers ok but hard to roll in sand on island, wheel barrel available for use.
___ Mask fins & snorkel – check with a local dive shop for proper fit or you may rent at Glovers Atoll. we recommend bringing your own mask/snorkel for best fit. Full Face masks are not permitted on our programs.                     Please read further details on our More Info page.
___ 3 Garbage bags & 4 1 gallon ziplocs for organizing stuff
___ Flashlight or head lamp and extra batteries
___ Clothes pins and line
___ 1/2 roll of toilet paper stored in ziploc or small waterproof bag.
____Face masks and personal hand sanitizer
___ Clothes to travel home in, causal clothing for dining at restaurants

OPTIONAL GEAR:

___ Small Dry Bag to protect personal gear such as cameras, extra clothing and binoculars while kayaking
___ Fishing gear- compact
___ Paddling gloves 
___ Lightweight Pajamas
___ Leggings are great for  sunburn and reef protection, For fun ocean designs where 10%  of proceeds are donated to ocean conservation or  research go to: Waterlust
___ Extra camera batteries, memory card and charger
___ Camera/film — review at More Info page  Our guides and clients like  the    Gopro  or Olympus Tough Waterproof Series  
___ Portable Solar charger
___ Your Favorite Adult Beverage (adult trips only) can be purchased in Belize
___ Preferred Tea or instant Starbuck Coffee packages to add additional strength to coffee provided on trip
___ Carabiners- for attaching items to kayaks or hanging clothes around camp
___ Binoculars-pack both camera and binoculars in dry bag
___ Journal with pens or colored pens/ watercolor set
___ Rash Guard Shirt-for added warmth in water and/or sun protection
___ 1 Pair of flip flops
___ Ear plugs
___ Waterproof flashlight or dive light, we will provide lights for possible night dive
___ 1 Sarong
___ Personal stash of  snacks-chocolate may melt in Belize
___ Small Dry Box (i.e. Pelican boxes) to organize and waterproof miscellaneous items such as camera, sunscreen

Sea Sickness Medication: If you are prone to sea sickness, we highly recommend bringing some form of prevention. Medications such as Bonine or Dramamine are usually effective although drowsiness or thirst can be a side effect. Many clients have been very happy with Scopalimine patches that requires a prescription. Your local pharmacist or physician can advise you.  Many health food stores will recommend herbal remedies  such as Motionease for sea sick prevention and we have found this brand quite effective. In the past, several clients have successfully used “sea bands” which employ a pressure point on the wrists rather than medication. Sea Bands have no side effects and can be purchased at most dive shops or some drug stores.

LOST LUGGAGE: Just in case your luggage is misplaced during airplane transfers, pack the following in a carry on bag: mask & snorkel, 1 pair of shorts, 1 t-shirt, bathing
suit, 1 long sleeve shirt, 1 pair of pants, camera, sunscreen, essential toiletries and personal medications.

SUGGESTED READING LIST FOR BELIZE

BELIZE: GENERAL: INFORMATION
Belize: a Natural Destination — Richard Mahler & Steele Wotkyn
Belize and Northern Guatemala–Les Beletsky
The South American Handbook (Belize section)
Belize, Guatemala and Yucatan: The Lonely Planet Guide

NATURAL HISTORY
Coral Reef Fishes — Joseph Stokes
The Seaside Naturalist — Deborah A. Coulombe
The Marine Biology Coloring Book— Thomas M. Niesen
A Field Guide to The Coral Reefs of the Caribbean and Florida — Eugene Kaplan
The Neotropical Companion — John C. Kricher
Tropical Naturalist — Adrian Forsyth & Ken Miyata A Belizean Rainforest— Robert H. Horwich
Jaguar — Alan Rabinowitz
Mexican Birds— Roger Tory Peterson

CULTURAL HISTORY
The Heart Of The Sky (Travels Among the Maya) — Peter Canley Sastun
My apprenticeship with a Maya Healer  Rosita Arvigo
13 Chapters of A History of Belize— Assad Shoman
“Ritual and resources: The Garifuna dugu” — Carol Jenkins, in American Ethnologist 1983.

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