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USA debit cards

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Zink
  1/20/2016 08:55 EST

Does the atm machines there accept regular debit cards from America and if they do. Do they give you the foreign exchange or your dollar value. My husband and I was wondering this because of the 2-1

bobbyveee
  1/20/2016 10:52 EST

Yes , you get $bz , but you pay a charge , about $5 i think. The bank exchange rate is $1us to 1.97 bz at a bank.

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Zink
  1/20/2016 10:56 EST

Thank you. That's about what the atm fees are here as well. I don't like to keep much cash on me at all. Does any stores etc. accept the card

bobbyveee
  1/20/2016 11:41 EST

Only a few and I've heard of card scams , so always use cash, you can barter better with cash to. Any locals selling food or knick knacks only take cash. Good restaurants will also take clean small denomination dollars

FredAr
  1/20/2016 14:52 EST

If not mistaken there is a limit of $300US on any one card, perhaps have two cards in case need more than that in any given day.

Wlewiscga
  1/22/2016 10:49 EST

The trick to using the debit cards at the ATM is withdraw the money it allows you and then take the card out and insert it again for a second transaction. You can do this up to your banks allowable limit. Each bank charges different ATM charges i.e. Scotiabank charges $8BZ but allows $800BZ per withdrawl where Belize Bank charges $5 with a $500 max.

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William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
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bobbyveee
  1/22/2016 13:18 EST

To be honest, if you live in Belize , you soon hear of other ways to get local cash without using a credit card, this isnt possible for holiday makers tho'

bradinbelize
  1/25/2016 12:23 EST

Get a US credit card that has a NO FOREIGN TRANSACTION fee, thus you can use your card for purchases in stores and some restaurants (not the real local places). I have a CITI WORLD ELITE PLATINUM card and can withdrawal cash at Atlantic Bank without any ATM fees (waived with this card). Limit is currently $800BZ per day at both Atlantic Bank & Scotia (in San Pedro), which is $400 USD / use the card when you can to get both miles and the slightly better exchange rate. All bank ATMs distribute money in that countries currency so you won't ever get USD internationally unless you specifically go to an International bank or a currency exchange business w special ATM's

bradinbelize
  1/25/2016 12:26 EST

One more thing - DEBIT cards work fine as well but you do have to pay the service fee. I would recommend bringing US cash - you will get all change in BZ $ and there re times when having USD $100 bills make life much easier and expedite things. A few thousand to hold onto is advised and DONT CONVERT to BZ$ - keep it as your emergency fund

bobbyveee
  1/25/2016 13:24 EST

Brad, when did you last exchange a $100 usd, they DO NOT ACCEPT them gotta be 50 or less and clean crisp and unmarked, or no one will take. There are signs up everywhere telling you about $100 usd , too many forgeries.

terrific
  1/25/2016 21:37 EST

lots of places will take $100 bills most gas stations, hotels, and tourist bars, Hardware stores and places that sell higher priced items, like furniture stores. No one should expect a tiny store to change $100 us foe a few bze$ purchase the above list are types of places that have all happily accepted$100bills from me in the last 6 months. Maybe times are changing.

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William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
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FredAr
  1/25/2016 22:44 EST

Usually when I pull out a $100 at the food stores, someone jumps right away and asks me if they can change it for me to Belize dollars. 'Benjamins' appear to be coveted.

bobbyveee
  1/26/2016 08:07 EST

Hi Fred, assume your talking Franklins, not Disraeli's lol. Last yr. There were signs in shops and banks that 100 $ us bills would not be accepted, but a new note was brought out, so maybe its OK now , but not early last yr ,certainly in San Pedro . It was all to do with fake bills ,

FredAr
  1/26/2016 09:22 EST

Actually I heard about that not so long ago, there was some nervousness about $100 bills. Looks like a 'bad' lot was circulating around, now most have the 'ink pencil' to double check.

kcrbel
  1/26/2016 11:23 EST

Even though it is a standard conversion rate, we have found that our bank charges a 7% conversion fee, rather than the minimal ATM transaction fee. You may want to check with your bank.

FredAr
  1/26/2016 12:38 EST

I have seen the same thing, a 1.90BZ to $1 US dollar (i.e. Scotia Bank), so we tend to use dollars at all the local markets and get 2:1. Also, I believe Atlantic Bank does give 2:1.
As to ATM, I have notice they are charging a total of $316us for 600BZ, which I assume is their 'service fee' + the ATM fee. This is all suggesting that maybe the best thing is to bring US dollars when short-term visiting or when in the country long-term, the trick is to find someone that will take a US check and give a 2:1 exchange ration.

mcagun
  1/27/2016 00:11 EST

From the UK
I always bring in cash in $US
I change my £ to $US on the high street, never in bank
I get a better rate on the street from the likes of Cash-a-Cheque, Thomson, Thomas Cook, Coop Travel, I just compare on the day
Only bring cards for emergency, I never use them
As long as you declare the legal limit
I have brought in $,000's in cash before
Everyone accepts US$ and I can even get better than 2>1 exchange on the Belize streets

mcagun
  1/27/2016 00:14 EST

For the Americans,
Once you have spent a while in Belize you will find ways of getting your money in Belize

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