Belize Travel Forum

I was just wondering if I can use my bank issued mastercard debit card in place of using a regular credit card or carrying cash. Should be ok, right?

on what sort of transactions? belize isn't the easiest place to use any sort of card. bigger towns have ATMs which sometimes work.

but if your debit card is associated with a mastercard, then it works exactly the same as a regular mastercard. the person making the charge sees no difference whatshoever.

ATMs are usually pretty reliable, but some restaurants and lodges who don't have land lines will use the old-fashioned credit card machines (rather than electronic swipe machines), and for those you will need to have raised numbers on your card.

Thanks guys! I figured I would be able to use my debit card just like a credit card, I just didn't want to get there and find out otherwise. Do you recommend using cash for most things? How much cash should I expect to carry? Typically what can one expect to spend per day on food and such. Lodgings haven't been arranged yet, but I'm guessing most of those places will accept the debit/credit card.

Hi Layla

As a general guide, I'd say budget lodgings probably won't accept credit/debit cards (merchant account charges are hefty in Belize), while larger or more expensive places will. You might also find some places try to add on an extra fee for using cards (I've heard stories of up to 7%), but as I understand it this is only allowable if they advertise it as such.

Carrying cash? It really depends on your budget, your location, and how long until you hit the next ATM or bank facility. ToucanTrail.com has details of accommodation under US$60 per night, and the main Tourism Board www.travelbelize.org website lists all registered accommodation. We can get a great market breakfast down south in Punta Gorda for BZ$5, a good rice'n'beans lunch for BZ$10 and a nice shrimp dinner with a few beers or rum for BZ$20 - BZ$25, and you can get cheaper than that (fry chicken and fries BZ$5). I imagine somewhere like San Pedro you would be talking much higher prices though...

Try to keep smaller bills - change is sometimes a problem, so definitely skip those US$100 bills!

Thank you hickatee. Finally making some arrangements on this end. Arriving May 14 - leaving on the 25. I'm so excited!