Wet Lizard Bar: Free Wifi In Belize?

The Wet Lizard in Belize City offers free WiFi to its customers. It is a restaurant located in the Belize City Cruise ship terminal, serving seafood and local dishes. The Wet Lizard is only open when cruise ships are in port. While WiFi is widely available in Belize, the speed and reliability vary across the country. In small towns and remote areas, WiFi may be unavailable or slow. However, popular tourist destinations like Ambergris Caye, Placencia, and Caye Caulker are known for having excellent WiFi access.

Wet Lizard's free wifi

The Wet Lizard in Belize City offers free WiFi to its customers. The restaurant is located in the Belize City Cruise Ship Terminal and is open only when cruise ships are in port. It offers a variety of seafood and local dishes, as well as fun cocktails and appetizers.

The availability of WiFi is an important consideration when travelling, whether to communicate with loved ones or for work purposes. While the internet speed in Belize has improved in recent years, it still lags behind other Caribbean countries. Most restaurants and bars in Belize will have internet speeds of 5-15 MBPS, while hotels and businesses can expect speeds of 30 or higher.

Some parts of Belize, such as Ambergris Caye, Placencia, and Caye Caulker, have better WiFi due to an increase in the number of residents. These areas have fibre optics, enabling faster internet speeds. However, small towns and remote areas may have limited or no WiFi access, and you may have to rely on your phone's data connection.

The Wet Lizard, being located in the cruise ship terminal, likely has reliable WiFi due to its proximity to the port and the need to cater to tourists. The restaurant also has a full bar and serves the best of Belizean cuisine, making it a convenient and enjoyable spot to spend the day, relax, or even dance the night away.

Wifi availability in Belize

For travellers, staying connected in Belize is easier and more affordable than you might think. Hotels, restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and other tourist facilities in Belize offer wifi hotspots, usually accessible via QR codes. Many central parks around the country also provide free internet access, although it may not be suitable for sending or receiving large files.

If you're looking for a more consistent connection, local carriers offer wifi plans that you can purchase. Cell phone data is widely available for purchase in Belize, including at supermarkets, gas stations, and corner shops.

When it comes to specific locations, such as the Wet Lizard in Belize City, it's always a good idea to check their website or contact them directly to inquire about wifi availability. As of July 2024, some sources indicate that the Wet Lizard does offer free wifi to its customers.

Internet speed in Belize

Belize has several Internet service providers offering different types of connections, including satellite, DSL, cable, and fiber optics. The country's national telephone company, Belize Telemedia Limited, offers high-speed broadband internet via DSL cable in select locations, with speeds of up to 39 Belizean dollars (US $19.50) per month. Other providers such as DigiCell and Smart offer similar services, with speeds of up to 55 Belizean dollars (US $27.50) per month in certain areas.

Belize has moved towards becoming a First World country in terms of Internet and Mobile services. The country now has a fibre optic network, with speeds of up to 200 Mbps down and 100 Mbps up, and prices starting at BZD49 per month. Additionally, Belize Telemedia's all-fibre optic solution can handle speeds of up to 2 Gbps down and 1 Gbps up.

While the Internet is widely available in Belize, it is important to note that some areas, especially small towns and remote locations, may have less consistent connections or limited access. However, overall, the country has made significant improvements in its Internet infrastructure, and most travellers and residents can expect to stay connected with relatively affordable and reliable Internet access.

Best wifi spots in Belize

Belize has good WiFi and 3G/4G signal in most areas, but some places have better coverage than others. Here are some of the best spots to connect to the internet while in Belize:

Ambergris Caye, Placencia, and Caye Caulker

These places are known for having excellent WiFi connectivity. The increased demand for better internet in these areas due to growing populations has led to the implementation of fiber optics, providing faster speeds.

Hotels, Restaurants, and Bars

Most hotels, restaurants, and bars in Belize offer WiFi access. In particular, the Wet Lizard in Belize City provides free WiFi to its customers, along with great food and drinks.

Central Parks

Many central parks in Belize provide free internet access. However, the speed may not always be sufficient for sending or receiving large files.

Internet Cafes

For those without personal devices, internet cafes in cities and larger towns provide access to computers or smartphones with internet connectivity.

Drift Inn

Drift Inn, an affordable hotel/hostel in San Pedro, boasts a strong mesh WiFi system with an average speed of 30 MBPS, allowing guests to stay connected seamlessly throughout the property.

Belize Telemedia

Belize Telemedia's all-Fiber Optic solution offers high-speed internet access with speeds of up to 2 Gigabits down and 1 Gigabit up, catering to businesses or individuals who require reliable and reasonably priced internet.

Starlink Satellite Service

For those in rural areas or seeking an alternative option, the Starlink RV travel version has been reported to work well in Belize as of May 2023, providing a reliable connection in more remote locations.

Cost of wifi in Belize

The cost of WiFi in Belize varies depending on the speed and location. In the past, internet access in Belize was limited to certain urban areas and was expensive. However, it is now widely available throughout the country at affordable prices.

The two main WiFi providers in Belize are SMART and BTL DIGI. The cost of their WiFi is relatively affordable, with prices starting from less than $100 BZD (Belize Dollar) per month for a DSL line of high-speed internet. This equates to approximately $50 USD (US Dollar) per month.

BTL's prices for internet start from $12.50 USD for a 256k speed connection, with the price increasing to $350 USD for a 16MB speed connection. A standard DSL connection with 1 Mbps of bandwidth will cost around $60 per month.

For those living in rural areas, satellite internet is an option, but it is not cheap. Satellite internet costs around $120 USD per month for unlimited use.

In terms of mobile data, a popular option is to purchase data for your phone, which costs around $15 USD for 2GB on a post-paid cell phone plan. For prepaid plans, you can purchase a SIM card and pay for data as needed. With heavy data usage, you can expect to spend around $80 USD per month on your cellphone in Belize, although most people can get away with half of that.

Overall, while the cost of WiFi in Belize has improved in recent years and is now more affordable, it is still considered expensive compared to other countries.

Frequently asked questions