Help going to Belize

[soarby007]

I'm going to Belize at the end of the month from Dallas. Anyone got some advice and tips. I did a search and found some information that was posted back in January of '06. Do I need a handler? How do I pay Mr. Rudy?(cash or credit card) etc.

 

[epic!]

belize has hot women

 

[AirBadger]

Well it looks like this thread is complete.

 

[gringo]

My mom and brother moved to Belize (San Pedro) about 6 months ago. It's a fun and fantastic place, although at first you'll think "WTF?" It's not especially pretty, it's kinda (well, ok, very) third world and you really can't see what all the fuss is about. Second day, a bit less, yeah, ok you kinda see what the expats are talking about... where's my beer? (Belikin is goooooood!) and by the 3rd day you've lost your shoes and forgot about all the crap back home in the States...

Seriously, Belize is no big deal. Easy in, easy out, just remember you have to pay the departure tax in US dollars ($40). Not Belizian. The exchange rate is 2:1 (officially it's 1.98:1, but everyone just goes 2:1). US dollars are universally accepted. English is the official language, but just like in Miami, you might get more done if you speak at least a little Spanish.

Show Tropic Air your company ID- you might be able to jumpseat for free with them. Otherwise, you should get a discount on their flights (I think San Pedro cost me $40 each way).

I've been to Belize 3 times now (for a month back in Feb) and I always have a great time, although somehow I never made it out of San Pedro. (Well, I did go to Caye Caulker for Lobster Fest- all you can eat for $7- who wouldn't?) Never did go scuba diving, but my sister did, and the night dive is spectacular. Especially with the bio-luminescent sea algae. I gotta go do it next time... Every time I go, I come this close to just chucking it all and getting a job with Tropic or Maya Air. Flying into the jungle sounds like a lot of fun.

I don't know who you can JS on, but Continental, Delta, AA and USAir all fly into there.

PM me if you have any other questions...

 

[gringo]

Oh yeah, the women ARE hot, but just like Phillipinas, they expire early. Try to get them before they turn 12, and you'll be fiiiiine!

 

[caliginousface]

Oh yeah, the women ARE hot, but just like Phillipinas, they expire early. Try to get them before they turn 12, and you'll be fiiiiine!

Ahhh mannn! :blush:

 

[Gorilla]

There's a good chance I'll be flying you, bro. PM me if you have any questions, although these guys have answered most.

P.S. The women are HOT. Has anyone said that yet?

 

[con-pilot]

From your post it appears that you will be operating/flying an airplane to Belize. If this is correct and this is your first trip forget about the "hot women" and arrange for an international handler like 'Universal, Base Ops, Jeppesen, etc.

After a few trips, if you really feel comfortabe, then you can arrange all the handling yourself.

Enjoy!:beer:

 

[Gorilla]

From your post it appears that you will be operating/flying an airplane to Belize.

Ahh, my stupid mistake, I thought you were jumpseating for fun or something.

Belize is generally easy, but the weather this time of year in the Yuc is pretty bad. Watch out for low vis during rainshowers. Other than that its HOU center, then Merida, then Belize approach. BZE is non-radar, but the controllers are very good. Have fun.

 

[sky37d]

Wait, let me ask this question about Belize. Are the women HOT?

 

[comander]

Ahh, my stupid mistake, I thought you were jumpseating for fun or something.

Belize is generally easy, but the weather this time of year in the Yuc is pretty bad. Watch out for low vis during rainshowers. Other than that its HOU center, then Merida, then Belize approach. BZE is non-radar, but the controllers are very good. Have fun.

you forgot cenamer center, centro america radio.

 

[Gorilla]

you forgot cenamer center, centro america radio.

But I did not, Senor. At least for high-altitude IFR flights from DFW/LUV (He did say Dallas), Merida hangs on to you until 21,000' in the descent, then hands you off directly to BZE approach close to PENSO intersection. From there, it's altitude/DME reports to BZE approach. When you see the shrimp Farms, a huge aquaculture thing on the coast North of Belize City, the airport is SW of the shrimp farms for a few miles and is very easy to spot. They'll always clear you for a VOR/DME approach, but once you have the field in sight, ask for and get the visual and they'll be happy.

The field swarms with Cessna Caravans who operate very low and loose, shuttling people out to the barrier islands. I've seen them operate visualy while we are holding and trying to get the necessary 2KM vis for a VOR approach.

Skipping Cenamer may just be for certain filed flight plans, but I've never talked to Cenamer in 100+ trips to BZE. I may be wrong though. Either way, it's easy. The best rum: the local rotgut, called "1 Barrel". It's yummy.

Oh yeah, babes abound. The women are HOT. <echo, echo>

 

[Gorilla]

I forgot to mention one thing. If you come in via the jet route from PENSO, PIKRO, then BZE, most FMC's will NOT draw an alignment holding pattern over the VOR for the outbound teardrop. In other words, you arrive not correctly aligned for the outbound leg, and are required to do the alignment. Don't skip the alignment turn prior to the outbound leg UNLESS you ask for and recieve permission from BZE. BZE is on a minor warpath and will violate you if you skip it without permission, as it completely destroys their carefully constructed spacing for inbound traffic. Like I said, get a visual and take a tour of the jungle below on a big, sweeping left-hand pattern. Watch out for HUGE birds that like to hang out at 1600' pattern altitude.