Please forgive me if I've broached this topic before; I have so much swimming through my head (no pun intended) with two weeks to go before our trip! I'm wondering if we need to exchange US money at all, or if US currency is accepted virtually everywhere. For example, should we buy a bread from a street vender, would he/she take American?

By the way, hopefulist, your packing list has been a great help! I prefer to travel as light as possible.

We didn't exchange any, and US dollars were accepted everywhere we went. We didn't travel too far off the beaten path though. I remember asking our driver how many kilometers to go, and he said, "Actually we use miles!"

US$ has been accepted everywhere we've been, too. You'll receive Belize $ in change and as cash from ATMs.

Thanks! Can we get by without an ATM card, do you think?

And you're a lucky duck - 2 weeks!!

Hope or Cattail: can you post or tell me where Hopefulist's packing list is located? I am leaving in 10 days !!! Thank you.
Joan

Another lucky duck!! My generic CA list is #14 in the FAQ thread on the Thorntree Forum:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntre...hreadID=828622

You can also download the packing tips and list from my Spanish study/credit for volunteering sites, ex:
www.liveandserveinbelize.blogspot.com

You could also check out www.onebag.com

Let me know if there's more I can do to help!

Thank you very much hopefulist, for the sites. Yes, we do feel lucky!!

I just returned from Belize on Sat. The ATM gives you a slightly better exchange rate. If you pay w/ US$, they just give you to 2:1. Enjoy!!