Belize Guide
Money
Prices and exchange rates are fairly stable, with the national currency, the Belize dollar, very conveniently fixed at the rate of two to the US dollar (Bz$2=US$1). US dollars (cash and traveller's cheques) are also accepted everywhere – and in some places even preferred – as currency. This apparently simple dual currency system can be problematic, however, as you'll constantly need to ask which dollar is being referred to; it's all too easy to assume the price of your hotel room or trip is in Belize dollars, only to discover on payment that the price referred to was in US dollars – a common cause of misunderstanding and aggravation.
The Belize dollar is divided into 100 cents. Banknotes come in denominations of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollars; coins come in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 cents and 1 dollar, although 10 and 50 cent pieces are less commonly seen. All notes and coins carry the British imperial legacy in the form of a portrait of Queen Elizabeth – and quarters are sometimes called "shillings".