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Frequently Asked Questions

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ABOUT BELIZE:       Back to TopBelize (former British Honduras) is an independent (since 1981) democratic country, Queen Elizabeth II of England is Head of State, who is represented in Belize by a governor-general. The prime minister, is the leader of the party with the largest number of seats in the parliament. English is the official language although most people also speak Spanish, other languages spoken in Belize are Creole, Garifuna and Mayan. English is the language used in school, but teachers may also use Creole or Spanish for the benefit of non-English-speaking children in their first few years at school.Time zone is GMT -6 this means for Western Europe (excluding England) -7, for US and Canada: Central Standard Time. Belize does not have daylight savings time (summer time).

Due to its unique British inheritance and geography in Central America, Belize is considered to be the only Caribbean country in Central America.

SAN PEDRO:       Back to Top

When you arrive at the San Pedro Airstrip, we will be waiting for you, and take you to Fido's Dock (also the home base for Island Ferry), from where our boat takes you to PORTOFINO.

San Pedro (very roughly) consists of three streets, parallel to the beach line and their nicknames are: for the front one (from the beach to the back): Front Street, for the middle one: Middle Street, and for the back one: Back Street. These are not the actual names, but it is easy to remember and everybody knows what you talk about.There are two banks on the Island (Both in Front Street, and almost opposite to each other); Belize Bank (226-2482) and Atlantic Bank (226-2482), and they are open on working days from 8 am till 1 pm (and Atlantic till 2 pm).There is a post office in Front Street across from Atlantic Bank. It is open Monday to Friday 8 am to 12 then 1 to 5 pm.There is an Internet Café in Front street: Coconet just past Fido'sThere are of course many, many Restaurants, Bars, Discotheques and Shops, mainly in Front and Middle Street (Back Street is more residential area and businesses for locals).Getting around in San Pedro: Basically you can do everything on foot, but you can take a taxi (prices in San Pedro from point to point are BZ$ 5) or you can hire a Golf Car.The Island has a road to the south, and one which goes about 2 miles north. PORTOFINO is located exactly 5.9 miles (9.5 km) north (coordinates: N 17° 59.701' - W 87° 55.022'), and transportation to our resort is by boat only. You can take our boat (free of charge), which goes at least two times a day (but usually 3-4 times) to town, or you can take the Island Ferry which goes at least every two hours and in season every hour, or you can take a Water Taxi.

The north of the island is the most beautiful and most peaceful, it is no wonder that you will find most of the nicest resorts and restaurants here and PORTOFINO is one of them!

WEATHER AT AMBERGRIS CAYE:       Back to TopIt is usually windy, which is good with the high humidity above 80%, especially in the summer, when the temperatures are between 77°F and 95°F (25° - 35°C). Winter temperatures (November through March) are between 70°F and 90°F (20°C - 30°C).

August through October is hurricane season, although our region was only hit 3 times during the last century: 1931, 1961 and 2000.

GETTING TO PORTOFINO:       Back to Top

The international airport is located 10 miles northwest of Belize City. Maya Island Air and Tropic Air fly on to Ambergris Caye. PORTOFINO will have water taxi service to take guests from the Ambergris Caye Airport directly to the resort.

GETTING TO BELIZE:       Back to TopGetting to Belize from the US:

- Miami, Florida: American Airlines or TACA (2 hours).
- Dallas, Texas: American Airlines (2 hours).
- Houston, Texas: Continental Airlines or TACA (2 hours).
- Los Angeles, New Orleans and San Francisco: TACA (2 hours).

Getting to Belize from Europe:There are no direct flights to Belize, the most convenient way is to come through Houston or Miami (and stay overnight there), the flight back through Miami has a direct connection to Europe, Houston not.Getting to Belize from Mexico:

- Chetumal: cross the border to Corozal by ground transportation (20-30 minutes) and take Maya Island Air or Tropic Air to San Pedro (20 minutes).

Getting to Belize from Guatemala:

- Guatemala City: Aerovias (1 hour and 20 minutes).
- Flores (Tikal): Maya Island Air or Tropic Air (50 minutes).

Getting to Belize from Honduras:

- Rotan: Caribbean Air
- San Pedro: TACA

Local Flights:

Maya Island Air and Tropic Air have sometimes hourly flights throughout Belize: San Pedro, Belize City (Municipal or International), Caye Caucker, Punta Gorda (south), Placencia, Dangriga and Corozal.

PACKING FOR PORTOFINO:       Back to TopClothes: casual beach wear (all over San Pedro).On the Island shoe's are not necessary, but when you are not used to walking barefoot, we advise you to take sandals, or boat shoes (especially for in town).Sunglasses, Photo camera's.Insect spray; you might not need it, but when the wind lies down, it can be necessary for outside.Sun Block (high protection).

DOCUMENTS:       Back to Top

Entry is granted for up to 30 days, with renewals of up to a total of six months permitted (renewals cost US$12.50 per month.)
VACCINATIONS:       Back to TopNone required


MONEY: US$ 1 = BZ$ 2       Back to Top

US dollars are accepted everywhere (bills; not coins). Banks charge a fee of 1.25 % to change US dollars, while local businesses will just change 2 to 1.Traveller's cheques are also widely accepted. You usually need to show your passport when paying with a traveller's checks. Banks and some businesses give about BZ$ 1.96 for US$ 1 traveller's checks.EURO's are not accepted, although we change them at PORTOFINO.Hotel rates, dive and trip rates are usually quoted in US dollars, restaurant and bar rates are usually Belize dollars.Credit cards: We accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express, Diners is not accepted anywhere in Belize, and American Express is not always accepted. Tips are appreciated, hotels (and some restaurants) usually add 10% service charge, in those cases no tipping is required.

There is a 9% hotel tax is which is added to your hotel charges and a sales tax of 9% which applies for restaurant's (not on drinks) at PORTOFINO the sales tax is included in the prices on the menu.

DRINKING WATER AT PORTOFINO:       Back to Top

Fresh water is scarce on the Island. We have a desalination plant which provides excellent drinkable water. Because the process generates 2/3 wastewater, we only have this water at the sinks from the cold water tab. Apart from that we provide water from purified mineral water on the rooms.

ELECTRICITY:       Back to Top

Electricity is equal to the American system: 110 volts, 60 cycles.

TELEPHONE:       Back to TopTelephone in Belize is provided by BTL (Belize Telephone Limited) who have a monopoly. That is why international calls are expensive. To the US we have to charge BZ$ 5 per minute, to Europe we have to charge BZ$ 8 per minute.The best way to make international or national calls is with an AT&T card, when you dial the operator, you will be connected to an AT&T operator, AT&T is much cheaper for calls to the US than BTL.

Belize country code = 501
San Pedro local code: 226, fixed cell codes: 220 5xxx

IMPORTANT NUMBERS:       Back to Top

Operator 115
Sprint 812
MCI 189
Police 911, 226-2022, 226-2926
Fire Department 226-2372
Lions Clinic 226-2073
Health Centre 226-3668
Hyperbaric Chamber 226-2851
Belize Tourism Board 223-31913
Wings of Hope 226-2097

BELIZE REPRESENTATIONS IN THE WORLD:       Back to Top

• Belize Tourist Board, 421 7th Avenue, Ste. 1110, New York, NY 10001 (800-624-0686), www.travelbelize.orgEmbassy of Belize, 2535 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington , D.D. 20008 (202-32-9636)Consulate of Belize, 862 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami FL 33138 (305-448-9684)
• Consulate of Belize in Canada, 200 Bay St., Royal Bay Plaza, South Tower, Suite 3500, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5J 2J7 (415-865-7000)

• United States Embassy: Belize City Tel +501 227 7161 British High Commission: Belmopan +501 822 2146 Mexican Embassy: Belize City +501 223 0194 Belgian Honorary Consul: Belize City +501 223 0748 Canadian Honorary Consul: Belize City +501 223 1060 French Honorary Consul: Belize City +501 223 2708 German Honorary Consul: Belize City +501 222 4371 Italian Honorary Consul: Belize City +501 227 8449 The Netherlands Honorary Consul: Belize City +501 227 3612 Russian Honorary Consul: Belize City +501 223 1151 Swiss Honorary Consul: Belize City +501 227 7363
• Office of the European Commission: Belize City +501 223 207

 
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