I was in Cancun earlier this year. As long as we left the resort and went into town (by bus: .65 each way) our dollars went pretty far. At a few decent meals in town with drinks for about half of what it would've cost us here in the Northeast. But I always get a chuckle when I hear a midwesterner blurt out "$6.00 for a beer?? Wow that's expensive".

Back on topic. Does anyone know what Belize is like compared to the dollar?

FYI, Canada does not have a 15% sales tax. The federal GST is currently 6%, and most provinces then tax sales on top of that. In Ontario, cumulative tax is 14% (8% PST plus 6% GST); in Alberta and all of the territories, total sales tax is 6% (no provincial/territorial tax).

Yes, the combined provincial sales tax (pst) in those jurisdictions that have one and federal goods and services tax (gst), or alternatively the harmonized sales tax (hst) collected in some provinces runs from just over 11% to as high as 16%. I think this is accurate but it gives an approximate idea in any case.

The sad part for tourists is that the generous GST/HST Visitor Rebate Program for tourists, which included the GST paid for short-term lodging, was cancelled at the end of March. :(

Nonetheless, it's still a great place to visit! ^

A lower valued "bush peso" is better for American industry. American exporters sell more product overseas, and foreign goods become relatively more expensive in the USA, making American goods more competitive both at home and abroad. (eg. Volkswagen is looking at opening a factory in the USA because, due to the value of the dollar, the cost to produce overseas and export the cars to the USA is cutting deeply into their profits in the North American market). Such a scenario leads to a lower US trade deficit.

^ for American industry, :td: for American tourists.

I, as an exporter, am happy to see a lower valued US$!

And I would recommend Chile as a destination - still a good value to the $.