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What to Bring

Required Items

  • Medical insurance coverage for travelers.
  • A valid passport, which is required to enter Belize.
  • U.S. cash or a credit card for personal expenses.
  • Bedding: 1-2 sets of sheets for single (twin size) mattress, and a pillow.
  • Mosquito net: the kind that can be upheld from two or four points or is self-supported.
  • Personal toilet kit, including: 
    • Bath towel
    • Soap
    • Toothbrush 
    • Toothpaste
    • Other favorite or necessary personal toiletries
  • Flashlight and batteries: consider bringing replacement bulbs and plenty of batteries, as you will use your flashlight every night.
  • Canteen or water bottles (1-liter plastic bottles may be purchased locally in Belize).
  • A sturdy, reusable laundry bag.

Recommended Items

  • Work clothes: 
    • Sturdy long-pants and long-sleeves shirts.
    • A good pair of hiking boots (make sure to break them in before arriving in Belize).
    • Hiking socks.
    • Anything that is cool in high humidity and dries quickly is good.
    • Laundry is done once a week only; bring enough clothes to last ten days.
  • Town/travel clothes: 
    • No short-shorts, halter-tops, dirty or ragged clothes for trips to public areas (the local population is conservative and we need to respect that).
  • Tennis/running shoes
  • Work gloves:
    • Cotton or canvas work gloves dry quickly.
    • Leather gloves are good, but dry slowly and sometimes mold or mildew.
  • Shower/swimming/sandals/thongs/flip-flops/ in-camp shoe.
  • Hat: something that will protect you from rain and sun that can be stored in your backpack.
  • Swimsuit: There are no swimming facilities at camp, but there may be opportunities to go swimming (during the optional travel breaks).
  • Battery-operated fan and batteries.
  • Insect repellent:
    • For skin: Deep Woods Off!™ or Off! Skintastic™ are commonly used - up to about 30%-35% DEET
    • For clothing and gear: Permanone™, or repellent containing permethrin
  • Pocket knife.
  • Pens, pencils, paper, envelopes (for any personal needs). postcards, stamps and aerograms may be purchased locally.
  • A waterproof marker (e.g., Sharpie) to mark your laundry with your name.
  • Backpack ("day pack") that is waterproof, or to which you can apply a waterproofing product. You will use this in the field, to carry your lunch, water, and any other personal items, such as camera, binoculars, paper products, notebooks, and field tools.
  • Garbage bags: at least six - to pack things in and keep them dry, including covering your day pack.
  • Poncho/rain gear. some like ponchos that can be thrown on over your backpack, others prefer a waterproof rain jacket or rain suit.
  • Medications and supplements:
    • Prescriptions/medications and supplements must be in their original pharmacy containers only and should include the pharmacy label bearing your name (not anyone else's name)
      • Carrying a copy of your prescription is recommended.
      • Make sure you have enough for the duration of your stay. Keep in mind that some medications spoil quickly in hot, humid climates, so a dessicant from your pharmacy should be included in the bottle with any tablets.
    • Consider the following: 
      • Pepto-Bismol, Imodium, or other anti-diarrhea medication.
      • Aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium.
      • Eye drops.
      • Electrolyte solution (Gatorade powder).
      • Foot powder.
      • Disposable wet-wipes for field and camp.
      • Minor first aid kit.
      • Allergy medications.
      • Antibiotic cream or wash.
  • Earplugs for swimming or sleeping.
  • Reading material.
  • Snack foods: granola bars, trail mix, or anything that does not require heating or refrigeration.
  • Nylon string and clothespins.
  • Trowel, line level, tape measure.
  • Camera.
  • Personal journal or notebook.
  • Resealable container for your lunch.
  • Spare pair of eye glasses or contact lenses.

What NOT to Bring

  • Electric fans
  • Hair dryers
  • Music speakers
  • Electrical appliances
  • Pets/animals
  • Firearms, slingshots, bows, crossbows
  • Illegal drugs
  • Candles (a fire hazard)

Visitors are only allowed with prior permission. The project is located in a remote area that is difficult to find. We are located on a controlled access, guarded property.