- Local time
- 18:57
- Currency
- Belize Dollar (BZD)
- Capital
- Belmopan
- Calling code
- +501
- Drive on the
- right
Overview
Belize combines the Belize Barrier Reef and its cayes with Maya ruins, caves and rainforest, in the only country of mainland Central America with English as its official language.
Belize, the former British Honduras, faces only the Caribbean Sea: it is the one country in Central America without a Pacific coast. Most visitors come for the sea. The Belize Barrier Reef, part of the second-largest coral reef system in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, runs along the whole coast, and the cayes of the north, Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker, are the usual bases for snorkelling and diving. Inland you find rainforest, the limestone caves of Cayo and Maya sites that are usually quieter than the famous ones in Mexico and Guatemala.
The people are as varied as the scenery: a Creole majority with a culture close to the English-speaking Caribbean, a large Maya population, especially in the north and north-west, the Garifuna on the south-east coast, the descendants of Indian labourers and German-speaking Mennonite farmers. The country is small and journeys are short, but infrastructure is basic: away from the four main highways most roads are unpaved, and many trips to the cayes go by water taxi or small plane.
- Belize Barrier Reef: Snorkelling and diving among tropical fish, rays and sharks along the whole coast.
- Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye: The two barrier islands of the north, an easy water taxi ride from Belize City.
- The caves of Cayo: Underground rivers and Maya remains, visited only with a licensed guide.
- Lamanai: One of the oldest Maya cities, lived in from around 1600 BC until the 20th century.
- Xunantunich: Plazas and temples on the Mopan River, close to the border with Guatemala.
- The Garifuna coast: Dangriga and Hopkins, the towns of the Afro-Amerindian Garifuna people in the south.
Places to visit
- City
- Coast
- Island
- Historic site
Cities
- Belize City: The largest city, on the Caribbean Sea, and the starting point for water taxis to the cayes and buses around the country.
- Belmopan: The inland capital, on the Western Highway where the Hummingbird Highway branches off to the south.
- San Ignacio: Called Cayo by locals, a town with Maya and Hispanic roots near the Guatemalan border, and the base for caves and Xunantunich.
- Dangriga: A large Garifuna town in the south, once called Stann Creek Town, at the end of the Hummingbird Highway.
- Hopkins: A Garifuna village on the coast, along the Southern Highway.
- Punta Gorda: A quiet port town in the far south, with a weekend market of Amerindian communities and boats to Guatemala.
- Orange Walk Town: A northern town on the Northern Highway between Belize City and the Mexican border.
- Corozal Town: A town near the Mexican border, on the bus route between Belize City and Chetumal.
Beyond the cities
- Ambergris Caye (island): The large barrier island of the north, a base for snorkelling trips to the Hol Chan marine reserve.
- Caye Caulker (island): A smaller barrier island in the north, linked by water taxi to Belize City and San Pedro.
- Tobacco Caye (island): A tiny island popular with budget travellers.
- Placencia Peninsula (coast): A long, narrow peninsula off Stann Creek, almost an island.
- Belize Barrier Reef (area): The reef that runs along the whole coast, part of the Great Mesoamerican Reef System and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Altun Ha (site): A Maya ceremonial site just north of Belize City, where the largest jade object ever found at a Maya site was recovered.
- Lamanai (site): One of the oldest Maya cities, occupied by the Maya up to the 20th century.
- Xunantunich (site): A large Maya site of plazas and temples on the Mopan River, near the Guatemalan border.
- Caracol (site): Maya ruins in the forest near the Guatemalan border, reached by a road off the Western Highway; read the safety advice first.
Regions
- Northern Belize: The north along the Northern Highway to Mexico, with Orange Walk Town and Corozal Town; Spanish is often the first language here.
- Belize District: The area around Belize City, the largest city and the transport hub of the country.
- Cayo: The west, with limestone hills full of caves and underground rivers, San Ignacio and Maya sites near the Guatemalan border.
- Stann Creek: The southern coast, with Dangriga, once called Stann Creek Town, and the Placencia Peninsula.
- Toledo: The southernmost district, where bridges and causeways can flood in severe weather.
Things to do
See
- Lamanai: A Maya city founded around 1600 BC, with most of its ruins built between about 400 BC and AD 100.
- Xunantunich Cayo: Plazas, temples and a tall pyramid in western Belize, on the Mopan River.
- Altun Ha North of Belize City: A ceremonial site with structures from about 900 BC, and the Temple of the Sun God, Kinich Ahau.
Do
- Snorkelling at Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker: The most common trips from the two northern cayes, with snorkel gear included; foreigners pay an extra park fee for the reef.
- Diving the Belize Barrier Reef Coastal towns and cayes: Dive shops arrange trips to reef sites and shipwrecks; dives to the Blue Hole cost much more. Use only registered and licensed operators.
- Cave trips in Cayo San Ignacio: Underground rivers, waterfalls and Maya artefacts, including the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave. Entering the caves without a licensed guide is illegal.
- Zip-lining: Tours over the rainforest start with a short hike and a safety briefing on the equipment.
- Sport fishing: Fly fishing for bonefish in the grassy shallows along the coast.
Eat
- Fry jacks for breakfast: Fried dough folded around refried beans and cheese, sometimes with meat or egg.
Drink
- A Belikin beer: The national beer, sold in returnable bottles: check the deposit if you take it away.
Itineraries
The northern cayes in 6 days (6 days)
- Belize City (1 night): Water taxis leave for Caye Caulker and San Pedro several times a day.
- Caye Caulker (3 nights): Snorkelling trips to Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley.
- Ambergris Caye (2 nights): The larger island; water taxis run from Caye Caulker to San Pedro.
Caves and Maya ruins of the west in 5 days (5 days)
- San Ignacio (4 nights): Xunantunich, and a cave trip with a licensed guide.
- Belize City (1 night): Altun Ha is just north of the city, off the Northern Highway that also leads to the airport.
The south coast in 7 days (7 days)
- Dangriga (2 nights): Reached from Belmopan on the Hummingbird Highway.
- Hopkins (2 nights): A Garifuna village on the Southern Highway.
- Placencia Peninsula (3 nights): Further south along the same highway.
Climate and best time to visit
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max °C | 28 | 29 | 31 | 33 | 34 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 29 | 28 |
| Min °C | 18 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 19 |
| Rain mm | 128 | 64 | 44 | 44 | 85 | 306 | 276 | 225 | 255 | 215 | 200 | 178 |
Belize is tropical, hot and humid all year. The dry season usually runs from February to May, and the rainy season from June to November. In Belmopan February, March and April are the driest months, with 44 to 64 mm of rain and average maximums between 29 °C and 33 °C. May is still part of the dry season but is the hottest month, at about 34 °C; June is the wettest, with about 306 mm.
The hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November, and storms can bring coastal flooding, especially in the south. December and January are the coolest months, with maximums of about 28 °C, but they still see 128 to 178 mm of rain in Belmopan.
Holidays and events
- 1 January 2026 · New Year's Day
- 15 January 2026 · George Price Day
- 9 March 2026 · National Heroes and Benefactors Day
- 3 April 2026 · Good Friday
- 4 April 2026 · Holy Saturday
- 5 April 2026 · Easter Sunday
- 6 April 2026 · Easter Monday
- 1 May 2026 · Labour Day
- 1 August 2026 · Emancipation Day
- 10 September 2026 · Saint George's Caye Day
- 21 September 2026 · Independence Day
- 12 October 2026 · Pan America Day
- 19 November 2026 · Garifuna Settlement Day
- 25 December 2026 · Christmas Day
- 26 December 2026 · Boxing Day
Getting around
| Main airports | BZE |
|---|
Domestic flights with Tropic Air and Maya Island Air link Belize City with towns around the country and with Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. They leave from both Belize City airports, and fares from Belize City Airport (TZA) are often lower than from BZE. Planes are small, so book ahead. Water taxis are the main way to reach the cayes: use a reliable company and do not board a boat that is overcrowded or in poor condition.
Buses, mostly old US school buses, run on the main roads between towns, and you can wave them down at the roadside; express buses stop only in towns. The UK and Canada warn that many buses are poorly maintained and lack seatbelts, and Canada advises avoiding them. Taxis rarely have meters: use only registered taxis with green licence plates, agree the fare first and pay in cash. Canada advises not to hail taxis in the street, and ride-sharing apps are not available.
Driving: the main highways are paved, but almost every other road is unpaved, so a 4-wheel drive helps. Speeds and distances are in miles. Avoid driving at night: roads are unlit, with potholes, livestock and unmarked speed bumps, and bridges can flood in the rainy season. UK drivers can use a photocard licence for up to 3 months. Stop at all checkpoints and fill the tank before remote trips. Belizean car insurance is not valid in Guatemala, and most rental companies do not let you take the car across the border.
Flying to Belize? PartnerCompare fares and find the cheapest datesSearch flightsWhere to stay
- Jungle lodges: Such as Caves Branch on the Hummingbird Highway, which also runs cave tours.
- Budget stays on the cayes: Tobacco Caye is popular with budget travellers.
- Liveaboard yachts: A chartered yacht gives divers the most time on the reef.
Choose accommodation and campsites that look genuine and established, with good security. Canada advises keeping doors and windows closed and locked at all times.
Eat and drink
Dishes to try
- Rice and beans: Rice cooked with beans, spices and usually coconut milk, served almost everywhere with chicken.
- Beans and rice: Not the same dish: plain white rice with stewed beans on the side.
- Ceviche: Raw conch and vegetables marinated in citrus juice.
- Fry jacks: Fried dough for breakfast, folded around refried beans and cheese.
- Tamales and bollos: Corn parcels sold as street food, often with a piece of chicken still on the bone inside.
- Garnaches, salbutes and panades: Small corn-based street snacks.
- Meat patties: Beef or chicken pastries, close to a British pasty.
Drinks
- Belikin: The national beer, in returnable bottles.
- Rum: One Barrel is the local molasses rum; the Traveller's Liquors distillery on the Northern Highway has a shop and bar.
- Local wines: Cashew wine is very popular, along with ginger, sorrel and blackberry wines.
The best-known hot sauce is Marie Sharp's, made from local habanero peppers in versions from mild to extremely hot. Citrus fruit, pineapples, papayas, bananas and plantains are sold at roadside markets, and many large towns sell bean-to-bar chocolate made from local cacao: look in the supermarket fridge. Chicken is usually served on the bone. Tourist restaurants can be expensive, while local places serve cheap, tasty meals.
Entry requirements and visas
| Passport validity | The UK says more than 3 months after you arrive; Canada says at least 6 months beyond the date you leave. Some airlines want 6 months. |
|---|
| Passport | Entry | Max stay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Visa free | 30 days | Extensions cost BZ$200 for each extra 30 days, at an Immigration and Nationality Department office. |
| Canada | Visa free | 30 days | No tourist visa for stays up to 30 days; apply to immigration to stay longer. |
| United States | Visa free | No visa needed, according to Wikivoyage. | |
| Australia | Visa free | No visa needed, according to Wikivoyage. | |
| EU / EEA | Visa free | No visa needed for EU passports, according to Wikivoyage. |
Other nationalities: check the official source below.
UK and Canadian visitors can stay up to 30 days without a visa, and Wikivoyage lists US, Australian and EU passports among those that need no visa. To stay longer, go to an immigration office before your 30 days end: overstaying can bring a fine, detention or deportation. Officials may ask for a return or onward ticket and proof that you have enough money for your stay.
Every traveller fills in an immigration and customs declaration: Canada says to complete the online form (iDeclare) before you travel, while the UK says paper forms are still accepted during the move to a digital system. If you leave by land or by water to Guatemala or Mexico, you pay a departure tax of BZ$40 or US$20 at the border (2026). Children travelling alone or with one parent need a notarised letter of consent from their parents. Rules depend on your passport and can change: check the official link before you book.
Money and payments
| Currency | Belize Dollar (BZD) |
|---|
The currency is the Belize dollar (BZD), written BZ$ or simply $. It has been fixed at two to one US dollar since 1978, so US dollars are widely accepted, and change may come in either currency or a mix of both. Always agree which dollars a price is in: assume Belize dollars, as some sellers try to double the price by claiming they meant US dollars.
The ATMs of Belize Bank, Scotiabank and Atlantic Bank accept Mastercard. Card and ATM fraud is frequent in tourist areas: use ATMs inside a bank or a business or in well-lit public places, cover the keypad and check your statements. Taxis expect cash, and clinics may ask for immediate payment in cash.
Costs and budget
- Departure tax, leaving by land or water to Guatemala or Mexico: BZ$40 (US$20)
- Visa extension for UK visitors, each extra 30 days: BZ$200
These are official fees from the UK government's 2026 advice; by air, the departure tax is usually included in the fare. Eating in tourist restaurants can be expensive, while local places are much cheaper.
Health
| Recommended vaccines | Routine vaccines, including measles (MMR), Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, for some travellers, Rabies, for some travellers |
|---|---|
| Malaria | None |
| Tap water | Not safe |
No vaccines are required to enter Belize, and the CDC does not recommend the yellow fever vaccine. Mosquitoes carry dengue, Zika and chikungunya, so cover up and use repellent. Wikivoyage reports that the WHO declared Belize free of malaria in 2023 and that antimalarial tablets are no longer recommended, but the UK still lists malaria among the health risks: check with a travel health professional at least 8 weeks before you go. Rabies is found in dogs, wildlife and bats, and treatment may only be available in larger towns.
Drink bottled water in most areas, and carry medicine for traveller's diarrhoea. The sun is strong and dehydration is a risk, so drink plenty and wear a hat and sunscreen. Medical care is limited: private hospitals, mostly in Belize City, are better equipped, rural areas have no medical facilities, and serious cases are evacuated to the US at the patient's expense. Get insurance that covers medical evacuation. For an ambulance, dial 911.
This is general information, not medical advice: check with a travel health professional before you go.
Safety
- United States: Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (2026-10-20)
- Canada: Exercise a high degree of caution (2026-10-20)
- United Kingdom: No advice against travel (2026-10-20)
The UK and Canada both say that Belize has one of the highest per-capita murder rates in the world. Gang violence is concentrated in Southside Belize City, south of Haulover Creek: Canada advises avoiding non-essential travel there. Tourists are not usually the targets, but anyone nearby can be caught up in an incident. In Belize City stay in the tourist areas and do not walk alone after dark.
- Theft: tourists are targeted for cash, cards and phones, including in San Pedro, Caye Caulker, Placencia and San Ignacio. Keep valuables out of sight, wear no expensive jewellery and avoid dark alleys.
- Border areas: armed criminals have been active in the forests along the Guatemalan border, close to tourist sites such as Caracol. The UK notes that the area is patrolled and no incidents involving tourists have been reported. Use a qualified guide off the beaten track.
- Cards: card and ATM fraud is frequent at tourist destinations.
- Drinks: never leave food or drinks unattended, and do not accept snacks or drinks from new acquaintances.
- Taxis: use only registered taxis with green plates and agree the fare first.
On the water, check the weather and use only registered, licensed operators for snorkelling and diving, as accidents have happened. Riptides are common and most beaches have no warning flags. Hurricanes can strike from 1 June to 30 November, and heavy rain causes floods: follow the National Meteorological Service and local authorities. Avoid demonstrations, which take place in Belize City and Belmopan.
Customs and etiquette
Life moves at a slower pace in Belize. Start any conversation, even a quick question, with eye contact and a friendly greeting, and be ready to chat: people in the countryside enjoy long conversations. Maya communities can be more reserved. Many Belizeans speak Creole among themselves and standard English with visitors. Guatemala's long claim to Belizean territory is a sensitive subject, especially in the south.
Same-sex relations are legal. A clause of the Immigration Act bars gay people from entering, but the UK says it is not enforced. San Pedro and Ambergris Caye are relatively open and welcoming, while elsewhere couples usually avoid public affection. Penalties for drugs are severe: pack your own bags and never carry anything for someone else. You need a permit to own pre-Columbian or colonial-era artefacts, and to collect or export some plants and animals.
Language
| Official languages | English |
|---|---|
| English | Widespread |
| Hello | Hola OH-lah |
|---|---|
| Good morning | Buenos días BWEH-nohs DEE-ahs |
| Please | Por favor POHR fah-BOHR |
| Thank you | Gracias GRAH-syahs |
| Excuse me | Disculpe dees-KOOL-peh |
| How much is this? | ¿Cuánto cuesta? KWAHN-toh KWEHS-tah |
What to pack
- Insect repellent and long sleeves: Mosquitoes carry dengue, Zika and chikungunya.
- Sun protection: The tropical sun is intense: a hat, sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen, plus a rash guard and covered shoes for long days on boats.
- Medicine for traveller's diarrhoea: Bottled water is needed in most areas and stomach upsets are common.
- Prescription medicines in their original containers: Supplies in Belize are unreliable; carry a copy of the prescription.
- Some US dollars in cash: They are widely accepted, and the land departure tax can be paid as US$20.
- A notarised consent letter: Needed for children travelling alone or with only one parent.
Quick reference
Country facts
| Capital | Belmopan |
|---|---|
| Population | 422,924 (2025) |
| Area | 22,810 km² |
| Time zone | America/Belize (UTC-6) |
| Calling code | +501 |
| Driving side | right |
Staying connected
| Wi-Fi | As of October 2025 more and more cafés and restaurants offer Wi-Fi, though speeds vary: ask for the password. Internet cafés exist in the larger tourist areas but are rare in the countryside. |
|---|
Emergency numbers
| Emergency | 911 or 90 |
|---|
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Belize?
Not for a short holiday with a UK or Canadian passport: you can stay up to 30 days, and extend at an immigration office. Wikivoyage lists US, Australian and EU passports as visa-free too. Check the official link before you book.
Can I pay in US dollars in Belize?
Yes. The Belize dollar is fixed at two to one US dollar and US dollars are widely accepted, but always agree which dollars a price is in.
Can I drink the tap water in Belize?
Drink bottled water in most areas, and carry medicine for traveller's diarrhoea.
Is there malaria in Belize?
Wikivoyage reports that the WHO declared Belize malaria-free in 2023, but the UK still lists malaria among the risks, so ask a travel health professional. Dengue, Zika and chikungunya are present: use repellent.
When is the best time to visit Belize?
February to April are the driest months. The rainy season runs from June to November, which is also hurricane season.
Is there a departure tax in Belize?
Yes. Leaving by land or water to Guatemala or Mexico you pay BZ$40 or US$20 at the border (2026); by air it is usually included in the fare.
Sources This guide was last checked on · 17 sources
- Wikivoyage: Belize · Overview, Places to visit, Things to do, Itineraries, Climate and best time to visit, Getting around, Where to stay, Eat and drink, Entry requirements and visas, Money and payments, Costs and budget, Health, Safety, Customs and etiquette, Language, What to pack, Staying connected, Frequently asked questions
- Wikidata: Belize · Overview, Places to visit, Money and payments, Country facts
- UK FCDO: Belize safety and security · Things to do, Climate and best time to visit, Getting around, Where to stay, Money and payments, Safety, Customs and etiquette
- WMO World Weather Information Service: Belmopan City · Climate and best time to visit
- Nager.Date: public holidays in Belize, 2026 · Holidays and events
- Government of Canada: Belize travel advice (updated 14 October 2026) · Getting around, Where to stay, Entry requirements and visas, Money and payments, Health, Safety, Customs and etiquette, What to pack, Staying connected, Frequently asked questions
- UK FCDO: Belize entry requirements · Entry requirements and visas, Costs and budget, What to pack, Frequently asked questions
- ISO 4217 (SIX), published 2026-09-17 · Money and payments
- CDC Travelers' Health: Belize · Health, What to pack, Frequently asked questions
- UK FCDO: Belize health · Health
- US Department of State: Belize travel advisory · Safety
- UK FCDO: Belize travel advice · Safety
- Wikivoyage: Spanish phrasebook · Language
- World Bank, SP.POP.TOTL · Country facts
- World Bank, AG.LND.TOTL.K2 · Country facts
- IANA Time Zone Database, zone.tab · Country facts
- UK FCDO: Belize getting help · Emergency numbers
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