Checking into Placencia, Belize is a piece of cake.

1- Take dinghy to Yoli's (the safest dinghy dock around).

2- Walk to Hokey Pokey lancha about 15 to 20 minute walk depending on how fast you go. Cost is $5 per person to go to Big Creek.

3- Take taxi $2.50 per person if van is full - share cab ride with other cruisers. Cab will take you to Immigration, Customs and Port Captain's office. Officials ask when you arrived - you arrived this morning between 7 to 8 am. Pay fee of $120.00 after completing all forms. Unless you arrived before 7 am then you pay overtime fees. Agriculture was not around so they told us to skip that process.

We've been in Placencia over a week. Cool touristy place sorrounded by beaches and waterways. Flying to the USA from here:

1- Go to travel agent (they are all over the place) to reserve flight to Belize International airport. Tropic Air cost $106.00 Maya Air cost $130.00. The agent will also make sure taxi will pick you up at concrete dock.

2- Take dinghy to concrete dock where taxi is waiting and will take you to the airport. Cost is $6.00

3- 45 minute flight to Belize International Airport. Airline check in desk does not open until 0930 hrs. The little kiosk across the United Airlines check in desk have the best empanadas for $1.00

Coming back from the USA:

1- Immigration - no problem
2- Customs, I declared my potato chips, bread, junk food - they taxed me $20.00 US
3- Go to Tropic Air to pay for airfare back.
4- $6.00 taxi back to concrete dock.
5- Hope your captain's at concrete dock to pick you up or ask one of the fishermen to take you to your boat which is what I had to do.

Tomorrow, we head for Southwater Cay. Our schedule is pushed forward because my training class in Denver is scheduled for March 2. This means that we have to be in Isla Mujeres, Mexico by Feb. 27 and I have to be in Seattle by Feb. 28 to pick up my work stuff.

In the meantime, we take our time to snorkel and enjoy a little bit of Belize.

Still Having Fun!
Steve, Marie and Angel