Belize's Current Entry Requirements: Unvaccinated Travelers Welcome

Belize is a beautiful country to visit, but there are some important things to consider before planning your trip. While the CDC recommends that all eligible travellers get a full round of COVID-19 vaccinations before travelling internationally, it is not mandatory to be vaccinated to enter Belize. However, it is important to note that Belize has a high rate of violent crime, including gang-related violence, and muggings are common, especially in urban centres. It is advised that you exercise a high degree of caution and avoid non-essential travel to certain areas. In addition, there are insect-borne diseases, such as Zika and dengue, as well as waterborne and foodborne illnesses that are common in the country. So, while vaccination is not mandatory, it is highly recommended that you consult a healthcare professional and take the necessary health and safety precautions before travelling to Belize.

Testing and quarantine requirements for unvaccinated travellers to Belize

Testing:

Unvaccinated travellers to Belize must present a negative COVID-19 test. This can be either a negative PCR test result or a negative Antigen Rapid Test. The PCR test must be taken within 96 hours of travel, and the Antigen Rapid Test within 48 hours. If no test is presented, a COVID-19 test will be administered at the airport for a fee of $50 USD per passenger. Children under the age of 5 are exempt from testing.

Quarantine:

All arrivals to Belize, regardless of vaccination status, are subject to medical screening. Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 will need to quarantine. The quarantine period is a minimum of 14 days and is at the traveller's expense.

Other Requirements:

All travellers to Belize must:

• Wear face masks in public spaces.
• Stay in Gold Standard certified accommodation.
• Follow social distancing rules.
• Only use approved transportation providers.
• Complete a Customs and Immigration form.

The Belize Tourism Gold Standard Program

The program includes a 9-point checklist for all tourism stakeholders:

• Appointing a "Gold Standard Program Manager" to implement protocols and ensure compliance.
• Monitoring and reporting with temperature checks and health monitoring.
• Practising social distancing with both workers and visitors.
• Implementing enhanced cleaning and sanitisation procedures, including increased disinfection of common areas, face masks, and personal protective equipment (PPE) for workers, visitors, and guests.
• Creating a rapid and clear response plan to manage suspected COVID-19 cases.
• Establishing clear and consistent communication with employees and guests regarding the protocols and their impact.
• Maximising access to sanitisation stations across the property.
• Introducing digital technologies for transactions, check-in/out, online ordering, ticketing, etc., to reduce physical interactions.
• Training workers to ensure they are prepared to manage and implement the new protocols based on their role.

Properties must go through a declaration process to achieve "Tourism Gold Standard Recognition" and will be rewarded with certificates issued by The Belize Tourism Board for placement in their lobbies and marketing messages.

COVID-19 testing sites in Belize

As of October 2020, Belize has been open to international travellers, but there are some requirements that must be met. All inbound travellers must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test within 96 hours of arrival or a rapid antigen test taken no more than 48 hours prior to travel. Travellers must also have reservations at hotels that have been approved by Belize's Safe Corridor programme.

Belize's Safe Corridor includes hotels, restaurants and tour operators that have achieved the Tourism Gold Standard certification. This programme was designed by the Belize Tourism Board to standardise cleanliness and safety procedures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you are looking for a COVID-19 testing site in Belize, there are several options. The Belize Ministry of Health and Wellness offers COVID testing for passengers travelling to the United States and other destinations that require proof of a negative test. A list of approved testing sites can be found on the Belize Tourism Board website. Additionally, Caring Hands Test Centers offer COVID-19 testing at multiple locations across Belize, including Belize City Municipal Airport, Hopkins, San Ignacio, and San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. Their testing centres are open every day from 8 am to 5 pm and offer both rapid antigen and PCR tests.

Face masks and social distancing in Belize

Face masks and social distancing are mandatory in Belize. The country continues to enforce measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including the mandatory use of face masks. Social distancing in Belize is observed as maintaining a distance of 6 feet apart.

Where to Wear Face Masks in Belize:

• In every public place, space, or office/building, you must wear a face mask or a covering for your nose and mouth.
• As an employee of any business or office that offers services to the public or interacts constantly with the public, you must wear a face mask.
• On public transportation, you must wear a face mask for the entire duration of your travel. If you are not wearing a mask, you may be refused boarding or service.
• Inside casinos and gaming establishments, you must wear a face mask at all times.
• For the entire duration of church services and other places of worship, face masks are mandatory.

Where You Can Go Maskless in Belize:

• During exercise or any sporting activity (e.g., running, jogging, cycling), you are not required to wear a face mask.
• Persons of the same group are also not required to practice social distancing while swimming.
• Inside your private vehicle, you can go without a face mask.
• In open-air restaurants for dining, face masks are not required once you are seated. However, these restaurants are limited to 50% capacity.

It is important to note that Belize's requirements for visitors may change, so it is recommended to check for the latest updates before planning your trip.

Travel insurance for unvaccinated travellers to Belize

As of February 15, 2022, all travellers to Belize are required to purchase the Belize Travel Health Insurance as part of the country's new safe travel standards. The insurance costs US$18 and provides coverage of up to US$50,000 in medical expenses related to COVID-19 treatment for a period of 21 days. It also covers lodging expenses due to quarantine up to US$2,000 (max. US$300/day), emergency assistance services such as air evacuation, emergency expenses related to pre-existing conditions, and trip cancellations and expenses incurred by COVID-19 positive travellers for extended stays.

The Belize Travel Health Insurance can be purchased prior to travel or upon arrival at the Philip Goldson International Airport or at Belize's land borders. However, it is recommended that travellers purchase the insurance before their trip to Belize.

In addition to the mandatory insurance, unvaccinated travellers entering Belize must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 96 hours of travel or a negative result from any approved Antigen Rapid Test taken within 48 hours of travel. If no test is presented, a COVID-19 test will be administered at the airport for a fee of US$50 per passenger. Unvaccinated travellers must also complete the Customs and Immigration form provided on flights to Belize.

It is important to note that the requirements and restrictions for travel to Belize may change, so it is recommended to check for the most up-to-date information before planning your trip.

Frequently asked questions