Payment methods in Belize

Priscilla wrote:

Hello everyone,

Once youre settled in Belize, you will need to make some basic purchases, like groceries or pay bills. Hence, it is essential to know the payment methods available in your host country.

1)Which are the most common payment methods in Belize?
1A)Why would you prefer some forms over others?

2)Does the amount of money or the type of paid services (groceries, bills, rent, etc.) determine the choice of payment methods?

3)Are there any apps at your disposal which make the payment process easier in Belize?

4)Can certain foreign currencies be used to make payments?

5)Have your habits in terms of payment methods changed since moving to Belize?

Thanks for sharing your experience,

Priscilla

1)Cash
1A)The banks are the only ones providing merchant services accounts, so the lack of competition results in fees charged to business being much higher than in the USA or Canada. So if a business does accept CCs then most have a minimum purchase amount before they allow the use of a CC.

2)Yes, see answer to 1A)

3)None that I know of.

4)Yes, US Dollars are accepted everywhere. (Dollars, Not coins)
    Most business price everything in whole dollars. The exceptions I notice most are grocery stores, hardware stores.

5)Yes, I tend to use cash more than CC or DC...cash is King.

I think you can pay some utilities through a belize bank account  mostly what will says cash is king.

terrific wrote:

I think you can pay some utilities through a belize bank account  mostly what will says cash is king.

The original series of questions asked only about an App, so I guess my old brain totally forgot about bill paying online through a browser.   

For my little home in Placencia, I pay Electric, Water, and Internet (Smart Fixed Wireless) bills via Credit/Debit cards online using BANK provided websites.

I pay for Trash pickup service at their office using cash. I never asked if they take Credit/Debit cards.

My Prepaid Cell Phone is recharged at any grocery store....were they only take cash for that.
I can use a card at the grocery store for everything else, provided the bill is over an amount set by that particular store. Usually BZD $20-$25.

For gasoline, if one uses cash, you pay the attendant at the pump that has a wad of cash handy for change in whole Dollars. The only coin I have ever seen an attendant use for change is a BZD one dollar coin. One can pay for gas with a card, but you will need to walk inside and pay the cashier.

Oh and watch out for this little scam:
Make sure BEFORE the attendant puts the nozzle  into your  car, that YOU see the pump has been RESET to ZERO. Otherwize some attendants can/will start filling your tank at the point the previous customer has already paid for. 

I have never seen a Pay at the Pump card slot on a pump in Belize.

(Note: I no longer have an account with any Belize bank)

1) Common payment methods:
We pay almost everything using US credit cards. Make sure the card you use doesn't charge extra for foreign transactions beyond the normal currency conversion rate. Ours are "cash back" cards so we earn cash back on our purchases in Belize;-) The exceptions to using credit cards are the veggie market and local labor.
2) Choice of payment method:
Dictated by the payee's requirements. The veggie vendors and our local laborers do not have the ability to accept credit cards or even checks. They need to be paid in cash but that can be Belize or US dollars.
3) Available apps to make paying easier:
It's not an app, per se, but we use Atlantic Bank's online service for paying almost all bills: electric, water, phones, wifi, TV, etc.
4) Currencies accepted:
US dollars and Belize dollars
5) Change of habits since moving to Belize:
Yes. In the US we pay everything by check. Here we don't use checks, although we have a Belizean checking account, because the bank charges excessive fees for US deposits and takes way too long "check clearing" time before funds are available - often as much as 30 days before releasing your funds even though the US check actually cleared in 2-4 days!

This is our experience over the past 7+ years we've lived here in the Jewel.

Why no account with Belizean banks? We're moving to Sarteneja soon and will probably get an account with a Belizean bank. Did you have a negative experience?

Well Lazy, I suggest you take the time to read the many post on banking here in this forum. You will find a ton of information on banking, some good. Lots not so much.

If you do get an account open, please tell us about it.

In Belize it’s far more important to carry cash. It can be US or BZE dollars but many places don’t take credit cards or charge a service charge if a cc is used. Places like the veggie vendors, hair salon, food vendors, small restaurants, tortilla shop, taxis, even some gas stations are cash only. It’s also good to have small bills or dollar coins as some places charge for use of bathrooms. And there are a number of vendors selling cheap treats that are worth trying.