Visitor Information


Queen angel fish

Full country name: Belize

Capital city:Belmopan (pop 5,000)

Size: 23,300 sq km (9087 sq mi)

Population: 200,000 (growth rate 3.5%

Government: Belize is a parliamentary democracy and has been an Independent nation since 1981. It is a member of British Commonwealth of Nations.

Prime Minister: Said Musa (took office August 27 1998)

Currency: The local currency is the Belize Dollar though the US dollar may also be used

Payment and credit cards: The majority of hotels, shops and restaurants accept major credit cards.  It is less likely that remote establishments and street vendors will.  Traveller checks and US dollars are accepted almost everywhere.

Exchange rate: One U.S. dollar is worth BZ$2.
Languages: English, Creole, Spanish, Maya and Garífuna
Religion: 62% Catholic, 25% Protestant
Geography: Extending almost the entire length of the country, the inner coastal waters are shallow,dotted with islets called 'cayes', and are sheltered by a line of coral reefs.  A low coastal plain covered mostly by mangrove swamp eventually rises giving way to the interior.  The most apparent feature of the southern half of the country is the Maya Mountains and the Cockscomb Range.  The highest point is Doyle Delight rising 1124 meter above the sea level.  The district of Cayo to the west includes the Mountain Pine Ridge.  The north is criss-crossed with rivers.  Most of the mainland is covered in rich forest. 
People: 30%Creoles (African-European), 40% Mestizo (Spanish-Indian), 10% Garifuna (African-Indian), 10% Mayan, Anglo-European, Middle Eastern and Asian(plus a sizable migrant population from nearby countries, notably El Salvador)
Local time: Belize is in the Central Standard Time zone, and does not utilize daylight saving time
Taxes: A departure tax of $11.25 US is charged when leaving Belize; this must be paid in cash or travellers' checks (sorry, but credit cards are not accepted). A $.75 US security fee is charged for travellers entering Belize International and connecting to in-country flights.  There is a 7% hotel tax.  It is suggested that you inquire about the 10 to 15% service charge that some hotels like to use when checking hotel prices.  And applied to all goods and services excluding the hotel, is the sales tax which is set at 8%.
Visas & Passports: To enter Belize a passport and return ticket is required. No visas are required for citizens of the U.S., British Commonwealth nations, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey and Uruguay.
Best time to travel :
The best time to visit Belize is during the dry season, December to April. Temperatures are cooler and rainfall is decreased, though it is not unusual to have rain, it just tends to fall in shorter spurts. Belize lies in the hurricane belt - these have often come later in the season, between August and the end of October

Weather: Temperatures annually range from 50-95°F, with a mean annual temperature of 79°F. The driest months are February and March, and the temperature then peaks in April and May. The mountains are cooler than the rest of the country, especially in the evenings. Out on the Cayes you'll enjoy tropical breezes wafting through the palm trees, providing you with natural air conditioning!

Temperatures along the coast are in the 70-80s (20°C - 30°C) for most of the dry season, but can reach into the 90s during April and May. Water temperatures along the barrier reef range from the mid-70s to the mid-80s. From June through December the weather is hot and humid. The amount of rainfall varies widely from north to south, from 40-60" in Corozal to 160-190" in Punta Gorda..

Departure: It is highly recommended that you confirm your return flight 72 hours before your departure.  Although not essential, it is better to arrive at least 2 hours before the departure time.

Health: The tap water is drinkable with no ill effects because most Belizean homes and hotels use cisterns to collect rainwater for drinking and home use. In severe droughts, cisterns may run dry, making bottled water advisable. If you are travelling in rural areas, including forest preserves, offshore islands, and tourist resorts you could be at risk for malaria. There is no risk in central coastal District of Belize. If you are travelling in any of these areas or have been within a year and experience flu like symptoms or a fever seek immediate medical attention and inform your doctor of your travel history. Check with your doctor about prevention of malaria or go to the CDC link below. If you need any vaccinations see your doctor 4-6 weeks before your departure to allow the vaccinations to take effect. Check with a local health official at least two week prior to departure. To avoid getting sick we recommend that you follow the CDC's, "Centers for Disease Control and Prevention", recommendations below.

* Don’t eat food purchased from street vendors. 
* Don’t drink beverages with ice. 
* Don’t eat dairy products unless you know they have been pasteurised.
* Don’t share needles with anyone. 
* Don’t handle animals (especially monkeys, dogs, and cats), to avoid bites and serious diseases.
* Don’t swim in fresh water. Salt water is usually safer.

For more information see the Center for Disease Control 
Electricity: 110 volts AC
Security: Most crimes including mugging, robbery, and pick pocketing are a problem and usually increase around Christmas.  There are few crimes reported against tourist on resorts.   It is recommended by the United States Government that you keep away from the water taxis because apparently they do not have proper safety equipment.
Flora & Fauna: There are 145 species of mammals, around 543 species of birds, and about 139 species of reptiles.  These include such creatures as the Manatee, Scarlet Macaw Iguana, Margay, Toucan, Kinkajou and Coral snake.  About 70 % of the country has some sort of forest cover.  There are approx. 4000 flowering plants and 700 trees.  There are around 250 species of orchids.
Tipping: Though tipping is voluntary, it is recommended that tips of 10% are acceptable and more if the service is exceptionally good.
Medical facilities: Most of the District towns and larger villages have hospitals.  There are private doctors and a well-staffed hospital in Belize City.

Indicative working hours:
Banks: Monday - Thursday 8:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. / Friday 8:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. & 3:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M.

Commerce & Industry: Monday - Friday 8:00 A.M. to 12:00P.M. & 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. 
Some businesses are open on Saturdays