Belize Packing List

SUGGESTED PACKING LIST: BELIZE

___ Passport
___ COVID-19 Test Kit, 2 kits are recommended
___ Rain gear (durable, not a flimsy thin plastic style–bring both a top and bottom)
___ 1-2 Bathing suits
___ 3-4 T-Shirts (at least two that are loose fitting short sleeved t-shirts) You will receive a cotton Blue Water Ventures T- Shirt
___ 2 Long-sleeved shirts (quick dry and light weight; cotton is ok).  You may purchase a Blue Water Ventures Quick Dry Shirt,  Day One  while supplies last.
___ 3-4 Pairs of shorts (quick dry and light weight )
___ 2 Pairs of lightweight long pants (surgical scrubs or light weight nylon  are  great in the jungle, save another pair for the island)
___ 1 lightweight sweatshirt, sweater or capilene/fleece long sleeve shirt
___ 1 Pair of hiking shoes (either a sturdy tennis shoe or a light weight hiking boot).  We require a protective shoe (closed toe)  with good tread for some jungle hiking
___ 1 Pair of old tennis shoes, Aqua socks/ surf booties or sandals that are attached with a heel strap that can get wet as we kayak or explore  rivers, crocs are not recommended
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 depending upon the type of fin you wear, fins with a strap need a sock or booty, Neoprene wet socks are an option to consider
___ Bandana or a  Buff  for head and neckware sun protection~ You  will receive a Blue Water Ventures “Buff, we always travel with 2 Buffs.
___ Toiletries (toothbrush, paste, lotions, aloe, etc,)  Shampoo is provided at Isla Marisol Resort only, bring other hair products
___ Sunscreen ( 20 or higher strength) & lip balm with sunscreen,  review Coral Safe   and  Coral Safe Sunscreen Guide  our favorite  new reef safe brand is Blue Lizard Sport  Sensitive mineral sunscreen spray  
___ Good body lotion
___ Sunglasses with leash and preferably polarized
___ 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 Sift 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, neosporin, pain reliever)
__   Laundry Soap ~Our staff likes reef safe products  which could also be used as a Laundry soap  Stream 2 Sea Shampoo, small amount to wash and rinse clothes out in your Cabana
___ Electrolyte Tablets or powder
___ Compact Day pack lined on the inside with a non disposable dry bag or equivalent
___ Quart size water bottle, non disposable
___ Duffel bag or luggage  for your clothing and other personal gear — lined on the inside with non disposable dry bags or nylon cubes  to waterproof and/or organize,  Luggage with wheels are acceptable
___ Mask fins & snorkel – check with a local dive shop for proper fit or you may rent at Glovers Atoll. Recommended  to  bring your own mask/snorkel for best fit. Full Face masks are not permitted on our programs.                                                 Snorkel gear may be rented for $5 per day per item while at Glovers. Please read further details on our More Info page.  
___ a Garbage bag for organizing wet items or better yet a lightweight  non disposable dry bag
___ Flashlight or head lamp and extra batteries
___ Clothes pins and line or Gear Line
___ 1/2 roll of toilet paper stored in a 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

___ 1 small sport towel  or several  cooling towels , our resorts provide bath towels and beach towels are included at Glovers; Cooling towels are nice additions to have while hiking in the jungles of Belize
___ Extra camera batteries, memory card and charger
___ Camera – review at More Info page  Our guides and clients like  the    Gopro  or Olympus Tough Waterproof Series  
___ Portable Solar charger convenient during longer van  transfers,  but our hotels all have standard electrical current
___ Your Favorite Adult Beverage  can be purchased while 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
___ 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, etc

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.

SUGGESTIONS FOR COMFORT:  For added comfort. we suggest bringing some additional seat cushioning and/or back support.  Inflatable seat cushions are affordable and easy to travel with. You may also travel with a cushion design for office chairs or gel cushions that kayakers use.  Keep in mind that what you bring for extra  support may  get wet,  but we have plenty of room to add extra comfort.

LOST LUGGAGE: Just in case your luggage is misplaced during airplane transfers, consider packing  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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