Mexico to Belize Border Crossing
Leaving Mexico was straightforward, we arrived at the border offices at 9am, no line ups or tour bus loads to deal with. First we surrendered our visitors visas & paid the exit taxes, (adults only) and got the exit stamp in the passports, todays date but wrong year, 2019! A uniformed guard checked out the inside of the camper, not sure for the reason why, as we were exiting the country, didn’t open any cupboards, she just nodded in approval.
Driving across no mans land into Belize we next had to go through the ‘fumigation’ wash, a liquid spray, probably water that didn’t really touch the truck. It’s mandatory, but perhaps its more of a formality as no one seemed concerned that we were still dry. This cost $15B or $7.50 USD, payment was their biggest concern. On to immigration, again nice & quiet we got our visitors visas & passports stamped, with the correct year. Pretty casual, while the officer was processing our paperwork she was chatting on the phone to her mum! That was a first for us.
truck wash 
Belize border 
hand written, carbon copy, temporary import permit.
Then to the vehicle import window. This is hand written into an official book with triplicate carbon paper, hadn’t seen that in the past 25+ years. No computers for processing here, he carefully wrote Tim’s details in then the truck information, a 10 min process before directing us back to Bruce. As we walked out a bus load of travellers pulled up with 50 people on board, our timing was perfect.
Next we had to pay $30B for ‘vehicle import fee’. A rather informal process, as the border guard asked for the cash, put it in his pocket & gave a receipt, date marked 2017! There is a sign informing us of this charge so I guess it was legitimate, either way we had to pay. Lastly to the white building to buy the mandatory insurance. 1 week cost $52B ($25 USD). Easy. Am hoping future of border crossings are this smooth. All the guards were very friendly and welcoming.
Belize, formally British Honduras, claimed their independence in 1981. English is spoken, and a very young looking Queen is still on the money, but that’s about as far as the English influence goes. A melting has established their own cultural identity. Within this tiny nation several languages are spoken including Creole, Garifuna, Spanish, Maya, old German & Mandarin. We notice the cultural differences immediately warm & friendly people are happy to stop and talk a while. Spending only a week in this tiny country we have seen so much diversity. For a starters they have a much better taste in music, no more blearing brass instruments going till 4am. The Garifuna (East Indian) of African decent, with long dreadlocks are the influence of the rhythmic Reggae music coming out into the streets. Mestizo are a blend of Spanish & Native Americans, with a more traditional Mayan way of life. Chinese writing advertising restaurants and stores. Then down the road we drove through a community of peaceful, blue eyed blond hair Mennonites, living as they did hundreds of years ago all add to the mix. Even the country’s flag identifies the cultural blends.
Also home of the worlds second largest barrier reef with a thriving ecosystem is a hotspot for travellers and tourists alike. The many beautiful sandy Cayes make for a fun side trip for snorkeling, diving or ree-laxing.
