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Belize
Information for Enrolled Students

Packing List

We've provided packing recommendations below; however, equivalent items work just fine. We also offer many items for sale via our online store. Please note a sleeping bag is not necessary for your trip. Sleeping essentials will be provided at every hotel & hostel, but it is a good idea to bring a sleeping bag liner for additional comfort.

Duffel Bag

45-60 liters, with shoulder straps, MUST be small enough to carry on the plane

Qty: 1
Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 55 L, North Face Base Camp Duffel S 50 L

Daypack

20-30 Liters Daypack/Backpack to carry your rain jacket, water bottle, and snacks

Qty: 1
Patagonia Refugio Pack 26L, School Backpack

Sleeping Bag Liner

Highly recommended. Silk, cotton, or synthetic. Used as a “lightweight sheet” in warm climates in lieu of a sleeping bag. Used when staying in hotels/ hostels as a personal sheet.

Qty: 1
Sea to Summit Expander Travel Liner

Trail/Tennis Shoes

A pair of comfortable, closed-toed, sturdy, lightweight shoes (able to get dirty)

Qty: 1
Brooks, Salomons

Flip Flops/Crocs

Backless, comfortable shoes that can get wet

Qty: 1

River Shoes

These can be open-toed, but do need to have a back strap - no flip flops!

Qty: 1
Chaco, Teva, Keen - NO FLIP FLOPS

Socks - athletic

Regular, comfortable athletic socks, can be cotton

Qty: 4
Bombas, Footjoys, Champion

Socks - lightweight

Non-cotton, lightweight hiking socks

Qty: 2
Darn tough or Smartwool

Quick Dry Shorts

Synthetic, non-cotton shorts

Qty: 4
Patagonia Baggies, Lulu Lemon Speed Up Short, Nike Dryfit

Bathing Suits

Boys: your quick dry shorts can double as a bathing suit

Qty: 4

Underwear

Synthetic, non-cotton are best (but a couple cotton pairs are permitted)

Qty: 8

Lightweight Warmer Top or Hoodie

Synthetic, non-cotton. This can be a fleece pullover, sweater or a full-zip jacket

Qty: 1
Patagonia R1 Fleece, Arc'teryx Covert Cardigan, Moondance Hoodie

Sun Hoody

Lightweight sunshirt with hood to protect arms and neck from sun

Qty: 2
Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Hoody, Patagonia Tropic Comfort Hoody

Long-Sleeved Rash Guard

For sun protection and comfort in the water

Qty: 1
Patagonia Unisex Long-Sleeved Rashguard

Rain Jacket with Hood

100% Waterproof Rain Jacket with Hood - NO ponchos!

Qty: 1
Marmot Precip, Patagonia Torrentshell

Sports Bras

For Girls

Qty: 4

T-Shirts - cotton

For travel days

Qty: 1
Classic Shortsleeve Moondance tee

T-Shirts - synthetic

Synthetic, quick-dry, non-cotton t-shirts

Qty: 5
Patagonia Capilene Cool Shirt, Marmot Windridge, TASC Performance Carrollton Performance Crew

Bandana/Buff

For additional sun and wind protection. Buffs are tube-like and can be worn up to 12 different ways providing versatile sun protection. Can even be worn as a headband!

Qty: 1
Moondance Buff

Baseball or Wide-Brimmed Hat

For sun protection

Qty: 1

Headlamp

With Fresh Batteries + 2 Sets of Spare Batteries; This is very important!

Qty: 1
Black Diamond Spot, Black Diamond Storm, Black Diamond Astro

Stuff Sack

Nylon or mesh stuff sack (sleeping bag size) for dirty clothes, etc.

Qty: 2
Sea to Summit Stuff Sack, Sea to Summit Mesh Sack

Sunglasses

With 100% UV Protection

Qty: 1
Goodr, Smith, Oakley, Sunski

Sunglasses Holder

Qty: 1
Croakies or Chums

Water Bottles

32oz Water Bottles

Qty: 2
Nalgene 32oz Wide Mouth Water Bottle

Dopp Kit

Contains: toothbrush, toothpaste, travel shampoo & soap, deodorant, sunscreen

Qty: 1
Patagonia Black Hole Cube 6L-M

Insect Repellent

Travel size, recommend 50-95% DEET

Qty: 2

Reef-Safe, Non-Spray Sunscreen

Travel Size

Qty: 2
Reef safe waterproof sunscreen (Kokua, Thinksport, Stream2Sea)

Prescription Glasses + Contacts

If your child wears glasses and/or contacts, please bring at least one spare pair of glasses/ lenses. Contact lens wearers should bring a pair of glasses as backup in addition to contacts.

Qty: 2

Small First Aid Kit

Contains: Insect repellent, waterproof sunscreen, Band-aids, Moleskin, Chapstick w/ sun prevention, Wet Ones wipes, Dramamine (if prone to motion sickness), personal hand sanitizer.

Qty: 1

Blister Pill Pack or PillBox

The best way to send medication is with PillPacks by Amazon or a Pill Box.

Qty: As needed
Consider https://pharmacy.amazon.com/pillpack

Personal + Travel Medications

Please bring any personal medications and travel medications as advised by your Physician.

Qty: As needed

Carabiner

Non-plastic

Qty: 1
Sea to Summit Large Accessory Carabiners

Pack Towel

Absorbent & quick to dry, large or extra-large works best

Qty: 1
Sea to Summit Drylite Towel

Whistle

Small, pea-less plastic will do; most backpacks/daypacks have whistles on their sternum strap which would suffice!

Qty: 1

Wallet

Personal wallet with $150 spending money and valid identification; be mindful of international exchange and certain credit card restrictions

Bank card or credit card; NO cash, except for $20 to be collected Day 1 and returned on departure day

International Travel Authorization

Original signed and notarized international travel authorization form; N/A for students 18 at the start of the trip

Qty: 1

Passport + Copies

Passport (valid for 6 months after the last day of your trip) + 2 additional photocopies of your passport

Qty: 1 + 2 copies

PADI E-Learning Copy

Printed hardcopy of completed PADI E-Learning form (additional details to come regarding this)

Unaccompanied Minor Fees

If you do not pay online in advance for the return flight's UM Fees, make sure your student has enough money to cover it (varies by airline)

A Good Book

Paperback books are less bulky; NO kindles or e-readers

Notebook with Pen

For journaling

Backpacker's Pillow

HIGHLY recommend; a luxury to have while camping or on travel days

Qty: 1
Therm-a-rest Compressible Pillow

ENO Hammock

A great option for downtime and to relax!

Qty: 1

Camera

With charger, extra battery, and 32-64 GB memory card

Qty: 1
Canon Powershot G9 X

GoPro

With charger, extra battery, and 32-64 GB memory card

Qty: 1

External Charger

Portable charger/power bank to charge camera and GoPro

Qty: 1

International Adapter

Country-specific power adapter for charging cameras

Qty: 1

Packing Tips

We encourage parents and students to check the local weather the weeks and days leading up to departure for their trip. For some locations, weather can vary significantly between early June and late July, and students going on a later session of a trip may not need an extra layer.

 

In the event that your luggage is delayed or lost in transit, we want you to be prepared. Therefore, wear tennis or hiking shoes on the plane. Plus, pack the following items from this packing list in your daypack / school backpack carry-on:

  • A change of clothes (underwear + t-shirt + shorts or pants)
  • Your rain jacket
  • Prescription medications & toothbrush
  • Passport, ID, money
  • Completed International Travel Authorization form

These items are already included in the packing list – they are not additional items!

Lodging

Sleeping

During your trip you will stay in a variety of accommodations; private lodge (cabin style with bunks), community stays, and hotels (single gender rooms). Bedding with pillows will be provided throughout your trip. Sleeping bag liners are highly recommended.


Eating

Eating utensils (plates and cutlery) will be provided throughout the trip.

If you have any special dietary restrictions/ considerations, please contact the Moondance office for further information.

Immunizations

Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis

Required; must be within 10 years of the trip

Routine Vaccinations

Moondance adheres to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations. They state that routine vaccines are those recommended for everyone in the United States, depending on age and vaccine history. Please consult with a physician for specific recommendations based on your health history and continuously check the CDC website for updates.

Routine vaccinations related to travel may include the following:

  • COVID-19
  • Chickenpox (Varicella)
  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • Influenza
  • Measles, mumps, Rubella
  • Meningococcal
  • Pneumococcal
  • Polio
  • Rotavirus
  • Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis

Rabies

The Centers for Disease Control recommends a pre-exposure rabies vaccination before your trip because rabid dogs are commonly found in this country.  There may be limited or no rabies treatment available. We will encounter dogs and wildlife especially as we travel to rural areas.

Typhoid

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.

Check out the map tab on this page to view a map of where Moondance groups will be traveling throughout Belize. Provide this information to your physician of choice (primary care physician, travel clinic, etc.) in order to get the most accurate suggestions for immunizations and vaccinations.

Click on the country name to see what the CDC recommends for travelers in Belize.

 

Flight Options

Belize 1, June 5-June 18, 2025

Belize 2, June 21-July 4, 2025

Belize 3, July 7-July 20, 2025

Additional Information

Book Travel with our Partner Agency

We recommend you book with our partner travel agency (Exito) for this trip. Please complete this form, and they will be in touch in 3-5 days via email with flight options.

Phone or WhatsApp: +1.970.237.4399
Email: vip@exitotravel.com

Map