The Belize dollar (BZD) is the official currency of Belize, and its exchange rate is pegged to the US dollar at a fixed rate of BZ$2 to US$1. This means that 1 Belize dollar is worth approximately 0.5 US dollars, or, to put it another way, 1 US dollar is worth approximately 2 Belize dollars. This exchange rate has been in place since 1978, when the link to the British pound was abandoned in favour of a fixed rate with the US dollar. While the official rate is BZ$2 = US$1, in practice, the Belize Dollar is accepted at a slight fluctuation, usually $2.0175 BZ for one US dollar.
What You'll Learn
- Belize Dollar is abbreviated as BZ$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies
- The Belize Dollar is divided into 100 cents
- The Belize Dollar is tied to the US Dollar at a fixed rate of BZ$2 = US$1
- The Belize Central Bank instructed banks to accept US cash at the official rate of 1 US dollar = 2 Belize dollars
- The Belize Dollar is the official currency of Belize
Belize Dollar is abbreviated as BZ$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies
The Belize dollar is the official currency in Belize. It is abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or BZ$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies. The currency code is BZD.
The Belize dollar is only valid inside Belize's borders and it can be difficult to exchange outside the country, except in border towns in Mexico and Guatemala. The official exchange rate is set at 2 BZD to 1 US dollar, although some banks may offer a slightly different rate. This rate has been fixed for over 25 years.
The Belize dollar is divided into 100 cents. The coins in circulation include the $1 and $2 coins, with the one-dollar coin being the most prominent, and smaller coins include 50 cents, 25 cents, 10 cents, 5 cents, and 1 cent.
The Belizean banknotes include the $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100, with the $100 bill colloquially known as a blue buay (blue boy).
U.S. cash is widely accepted in Belize, especially in tourist destinations. However, if you pay with US dollars, you will likely be given change in Belize dollars at the $1 US to $2 BZ exchange rate.
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The Belize Dollar is divided into 100 cents
The Belize Dollar is the official currency in Belize, with the currency code BZD. It is usually represented by the dollar sign $, or BZ$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies. The Belize Dollar is divided into 100 cents.
The Belizean currency has a rich history, dating back to the 18th century. In 1784, the Jamaica currency was established as legal tender in Belize. This was followed by the introduction of the copper coin of the United Kingdom as legal tender in 1849. In 1853, a new currency system based on the silver standard was introduced, and the Belize Dollar was born.
The Belize Dollar has undergone several changes over the years. In 1885, bronze 1-cent coins were introduced, followed by silver 5, 10, 25, and 50-cent coins in 1894. The composition of these coins evolved over time, with cupronickel and nickel-brass replacing silver in the early 20th century. In 1976, aluminium 1 and 5-cent coins were introduced, and in 1990, a nickel-brass, decagonal 1-dollar coin was circulated.
In terms of banknotes, the Board of Commissioners of Currency issued denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 50, and 100 dollars from 1894 to 1976. The production of 50 and 100-dollar notes ceased after 1928, and 20-dollar notes were introduced in 1952. In 1974, a new series of notes featuring the name Belize was introduced, and the country gained independence in 1981. The Central Bank of Belize was established in 1982 and began issuing its own notes in 1983.
Today, the Belize Dollar is pegged to the US Dollar at a fixed rate of BZ$2 = US$1. This means that one Belize Dollar is worth 50 US cents. This exchange rate has been in place since 1978, reflecting a devaluation of 50% in relation to the original parity with the US Dollar in 1885.
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The Belize Dollar is tied to the US Dollar at a fixed rate of BZ$2 = US$1
The Belize Dollar (BZD) is the official currency of Belize, which is abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or BZ$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies. The Belize Dollar is pegged to the US Dollar at a fixed rate of BZ$2 = US$1. This means that one US Dollar is worth two Belize Dollars.
The Belize Dollar was first issued in 1974, when it replaced the British Honduras Dollar. Belize was a British colony and part of British Honduras until it was renamed in 1973, six months before the Belize Dollar was introduced. The country officially became a British colony in 1862 after a dispute between the Spanish and British over ownership of the region, and it gained independence in 1981.
The Belize Dollar is divided into 100 cents and is issued by the Central Bank of Belize, which was established in 1982. The bank manages the nation's foreign reserves and issues its currency. Belize's inflation rate is estimated at 0.6% as of 2019, and its GDP growth rate is 2.5%.
The Belizean economy is highly reliant on tourism and agriculture, with exports including sugar, bananas, citrus, and crude oil. The service sector also contributes significantly to the country's GDP, while agriculture now makes up only about 10%.
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The Belize Central Bank instructed banks to accept US cash at the official rate of 1 US dollar = 2 Belize dollars
The Belize dollar (BZD) is the official currency of Belize. It is pegged to the US dollar at a rate of 1 US dollar to 2 Belize dollars. This means that the value of the Belize dollar is fixed relative to the US dollar.
On 2 May 2023, the Belize Central Bank instructed banks to accept US cash at the official rate of 1 US dollar to 2 Belize dollars. Prior to this, banks and financial institutions in Belize had been giving slightly less, BZ$1.982 in exchange for 1 US dollar cash. They claimed the difference as processing expenses and part of their non-interest income service. This led to businesses in Belize being reluctant to accept US currency as they would lose money when depositing US cash in Belize dollars.
The Belize Central Bank's instruction aimed to address this issue by requiring banks to accept US cash at the official exchange rate. This move helps to ensure that US currency is more widely accepted in Belize and provides clarity and consistency in the country's currency system.
It is important to note that the Belize dollar is primarily used within the country, and it has limited value outside of Belize. Visitors to Belize may find it more convenient to use US dollars, as they are widely accepted, and there is no need to worry about calculating exchange rates. However, it is advised to keep foreign exchange outside of Belize, as the Belize dollar has little value beyond the country's borders.
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The Belize Dollar is the official currency of Belize
The Belize Dollar has been pegged to the US Dollar for over 25 years, and this informs the exchange rate with other countries. The Belizean currency is divided into 100 cents. The currency is printed at the British firm of Thomas De La Rue Ltd. and features a prominent image of Queen Elizabeth II on the front. Belize is a member of the British Commonwealth and has King Charles III as its Head of State.
Belize was a former colony of Great Britain and, as a result, its currency shows similarities. Belizean banknotes include $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100, with the largest bill colloquially known as a blue buay (blue boy). The largest coins are $1 and $2, with smaller denominations of 50 cents, 25 cents, 10 cents, 5 cents, and 1 cent.
Belize is primarily a cash-based society, with most locals not owning credit cards. As a result, many local shops and restaurants do not accept card payments, although this is not the case with hotels and tour operators or businesses in tourist destinations.
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Frequently asked questions
The Belize Dollar (BZD) is the official currency in Belize.
The exchange rate is BZ$2 to US$1.
No, it is not necessary as many businesses in Belize accept US Dollars.
Yes, ATMs in Belize usually accept foreign cards.
The currency symbol for Belize Dollar is BZ$.