2027 trip plans. Dates are May 16 – 27, 2027
Project Belize, Inc.
About Project Belize, Inc.
Mission: To provide limited medical, dental, and health care related services to remote villages in the Toledo District of Belize through annual clinic visits. Project Belize, Inc. is a non-profit, 501-C-03 corporation that was created in 1988 by a group of adventurous medical, dental, nursing, and community individuals who shared a joint experience of providing medical and dental care to Mayan Indians and natives of the country of Belize. The trip is self-supported by its membership for each year’s trip. Some donations are received from various service organizations, churches, and individuals to offset some of the cost of medicines and supplies. Each participating member pays his/her portion of the trip expenses. Each year’s members serve as its board of directors and the trip and planning meetings serve as the annual meeting. See the website for more information, Projectbelize.org. Officers are Pam Mueller, Treasurer, Dr. Bruce McNellie, Director, Dr. Quinn Robinson, Medical Director, Dr. Barbara Cordell, Secretary, and a series of others who have made many of the trips, serving as its officers as the need arises. Project Belize, Inc. is a non-profit, 501-C-03 and is not associated with a specific denomination or mission effort. Our group works directly with the country’s primary health care administrators. Our principal contact has been the Primary Health Care Coordinator, Punta Gorda, and the director of the Hillside Health Clinic in Punta Gorda, Toledo District. Most of our work in recent years has been in the southwest corner of the Toledo District, Belize, Central America.
Details: The main group will leave Houston Hobby Airport on Sunday, May 16th, 2027 to arrive in Belize City in the afternoon and pick up rental vans for the trip. For those originating out of Texas, we need at least 12 or so people to carry one or two of the medical supply trunks as one of the two checked bags for each person. There is a 50 lb limit on all bags, so plan accordingly.
Upon arrival in Belize, we will load up in the rental vans and drive to Punta Gorda, check into the Sea Front Inn in time for dinner. May 17th is a free day and people can visit ruins, swim, rest, or tour the area. We will spend some of the day getting ready for the clinics, and preparing medical trunks and vans for clinics. Our workdays will be May 18, 19, 20, 21, 2027, returning each night to the Sea Front Inn and convening for our evening meal and meetings. We will have our last group meal at Oscar’s, our guide, and following the meal, our annual board meeting at the Sea Front Inn the evening of the 21st. The lodging and evening meals May 16-21, are paid for in the group fee. Your time is your own beginning the morning of May 22nd and most return to the states on the 27th. Lodging, transportation and meals are your responsibility starting May 22nd. Left to do are fund raising activities for the purchase of medications, packing, contact with the Health Care Coordinator at the hospital, and the director at the Hillside Clinic in Punta Gorda, who have been given our dates for 2027.
To join the group: We will fill up quickly so turn in your health form and pay the $200 deposit soon.
1) Send an email to mcnellie@mcnellie.com that says you are interested in going this year.
2) Submit the application and health form: mcnellie.com/belize/healthform.docx This protects those who will be a part of the 2027 trip in the case of a health emergency. Look over the physical requirements in this this letter to be sure this trip is a good match for you. W
3) Pay the non-refundable $200.00 deposit no later than 12/15/2026. Method of payments include:
Mail a check or money order made payable to Project Belize Inc. to Pam Mueller, 737 Silver Lake Road, Monticello, FL 32344 Venmo @project-belize ; Paypal: projectbelizeinc
4) Notify Bruce McNellie at mcnellie@mcnellie.com and Pam Mueller at muellermont@aol.com when you have paid the deposit, and the form of your payment.
Trip Costs, Payments, and Deadlines * The total trip cost for each individual will be approximately $1650 to $1950 depending on the cost of your flight to Belize, and where you choose to travel on your free days May 22-May 27, 2027. Total Trip Cost is broken down as follows:
1) Airfare to Belize: It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO BOOK AND PAY FOR YOUR ROUNDTRIP TICKET TO BELIZE and back to the states, this will not be booked through Project Belize, Inc. Your flight into Belize City should arrive on May 16th, or you will need to contact Pam or Bruce for other arrangements to get to Punta Gorda. The vans are set to leave the airport early afternoon. If your flight is late, you can catch a flight to Punta Gorda from Belize City The cost of this roundtrip ticket will likely range from $300.00-$400.00. Please send Pam your flight itinerary once you have booked your flight to Belize. We will need to verify your return date and time in order to organize vans returning to Belize City.
2) Group Fee: The group fee is $869.00 per participant and is paid to Project Belize, Inc. This fee covers transportation upon arrival in Belize, dinners, and lodging through the work portion of the trip ending May 21, as well as expenditures necessary for travel and clinics. See the budget detail below.
3) Other possible costs during the work days would be for souvenirs or groceries. You will be responsible for your breakfast and lunch each day. You can purchase food in Punta Gorda, which is near the hotel.
4) The group fee does not include excursions during the free day of May 17, lunches during the work week or transportation, meals and lodging from May 22 through May 27. You are responsible for making reservations and payment for any travel, food and accommodations during these days. On May 22, members of the group may either go to Guatemala, San Pedro island in Belize, or return to the states. More information and approximate cost for each of these will be explained later.
**Fundraising is encouraged. Any funds raised under the Project Belize, Inc., the nonprofit ID must be used for medical expenses, or supplies that benefit the target population stated in our mission statement, the Mayans residing in Southern Belize. Students may fundraise individually to offset the cost of their trip. Ask Pam Mueller or Bruce McNellie for a copy of the Tax ID.
Dates to remember:
December 15, 2026- $200.00 Initial Deposit due with application. This is non-refundable deposit unless your application is not approved.
February 15, 2027- $669, the remaining balance of the $869.00 group fee. This is also the deadline for notifying Bruce McNellie mcnellie@mcnellie.com and Pam Mueller muellermont@aol.com of your travel plans on May 22nd, as well as sending Pam your itinerary for your international flight to Belize. The group fee will cover most expenses from Belize City to Punta Gorda, including ground transportation through the 22nd back to Belize City/Houston, group meals for the evening meals of May 16th-21st, lodging the nights at Sea Front Inn from May 16th through May 21st . You can also buy lunch and breakfast supplies in Punta Gorda the morning of the 17th so you will not have to carry so much food on the plane. Remaining personal meals and lodging costs after the work portion of the trip will be your responsibility, including the remaining breakfasts and lunches during the trip, and all meals and lodging beginning May 22nd through return to Houston on May 27th, 2027.
April 2027- Book directly through Tropic Air.Com for any in-country flights. The above payments can be made by: Mailing a check or money order made payable to Project Belize Inc. to Pam Mueller 737 Silver Lake Road Monticello, FL 32344 Venmo @project-belize
The exact fare for May 2027 has not been posted, but it appears it will be under $500 for Houston or Dallas to Belize City. *Once are certain you are going, I would suggest getting this fare as soon as possible due to the potential for an increase in fuel costs.
*Specific Costs Not included In the Above*:
Lodging costs for nights of May 22nd – May 26th, 2027 for the rest and relaxation portion of the trip. Food costs for meals except the evening meals during the trip on Sunday through Friday evening, which will be buffet meals covered by the group. Breakfast and lunches each day beginning Sunday are on your own, and will need to be out of your back pack. You can buy food in Punta Gorda the morning of the 17th. If some of you decide to keep one of the rented vans, or pick up another vehicle you would need to handle the rental after the 22nd on your own. Approximate cost for optional in-country flights: These would in addition to the $869.00 group fee. You will need to book these through Tropic Air. These are estimates and may be different this year. Belize City to Punta Gorda RT $250.00 Punta Gorda to Belize City One way $150.00 Punta Gorda to San Pedro May 24th and then to Belize City on May 29th 261.00 Belize City to San Pedro Island RT $135.00
*****There is a ferry available for travel from Belize City to the islands and most people ride in the vans back to Belize City and ferry out to the islands. This option Is much less expensive. *The vans will return to Belize City on Thursday morning May 22nd, and those wishing to ride overland will save some money in getting back to Belize City and will likely get to Belize City as early as 10 am (Some can leave early if needed to catch flights).* Flight Information For those flying with the main group on May 16th from Houston, remember to pack so we can allow one of your two checked bags as one of the medication trunks. (This only applies to those ticketing in Houston or Dallas who will be checking in at the same time as the main group.) Note that flight arrangements to and from Belize City from the US or elsewhere for May 16th and May 22nd or other dates should you leave early, are your responsibility.
The main group, as last year, will fly to Belize City on May 16th, get the medical trunks into the country, and pick up the vans. They will meet with our guides on Monday, May 17th. If you cannot fly from Houston to Belize City with the main group, just be in Belize City early afternoon on May 16th so you can catch a ride with the main group in the vans to Sea Front Inn, Punta Gorda for the first night. Otherwise, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to Punta Gorda. There is a flight each hour until about 5 pm and someone can pick you up at the airport in Punta Gorda, about 5 blocks from the hotel.
Options for May 22
1) In past years several have driven into Guatemala to visit the ruins at Tikal and the old Spanish town of Flores. Some of the group may do that again this year and will help with these arrangements. The cost of this part of the trip has been about $350: $40 day in lodging and meals, $20 in border fees, $20 in entrance fee to Tikal, $30 for zip line (for those who want to do it), $25 for horse-back riding (one of the mornings), about $110 to help with gas and vehicle rental, and miscellaneous costs.) The group going to Guatemala will stay at La Casa De Don David’s hotel in El Remate, Guatemala (lacasadedondavid.com) through the night of May 26th, 2027.
2) Some of the group are planning on going to San Pedro, on the island of Ambergris Caye. This can include travel to Belize City with the vans and catching the ferry to the islands or flying from there to the island arriving early afternoon, or flying directly from Punta Gorda to San Pedro, on the Island, arriving early morning. There are several nice hotels on San Pedro. In years past some have stayed at the Holiday Hotel 011 501 2262014 or 011 501 6042354; for approximately $80/night for a room, or 120/night for a double. They have a web site: http://www.sanpedroholiday.com/ . The address is Holiday Hotel, Barrier Reef Driver, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize City, Belize, Central America. San Pedro Holiday Hotel, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize, Phone: 713-893-3825, Skype Name: sanpedroholidayhotel, Fax: +501-226-2295, Email info@sanpedroholiday.com. In past years they gave us a discount so identify yourself as with Project Belize.
3) Some choose to fly back to the US on May 22nd. This can include riding in the vans from Punta Gorda to Belize City for no additional money, or taking a flight from Punta Gorda back into Belize City for an additional flight charge.
Tentative Timeline:
May 9th, 2027 Sunday 2:00 PM Afternoon Packing Medication Party at Austin Heights Baptist Church, 2806 Appleby Sand Rd, Nacogdoches, TX 75965. Bring friends to help.
May 16, 2025 Sunday Main group leaves Austin Height’s Church Parking lot at 8:00 for Houston or Dallas. Arrives in Belize City, picks up vehicles, and spends first night in Punta Gorda. May 17th, Monday, Some may arrive in Belize on Monday or Tuesday and fly by small plane, regular service to Punta Gorda. Entire group spends night at Sea Front Inn from the 16th through the 21st.
May 17th, Monday. Group free day (Cave tours, Blue Creek, Rio Blanco, swimming, Lubaantuun ruins which are about 30 minutes from the hotel), while some visit villages and make arrangements for clinics.
May 18, Tuesday: Clinic day, first work day.
May 19, Wednesday Second work day
May 20, Thursday Third work day
May 21, Friday Fourth work day and eat at Oscar’s Family Home. Board meeting the evening of the 21st at the hotel.
May 22, Saturday: Group disperses, end of work portion of the trip. Travel day Group splits up as desired, some to fly out to destination of choice, return to Houston, or some to drive vehicle back to rental agency in Belize City. Spend night of the 22nd your choice.
May 23, Sunday, Free day, spend night your choice.
May 24, Monday, Free day, spend night your choice.
May 25, Tuesday, Free day, spend night your choice.
May 26, Wednesday, spend night your choice.
May 27, Thursday, Return to Belize City and flight to states. If you have other questions please contact Bruce McNellie 936-560-9437 home; 936 371 2910 cell, email mcnellie@mcnellie.com
As noted above, mark your calendar for a brief group meeting at Memorial Hospital in Nacogdoches if you can make it at 12:00 on April 21rd, 2027 in the cafeteria at to go over any last minute details. You do not have to be at this meeting. Bruce will send notes to those who can’t make it. We can coordinate some of the after-trip plans as well as travel to the airport.
And finally, those of you with connections to clubs or other funding sources, please begin updating them on our trip to see if they might be willing to donate funds for the medications and dental supply expenses. We need about $6500 to buy necessary medications. Payments can be accepted by check, venmo or paypal. Pam Mueller 737 Silver Lake Road Monticello, FL 32344 Venmo @project-belize; paypal: projectbelizeinc. In years past, people have also donated medical supplies for the trip that are utilized by Project Belize participants within the clinics or left in the villages with the health care workers. Be talking up any donors you know for medications for this year’s trip and get them to Bruce McNellie or Quinn Robinson in time for the *packing on Sunday, May 9, 2027*, at the Austin Heights Church. Bring friends to help. Feel free to call me if you have questions: Bruce McNellie, mcnellie@mcnellie.com, 936 560 9437 home: 936 371 2910 cell
Physical Requirements Excerpt from the Application for Project Belize 2020
There may be one significant hike involved in the clinics served by Project Belize 2027. Some participants will likely face a hike through muddy, unmarked trails through the rain forest including a number of significant hills and river crossings. Also there are several significant hills with little shade. Temperature and humidity are routinely in the 90’s. The issue of personal fitness matching the needs of the hikes is important in ensuring no one is hurt as this could detract from the mission of the group and put oneself and others in harm’s way. Consider a typical hike to include walking across uneven and muddy terrain up and down hills in 90 plus degree heat with 90 plus humidity, carrying a 15 to 20 lb pack for up to 3 hours. If this gives you pause, you should explore other opportunities. However, not everyone will face the hike, but everyone will face heat and humidity. You will be asked to acknowledge and agree to the following statement on the application. I attest that I am able to meet the criteria set for Vigorous activity+, Greater than 6.0 METs* (more than 7 kcal/min) as noted in the attached link as defined by the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-weight-growth/physical-activity/
https://assets.practice365.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/755/2023/01/pa_intensity_table_2_1.pdf
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Turn in your health form and pay the $200 deposit soon.
1) Send an email to mcnellie@mcnellie.com that says you are interested in going this year.
2) Submit the health form: projectbelize.org/healthform.docx. Look over the physical requirements in the sample application at the end of this letter to be sure this trip is a good match for you. We will not accept applications after the cap has been reached.
3) Pay the non-refundable $200.00 deposit no later than 12/15/2025. Method of payments include:
- – Mail a check or money order made payable to Project Belize Inc. to Pam Mueller, 737 Silver Lake Road, Monticello, FL 32344
- – Venmo – @project-belize
- – Paypal
4) Notify Bruce McNellie at mcnellie@mcnellie.com and Pam Mueller at muellermont@aol.com when you have paid the deposit, and the form of your payment.
Kit list (Suggested) This year, 2027, we are staying in a hotel, so many things are furnished, such as linens and towels. Note washrags are not always furnished. The rooms are screened and air-conditioned and you will not need a mosquito net.This is list of some of the things Bruce brings each year and represents a pretty good check list for most people such as string, canteen, washrag, extra towel, etc.
Especially important are sturdy shoes/boots that will not come off easily in the mud, insect repellent that contains at least 25% DEET, sun screen, and a swim suit.
*Don’t Forget!* * Make sure your passport is up to date and you know where it is. You have to have it. It takes about 8 weeks to get it updated or get a new one, so get on it soon. You get an application from the district clerk’s office in a county courthouse, have two passport pictures taken and send them with the completed application and your old passport to Houston with about $120 in a money order or cashier’s check. You can check at the county courthouse to get the exact amount.
* Also, don’t forget shots. At this time, you only need to be sure your tetanus shots are updated (every 10 years). Ask your doctor if you have questions. Also, check with your doctor about anti-malaria medication (Malarone or Chloriquine) as well as a good supply of at least 25% DEET (insect repellent) to ward off the mosquitos. The CDC has taken Belize off the list of malaria prone areas, anti-malaria drugs are no longer required. The most important issue is wearing insect spray for mosquitos for Zika and other mosquito borne diseases. We will not plan to out much after dark, so we are somewhat protected from the usual carriers of the disease. Dr. Quinn Robinson will help with the prescription for Chloriquin or the newer anti-malaria pills (Malarone) if you decided to take antimalaria medications. (It is strongly suggested you not take Larium. There have been some complications with this medication and we are advising against using it.) Contact Bruce and he will forward your request for a prescription to Dr. Robinson.
*Vital* Passport, make sure it is up to date and in a zip lock bag to keep it dry.
* Canteen (2) or Camelback for at least two quarts or more
* Water filter (optional); the veterans will have several so ignore unless you are obsessive. Each team will carry a Sawyer Filter as well.
*Sleeping* This year we will be in a hotel with air-conditioning all nights of the trip. *Toiletries*
* Insect repellent (Containing at least 25% deet)
* Serious suntan block/ lotion and hat * Toilet paper in a ziplock bag. We may use outhouses or the woods this year in the villages we visit, so bring your own toilet paper. *
Extra glasses/contacts/Contact solution *Clothing* for about 6 to 7 days or more before you will have access to a laundry. * Good, sturdy, over-the-ankle boots, or over-the-ankle-high walking shoes such as tennis shoe boots that cover the ankle. It is likely we will be walking in deep mud from time to time.
* Shoes for around the clinic if boots are too muddy (wading shoes/thongs/Crocs)
* Swimsuit (we may swim a few times during the trip)
* Shirts
* Shorts * Light colored and light weight clothing, it can be very hot and humid
* One nicer outfit for after trip
*Shots/Medication* * Tetanus shot booster if not in last 10 yrs (suggested, but check with your doctor)
* Personal medication plus prescriptions or prescription bottles
* Chloriquin or Malarone as desired. See your doctor about this. (anti malaria medication)
* Personal electric fan/extra batteries (the small ones at the dollar store are fine and really help)
* Antibiotic ointment for bites, cuts, scrapes * Antiseptic hand-wash or cloths
*Miscellaneous* * Moleskin for blisters
* Money ($100-$200 extra cash, credit cards work only in a few areas, and some $1.00 bills * Fanny pack and zip lock bag for pass port and ticket (plan on getting wet by rain, river, or sweat.)
* Wash-cloth, the hotels do not carry wash cloths
* String to hang wet clothes
* Knife (be sure to pack in checked luggage)
* Flashlight (2) with extra batteries (a headlamp is great for the caving and hiking)
* Camera extra film/storage cards
* Notebook and pens
* Nothing valuable that would hurt you if lost
* Shades
* Spoon, fork, knife, cup
* Needle and thread
* Extra towel for swimming
* Rope/twine
*Food* for breakfast and lunch from Monday on (you can buy food at a super market in Punta Gorda on the morning after we arrive)
* Trail mix, punch mix, hard candy * (On food, we will be at a grocery store on Monday morning in Punta Gorda where you can buy food if you wish vs. trying to pack it or you can pick some up when you arrive if you fly in to Punta Gorda)
*Other* * Needle and thread kits to give out * Bubbles, small toys, favors to hand out during clinics (NO BALLOONS) * Printed material for teaching personal hygiene * Printed material for teaching importance of vitamins, nutrition, and clean water * Printed material for teaching well baby checkups * For Eddie, and his wife & kids; Dvd’s, candy, DVD’s and sewing stuff Eddie’s wife (These are friends of ours who live in Punta Gorda and who look after our stuff during the year)