Details

Frequently Asked Questions

Please click here to go to our general FAQ, which has essential information that applies to all of our programs.

Resources to Learn & Teach about Belize and Guatemala

Visit our blog to see the list of books GEEO recommends reading before your program (this is not required reading). We also have lesson plans and Pinterest boards that may be useful for you as you learn about your destination and prepare to bring lessons back to your classroom.

Terms and Conditions

It is very important for you to visit our Terms and Conditions page before signing up for this program.

Cancellation Policy

All cancellations must be submitted to GEEO in written form by emailing your request for cancellation to travel@geeo.org. If you do not receive a confirmation that we have received your written cancellation request, please call us at +1 347-433-6674. Verbal cancellation requests will not be honored.

• If you cancel 60 days or more prior to the start of your program, all payments will be refunded excluding your $350 deposit, which is kept on file for future use and never expires. (Exception for participants who receive grants from our university partners: To address disruption caused by cancellation from grant recipients, deposits paid by grant recipients are forfeited upon cancellation.)
• If you cancel between 30 and 59 days prior to the start of your program, you will receive a 50% refund and your deposit will be kept on file for future use and will never expire.
• If you cancel within 30 days prior to the start of your program, you will receive no refund, but your deposit will be kept on file for future use and will never expire.

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Trip Notes & Expectations

Before you decide to travel with GEEO, it is important that you read all of the information about the program contained on this page. Our programs are quite adventurous, and we find that clients who read the trip details in full are happier with their experiences.

1. ACCOMMODATION: The purpose of the accommodation is to provide a safe place for you to sleep. Sometimes you will be pleasantly surprised, but do not expect luxury. We were able to upgrade the hotels in Belize City and Caye Caulker on this program. We think this will make the trip more enjoyable for only a modest increase in price over the standard hotels.
2. TRANSPORTATION: We use a mix of transportation that gets our guests from location to location safely. Sometimes you will have full days and nights of transportation as our trips tend to cover a lot of ground. The transportation will often be an adventure in itself.
3. LUGGAGE: You must be able to easily carry or roll your luggage. You should be able to comfortably walk for 10-30 minutes at a time with your luggage. It is therefore essential that you pack light and bring luggage that is compact and lightweight. The carrying of your luggage remains your responsibility at all times.
4. ACTIVITY LEVEL: Make sure you have thoroughly read the itinerary and can handle the group activities. Trip includes light walking that is suitable for most fitness levels. We recommend always carrying snacks with you. Meals can sometimes be far apart.
5. GROUP LEADER: Please make sure you understand the role of your tour leader on this trip. All GEEO/G Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of G Adventure's group leaders, which they refer to as Chief Experience Officers (CEO). The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are traveling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues, and introduce you to our local friends. Our itineraries often have plenty of free time to explore on your own. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting – we think it’s the best of both worlds.

Single Travelers

Half of the people that travel with GEEO are traveling by themselves, so please don’t worry if you have no one who can join you on your trip. Our pricing is based on double occupancy or, in other words, two people to a room. You never have to pay for a single room unless you want one. GEEO can find you a roommate of the same gender. Most of our trips have a "My Own Room" option, also known as a "Single Supplement," which is an extra fee that will allow you to have a room to yourself. If you want to room alone, please email travel@geeo.org. To see the price for the "My Own Room" option, please click here where you can look up your trip in the extra services spreadsheet.

Emergency Contacts

If you need to contact G Adventures during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call their local G Adventures office. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information, so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible. EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS G Adventures Office San Jose, Costa Rica During Office hours (Weekdays 9 am-5 pm Local Time): +506 4001 8474 After hours emergency number: +51 997 582 712 If you are unable for any reason to contact G Adventures' local office please call their Toronto office: Toll-free from North America: 1 888 800 4100; Outside North America: +1 416 260 0999

Packing List

Please read this article on GEEO’s blog for our staff’s suggestions on the best gear to pack for your upcoming travels. You must be prepared to carry your own bags and be comfortable carrying them up and downstairs, on and off transportation, and to hotels. As a rule, we try not to have to walk more than 15-20 minutes with your bags, which is why we recommend keeping the weight of your bags between 22-30 lb. Most travelers carry a backpack or rolling bag of small to medium size. No XXL bags please! A daypack is also essential for carrying everyday items. Space is limited on transportation, so there is a limit of one main piece of luggage per person plus a daypack per person.

Suggested (click to expand)

• Light windproof/waterproof jacket
• Sun hat
• Small towel and swimwear
• Personal clothing for hot to warm weather
• 1 pair hiking pants/track pants
• Daypack
• Sturdy walking shoes
• Sport sandals or flip-flops
• Sunblock
• Sunglasses
• Watch or alarm clock (or use your phone)
• Small Flashlight
• Toiletries – your hotels will have soap and shampoo
• Camera (or use your phone)
• First-aid kit, including: lip salve, aspirin, bandaids, anti-histamine, Dramamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, electrolyte powder, insect repellent, extra prescription drugs you may be taking

Optional (click to expand)

• Travel pillow
• Light weight silk sleep sheet
• Money belt
• Water bottle
• Water filter
• Phone/Tablet for internet – most hotels have WiFi
• Chargers for electronics as well converters/adapters, if needed
• AirTags or Tile trackers
• Packing cubes – great for keeping your clean and dirty laundry separated. Two of them should be the right amount for clothes.
• Earplugs
• Snacks – packing a few granola bars is a good idea; you can buy snacks when you get there too, so don't go crazy here
• Ziplock bags for wet clothing
• Reading/writing material

Documents (click to expand)

• Passport (with photocopies)
• Travel insurance (with photocopies)
• Airline tickets (with photocopies)
• EUR/USD cash
• Credit or debit card
• G Adventures vouchers, pre-departure information, and dossier
• Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required
• GEEO Classroom action plans for your group – this is sent 10-30 days before departure

Laundry

Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a charge or ask your group leader where the nearest laundromat is. If you want to do your own laundry, we suggest you bring your own non-polluting/biodegradable soap.

Passports and Visas

All GEEO programs require that the participant have a valid passport. Please see our general FAQ for information on obtaining a passport. As with all of our trips, we try to provide the most accurate information we can, but governments sometimes change visa rules. It is your responsibility to double check the information we provide below by searching the U.S. State Department's website. PASSPORT Your passport must be valid for at least 30 days beyond your intended stay in Belize and must be valid upon entry into Guatemala. However, we recommend having at least six months of validity for both countries. Ensure your passport has at least one blank page for entry and exit stamps. VISA U.S. citizens do not need a visa for stays of up to 30 days in Belize or up to 90 days in Guatemala. Non-American participants should check with their government and local embassy to find out if they need a visa.

Money Exchange

While US dollars may be accepted at the more popular locations, the local currency (Belize dollar or Guatemalan quetzal) is more widely accepted and best to use during the tour. Withdrawing from an ATM will offer you the best exchange rate. A small emergency fund in US Dollars is a good idea to have in the event that you are having difficulty withdrawing money from a local ATM. Credit cards and debit cards are very useful for cash advances. Visa cards are the most widely accepted cards. While ATMs are widely available, there are no guarantees that your credit or debit cards will actually work in Latin America. Check with your bank. You should be aware that to purchase products or services on a credit card a fee of 5%-10% usually applies. Do not rely on credit or debit cards as your only source of money. A combination of US dollars cash and cards is best. Always take more rather than less, as you don't want to spoil the trip by constantly feeling short of funds. CURRENCY EXCHANGE TIP: Please be advised that slightly torn notes, notes that have been heavily marked or are faded may be difficult to exchange. It is best to bring notes in fairly good condition, in denominations lower than 50 USD (or equivalent). As currency exchange rates can fluctuate often we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com

Tipping

It is customary to leave a small tip for service providers, such as waiters, if you are pleased with the service. Tipping is an expected, though not compulsory, component of this program and an expression of satisfaction with the people who assist you on your trip. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. There will be opportunities during the trip to tip your local guides or drivers. You may do this individually, or your tour leader may offer to collect the money and give a tip on behalf of the group. Ask your tour leader for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and expectations. Also, at the end of your program, if you felt your G Adventures tour leader did an outstanding job, a tip would be appreciated. Tipping amounts are entirely your personal preference, but as a guideline:

• Service providers/Waiters: 10% of the bill
• Local guides and drivers: $5-10 USD per person per day
• Tour Guide (CEO): $35-50 USD per person per week.

Vaccinations

We legally cannot give you any medical advice. It is very important to consult your doctor or a travel clinic about which vaccinations you will need for your trip. Please take this seriously!

Flights

We find the best prices for flights are often available 60 days before departure, but of course this varies greatly from route to route and year to year. We advise that you wait until this trip is confirmed before booking non-refundable and non-changeable flights. GEEO and G Adventures bear no responsibility for any flights purchased before the trip is confirmed. Your trip begins in Belize City and ends in Caye Caulker. Please double-check our itinerary for the date by which you must arrive in Belize City. You can arrive at any time of the day you choose, but we strongly urge you to arrive at the starting hotel by 6:00 p.m. on Day 1 for our group meeting. You can depart from Caye Caulker any time on the final day of the trip

Plugs and Converters

Belize and Guatemala use the same plugs and electric current used in the United States.

Itinerary Disclaimer

While it is our intention to adhere to the routes described on our website, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable, to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The information on our website is a general guide to the tour and region, and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.

Weather

April in Belize brings increasing temperatures and welcome rains, dubbed “iguana rains” by locals. While still mostly dry, brief refreshing showers keep conditions pleasant and humidity down along the coast and inland. Calm seas mark the beginning of the high season for snorkeling, scuba diving, and fishing. Expect average highs of 85°F (29°C) and lows of 76°F (24°C) with an overall monthly average of about 80°F (27°C).