chip in Ipad

It is most likely a GSM device as used in the US by AT&T and  T-Mobile. vs CDMA as used by Verizon and Sprint.

GSM in Belize is BTL.
Smart the other cell phone company uses CDMA.

Neither of them has a bargain for cell phone data. 

A couple years ago I bought a $100 unlocked GSM smart phone on Amazon.com for international use.  If you have a Fry's Electronics near you and the time to shop there before you leave, you might want to get an inexpensive smartphone, as I find using an Ipad (of any form factor) as a phone is kinda awkward.

In Belize I use on BTL for calling/texting, and as a WiFi HotSpot for my Ipad and/or PC when away from the Placencia house.

At the house I have Internet from Smart that I use for WiFi on all devices.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for that, just seemed a good idea at the time and you know how that usually works out. I will just use it as normal as a mini computer on wifi when I get there and use the clunky flip phone for calls. Great unexpected chance to get a couple of weeks a my lovely ranch so all having to be done in a 48 hour window. Might look for a cheap smart phone before i come down next time, as that seems best plan. My telephone provider for the  I phone  allows full use in Belize at $10 a day which i can switch on or off day by day if I need it for a particular reason.

Hi Larry here.  Have you heard of magicJack? With magicJack you just need to have the internet and you have to pay for an international service through magicJack. I have used this product for about 14 years. When. I leave the States I use this service sometimes, and it works through my iPad. I hope that helps. You won’t need any chip for your device. Or you can purchase a Hotspot device. There are several apps that can be used, for example “WhatsApp”. Thanks.