Tourism is booming in Belize, and Belize politicians, like pols everywhere, are ready to take advantage of that fact, especially since visitors don't vote locally. Here are some of the new fees and taxes you'll face:

International Airport Departure Tax & Fees: US$35, up from US$20, effective April 1, 2004

Hotel Room Tax: 9%, up from 7%, effective mid-2005

Sales Tax on Most Items: 9%, up from 8%

Archeological Fees: US$5 at most sites, including Xunantunich, Altun Ha, and Cahal Pech, up from US$2.50; at Caracol, fee is US$7.50. Effective April 1, 2004

Marine Park Fees: US$10 to $15 per person per day, depending on the park, effective November 1, 2004.

Land Border Exit Fee: US$18.75, up from US$13.75, in effect now.

There is some good news, though. Visitors going to Mexico from Corozal for less than seven days will not be charged the US$21 entrance fee by the Mexican government.

--Lan Sluder
www.belizefirst.com

That is quite an increase for the departure tax. Does it apply to children as well?

Thanks for the info.

What else is new!!! taxes taxes.

yes that is a big jump in Departure tax.

I $5.00 yearly increase would have been more palitable.
As long as they use the tax for good roads and infrastructure as opposed to political squandering,then I guess one does not mind that much !?!
Percy

I understand that I will pay an land exit fee to get from San Ignacio to Tikal.

But was planning on flying back to Belize Int'l Airport and then home to the U.S.

Would I then incur an exit fee to leave Guatemala (is there one)? And then another one to leave Belize from the int'l airport?

Is the airport departure fee included in the ticket price, or is it something we have to pay (in cash?) at the time of departure? For a family of four, that's a lot.

The Belize airport departure fee/tax is now usually (but not always) included in the ticket price. Used to be, you had to pay cash at the airport, but I guess Belize has figured out, as has the U.S. with its incredible taxes and fees and security and airport charges, that it's better to hide the taxes in the airline fare.

It varies with the ticket, but on an average ticket to Belize from the U.S., the U.S. government now gets about 1/5th to 1/3 of the ticket price in taxes, fees and other charges and surcharges. Complain to your U.S. congressperson, not to the Belize government!

--Lan Sluder

So does the departure tax apply for a day trip to Tikal? That would be a major drag--to be charged two departure taxes in one week.