Should you need local currency, one of the easiest ways is through the use of an ATM or automated teller.Belize has 5 banks – three are local, The Belize Bank, Atlantic Bank and Alliance Bank and two are international Scotia Bank and First Caribbean (Barbadian) – and all have ATMs, though only the Atlantic Bank,Belize Bank and Scotia Bank will allow international bank transactions on cards.

All cities and towns in Belize should have at least one Belize Bank machine equipped with ATMs – and most allow out of town visitors to use their Visa or MasterCard credit or debit cards to withdraw up to Belize $500. (US$250.) per day.

Atlantic Bank ATMs allow you to withdraw up to Belize $1,500 (US$750) per day. These ATMS are clearly labeled with the Plus or Cirrus logos. If they are not, only local credit cards will work. ATMS are far more convenient than trying to exchange your foreign currency by walking into a bank.

Credit cards including Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted (AMEX in some, you will need to check) in most hotels, restaurants and tourism-related businesses – for example dive shops and auto rentals, and also at almost any well-stocked supermarket. Dollar-type stores and cheap restaurants do not generally accept credit cards – so ask before you run up a bill.

If you do decide to walk into a bank be wary of certain days of the month when these are full and have long lines. Government is the biggest single employer (over ten thousand workers). It pays junior employee salaries on the 14th of the month in the capital Belmopan, and on the 15th in the rest of the country. In addition Fridays are terrible days at most banks, as they do not open on weekends. Thus people who need money for the weekend queue up early on that day – along with workers who are paid weekly – on Fridays. In addition, smaller businesses that pay workers directly send their clerks to the banks to draw their payrolls on Fridays.

The Atlantic Bank Office at San Pedro is open on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. as well as some of their other offices throughout the country.