I'm traveling to Belize for a week in December. I think I'm prepared, but I don't want to end up in a thread where people talk about the idiot who didn't bring [whatever].

How would you be equipped to survive? Here are your parameters:

-You plan on hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, etc.

-While outside your hotel, you may carry stuff in a neck bag (or fanny pack) and pockets of cargo pants.

-While inside your hotel, you have whatever you brought on the plane and whatever you bought in Belize.

-You will be traveling with your fiance who is not that survival-minded.

If you are going anywhere near Belize City, arm yourself. Or be very,very careful and know where to go and not to go...

Powerful bug spray - and use it! There are some nasty insects in Central and South America. Don't think sand beaches are immune. My wife is in medicine and she tells a tale of a Belize vacationer who came back with a wound that wouldn't heal. After a bit of treatment (that didn't work), he said "it feels like something is moving around in there". She cut out a huge botfly larva! Yeuch!!!

Most tourists travel in a happy, rose-coloured fog (that includes me sometimes; I'm trying to reform). I'm no expert, but IMO it's not about the stuff you pack, it's about awareness, awareness, awareness ... which is based on research, research, research. Know the players and the program, and common situations that get locals and visitors in trouble; and then start to think about Plan B for these situations. Nothing macho: in the Third World, the best trick is to be someplace else when something bad goes down. My $0.02.

-Wide-brimmed hat
-Sun block - can be purchased in-country.
-Immodium
-Camelbak or portable hydration of some sort.
-Portable water filter - Katadyn or Aquamira, depending on
amount of time "off the beaten path".
-Flashlights - preferably water-resistant, if not -proof.
-Extra batteries for above.
-Camera with extra battery and memory card.
-Water shoes/sandals
-Day pack for towels/swimsuits/etc on excursions.
-Sunglasses

This is what I've got so far.

If you are survival oriented and concerned, you wouldn't travel to Belize.

Believe it or not, bug spray was not on my list, but now it is!



Thank you for the thoughtful response. I failed to think of a wide-brimmed hat and portable water filter. Also, I have a Camelbak but probably would have left it at home had nobody reminded me.



Yes, carrying a self-defense tool is standard for me.

a copy of your birth certificate, shot records if required, and passport printed on waterproof paper in a money belt(this will get you past the nice Marine guarding the consulate)....

contact numbers with the US embassy/consulate
quality LED headlight/batteries with center head strap
quality LED flashlight/batteries for EDC
multitool or small SAK
whistle
compass
water bottle/water purification... Aquamira/Katadyn filters as stated by Ajax or tablets/clorox
chem lights or candle lantern for hotel
small door wedge for hotel
lap top or small portable radio for information
inexpensive cell phone and watch
"throw away" wallet with out of service credit card and minimum amount of money
waterproof map with location of your hotel, US consulate and airport
couple of MRE entrees in case you get stranded at an airport

prescription meds and OTC advil/tylenol/immodium/antacid, 4x4 pads, roll Kerlix, roll cling tape, topical antiseptic (iodine can be used to purify water) cloth band aids, tweezers, couple sheets of paper towels for emergency TP..hand sanitizer

brimmed hat/sunscreen/long sleeved caped nylon shirt/sunglasses/TEVA style sandals to allow your feet to dry

Beware of The Beggars,There are 1000's of them!Don't Eat or Drink Anything,Offered for sale on the Beach,Even on Hotel Property,Unless You happen to know they are Hotel Staff,Don't Converse anymore than is Necessary,You are likely being set-up for something to come!If you are going Snorkeling,Make sure you do it within a Group,Same thing for Kicking it on the Beach,Make sure someone can watch your stuff,Whilst You & Your Lady go Snorkeling,Swimming,Walking in the Water,etc.Find the bathroom's Before,You set foot on the Beach,& Alway's walk with your Lady,For Whatever Reason!Belize Is 3rd World,& VERY CORRUPT,Just Like it's Next Door Neighbor,Guano-Mala!Keep a few $5 bills,Folded individually for Mordida's(Bribes),While this is more common in Guano Mala,The Belizean Police have adapted this practice,& They Can/Will Accoste You,for Merely Spitting Sea Water from your mouth,Whilst walking ashore from a swim!Other than That,& Anything Along those lines,Be Careful,& Don't Get Drunk,There are Eyes Alway's watching for your guard to be Down!Something Like 75% of the Population is & Has Been-Unemployed,For many yrs.!!!This is 1 of those places,Where going Cheap(because,Itineraries are cheap to Belize)Can Drastically Backfire on you! For a Tad bit More,Hawaii Much Mo' Betta'!

I call it "Tourist Pragmatic". Not a lot of survival gear but some stuff that you might blank on. It sounds like you'll be in proximity to a decent hotel so shelter and camping gear seems a bit much.

Couple other things I might add:
-packable ponchos - I don't know when the rainy season is in Belize but they might pay off.
-an Aloksak/otterbox/drybag for your kayak trip.

There are some more good tips, thanks everybody. Here's something funny. I can't find cargo shorts in stores because of the winter season. So, I was going to buy inexpensive cargo pants from Costco, cut them into shorts and then seam the bottoms for neatness. Now, I'm thinking I won't seam the bottoms so that I intentionally look raggedy and poor.

You can get good cargo shorts at Cabelas. The best are their original "7-Pocket Hiker Shorts". They have discontinued these in favor of their new "Hiker II" shots. There are a few oddball sizes of the original on clearance. So if you just happen to be size 30 or size 50 in the waiste you're set. Don't be fooled, the new Hiker II's are far far inferior. They look similar, but gone are the large pockets, pleats and bellows on the pockets, and button closures. I wouldn't buy the new model.

Second best from Cabela's are their "Trail Shorts". These come in either a 5" or a 9" inseam. The 5" are pretty short, but just fine if you were highschool/college age in the 70's. We were used to short shorts back then. The 9" are more in keeping with todays styles though.

I sure hope Cabela's abandons their stupid new Hiker II's and reverts back to the original Hikers.

I thank you for the shorts tip.

I'm currently looking for nylon fishing shirts, shorts and pants with big pockets that dry quickly when wet.

I don't know what your budget is but Rail Riders makes some of the best nylon outdoor gear I've ever seen.

www.railriders.com

If available in the US then the Craghoppers Nosquito Cargo Shorts or Convertible or double convertible trouser might be worth a look.


Craghoppers Convertible Trousers

Long sleeve and short sleeve shirts are also available. Some even have a Bear Grylls moniker on them.

They are pretty good at keeping away biting insects but not so effective at keeping away the kidney thieves and rabid dogs (which no one has yet seemed to mention).

I spent time in Panama with the USA and the weather can be fierce. Very hot and HUMID! A week isn't enough time to adjust so take it easy. Thunder storms can catch you with little notice.Lock any valuables in the hotel safe. Limit what items of value you and your girl friend take into the country. Your going to poverty like you've never seen before.

I would suggest going to the State Dept.'s web site and get the latest info on travel in that region. You can also pre-register with the consulate in Belize so that they will know to look for you if something bad goes down.

The folks at the embassies can be life savers.

You might try REI - they have a lot of these items available

BassPro Shops has a "second" line walled World Wide Sportsmen.. they have nylon (Boca) shorts that wear exceptionally well, as do their caped back long sleeved nylon fishing shirts...DuPont "supplex" is very comfortable and drys quickly.

The first and most important part of any trip to anywhere!

Hepatitis vaccination?

Hit your local used clothing store. They usually have lots of out of season stuff.

I second the recommendation for bug spray. A couple of weeks after my honeymoon to Belize ten years ago, my wife pulled a botfly larvae out of my arm and I pulled a botfly larvae out of her scalp. I'm pretty sure that we acquired the larvae when we stayed in an open air cabana. Lesson learned - do not stay in cabanas even if they are more romantic. Please note that, while disgusting, bot fly larvae are pretty clean and typically do not cause infection. Do not cut the larvae out, you will cause more damage than will occur if you find another way to get them out. The larvae need oxygen, so if you put petroleum jelly over the wound, the larvae will start backing out to get the oxygen.

Think about bringing mosquito netting. Bring a watch or travel alarm clock, none of the hotel rooms (other than the Radisson Fort George in Belize City) where we stayed had clocks. Bring a battery powered lantern. When we visited Tikal (in Guatamala), they turned the generators off shortly after nightfall.

Bring some kind of spices. Damn, the food in Belize was the most boring food ever. Which was amazing given that the food in next door Guatamala was some of the best food ever. Bring soap - again this was not typically provided in hotels.

Try Marie Sharps (local version of Tabasco).

Get some permethrin to pre-treat your clothes from insects. Well worth it. As for nylon clothing, it is extremely uncomfortable in a hot/humid environment. A good choice would be a light, loose fitting cotton shirt and loose fitting cotton/poly trousers. Shorts should not be worn if hiking in the forest/jungle, too many things that stick you, sting you or potentially bite you.

Water bottles are more durable and cheaper than a Camelbak and also easier to use with a water filter. Filter all water.

Look up a doctor or clinic that specializes in travel medicines, they can get you the right immunizations, make the right entries on an international shot record and make other recommendations of a preventative nature for the specific region you are travelling to.

Considered Costa Rica? Could be a bit safer!

On a trip some years ago to Puerto Rico (A U.S. Territory) some of our companions were from US Customs and they were at a beach outside of San Juan and a group of nasties got between them and their gear. They lost weapons, ID and their wallets with pretty much everything else.
Awareness, awareness, awareness. Avoidance as well. Good luck!

Those are good tips, widget. I didn't know that about the nylon clothing. I'll pass then. Plus, I sweat a lot. Cotton/poly should be better.

How about this. Take the usual precautions, carry your usual EDC (with travel restricted exceptions), and ENJOY YOURSELF. Don't get so consumed with preparation that you neglect the adventure. After all, thats what traveling is all about. Have a great trip.

Coming from somebody that lives in the southeast (SC), nylon clothing is not automatically uncomfortable in humid weather. Just because you personally find it uncomfortable doesn't mean that it is to everyone. You should try nylon clothing yourself before just taking somebody's word for it on the internet.
Personally, I like nylon clothing because of how well it wicks away sweat, and tends to help you feel cooler. Cotton is nice, but it gets noticeably heavier when you've soaked your clothes with sweat, and it will not dry in that humid of an environment. If you wear all cotton, you will either be wet all the time, or changing your clothes throughout the day. At the very least, try some of the cotton/poly blends. Either way, try it for yourself, synthetics just bother some people.

second the comments of Speedemon...at 540heat calories/gram of water evaporated, 2 grams evaporated removes >1kcal or 1 food calorie of heat...I find it much easier to control my body temp with nylon or the high tech polypropylenes