How to Prepare for Your Tour With Alvin
Welcome. If you’re reading this, it means your journey to Belize is already unfolding — and I’m honored to be part of it.
Whether we’re meeting at the airport, the border, or deep in the jungle, this page is here to help you prepare emotionally, practically, and culturally.
Let’s walk through it together.
✈️ Transportation: Getting Here & Getting Picked Up
Whether you’re flying into Belize or crossing a land border, I can help with door-to-door transfers. Just let me know:
- Where you’re arriving (airport, border, or water taxi)
- What time you land or cross
- Where you’re staying (hotel, lodge, guesthouse)
Airport & City Transfers
From the Belize International Airport (BZE) or water taxi in Belize City, I offer safe, private transfers to:
- San Ignacio
- Hopkins
- Placencia
Border Pickups
Coming in from Guatemala or Mexico? I meet guests at:
- Western Border (near Benque, from Tikal/Flores)
- Northern Border (from Bacalar, Chetumal, or Cancun)
🔗 [See my Cancun to Belize Guide]
🔗 [Tikal to Belize Route Info]
Let me know how you’re arriving, and I’ll meet you with a smile and a plan.
🧾 What I’ll Need Before You Arrive
To ensure a smooth and personal experience, I’ll ask for:
- Arrival details (time, method, and location)
- Accommodation info (where you’re staying)
- Who’s coming (names, ages, especially kids or seniors)
- Any dietary restrictions or allergies
- Mobility or accessibility needs
This lets me personalize the experience for your group.
🎒 What to Pack (Based on Belize’s Seasons)
Belize is tropical — but not one-size-fits-all. Here’s a quick guide:
Dry Season (Feb–May):
- Light, breathable clothing
- Sunglasses, sunblock, and a hat
- River/swimwear for caves or waterfalls
Rainy Season (June–Nov):
- Extra socks (things take longer to dry)
- Light poncho or rain jacket
- Bug spray (especially for the jungle)
- Backup shoes/sandals for muddy trails
🧭 Tip: Pack light — laundry services are available in most towns.
🔗 [Belize Month-by-Month Weather Guide]
💵 Money, Tipping & ATMs
- Belize accepts both USD and BZD
- Bring small bills ($5s, $10s, $20s) — handy for roadside stops
- ATMs are in San Ignacio, Belize City, and Placencia
- Credit cards work in most towns but may not in remote areas
💡 Tipping is appreciated but not required. For tours, $5–$10 USD per person is common.
📶 Wi-Fi, Phones & Staying Connected
- Wi-Fi is decent in towns, limited in jungle areas
- Belize uses WhatsApp — it’s how we stay in touch
- SIM cards are cheap at the airport (DIGI or SMART)
🔌 Don’t forget: Belize uses 110v plugs (same as the US).
🛂 Border Crossings & Fees
If you’re arriving overland:
- Expect to pay small entry/exit fees in cash (USD or BZD)
- Guatemala and Mexico may charge exit taxes — I’ll guide you
Tip: Have at least $20 USD in small bills ready if crossing a border.
🔗 [Tikal Border Tips]
🔗 [Northern Route Planning]
🤝 Cultural Tips: Walking With Respect
Belize is warm, friendly, and deeply diverse. A few tips:
- Greet people — “Good morning” goes a long way.
- Remove shoes if entering a home or sacred site
- Ask before taking photos of elders or spiritual ceremonies
- Respect Maya sites as places of memory, not just ruins
🔗 [How to Walk With Respect in Belize — Full Guide Coming Soon]
🧴 Health & Safety
- Most restaurants use purified water
- Ask about tap water at your stay — it varies
- Jungle tours include filtered or bottled water
- Bug spray is essential during the rainy season
💊 Bring any medications you need — pharmacies are available but vary by town.
🛡️ Travel Insurance
Not required, but wise — especially if your trip includes:
- ATM Cave
- Diving/snorkeling
- Cross-border travel
- Domestic flights or boat rides
Ask your provider if they cover Belize.
🌿 Mindset: What to Expect Emotionally
Belize moves on river time — and that’s part of the experience. Delays happen. Nature leads.
“This tour changed me. I thought I was coming for an adventure — but I left with something deeper.”
Expect the unexpected. Embrace the silence between jungle sounds. Ask questions. Laugh. Let go.
Walk with me. I’ll show you my Belize.
💡 Budget Beliefs and Real Belize Truths
People often ask: “Why is this so cheap? Is it safe?” or “Can I do the beach and the ruins? Or do I have to choose?”
Let’s clear the fog:
💸 Why Belize’s Low Prices Can Feel Confusing
In the off-season (July–October), prices drop. That’s not a red flag — that’s just the rhythm of the land.
Rain nourishes the forest, the crowds ease, and Belize’s wild side breathes deeper. Accommodations and tours become more flexible — but the quality stays personal.
The discount is not on safety — it’s on scale.
🌊🏛️ Reef and Ruins? You Can Do Both.
Belize is compact, rich, and real. Unlike other places, you don’t have to choose between:
Snorkeling Hol Chan or climbing Xunantunich
Lounging on Caye Caulker or hiking a jungle trail
Swimming in a waterfall or diving the Blue Hole
You can do it all — sometimes in the same day.
With a guide like me, your transfers are easy. Your time is used well. And your experience is never one-size-fits-all.
I built Belize With Alvin so you wouldn’t have to choose. You can have both the sea and the stone.
🗺️ Questions?
You can always email me at [email protected] or message on WhatsApp.
🔗 [Start Planning Your Tour]
🔗 [Recommended Places to Stay]
🔗 [Things to Do in Belize]
See you soon.
