Belize Sim Card Guide: All You Need To Know

Belize is a small Central American country with a population of approximately 400,000 people. It is bordered by Mexico, Guatemala, and the Caribbean Sea. If you're planning a trip to Belize, you might be wondering how to stay connected during your visit. One option is to purchase a local SIM card, which can be done quickly and easily at the airport or in town at supermarkets, post offices, or small retailers. However, it's important to note that data services in Belize can be expensive, and you may need to provide identification and complete a registration form to purchase a SIM card. There are two mobile networks in Belize, DigiCell and Smart!, both of which offer 3G and 4G services with good signal coverage in major cities and tourist locations.

Where to buy a SIM card in Belize

Belize has some of the best prepaid SIM card deals in South America, which can help reduce your phone bill while you travel. There are two main cell phone operators in Belize: DigiCell and Smart! Both operators have been tried and tested by locals and travellers, and both offer 2G, 3G, and 4G services.

DigiCell is the only GSM-based operator in Belize, so if your phone is GSM-compatible, you won't have a choice over your network provider. DigiCell SIM cards are widely available all over the country: official stores, gas stations, convenience stores, electronic repair shops, and more. You can also buy them online.

Smart! is the only other provider in Belize, and it runs on a CDMA and EVDO network. Their coverage is currently limited to major highways and towns, with expanded coverage in Belize City, San Pedro, San Ignacio, and Santa Elena. Their SIM cards are available in their stores.

Registration

Tourists can only buy SIM cards from authorised dealers, after filling out a registration form and supplying a passport. In 2013, Belize's government introduced a mandatory registration scheme for mobile users. All unregistered lines have been discontinued.

Pricing

DigiCell offers a prepaid SIM card package, which includes BZD10 credit, for BZD20. Smart! SIM cards cost BZD15 and come with 1GB of standard data and BZD10 credit.

Cost of a SIM card in Belize

The cost of a SIM card in Belize varies depending on the provider and the plan chosen. The two main providers in Belize are Digi (formerly DigiCell) and Smart!.

Digi

Digi SIM cards can be purchased for 22.50 BZD (Belize Dollar), which is approximately 11.15 USD, as the Belizean dollar is pegged to the US Dollar at 2:1. This comes with 10 BZD credit and 1 GB of data, valid for 10 days.

Digi also offers a Tourist SIM card for 20 USD (40 BZD), which includes 5 BZD credit, 4 GB of data, 300 local minutes, and 300 local SMS, valid for 14 days. The SIM card is deactivated after 21 days and cannot be extended.

Smart!

Smart! SIM cards are available for 15 BZD and sometimes come with 10 BZD credit and 1 GB of data.

Smart! also offers Tourist SIM cards with two options:

• 45 BZD (22.30 USD) for 35 USD worth of calls, 130 SMS, and unlimited data for 10 days.
• 20 BZD (9.90 USD) for 11 USD worth of calls, 25 SMS, and unlimited data for 24 hours.

Other Options

There are also international SIM card options available from companies such as TravelSim and Telestial, which offer coverage in Belize and many other countries. These may be more suitable for frequent travellers or those visiting multiple countries.

Where to Buy

SIM cards can be purchased from provider stores, supermarkets, post offices, small retailers, and even convenience stores, gas stations, and service stations. They are not sold at the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport in Belize City, but there is a shop called TC located across the road from the airport that sells local SIM cards.

Tips

• It is recommended to have an unlocked phone when using a local SIM card.
• Ensure your phone is compatible with the SIM card size: Standard, Micro, or Nano.
• Compare plans and prices to find the best option for your needs, especially if you require a lot of data.
• Be aware of registration requirements and have your passport or other ID with you when purchasing.
• Check that your phone is compatible with the local network frequencies.
• Consider the coverage maps of each provider to ensure you will have a good signal in the areas you plan to visit.

Mobile networks in Belize

Belize has two mobile networks: DigiCell and SMART. DigiCell is a subsidiary and mobile division of the national carrier Belize Telemedia Limited, which is government-owned. SMART is a private company that entered the market in 2005 when the industry was opened up to competition.

Both DigiCell and SMART offer 3G and 4G services and provide good coverage in the main cities and tourist locations such as Belize City, San Ignacio, and San Pedro on Ambergris Caye. However, there are still some remote, small villages, protected areas, and uninhabited areas with no cell phone coverage.

DigiCell operates on the GSM dual-band 850/1900 MHz technology and the 4G LTE network provided by Huawei infrastructure. SMART uses the CDMA network spectrum.

DigiCell offers various prepaid plans, including specific data plans and bundle deals that combine calls, text, and data. SMART offers a tourist SIM for travellers, which includes a combination of calls, text, and data with an expiry of 10 days or 24 hours.

SIM cards for both networks can be purchased at the airport, in convenience stores, supermarkets, post offices, small retailers, and service stations. The cost of data services in Belize is higher than in some European countries, so internet access can be expensive.

It is important to note that your phone needs to be unlocked to use a local SIM card in Belize. Additionally, you will need to provide identification, such as a passport, and may need to complete a registration form with your address.

SIM card activation

To activate a SIM card, you will need to insert it into your phone. The SIM card should be installed so that the gold contacts on the card touch the contacts in the device's SIM slot. You can use the card's angled notch to figure out the correct position. An error message may mean that you need to reposition the card or that it is not compatible with your device.

If you are activating a new SIM card, you will need to select a service plan and enter your SIM/ICCID number and IMEI number. You should follow the prompts to complete the activation.

If you are travelling to Belize, you can purchase a SIM card at the airport or in town at supermarkets, post offices, or small retailers. There are two mobile networks in Belize: DigiCell and Smart! Both offer 3G and 4G services and provide good signal coverage in major cities and tourist locations. When purchasing a SIM card in Belize, you will need to complete a registration form and provide an address and ID, such as your passport. It is also important to ensure that your phone is unlocked before using a new SIM card.

If you are unable to activate your SIM card, you may need to visit a local store for assistance or contact customer support.

Topping up your SIM card

If you find yourself running out of credit, there are several ways to top up your prepaid SIM card in Belize.

DigiCell

• Purchase a prepaid card from any Digi showroom, certified prepaid card agent, or Digi offices countrywide in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. Scratch the security strip off the back of the card to reveal your PIN number. Dial 120 + the PIN number, and the denomination purchased will be added to your account.
• Top up online by providing your Belize phone number, the amount you wish to top up by, and paying by credit card.
• Top up in person using a Digi agent. Provide your Belize phone number and the top-up amount (up to $500). The agent will then transfer the amount to your account.
• Top up online via third-party sites such as Ding, My Top Ups, and e-Top Up. Payment is by Visa or MasterCard.
• Top up via the eCreditBelize app (available for iOS and Android), which allows you to add credit using your PayPal account.

Smart!

• Purchase a prepaid card from any Smart! showroom, certified prepaid card agent, or gimmedalla agent in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. Scratch the security strip off the back of the card to reveal your PIN number. Dial 120 + the PIN number, and the denomination purchased will be added to your account.
• Top up online by providing your Belize phone number, the amount you wish to top up by, and paying by credit card.
• Top up in person using a Smart! agent. Provide your Belize phone number and the top-up amount (up to $500). The agent will then transfer the amount to your account.
• Top up in person at an official Smart! store or purchase a secure e-Pin to top up via text.

Frequently asked questions