Turneffe Flats Trip Information
TRIP INFORMATION & RECOMMENDATIONS The following is information
that will allow you to be fully prepared for your upcoming trip to Turneffe
Flats. Please read it carefully:
TRAVEL: DO NOT FORGET YOUR PASSPORT. A valid passport is required
to enter Belize. We recommend that you carry a change of clothing and your
necessary personal items such as medications in your carry-on bag. Although
we have not had a substantial problem with lost luggage, this can help
prevent some major headaches. Keep the bottom portion of your Immigration
Form, which you will fill out on your arriving flight. It will be used when
you depart Belize.
CURRENCY: U.S. currency is easily exchanged in Belize at a rate of
$2 BLZ for $1 US, and you do not need to exchange money before leaving the
U.S. Large US bills ($50's and $100's) are difficult to break, and we
suggest that you bring smaller bills. Other currencies should be exchanged
for Belizean dollars or US dollars prior to traveling to Belize. Turneffe
Flats accepts MasterCard, VISA, and Discover as well as travelers checks or
personal checks drawn on U.S. banks. Major Credit Cards are accepted in
Belize City. ARRIVAL: We ask that all flights arrive no later than
3:30pm. Upon arrival at Belize International Airport, you will pick up your
luggage, clear Customs and exit the airport. In case you need assistance
with your luggage (a very short distance), airport porters are available. As
you exit Customs, a Turneffe Flats representative will meet you and
transport you to the Princess International Hotel Marina. At the Marina, you
will be notified of the boat’s scheduled departure time, which varies
according to guest arrivals. There is a restaurant/bar at the Marina for
lunch or a beverage while you wait to leave for Turneffe Flats. If for some
reason you cannot find a representative of Turneffe Flats at the airport,
please take a taxi to the Princess International Hotel Marina.
If your flight is delayed and you miss our transfer boat, you will need
to stay in Belize City on Saturday night and catch our guide boat from the
Princess International Hotel Marina at 7:30 A.M. Sunday. If the guide boat
is full, you will need to hire a charter to take you across. This will be at
your own expense and Turneffe Flats can arrange this for you. If you need
help with Saturday night arrangements, please contact the island (220-4046)
or the reservation office (888-512-8812, option 1). Plan to be at the
Princess Marina with your luggage by 7:15 A.M. Sunday morning. We will
contact you Saturday night to discuss the next day’s arrangements. The cost
of meals and lodging, and/or the charter in Belize City is not covered in
your Turneffe Flats package. BOAT TRIP TO TURNEFFE: The trip by
boat to Turneffe Flats takes approximately 90 minutes. You will travel
through several offshore cayes, the Barrier Reef, across open ocean, and
then through the Turneffe Islands to Turneffe Flats.
MEALS: We pride ourselves in providing quality dining complete
with fresh fruits, fresh seafood and fresh baked pastries. Meals are served
family-style in the main lodge, and are a tasty combination of Belizean and
American dishes. The coffeepot in your room will be prepared and ready to
go. A breakfast of fresh fruit, cereal, eggs, pancakes, bacon, sausage and
fresh baked goods is served from 7:00-8:00 a.m. Lunch at the lodge, is
served between noon and 2:00. Guests will have the daily option of returning
for lunch or taking a packed lunch. Hors d' oeuvres and cocktails are served
at 6:15. Dinner, at 7:00, is the big meal of the day. Entrees vary from
seafood, chicken, pork and beef.
DRESS: Dress at the lodge is casual and there is no need for
formal clothing. MAIN LODGE: The social center for Turneffe Flats
is our centrally air-conditioned main lodge, which includes our dining area
and bar. A pre-dinner gathering for hors d'oeuvres, drinks and conversation
is customary. The large breezy verandah is a wonderful place to relax and
enjoy the evening. The gift shop is also located in this building.
 GUEST ROOMS: Our accommodations include eight large guest rooms
located on the beach plus two large three-bedroom villas.
Our sea-side rooms have a panoramic view of the Caribbean and Turneffe Atoll
reef. Our Reef Villa is located on the beach with a wonderful view of the
reef. The Garden Villa, our newest and most deluxe accommodation, is set
back from the beach but enjoys a fantastic view as well. All rooms are
air-conditioned and most are furnished with one queen size bed and one
single bed. All rooms have private bathrooms. POWER: Turneffe Flats
is operated with diesel generators, which supply 110V/220V AC. Generators
run around the clock and are not within hearing distance of guest rooms.
WATER: Water is primarily supplied by rainwater collection and
desalinization. Our fresh water supply is somewhat limited, and we ask that
guests conserve water when possible.
BAR: Our bar is well stocked with at least Scotch, Bourbon, Gin,
Rum, Vodka, Tequila, Vermouth and several liqueurs. In addition, we have red
& white wine as well as local Belikin beer. Liquor, beer and drink setups
are not included in your package price. Individual tabs are kept, and you
can check on your tab at any time during your stay.
LODGE EXPENSES: At the end of your stay, you may pay your tab with
cash, travelers’ check, personal check or credit card – Turneffe Flats
accepts VISA, MasterCard & Discover. Tips are best paid with cash or
travelers checks but if you wish to use your credit card, a 3% charge will
be levied on that portion of your tab. Also, please remember we have a
limited amount of change available at the resort.
OTHER ACTIVITIES: There is a very nice area to swim and snorkel in
front of the lodge and we recommend that everyone take a little time during
his or her stay to do some snorkeling. We have a limited supply of
snorkeling gear and it is best to bring your own. If you do wish to rent
equipment, this is best arranged through the reservation office prior to
your arrival. We have two Ocean Kayaks available for your use. BELIZE
TOURS: We can help arrange tours of the many points of interest in
Belize either before or after your stay at Turneffe Flats. These
arrangements are best made prior to your departure with the reservation
office or through your booking agent.
TIPS: Tipping is at your discretion and should relate directly to
the level of service you receive. As we are often asked about customary
tipping practices, we offer the following suggestions for your convenience.
Tips should be paid in cash or with traveler’s checks as the resort has a
limited amount of change, and we suggest that all tipping be done at the end
of your visit. Suggestions below are in US dollars.
Fishing Guides $10-$25 per angler per day for shared boat and $20-$50 per
angler per day for private boat.
Dive Staff $10-$20 per diver per day (this covers all dive staff)
Atoll Adventure $10-$20 per guest per day
Lodge Staff (kitchen staff, housekeepers, waitresses, luggage handlers,
etc.) $70-$100 per guest per week.
EMERGENCIES: If you have an emergency, please call our reservation
office at 888-512-8812. The phone number on the island is 011 501 220-4046
but it is sometimes difficult to contact the island directly. DEPARTURE
FROM TURNEFFE FLATS: You will leave the island on Saturday morning at
approximately 8am, after a light breakfast. From the Belize City marina you
will be transferred to the airport. On the departing Saturday we can
accommodate any flight scheduled at 11:30 or later, and currently there is a
11:20 Continental departure that we are also accommodating. The earlier
departures require that we need to leave Turneffe Flats earlier than usual.
If you have saved the bottom portion of your incoming Immigration Form, it
can be used again upon departure. Your airline MAY collect a departure tax
at the check-in area, approximately $40.00 U.S. per person depending on your
airline and ticketing agency. For guests with mid-late afternoon departure
flights, we can arrange a half-day tour of a Mayan Ruin or The Belize Zoo
with a local tour operator.
Thank you for choosing Turneffe Flats and have a wonderful trip.
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