FAQ
Getting to Belize & Where to Stay
One of the best parts about cruising Belize is the culture. While English is the official language, the country reflects a vibrant blend of Caribbean, Creole, Garifuna, and Maya influences, creating an atmosphere that's both welcoming and uniquely Belizean.
When should I arrive?
The Stay Salty adventure begins in Placencia, a relaxed beach town in southern Belize and the gateway to some of the most spectacular cruising grounds in the Caribbean.
We recommend arriving in Belize no later than December 4, as we'll board the catamarans around 10:00 AM on December 5.
✈️ Fly into Belize International Airport (BZE)
🛩️ Enjoy a scenic 45-minute flight to Placencia (PLJ)
⛵ A short taxi ride brings you to Laru Beya Marina
We'll return to the marina early on the morning of December 12, giving you the option to catch a flight home that day or extend your Belize adventure with a relaxing night ashore.
Where to Stay Before and After Your Trip
Placencia offers a range of beautiful places to stay, whether you're arriving a day early or extending your trip afterward. We recommend looking into the following accommodation options:
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Turtle Inn — A private beach resort with cottages and villas set right on the sand, offering a polished, upscale escape within easy reach of the marina.
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Chabil Mar Villas — Spacious one and two bedroom villas with full kitchens and private verandas, known for personalized service and beachfront infinity pools, just outside the village.
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Blue Reef Beach & Marina — A boutique resort that straddles both the Caribbean Sea and a full-service marina on the lagoon, making it a convenient option close to where you'll be boarding.
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Ocean Breeze Beach Resort — An intimate, walkable option right in Placencia Village, close to local restaurants, beach bars, and shops if you want to explore before setting sail.
Before your trip, we'll provide a detailed travel guide, recommended hotels, flight suggestions, and personalized support to help make planning your journey as smooth and stress-free as possible.
What else does Belize offer?
If you'd like to extend your adventure in Belize before or after the Stay Salty Flotilla, check out the following options.
🏛️ Nim Li Punit Ruins
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Home to the largest carved stone stelae in Belize
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Small on-site museum with fascinating artifacts
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Stunning panoramic jungle views
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A peaceful and lesser-visited archaeological site
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One of the most famous dive sites on Earth
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Giant marine sinkhole ~400 ft deep
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Dive alongside massive stalactites
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Typically accessed via full-day boat or scenic flight tours
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A true bucket-list experience for certified divers.
🔵 The Great Blue Hole
🐒 Wildlife EncountersMonkey River Tour A Must-Do Experience
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Guided jungle walks and river exploration
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Wildlife sightings may include:
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Black howler monkeys 🐒
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Crocodiles 🐊
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River turtles 🐢
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Herons & frigate birds 🐦
🌴 San Pedro (Ambergris Caye)
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One of the most famous dive sites on Earth
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Giant marine sinkhole ~400 ft deep
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Dive alongside massive stalactites
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Typically accessed via full-day boat or scenic flight tours
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A true bucket-list experience for certified divers.
💦 Waterfalls & Jungle Adventure
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Cliff jumping into pristine natural pools
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Beautiful tropical jungle setting
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Opportunity to visit nearby traditional Maya villages
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Great for jungle hiking and nature immersion
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Famous for its relaxed motto: “Go Slow.”
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Smaller, quieter, and more barefoot-bohemian
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Beautiful swimming areas like The Split
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Excellent snorkeling at Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley
🌊 Caye Caulker
Fishing in Belize
World-class fishing awaits inside the Great Maya Reef. Target species include Snapper, Grouper, Spanish Mackerel, and Barracuda, plus legendary flats fishing for tarpon, permit, and bonefish.
Sport fishing license required ($25 USD/week)
Purchase at:
coastalzonebelize.org → Programs → Sport Fishing
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Rod, reel & lures available for ~$10 USD/day
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Lobster season closed: Feb 15 – June 15
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Spear guns permitted only while free-diving (no tanks)
Prevailing Winds
December marks the start of Belize's dry season, so you're arriving right as the weather turns in your favor: sunny days, lower humidity, and some of the most reliable conditions of the year. Trade winds blow steadily from the east at 10 to 20 knots, and because you're sailing behind the second-largest barrier reef in the world, the water stays calm and protected even when the breeze fills in, giving you consistent, comfortable sailing without the open-ocean swell you'd find elsewhere in the Caribbean.
December can occasionally bring what locals call a "norte," a stronger northerly wind that blows through for a day or two, so conditions may shift a bit day to day. That's part of why the route stays flexible. Brady will be watching the forecast closely and adjusting the day-to-day plan as needed, but you can expect warm sun, good breeze, and calm anchorages for the majority of the trip.
Travel Insurance
We’ve compiled preliminary travel insurance information as a starting point for your trip planning. Guests are responsible for reviewing policy details and securing coverage that is appropriate for their specific travel needs.
🥇 GOLD — Allianz Travel Insurance (best overall reputation + claims reliability)
✅ Why this wins
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Massive global insurer
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Very strong reputation for actually paying claims
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Offers strong trip cancellation + interruption + evacuation
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Has annual plans which are ideal if you travel a lot
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On cruise/travel forums, people consistently say they use Allianz and report smooth claims.
✅ What to buy (for THIS trip)
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OneTrip Prime or Premier
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Add Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) if trip cost is high. CFAR typically reimburses ~50–75% of prepaid trip costs if you cancel for a non-covered reason.
💰 Price
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Usually ~5–10% of total trip cost
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CFAR adds ~40–50% premium
⭐ Best for: “I want max protection and a company that actually answers the phone.”
🥈 SILVER — AXA Assistance USA (excellent value + very strong medical/evac)
This is VERY popular with experienced cruise travelers.
On cruise forums people specifically call out AXA Gold / Platinum plans as great for international trips, especially because of strong evacuation coverage.
✅ Why it’s silver
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Often cheaper than Allianz
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Very strong medical + repatriation limits
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Good adventure-activity tolerance (important for sailing)
💰 Price
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Often ~20–30% cheaper than Allianz
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CFAR available
⭐ Best for: “I want strong coverage but still care about price.”
🥉 BRONZE — World Nomads (best for adventure travelers / simplest)
This one shows up a LOT in sailing + backpacking + remote travel communities.
Sailors often recommend World Nomads for worldwide travel policies with evacuation benefits.
✅ Why bronze
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Very easy to buy
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Designed for active trips
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Good emergency medical + evacuation
⚠️ Downsides
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Claims reputation is more mixed
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Cancellation coverage limits can be lower
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Sometimes pricier than expected for high-value trips
⭐ Best for: “I want simple coverage focused on adventure + medical risk.”
Cancellation Policy
All cancellations will incur a 3% processing fee plus a $50 administrative charge.
1. Cancellation 90+ Days Before Event
If a participant cancels 90 days or more prior to the first day of the event, they will receive a full refund minus the fees listed above.
2. Cancellation 60–89 Days Before Event
If a participant cancels between 60–89 days prior to the first day of the event:
If the trip has been paid in full, a 50% refund will be issued (minus fees listed above).
The initial 50% deposit is non-refundable.
3. Cancellation Within 60 Days
If a participant cancels within 60 days of the first day of the event, no refund will be issued. This applies regardless of the reason for cancellation, including but not limited to: illness or injury, family emergencies, travel delays or missed flights, political instability or civil unrest, weather or natural events, government advisories or restrictions, personal schedule changes.
Participants are strongly encouraged to purchase comprehensive travel insurance to protect their investment.