January 22, 2022 posted for January 14,2022 actual crossing
We arrived at the Mexico-Belize border at 4:30 PM on the Friday of a three day weekend, just in time to process the return fee for transporting a car across Mexico. Then it was on to Immigration and Customs in Belize.
Immigration was easy. Then came the PCR test. Next came Customs. Not so easy because it was closing time and the start of a three-day weekend. In retrospect, I am glad we didn’t have to deal with this rigmarole right then and there. (The process is described in Charitable Giving)
We still had to get Belize car insurance and also have BAHA check out the import permits for my dogs and pay their fee. The car insurance place was closed. They simply just closed even knowing folks might need their services-it was a three-day weekend after all and they had their priorities. The issue being it is illegal to drive in Belize without car insurance and the penalty is a hefty fine and/or jail.
The BAHA officers were busy elsewhere with inspecting fruits and veggies. We had to wait two hours for an agent to come inspect the paper work on the dogs. He didn’t need to see the dogs, only their paper work-the BAHA application and the vet report.
After about two and half hours and no car insurance, we crossed into Belize in the dark hoping there would be no check points to deal with. We did have one check point but the officer was busy on his cell phone and waved us through. Whew!
Next issue: where is a dog friendly hotel for the night.
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