Southwest Airlines offers non-stop flights to Belize from Houston's Hobby Airport, with fares starting at $107 USD. The airline is known for its 'low fares don't mean low service' concept, and travellers can check two bags for free. However, it is unclear whether these fares include exit tariffs for Belize. According to Belize travel guidelines, there is a mandatory departure tax when non-residents leave the country, which may or may not be included in the airfare. It is recommended that travellers check with the airline to confirm whether exit tariffs are included in the ticket price.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Does Southwest Airlines include exit tariffs for Belize? | Yes, Southwest Airlines includes all departure taxes in the price of the ticket. |
Are there any additional fees for Southwest Airlines flights to Belize? | No, Southwest Airlines offers "low fares [with] no hidden fees". |
What is the departure tax for Belize? | For non-citizens and non-residents of Belize, the departure tax is $35.50 USD plus a $0.75 USD "security screening" fee. |
Are there any exemptions from the departure tax? | Individuals with an American, Canadian, EU, or CARICOM passport are exempt from paying a visa fee to enter Belize. |
Can the departure tax be paid for with a credit or debit card? | No, all departure fees (if not included in airfare) must be paid in cash. |
What You'll Learn
Southwest Airlines' non-stop service to Belize
Southwest Airlines offers non-stop services to Belize, with flights to Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport. The airline provides an average of 16 weekly flights from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) to Belize, including a nonstop flight every Saturday. The average flight time from Baltimore/Washington to Belize is 4 hours and 5 minutes.
Southwest Airlines also offers daily nonstop flights to Belize City from Houston's Hobby Airport, which opened a new international terminal in October 2015. Additionally, travellers can take advantage of connecting services through Houston from various cities, including Chicago (Midway), Dallas (Love Field), Denver, Los Angeles (LAX), New Orleans, Oakland, San Antonio, and San Diego.
The airline is known for its "low fares don't mean low service" concept, and even with sale fares, passengers can check two bags for free and reuse their fare for future travel within one year if needed. Southwest Airlines also offers various promotions and deals, with fares from Houston to Belize City starting at $127 USD one-way, including taxes.
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Southwest Airlines' special fares to Belize
Southwest Airlines offers special fares to Belize, with direct flights from Houston, Baltimore/Washington, and San Francisco. The airline is known for its "low fares don't mean low service" concept, allowing passengers to check two bags for free and reuse their fare for future travel within a year with no change or cancellation fees.
For example, in 2015, Southwest Airlines offered a special promotion with fares from Houston, TX, to Belize City, Belize, starting at $127 USD one-way, including taxes. These fares needed to be booked by October 8 and were valid for travel during specific periods in 2015 and 2016.
In addition, Southwest Airlines occasionally holds sales, such as their 72-hour sale in October 2015, where fares to Belize City started at $107 USD from Houston's Hobby International Terminal.
The airline also offers various ways to board the plane earlier, such as purchasing EarlyBird Check-In for automatic check-in and a better boarding position or Upgraded Boarding to get an A1-A15 boarding position.
Southwest Airlines provides a flexible and cost-effective option for travellers looking to explore the beauty and adventure of Belize, with its ancient Mayan ruins, lush rainforests, and aquatic activities.
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Southwest Airlines' promotions to Belize
Southwest Airlines offers promotions for flights to Belize, including:
- Low fares to tropical and international beach destinations, including Belize.
- No change or cancellation fees.
- Two free checked bags.
- Free entertainment and $8 in-flight internet.
- Rapid Rewards Program, where members can redeem points for flights, hotel stays, rental cars, gift cards, and more. Points do not expire.
- EarlyBird Check-In for automatic check-in and better boarding position.
- Upgraded Boarding to get an A1-A15 boarding position.
- Business Select, which guarantees an A1-A15 boarding position.
In addition, Southwest Airlines has offered special fares and promotions for flights to Belize in the past. For example, in 2015, they offered fares from Houston (Hobby), TX to Belize City, Belize, starting at $127 USD one-way, including taxes. These fares needed to be booked by October 8, 2015, and were valid for travel during specific periods between October 2015 and March 2016. They also had a 72-hour sale in October 2015, with fares to Belize City starting at $107 USD from Houston's Hobby International Terminal.
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Belize's airport departure tax
The departure tax for non-Belizean citizens travelling on international flights is US$73.50. This includes US$20 for the Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT), US$15 for passenger service, US$36 for airport development, US$1.25 for security, and US$1.25 for baggage handling. These fees must be paid in US cash.
Belize citizens and residents pay a lower airport fee of US$17.50 (BZ$35) since it only covers service, security, and baggage handling charges. They can pay in Belizean dollars. However, if they purchase flights directly from international airlines, they will be charged the additional airport development and conservation fees, and they can claim a refund of US$56 (BZ$112) from the airline or airport.
For travellers departing from the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport outside Belize City who have spent less than 24 hours in the country, the departure tax is US$39.25. It is important to note that some airlines include this tax in their ticket price, so travellers should confirm with their airline to avoid paying twice.
Southwest Airlines offers nonstop flights to Belize from Houston's Hobby Airport, with convenient connections from several other cities in the US. Their fares from Houston to Belize City start at $127 USD one way, including taxes. Southwest is known for its "low fares don't mean low service" concept, allowing passengers to check two bags for free and reuse their fare for future travel within a year if needed.
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Belize's border exit fees
Southwest Airlines offers non-stop flights to Belize, with daily flights from Houston's Hobby Airport to Belize City. There are also connecting services through Houston from Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Oakland, San Antonio, and San Diego.
Now, for the border exit fees when leaving Belize:
There is no entry fee for Belize, and most tourists only need a valid passport to enter and stay in the country for up to 30 days. However, when leaving, there is an exit fee, or a departure tax, that goes towards infrastructure development, border/airport maintenance or expansion, and national conservation efforts. The amount varies depending on whether you exit by air or land.
Airport Departure Tax
Non-Belizeans must pay airport fees totalling $73.50 when exiting Belize. This includes $20 for the Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT), $15 for passenger service, $36 for airport development, $1.25 for security, and $1.25 for baggage handling. This must be paid in US cash. For citizens and residents of Belize, the airport fee is $17.50, as it excludes the airport development and PACT fees.
Land Border Exit Fee
Non-Belizeans exiting Belize through land borders with Guatemala or Mexico must pay a total of $40, which includes a border exit fee, a PACT fee, and a border development fee. This amounts to $30 for the border exit, $7.50 for the PACT fee, and $2.50 for the border development fee. These fees can be paid in Belize or US dollars. It's important to note that foreigners staying in Belize for less than 24 hours, such as those transiting between Mexico and Guatemala, are exempt from the PACT conservation fee, and only need to pay a total of $32.50.
Citizens and residents of Belize are exempt from land border exit fees.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Southwest Airlines includes all Belize departure taxes in the price of the ticket.
The departure tax for non-citizens and non-residents of Belize is $35.50 USD plus a $0.75 USD "security screening" fee.
Any visitor spending more than 24 hours in Belize must pay a $7.50 BZD conservation fee upon exiting the country. If you are in Belize for less than 24 hours, you are exempt from this fee.
Check the very bottom of your e-ticket, where the amount of taxes should be listed in fine print.