Visitors to Belize must possess a passport valid for at least three months after the date of arrival and a return ticket with sufficient funds to cover their stay. Visitors are given a one-month stay, after which an extension can be applied for with the Immigration Department. Visas are not required for citizens of the United States and its territories, Canada, United Kingdom and its territories, European Union, Caribbean and Central American Countries. The Immigration Department can be reached at 501-222-4620.

Airplane: Flying is by far the most popular form of transportation in and around Belize. The country has one international airport located in Ladyville (nine miles north of Belize City), called Philip Goldson International Airport (BZE). Travelers coming from the United States and Canada can find several direct flights into BZE.

Nonstop air service is available from: Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Miami, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Charlotte, Newark, Panama, Toronto & Calgary.

Carriers that offer flights from these cities are: 
- American Airlines (www.aa.com), 
- United Airlines (www.united.com), 
- Delta Airlines (www.delta.com), 
- United Airlines (www.united.com), 
- Sun Country Airlines (www.suncountry.com), 
- Copa Airlines (www.copaairlines.com), 
- Air Canada (www.aircanada.com), 
WestJet (www.westjet.com)

From BZE, connections can be made to various destinations within Belize, including Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker,Corozal, Dangriga, Big Creek, Placencia, San Ignacio, Corozal and Punta Gorda. Local Belizean carriers include Maya Island Air (www.mayaislandair.com), Tropic Air (www.tropicair.com), Cari Bee Air Service (telephone: 501-224-4253).

Belize is located in Central America and it is bordered to the north by Mexico, to the south and west by Guatemala and to the east by the Caribbean Sea. Belize is also known for its extreme biodiversity and distinctive ecosystems. On the coast, there is a swampy coastal plain with mangrove swamps. In the south and interior there are hills and low mountains. Most of the land is undeveloped and is forested with hardwoods. It is a part of the Mesoamerican biodiversity hotspot and it has many jungles, wildlife reserves, a large variety of different species of flora and fauna and the largest cave system in Central America. Some species of Belize’s flora and fauna include the black orchid, the mahogany tree, the toucan and tapirs.

Light, cotton clothing is recommended during the day with a thin jacket or long sleeved shirt for cool evenings. For jungle trekking, pack long pants, long sleeved shirts and comfortable shoes. Binoculars, insect repellent, sunscreen, and hats are essential to tropical travel.

Here, even our language is a diverse adventure. Spanish, African-based Garifuna, Maya-Kekchi, Maya Mopan, Mandarin, German are just a few of the languages that form the unique dialects we speak throughout the country.

Belize currency exchange is extremely easy for American visitors. The Belize dollar is locked at $2 Belize = $1 USD. So it’s very easy to see how much something is costing in USD when you go shopping. Most accommodations and tours are listed in US$ prices, and most restaurants, shops, etc. are listed in BZ$. Nearly everyplace readily accepts USD currency. Most also should accept traveler’s checks as long as you write your passport number or driver’s license number on the back. Large bills (anything above a $20) are a little more difficult to cash. Shopkeepers generally ask you to spend a minimum amount.

The first people to develop Belize were the Maya around 1500 B.C.E. As shown in archeological records, they established a number of settlements here. These include Caracol, Lamanai and Lubaantun. The first European contact with Belize occurred in 1502 when Christopher Columbus reached the area’s coast. In 1638, the first European settlement was established by England and for 150 years, many more English settlements were set up.

In 1840, Belize became a “Colony of British Honduras” and in 1862, it became a crown colony. For one hundred years after that, Belize was a representative government of England but in January 1964, full self-government with a ministerial system was granted. In 1973, the region’s name was changed from British Honduras to Belize and on September 21, 1981, full independence was achieved.

Country Overview:

 + Population: 408,487 (2019 est.)

 + Size: 8,867 square miles, including 266 square miles of islands

 + Independence: September 21, 1981

 + Government: Parliamentary Democracy, part of the British Commonwealth

 + Motto: Sub umbra floreo  (Latin) - Under the shade I flourish

 + Anthem: Land of the Free

 + Royal Anthem: God Save the King

There are three hospitals in Belize City; one public and two private. There are also health clinics throughout the country. No vaccinations are required for entry, but anti-malaria tablets are recommended for extended stays in the jungle.
 

Ready for your next trip to Belize? We’ve created a new Tourism Gold Standard program to keep you safer from arrival to departure. This extensive program is made specifically for hotels, restaurants, tour operators and other relevant businesses to enhance their health and safety standards. By adapting these new behaviours and procedures, these establishments will be able to ensure the safety of all travellers as they enjoy vacationing in Belize. From our enhanced cleanliness protocols for hotels, tour operators, and tourist attractions, we’ve reimagined our travel policies, so you can breathe easy while you explore our curious locations.