Corruption at Belize, Guatemala border crossing
September 2000
Be careful when crossing the border between Belize and Guatemala at
Cd
Melchor de Mencos. The money changer in Belize
pestered us so much that we decided to change in
Guatemala. Once over the border the money changers there
offered such a poor rate that we wished we'd exchanged in Belize. We
paid 40Q to the agriculture department to have the car
fumigated, which was never done. We then paid 35Q
each for an entry stamp. Suspicious of such a high
payment we asked an American man who said he often makes the crossing
and he said it should be 10Q each. The official tried to
dismiss our questioning. When we asked for a
receipt he said he couldn't give one so we demanded
to see the boss, who eventually gave us 50Q back.
