Belize

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

You must have a U.S. passport valid for the length of your stay, proof of an onward or return ticket, and sufficient funds to cover the cost of the length of stay. If you enter Belize by land, you will be charged different fees depending on whether your stay is less than or more than 24 hours. 

Belize doesn’t require special immunizations for visitors. You can find recommended vaccinations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at Belize vaccinations.

Tourists for less than 30 days do not require a visa. Visitors who plan to stay longer than 30 days need to get their passports re-stamped at a local immigration office. They must also pay an extra fee for each additional month they want to stay. This can be done for a maximum of six months. Visitors for longer than six months might need to show extra documents to the local immigration office. 

Traveling with Minors: When children travel without both parents, immigration officials are required to ask for proof of consent and identification from the non-traveling parent, as well as birth certificates from the children. Documented proof of consent can include notarized letters from the parent(s), a custody decree, adoption papers, or death certificates if one or both parents have passed away.

HIV/AIDS Restrictions: The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Belize. Please verify this information with the Embassy of Belize before you travel.

Information about dual nationality, the prevention of international child abduction, and customs regulations can be found on our website.

Safety and Security

Belize has a high crime rate and has one of the highest per capita murder rates in the world. Gang members and other criminals use violent means to resolve disputes. Visitors should be careful in Belize. This is especially true in the south side of Belize City and in some remote border areas.

Crime can happen anywhere in Belize. Tourists are sometimes targeted, especially at resorts and along roads and rivers. Crime is high across the country. This includes sexual assault, armed robbery, and murder. Sexual harassment and/or assault of persons traveling alone or in small groups have been reported. Historically, much of the violent crime in Belize occurs in the Southside of Belize City and is gang related.

Most crimes remain unresolved and unprosecuted. Local police struggle to investigate crime and catch offenders.

Thefts of cash and credit cards happen frequently in some areas of Belize. It is believed several credit card fraud rings are currently active in Belize, particularly in San Pedro.

Tourists are particularly vulnerable to being pick-pocketed, robbed and/or extorted.

Scams occur in Belize, especially in resort areas. Real estate investment scams in Belize have been reported with tactics including false promises of amenities and misleading sales tactics. If you are considering purchasing real estate in Belize, we recommend you seek legal and financial advice from a reputable source before making any decisions.

Review the Department of State’s Protecting Yourself from Scams and the FBI pages for information on scams.

Mobile devices can be compromised, stolen, or damaged anywhere in the world. Before traveling abroad, it is best to keep all software (operating system and apps) updated. If possible, use a virtual private network (VPN) and encrypted voice over IP (VoIP) applications. Make sure that all VPN/VoIP are reputable, and U.S. based. Do not connect to unknown open Wi-Fi.

GPS Navigation Apps are helpful in getting U.S. citizens around in a foreign country. Prior to using the GPS app make sure you research the route to make sure it is safe. GPS navigation apps may give you the shortest route without safety considerations.

Victims of Crime: Report crimes to the local police by dialing 911 and contacting the U.S. Embassy at +501 822-4011. Local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes. While the Embassy stands ready to assist the Belize authorities with any requests for technical assistance, the Embassy is not a law enforcement agency, cannot provide U.S. citizens with protection or investigate crimes against U.S. citizens, and has no jurisdiction to intervene in police or judicial processes. See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas.

We can:

- Help you find appropriate medical care

- Assist you in reporting a crime to the police

- Contact relatives or friends with your written consent

- Provide general information regarding the victim’s role during the local investigation and following its conclusion.

- Provide a list of local attorneys. We do not endorse or recommend any specific attorneys.

- Provide information on victim’s compensation programs in the United States.

- Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution

- Help you find accommodation and help arrange flights home

- Replace a stolen or lost passport

The tourism industry has inconsistent regulations and enforcement. Safety checks for equipment and facilities can be unreliable and sporadically performed. Hazardous areas and activities may lack proper signage. Also, staff may not be trained or certified by the host government or recognized authorities. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities. First responders may not be available outside major cities for urgent medical care. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. 

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our webpage for further information.

Counterfeit and Pirated Goods: Counterfeit and pirated goods are prevalent in many countries. They may be illegal according to local laws. Counterfeit and pirated goods may pose significant risks to consumer health and safety. You may be subject to fines and/or have to give up counterfeit and pirated goods if you bring them back to the United States. Review the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website and U.S. Department of Justice website for more information.

Lesbian and Gay Travelers: There are no legal restrictions on consensual same-sex relations, the provision of information or services to persons on the basis of real or perceived sexual orientation, or the organization of events focused on sexual orientation. While the Immigration Act prohibits “homosexual” persons from entering the country, immigration authorities have not enforced that law. 

There continues to be significant hostile sentiment towards individuals based on their real or perceived sexual orientation. Tourist friendly areas, including San Pedro Town on Ambergris Caye, remain relatively open and welcoming. Outside of these areas, same-sex couples, especially men, are reluctant to display affection in public (including holding hands) because incidents of verbal or physical assault have been reported. There have been some instances of violence targeting persons on the basis of real or perceived sexual orientation reported, and human rights organizations have indicated that the police at times refused to accept reports of crime targeting persons on the basis of sexual orientation.

Travelers with Disabilities: The law doesn’t ban discrimination against people with physical, sensory, intellectual, or mental disabilities. The law does not provide for accessibility to persons with disabilities. Most public and private buildings and transportation are not accessible.

Review our Travelers with Disabilities page.

Women Travelers: Women traveling alone or in small groups are targets for sexual assault, even in tourist areas. See our travel tips for Women Travelers.

Health

Emergency services are usually unavailable or significantly delayed. Serious injuries or illnesses normally require evacuation to another country.

Medical care for minor ailments is generally available in urban areas. Advanced medical treatment is scarce in Belize City and Belmopan. In rural and remote areas, even basic medical care is hard to find or not available at all. Pharmacy services are generally acceptable in larger cities. Specialized prescription medications may be completely unavailable. Bring your own prescription medications, and carry a current doctor’s prescription for each one. Please contact the Belize Customs Department at (501) 223-7092 or via e-mail at cusnet@btl.net for more information.

Ambulance services are:

1. • not widely available and training and availability of emergency responders may be below U.S. standards.
2. • not equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment.

The Department of State, U.S. embassies and U.S. consulates do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. Review our Insurance Overseas page for more information on insurance providers with overseas coverage. Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Travel Insurance page for more information on the type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas. We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

Carry prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription.

Carbon Monoxide

Many hotels and other lodgings are not equipped with carbon monoxide detectors, even if they contain sources of this potentially lethal gas. U.S. citizens have died from carbon monoxide poisoning in Belize. If your lodging is not equipped with a carbon monoxide detector, consider traveling with a portable one.

Adventure Travel

Participation in adventure sports and activities may not be covered by accident insurance, and safety protections and regulations for these activities may differ from U.S. standards. Visit our website and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about adventure travel.

Zika Virus: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies Belize as a Zika risk area. The Zika virus is spread by the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. 

These mosquitoes bite during the day and night. Zika can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus. Infection during pregnancy can cause certain birth defects.

Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For additional information, including travel advisories, visit the CDC website. 

The following diseases are also prevalent in Belize:

1. • Malaria
2. • Leishmaniasis
3. • Diarrheal illness
4. • Dengue Fever
5. • NWS (New World Screwworm)

For further health information, go to:

1. • World Health Organization
2. • U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety: Road conditions in Belize range from two-lane paved roads to dirt or gravel tracks. Many roads lack markings, reflectors, and shoulders, which can contribute to road traffic accidents. Many urban streets do not have lane markings, which can make driving confusing. Bridges on some major highways can be reduced to a single lane, sometimes without warning. Driving at night is strongly discouraged.

Roadside assistance is frequently unavailable. There are rarely public phones available, and emergency numbers don’t always work. Cell phone service is mostly reliable, but reception can be unreliable in remote areas.

Traffic Laws: Drivers operate vehicles on the right side of the road. Valid U.S. or international driver’s permits are accepted in Belize only for a period of three months after initial entry.

If you are involved in a traffic accident, contact the local police and explain the emergency. If you or someone with you is critically injured, go to the nearest hospital. If there are no injuries or risk of life, wait for the police to arrive. If possible, take pictures before any vehicles are moved. Do not move the vehicles or leave the scene if there are no injuries. If you hit someone on the road, stop and give assistance; contact the local police and report the accident.

Bicycles are numerous and constitute a regular part of traffic. Cyclists, like drivers, do not always obey basic traffic laws. They commonly fail to obey red lights or stop signs and often ride against traffic. Cyclists and pedestrians often do not have any reflectors or bright clothing and can be difficult to spot.

Public Transportation: Taxis are prevalent in cities but not as common in rural areas. Taxis are identified by green license plates. Most visitors will need to call a taxi service to summon a taxi. Buses are used to travel between cities and are not common for short commutes. Uber and Lyft are not available in Belize. Secondhand and/or salvage vehicles and buses are often used for public transportation and may not have security features such as seatbelts and airbags. We suggest that you visit the Belize Tourism Bureau website.

Aviation Safety Oversight: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Belize’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with international standards for aviation safety oversight. FAA’s website includes more information on its assessment program.