TRAVEL INFORMATION

Getting to Belize

International flights to Belize are via Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, Houston, Miami or Los Angeles.  The main Belizean airport is Philip Goldson International Airport in Belize City. The major airlines servicing Belize are:

American Airlines
Continental
Delta Air Lines
Grupo TACA
US Airways

The two local airlines are Tropic Air and Maya Air; they provide services to every major town in Belize and also offer flights to Guatemala and Mexico. These flights are very easy to take and you will only need to check in 15 minutes before your flight departure time.

Entry Requirements 

All visitors entering Belize must have a valid passport and return ticket. The following countries do NOT need a visa for entry.

Australia
Canada
EU Nationals
Hong Kong
Mexico
New Zealand
Norway
United States
Venezuela
CARICOM Member States

Language

English is the official languages of Belize; however, you will find many locals speak Spanish and Creole.

Health

Always check with your doctor before travelling which vaccinations you will need.

Drinking water is generally not safe to drink out of the tap, boiled or bottled water is readily available at all local shops.

Sunscreen is always advisable as the sun is strong.

Mosquito and Sand fly bites can be a problem take plenty of insect repellents to prevent bites.

When in the sea take care not to touch anything, just look. Be careful not to stand on a Sea Urchin, if you do and the spines are protruding from your skin, remove them with care. If the spine is beneath the skin do not try to remove as they will eventually dissolve. Soak with vinegar or some form of antiseptic to stop infection.

Safety

Belize, like most countries, suffers from petty crime. Make sure personal belongings and travel documents are secure at all times.   Like most major cities Belize City does suffer from violent crime, it is not recommended to travel alone at night in the City.

When leaving your vessel always make sure the doors and hatches are securely locked.

Official taxis will have a Green License Plate. Although there are no meters on the taxis, the drivers do charge somewhat standard fares, but it is always important to understand what your fare will be, prior to hiring a taxi.

If you are going to walk into the rainforests or to visit sights it is recommended that you take a reputable guide as some parts of the area can be quite isolated.

Taxes and Service Charges

A departure tax of $35USD is charged for all passengers leaving the country, payable in USD only.
Room Tax – 9%
Service Charge – 10%, this is often added to the bill so check before you leave further gratuity.
Gratuity is discretional, usually 10 – 15% depending on the level of service.
Cruising Tax $10USD per person per week

Restrictions

Fishing is not allowed in the Marine Parks.
Trolling and hand lining a few fish for one's own consumption is allowed.

There is a closed season for lobsters from 15th February  to 15th June.

The closed season for turtles is April 1 - October 3.

Currency

The Belize Dollar (BZ$) has a fixed rate of exchange of BZ $2 to US $1.

Finding a bank is never a problem on the mainland but on the islands you will not fine any banking facilities.

There are many ATM machines but only Atlantic Bank and the Belize Bank will accept international cards.

Travelers cheques, US dollars are accepted in many hotels and businesses. Credit cards are accepted at most hotels, car rental agencies and businesses.  When using your credit card you may get a 5% service charge.

Time Zone

Time observed year round is GMT-6, which is the same as United States Central Standard Time. Daylight Savings Time is not observed in Belize.

Electricity

110 volt A.C. electricity system. The standard electrical plug is the same is two flat blades and a rounded grounding pin.

Communication

International dialing code: +1(501)
Belize Telecommunications Limited operates the telephone and internet network in Belize.  You can purchase phone Cards at most local shops or the BTL offices.
Mobile cellular service in Belize, an unlocked GSM (Global System Mobile Communication) 1900 MHz cellular phone is required. Phones may be activated at any BTL office or Digicell distributor in the country.