Traveling To Belize? Here's The Phone Situation

If you're travelling to Belize and want to stay connected, you may be wondering if your phone will work there. The good news is that most US carriers offer service in Belize, but it can be very expensive. To avoid high roaming charges, you can buy a local SIM card for around $10 USD if your phone is unlocked. DigiCell and SMART are the main cellular service providers in Belize, and both offer prepaid and postpaid plans. Wireless internet is available in Belize, but the signal may not be as strong as in some other countries.

Using a US phone plan in Belize

If you have a postpaid plan with a carrier like AT&T, you can add an international day pass for $10/day to avoid high fees. Alternatively, you can purchase an international plan from your carrier, but be sure to review the data and calling prices, as these can vary.

Another option is to use a local SIM card in Belize. You can purchase a SIM card from DigiCell, either at the airport or at one of their many outlets. They offer affordable packages for SIM card activation, and calls within Belize are reasonably priced. However, note that you will need a passport to purchase a SIM card.

If you prefer to keep your US phone number, you can also consider switching to a carrier like Google Fi, which offers international coverage in Belize and other countries.

Additionally, wireless internet is available in Belize, although the signal may not be as strong as in the US. You can access the internet through local Wi-Fi networks or by visiting internet cafes.

Buying a local SIM card

Belize has two mobile operators: Digi, formerly DigiCell, and Smart!. Both offer 3G and 4G services and most provide good signals in the main cities and tourist locations such as Belize City, San Ignacio, and San Pedro on Ambergris Caye.

You can buy a Belizean SIM card from Digi and Smart! stores. Digi SIM cards are also available from convenience stores and service stations.

Digi

Digi is the largest mobile operator in Belize. It has the best coverage and fastest speeds in the country. However, reception may be lacking in rural areas.

You can buy a Digi SIM card for 22.50 BZD (Belize Dollar) with 10 BZD credit and 1GB of data (valid for 10 days) in Digi stores. During promotions, you may get 10 BZD credit and 1GB of data.

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

Smart!

Smart! is the smaller mobile operator in Belize and is popular among the youth for its youth-specific postpaid plans. Its 4G/LTE coverage is still lacking, but it has 3G reception in the more populated areas.

You can get a Smart! SIM card for 15 BZD in Smart! stores. During promotions, you may get 10 BZD credit and 1GB of data.

Smart! also offers a Tourist SIM card for 20 BZD and 45 BZD. The 20 BZD option includes 11 BZD credit, 25 SMS, and unlimited data with an expiry of 24 hours. The 45 BZD option includes 35 BZD credit, 130 SMS, and unlimited data with an expiry of 10 days.

Other Options

If you are unable to purchase a local SIM card, you can consider getting a travel eSIM. Airalo offers eSIMs for Belize and 19 other countries in Latin America.

Tips

• Ensure your phone is unlocked before using a local SIM card in Belize.
• Check that your phone is compatible with the local network. Most US carriers offer service in Belize, but it is very expensive.
• Download offline Google Maps before you arrive in Belize. You can select a large geographical area for offline searches and navigation.
• Data services in Belize are not cheap, so it is best to buy a plan with more data than you need.
• Local SIM cards are not sold at the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (BZE). However, you can buy them at a shop called TC, located across the road from the airport terminal.

Phone compatibility

The compatibility of your phone in Belize depends on several factors, including your carrier, the technology your phone supports, and whether your phone is locked or unlocked.

Carrier:

Most US carriers offer service in Belize, but it can be very expensive. Some carriers, like AT&T, offer international day passes for a daily fee. However, it's important to check with your specific carrier to understand their rates and options for international use.

Technology:

Belize Telemedia Ltd., the major telecommunication company in Belize, offers cellular service under the "Digicell" brand, which uses GSM dual-band 850/1900 MHz technology and 4G LTE network. So, if you have a device that supports GSM technology, such as T-Mobile and AT&T phones, it will work in Belize. On the other hand, if you have a carrier like Verizon or Sprint, which uses CDMA bands, your phone may not work in Belize.

Locked or Unlocked:

If your phone is locked, you may not be able to use a different SIM card. In this case, you may need to purchase an unlocked phone that supports the GSM technology used in Belize. An unlocked phone will give you the most coverage options and allow you to purchase a local SIM card or a prepaid plan from a local provider. Buying a local SIM card is generally recommended as it can be much cheaper than using your home carrier's international roaming rates.

Cell service providers in Belize

Belize has a national telecommunications company, Belize Telemedia Ltd., and several mobile phone companies providing good coverage.

Belize Telemedia Ltd. offers its cellular service under the "Digicell" brand, a digital service on the GSM dual-band 850/1900 MHz technology, and on a 4G LTE network. Cell plans in Belize are easy to understand and can be broken into two segments: Post and Prepaid.

Digicell Postpaid plans are attractive to business people, Belizeans, or expatriates as the cell number is permanent. As of April 2023, Digicell offers eSIMs to its customers.

SMART SPEEDNET is the second-largest telecommunication company in Belize and is privately held. SMART offers much the same service as Digicell, except that it uses the CDMA network spectrum. SMART began operating in March 2005 and has slightly lower prices compared to Digicell.

If you are staying in Belize for a short period, you can use your hotel's phone. If you plan to stay longer, you can buy or rent a mobile phone or get a landline.

If you are planning to spend only a few days in Belize, you may activate international roaming on your mobile phone. However, international call prices can be very high.

You could also buy a local SIM card and a cheap plan from any Digi branch office, which can be found in every major town.

Internet access

Belize has decent internet coverage, but it tends to be slow and expensive. However, internet access is widely available throughout the country, and prices are very affordable. Most young Belizeans have smartphones and use the internet for email, social media, and messaging apps.

Internet Service Providers

Belize has several Internet Service Providers (ISPs) offering different types of connections. There are satellite providers that mainly service rural areas, and DSL, cable, and fibre optic connections in some urban areas.

Mobile Internet

Mobile service providers also offer internet connections for smartphones. They also provide a small hotspot device called a Mi-Fi that uses a cell phone signal to provide a Wi-Fi signal to any Wi-Fi-enabled device. These are used on the go and in rural areas without DSL or cable access.

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is quite accessible in Belize. You can get free or paid access at hotspots in hotels, restaurants, and coffee shops.

Internet Cafes

If you don't have a smartphone or laptop, you can access the internet at an internet cafe, which you can find in almost all Belizean cities.

Satellite Internet

Satellite internet is an option for people in rural areas and the cayes (islands). It operates through a satellite dish that transmits and receives data from a satellite orbiting the Earth. It is more reliable in locations with limited infrastructure. Satellite internet is relatively cheap in Belize, at about US$120 a month for unlimited use, with speeds of about 2 Mbps up and 25 Mbps down.

Fibre Optic

Fibre optic internet is available countrywide, including in all cities, towns, and most rural areas. Prices range from BZD49 for 20 Mbps to BZD199 for 150 Mbps.

DSL

Many residents choose to get a DSL line in their homes, which provides access to high-speed broadband internet. Both DigiCell and Smart offer several tiers of service, including unlimited internet starting at 55 Belizean dollars (US$27.50) per month in select locations. The national telephone company, Belize Telemedia Limited, offers DSL cable in select locations starting at 39 Belizean dollars (US$19.50) per month.

Frequently asked questions