The national currency is the Belize dollar , which is conveniently fixed at two to one with the US dollar ( US$1=Bz$2 ); US dollars are also widely accepted (sometimes preferred), either in cash or travellers' cheques. This apparently simple dual currency system can be problematic: it's all too easy to assume the price of your hotel room, or trip for example, is in Belize dollars, only to find payment is demanded in the same number of US dollars - a common cause of misunderstanding and aggravation. All Belizean notes (divided into 100 cents) and coins carry the British imperial legacy in the form of a portrait of Queen Elizabeth, while quarters are called "shillings".

You'll find at least one bank (generally open Mon-Thurs 8am-2.30pm, Fri 8am-4.30pm) in every town, and also in the main seaside destinations of San Pedro, Caye Caulker and Placencia. Although the exchange rate is fixed, banks in Belize will give slightly less than Bz$2 for US$1 for both cash and travellers' cheques; on the other hand, moneychangers at the borders will often give slightly higher rates, especially for larger sums; anywhere else beware of rip-offs. You can usually buy US dollars from the banks and sometimes from hotels or restaurants.

Credit and debit cards are widely used in Belize, with Visa the best option, and are increasingly accepted even in smaller hotels and restaurants, though you might pay an extra 5 or even 7 percent for the privilege - check before you pay. Although banks can give you a Visa/Mastercard cash advance over the counter, Barclays is the only bank which doesn't impose an extra charge to use plastic, and also has the only ATMs which accept foreign-issued cards.