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Tacogirl Belize blog Est. in 2007

You came to the right blog for Belize Resources and Information.

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Important Expat Passport Info and Low Cost Electricity

by tacogirl 01/12/2015
written by tacogirl 01/12/2015
Belize beach

Passport Information for Citizens from the United States

Unfortunately for U.S. expats, the news is not so good. This is the last month you will be able to get extra pages in your passport. Once you run out of pages you will have to apply for a new passport. As of January 2016, the Embassy in Belmopan will only process brand new applications; no renewals or extra pages. If you are still getting monthly Belize immigration stamps, it would be a wise idea to move fast and get those pages. The Embassy only does 3 appointments per day so hurry and get your extra pages now.

Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. The US Embassy is located at 4 Floral Park Road, Belmopan. Their number is (501) 822-4011. They closed on both U.S. and Belizean Holidays.

If your life is too busy and you want help with getting extra pages Quicksilver Messenger offers that service. (+501)667-0669 or (+501)625-0669 Monday Through Friday: 7:00 am – 3:00 pm and Saturday: 7:00 am – 12:00 pm

Canadian Passport Information

Now for the good news. Canadians now have 5 and 10-year passport options. Canadians still have a renewable option for passports and do not need a guarantor from Canada. When getting a new Canadian passport you go through the Canadian Consulate in Belize City and then it gets sent to the High Commission in Guatemala. The cost for a 5-year Passport is $294.00 and for a 10-year Passport is $ 405.00 – pricing in Belize Dollars.

The Canadian Consulate is located at Renaissance Tower, #8 Newtown Barracks, near the Princess Hotel and Casino. It is open from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. If you need more information call 223-1060 or email belize-city@international.gc.ca / or Karen at cdncon.bze@btl.net – She is usually very fast to reply. Please note the Consulate is closed for all Canadian and Belizean holidays. ** Passport cost and Consulate location updated March 2018 and still current as of 2020.

For serious matters, the Belize consulate is supervised by the Embassy in Guatemala. Guatemala Embassy of Canada location: 8th Floor, 13 Calle 8-44, Zona 10, Edyma Plaza Building, Guatemala City, Guatemala. Hours of operation: Monday – Friday: 8:00 am – 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm – 5:00 pm. Contact information: (502) 2363-4348 or by email gtmla@international.gc.ca

Expats in Belize

(Old) Canadian Consulate in Belize City

Cost of Living

I recently had breakfast with an American on vacation with his daughter. He was looking at buying property on Caye Caulker and wanted to know some general info on the cost of living in Belize. His jaw hit the floor when I told them how much my last two electric bills were. My Sept. – Oct. bill was $45.28 and my Oct. – Nov. bill was $42.56; both in Belize currency.

Not everyone gets off that easy my old downstairs neighbors used to pay $500 – $600 a month but they used their air conditioner a lot and the pool pump was also on their bill. It varies widely on the island depending on where you live and what your electric habits are.

Expat Advice

Asking to see 1 to 3 months previous utility bill totals is one of the first things to do when renting a place here as the numbers can vary greatly.

Take a picture of all your current ID and keep it on your phone. This way you can verify yourself without having to worry about carrying important ID with you.

Belize folklore – maybe not

This is one of those urban legends that while seemingly outrageous, many expats in Belize would deem is just crazy enough to be true. I was once told by a friend that someone they knew had a dramatic spike in their electricity bill. The people could not figure out for the life of them why the increase and started doing a process of elimination. The last thing they could think of to try was to wait till it got dark one night and shut off all their breakers. Low and behold the neighbor’s power went out too 😀

I will leave you with a few random pictures from around San Pedro.

Belize beach

Are you ready for some beach time?

Expats in Belize

Heading to town

Belize resource

Mind the traffic

Mennonites in Belize sell fresh food

Fresh milk and cream from the Tuesday Morning Market

Belize food

Not a baker? Go for coconut cake at Wild Mango’s – delicious

Related

tacogirl

Laure Norton grew up dyslexic and was very challenged by the school. She never dreamed she would move to Belize and become a writer. A year after her move to Ambergris Caye, Laurie became an entrepreneur and professional writer starting tacogirl blog in 2007. Since then she has helped many people plan their vacations or move. She also has been published in Great Destinations Belize Guidebook, Moon Guide to Living in Belize, Insight Guides, Island Magazine several times and USA Today. Currently Laurie resides in downtown San Pedro and enjoys being a "city girl" on a tropical island.

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Best Water Activities in Roatan
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White Castle Comes to San Pedro and Other Craziness

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7 comments

Katrina 23/09/2018 - 2:31 am

We just had a cop tell us that we (as Canadians) need to carry our passports or a copy at all times in Belize. He said it was a law but didn’t know the code. Said we had to buy the law book. We have never been asked before. Is this true? I can’t find any info on it.

Reply
tacogirl 23/09/2018 - 6:36 am

I do have a license and passport pics on my phone always and it has come in handy before, but never once have I heard it was mandatory.

Reply
Bill Fisher 02/12/2015 - 11:51 pm

The immigration office in Placencia is actually across the bay in Independence. You’ll need to take the Hokey Pokey Water Taxi to Mango Creek / Independence and then get a taxi to the immigration office. You could drive all the way around but it will actually take you less time to just take the water taxi.

Reply
Susan 01/12/2015 - 10:40 pm

Lori, re the USA passports, is that just for folks living in Belize? Not for vacationers correct? We won’t be ExPats for another 5 years darn it!

Reply
tacogirl 02/12/2015 - 6:35 am

I would check with your local passport office Susan to make sure. It would make sense if it is an across the board decision as it is the US Embassy here doing it.

Reply
Ray Speckman 01/12/2015 - 5:29 pm

We are coming to Belize (Placencia) for 60 days December 21. Do we have to get Passport restamped after thirty days and where if so? Thanks so much for your help.

Reply
tacogirl 02/12/2015 - 7:11 am

You are correct Ray you will have to go to the immigration office in Placencia when your 30 days are up and pay to get your passport stamped.

Reply

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Corey Holm
Corey Holm
04:38 25 Feb 20
I take the seniors from our academy to Belize every year for their senior trip. One of the first people I contact when... I start planning the trip is Laurie with TacoGirl Belize. She knows the island of San Pedro better than anyone else out there. Trust me, I have looked. If you are looking for the best restaurants, hang outs and shops then Laurie help plan your vacation.read more
Carol Taylor
Carol Taylor
15:53 24 Feb 20
Love Taco Girl Blog @LaurieNorton! I've been reading this blog since I started visiting Ambergris Caye in Belize almost... 10 years ago. It is filled with helpful up-to-date information and recommendations that I wouldn't necessarily find on my own. Laurie Norton's knowledge and extensive network on the island provides her with the ability to share perks/discounts/coupons with her readers, which come in handy year after year. Things on the island change daily - new businesses pop up constantly and LaurieNortonstays on top of these developments. Whenever I plan my return trip to the island, I always check her blog first - and I recommend you do the same. Trip Advisor ain't got nuttin' on Taco Girl!read more
Heidi
Heidi
20:01 20 Feb 20
Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s... always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. There is so much information it's amazing! Thank you Laurie!!!read more
Nick Goodman
Nick Goodman
21:23 30 Nov 19
I am considering a move to Belize and I have serendipitously found tacogirl.....what a treasure! She is full of great... advice, helpful hints.....knows everybody on Ambergris Caye and has a thousand useful recommendations and suggestions. Whether you are planning a vacation or relocating, you should make use of the many services she has to offer…..read more
KellyDivePhotography
KellyDivePhotography
20:58 30 Nov 19
I’m so pleased to see tacogirl's blog on Google. Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and... local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. I especially enjoy her guest articles, providing a different perspective of all things San Pedro. Her tipping quide is a classic, and don’t forget her Tropic Air flight code and on-island discounts. You’re not up-to-date with what’s going on in San Pedro if you’re not regularly reading tacogirl's blog.read more
Sandra Godfrey
Sandra Godfrey
15:58 23 Nov 19
I have known Laurie (Taco Girl) for several years. She has been a wealth of good information for me in all of my... pursuits in Belize. I highly recommend her for any services you may require.read more
William Jones
William Jones
13:39 06 May 19
Do yourself a favor. Read this BEFORE any trip to San Pedro - Ambergris Caye or Belize in general. Not saying “do... what everyone else says”, but Laurie has frank and honest info which will make your stay in country a little more fun, a little more informative, and often at a great cost savings. Best thing: it’s unbiased, honest, and factual. Personal note: thank you for your personal tailored help in answering mine (and my wife’s) questions.read more
Kimberly Robinson
Kimberly Robinson
18:28 03 May 19
Taco Girl (Laurie) is amazing. She has so much knowledge about Belize and has great connections with many of the... businesses in Belize. Because of her connections she is able to offer many perks and discounts that you wouldn't have been able to find otherwise. She is super responsive and I always go to her for all my travel needs. From golf cart rentals, to spas, to places to eat. She's got the inside scoop on all!read more
Michael Rieck
Michael Rieck
20:22 21 Apr 19
Since 2003, my wife and I have been to Ambergris at least once a year to experience the fantastic diving. About twelve... years ago we me Tacogirl on a blog giving us discounts on golf carts, local airfares, and restaurants. Over the years we have grown a friendship and I look forward to her weekly blogs about he changes on my favorite home away from home. The island changes every year, and she always shows you what to see, do, and eat.read more
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THE ORIGINAL BELIZE BLOG

THE ORIGINAL BELIZE BLOG

ABOUT ME

I took the plunge and moved to San Pedro Town on the Island of Ambergris Caye, off the coast of Belize, Central America. Originally from Canada, I made the life-changing move to escape winter for good (in 2006) after one three week vacation.

If you have any questions or want Belize discounts, Contact me.

SPARKING MY DESIRE

3 childhood memories that shaped my desire to move to Belize from a young age.Sailing in the Virgin Islands, seeing a rainbow out the window of an island hopper as we flew from Virgin Islands to Puerto Rico, Christmas in Hawaii and many trips to Florida.

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