Belize in general is very laid-back and, though Blue Reef Island is a private island resort, we prioritize casual and comfortable over formal and elegant. Less is more in this tropical locale and practical trumps pretty every day of the week, so leave those fancy slingbacks behind. Here’s how to dress for success (not to impress) on your Belizean vacation and what to pack when you travel to Blue Reef Island.
Activewear
An assortment of light-weight, quick-dry tee shirts and shorts will be worn throughout your trip. Though temperatures don’t dip too drastically, you will want a long-sleeved shirt or two. You may find a chill on the night breeze or you may simply want to cover yourself from the sun on a fishing trip or biting bugs during a jungle hike. Belize is brimming with adventure and packing a few high-performance pieces into your vacation wardrobe will ensure you can comfortably tackle them all. We like Cool Dri fabrics for wicking away moisture and providing some UV protection. Linen and cotton layers are great for breathability. A good cap can cool and protect your head from sunburn, so don’t forget a hat!
Shoes
There is rarely an occasion to wear heels in Belize, even brides typically forego the Jimmy Choo’s in favor of barefoot beach celebrations. Some simple sandals for flipping around the sandy shores will suffice. Pack a pair of closed-toed shoes, such as a sneaker or sporty water shoes, for inland tours like zip lining, Maya Ruins, horseback riding, or hiking. Make sure your shoes are broken in ahead of time and don’t forget good quality socks to banish blisters.
Toiletries
Reef-safe sunscreen is a must. Keep cosmetics to a minimum, as stated above, we are *very* casual. Besides, full faces of makeup don’t stand up to the heat and humidity of the region. Hair dryers are available in your room and you’ll find curling irons or straighteners a waste of precious luggage space. Go native and embrace the natural look: effortless beach waves courtesy of the Caribbean’s salt and breeze. Do, however, pack any and all of your medications. Blue Reef is a private island and 8 miles from the mainland with its pharmacies and doctor’s offices. Nothing throws a wrench in vacation plans like having to scrounge around an unfamiliar town to track down a needed prescription.
Swimwear
We find that we all but live in our swimwear for the most part. A tiny fleck of white sand in an expanse of warm turquoise sea, Blue Reef Island is positioned at the pinnacle of an underwater playground: the Belize Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a thriving marine ecosystem. Pack multiple swimming costumes so you can alternate between whichever happens to be dry at the moment. One cute suit for sunbathing and lounging around the pool, and perhaps two athlete-type suits for paddleboarding, river tubing, snorkeling and scuba diving, jumping off waterfalls, freediving or spearfishing, even exploring jungle-shrouded cenotes or winding your way through wet cave systems in ancient mountains. Belize delivers in droves when it comes to aquatic adventures.
Electronics
We’d love to tell you to leave the laptop at home, but we understand that you might have to do a bit of business on your vacation. Paradise comes complete with high-speed WiFi, so you should have no trouble working from the island, and we use the standard 110-volt outlets you are accustomed to in the US, so adapters aren’t needed. We recommend you bring waterproof cases for your phones and a waterproof or dive camera if you have one. There will be stunning photography opportunities both above and below the tideline, but bulky, professional camera equipment can be cumbersome; we like a GoPro for capturing all the adventures you will have.
Documents
Visitors from most countries don’t need a visa to enter Belize, but you will need your passport with a minimum of 3 months remaining before its expiration date. Bring a valid driver’s license if you plan to rent a car or golf cart while you’re here. Children traveling with only one parent must have a notarized letter of authority from the other parent giving consent for the travel; Belize immigration officers are notorious sticklers about this, so make sure your paperwork is in order before you board the plane. The concierge at Blue Reef Island is pleased to arrange and keep a copy of your trip itinerary, but they would be delighted if you would provide them with an emergency contact list to keep on hand for any unforeseen circumstances.
An Adventurous Spirit
The last bit of packing advice we have for you is: bring along your taste for adventure, a predisposition for fun, and a curious nature. Have an open mind and fall in love with this country, as so many others have, through discovery! Try new foods, hear new music, see new sights; that’s the fun of travel! If you are an amenable student, Belize offers so many lessons to be learned. Say “yes” to the street food or unidentifiable fruit at the roadside stand. Say “yes” to the cave crawl or zip lining excursion even though it’s not something you would ordinarily do. Say “yes” to the request to join the joyful Garifuna dancers as they move to the beat of their drums. Pack your can-do-will-do attitude and leave your doubt at home. Make it an un-belize-able vacation.
