Getting to the Lodge: 

To reach Turneffe Flats Lodge, you will need to arrange travel to and from Belize City’s Philip Goldson International Airport (BZE). International flights to BZE go through Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, and Newark. Major airlines that are servicing these flights to BZE are American Airlines, United, Southwest, Jet Blue, and Delta. 

Arrival Day:
Please arrive no later than 3:30 PM. Upon arrival at the 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 Fort George Marina. There you will be notified of the boat’s scheduled departure time, which varies according to guest arrivals. A restaurant/bar is available at Fort George for lunch or a beverage while you wait to leave for Turneffe Flats. If for any reason you cannot find the Turneffe Flats representative at the airport, please take a taxi to the Fort George Marina. 

The boat trip takes about 90 minutes. You will travel through several offshore cayes, the barrier reef, across the open ocean, and then through the Turneffe Islands to Turneffe Flats Lodge. Generally, motion sickness is not an issue, but ocean conditions may dictate otherwise. You may get settled in and prepare your gear for the next days of fishing.

Departure Day:  

Guests need to schedule a departing flight out of Philip Goldson International Airport (BZE) after 11:30 AM on the day they leave the lodge. 

Documentation Requirements: 

To enter Belize, all guests are required to have the following: 

• Passport: Valid for the duration of your trip. 
• Register through Belize Immigration: Via website or app 

Belize Immigration Registration Notes:

Belize has introduced a streamlined Online Immigration and Customs Declaration System to make arrivals and departures through Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) faster and easier. Please note that you have two options for registration: website or app. 

As part of this update, paper immigration forms are no longer used for entry into Belize. If you don’t, you will severely prolong the duration that you spend in customs as you will have to fill out the same registration there. Travelers should complete the required forms online before travel, or through the official Belize app on their phone. 

Before You Leave for Belize:
To complete the digital immigration and customs declaration, you will need: 

• Your passport 
• Flight information and dates for both arrival and departure 
• Your accommodation details in Belize. If prompted, enter the lodge name and location within Belize. 

Once submitted, you will receive a QR code for your arrival and another for your departure. Please screenshot or print both QR codes and keep them accessible for Belize Immigration. 

The Belize Immigration form website is a free government service. If you are ever asked or redirected to a website asking for payment, it is not the official service. Please use only the website provided. 

Belize Travel - https://ideclare.gov.bz/Belize_Digital_Forms/ 

Or use the BELIZE App 

Travelers may also complete the forms through the official BELIZE app, identified by colorful “BELIZE” lettering on a light blue background. 

• Download the BELIZE app from your phone’s app store. 
• Open the app and select “Getting here” (airplane icon, first column, fourth row). 
• Complete the arrival form. 
• Complete the departure form as well, so you have your QR code ready for departure. 

We recommend completing both the arrival and departure forms before leaving home. Save the QR codes to your phone and, if possible, bring printed copies as a backup. Having both QR codes ready will help make your arrival into Belize and your departure home as smooth as possible. 

Travel Cash:  

As a guideline we recommend that each guest travel with approximately $800-$1,000 for staff & guide gratuities, alcohol, licenses, etc. At the end of your stay, you may pay your tab with cash or credit card. Turneffe Flats accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover.  

Gratuities:
Tipping is at your discretion and should relate directly to the level of service you receive. Gratuities are best paid in cash, however, should you elect to pay with a credit card, the lodge charges a service fee which will be added to the tip portion of your bill only. As we are often asked about customary tipping practices, the following are suggestions for your convenience, all in US dollars.  

• Fishing Guides: $100 per skiff per day. For a shared boat this is $50 per angler per day.  
• Dive Staff: $20-$40per diver per day. This covers your Dive Master, Boat Captain, Dive Assistants and those filling tanks. 
• Atoll Adventure: $20-40 per guest per day. 
• Lodge Staff (kitchen staff, housekeepers, waitresses, bartenders, luggage handlers, etc.): $100-$200 per guest per week.

Fishing Licenses:
Turneffe Atoll has a Marine Reserve Entrance Fee that is issued for the atoll and covers the fishing license. This license costs $50 and will be paid on-site. It can be paid by card or cash. 

Biting Insects:
Turneffe Atoll has both mosquitoes and biting flies present. The mosquitoes are year-round and the intensity of them can vary throughout the year. The best deterrent is either covering up with clothes or utilizing a solid bug spray. With the biting flies (also known as doctor flies), they are generally more aggressive in the hotter months. Sprays usually do not deter them and you will need to rely on clothing coverage to get you from getting bitten. Their mouthparts are designed to pierce, so sometimes tight-fitting clothing can allow them to bite through, like leggings. Loose clothing is your best line of defense. 

Cell Coverage and Wi-Fi: 

• Cell Coverage: There is no cell phone service at the lodge 
• Wi-Fi: The lodge has wireless internet 

Communications:
While traveling in Belize we recommend using WhatsApp as this is the way most lodges and outfitters communicate. Texting through the app will allow you to keep in touch with the outfitter, friends, and family when connected to Wi-Fi or your cell service provider.   

Power:

Power is standard 110 volt (same as in the US) and you will not need any plug converters for your electrical equipment. Turneffe Flats is operated with diesel generators that run around the clock and are not within hearing distance of guest rooms.

Laundry:
Laundry service is available for a fee and paid on-site.

Water:
Water is primarily supplied by rainwater collection and desalinization. The fresh water supply is somewhat limited, and guests are asked to help conserve water when possible.

Beverages/Alcohol: 

• Soft Drinks, beer, wine, and alcohol: Not included and individual bar tabs are kept to be paid at the end of stay.

Emergency Medical Assistance:
The closest medical facility is in Belize City. Guests have the responsibility to disclose any special medical, physical, or dietary needs to the lodge ahead of time. If you have an emergency, please call their reservation office at 888.512.8812. The phone number on the island is 011.501.232.9022 but it is sometimes difficult to contact the island directly.

Recommended Medical Evacuation Carrier and Insurance Provider:
Global Rescue - https://partner.globalrescue.com/fwtravel/index.html 

Documents:
Passport, plane tickets, itinerary, credit card, cash.

Pliers/Forceps:
We like a solid pair of corrosion resistant pliers with cutters and/or scissor forceps.

Socks:
One pairs of synthetic lightweight socks to wear on the boat for sun protection.  

Footwear & Clothing:
When fishing from the boat going bare foot is best so that you can feel your fly line around your feet and avoid stepping on it. Otherwise, socks can be worn to protect from the sun or biting flies. Wet wading with flats fishing boots or zip-up style neoprene flats booties work great. You may also want to bring flip-flops or sandals to wear on the boat or around the lodge. 

Shirts:
Two or three long sleeve fishing shirts. One or two lodge shirts. 

Pants/Shorts:
One pairs of pants and two pairs of shorts that are comfortable and
quick drying for fishing, wearing around the lodge and traveling. 

Warm Layers:
One lightweight long sleeve jacket. Great for potential chilly nights or on the plane while travelling. 

Rain Jacket:
One lightweight high quality rain jacket.

Hats:Two fishing/baseball hats.

Lodge Shoes:
Flip flops or shoes for around the lodge.

Sun Mask:
One sun mask or gaiter for sun protection.

Sunglasses:
Two pairs of polarized sunglasses. Generally, a rose or yellow base for lowlight and a copper or amber base for sunny conditions. It is great to have a lens cleaner and a soft cleaning cloth as well.

Lip Balm:
One stick of SPF 30+ lip balm. 

Sunscreen:
Definitive studies have shown that sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate severely damage coral reefs. As Turneffe Flats works diligently to protect the marine environment of the Turneffe Atoll and Belize, we request that your sunscreen not contain either of these dangerous chemicals while snorkeling, diving or fishing at Turneffe. Appropriate sunscreen is available for sale in the gift shop.

Camera:

Don’t forget extra batteries and waterproof case/bag.

Headlamp:
One small LED headlamp with extra batteries.

Toiletries Kit:
Toothpaste and toothbrush, deodorant, razor, lotion, mini shampoo
bottle, pain relievers, ear plugs, band aids, anti-bacterial
ointment, antihistamine, antibiotics, chaffing powder/ointment, etc. 

Water Bottle:
One reusable water bottle. 

Blake Katchur specializes in Anglers All's Saltwater and Jungle operations. Contact Blake now for more information about this exciting destination or to inquire about special openings.

303-794-1104

Blake@anglersall.com