Belize's Borders: Open Or Shut?

Belize is open for international travel, with tourists able to enter the country by air and land. However, the country has outlined a Safe Corridor for tourists, which includes hotels, restaurants, and tour operators that have achieved the Tourism Gold Standard recognition. This means they have implemented enhanced health and safety standards, including social distancing, contactless payment systems, hand sanitizing stations, and daily health checks for guests and employees. While Belize has lifted all public health measures at its land and sea entry points, tourists are still recommended to stay at certified gold standard hotels or vacation rentals and to purchase the Belize Travel Health Insurance.

Belize is open to tourists, but they must follow health and safety measures

Belize is open for international travel, but tourists must follow health and safety measures. The country has outlined a "Safe Corridor" for visitors, which includes approved hotels, restaurants, and tour operators that have achieved the "Tourism Gold Standard Recognition". This 9-point program enhances the tourism industry's health and safety standards by implementing new behaviours and procedures to ensure both employees and travellers are confident in the cleanliness and safety of Belize's tourism product.

The "Tourism Gold Standard Recognition Program" and "Gold Standard Seal of Approval" are indicators that allow travellers and the tourism industry to operate safely as COVID-19 restrictions are eased. While visitors will need to adhere to the "new normal" entry requirements and safety protocols, their experience will remain authentic to Belize's adventurous spirit.

To enter Belize, travellers must follow government health and safety measures, including providing proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result. Unvaccinated travellers must take a Rapid Antigen, Sophia, SD Biosensor, or ABBOT (Panbio) test within 48 hours of arrival or a PCR test within 96 hours of arrival. All foreign tourists are required to purchase travel health insurance, which costs US-$18 and covers up to $50,000 in COVID-19-related medical expenses and up to $2,000 for lodging expenses if a traveller needs to quarantine.

It is recommended that tourists stay at Gold Standard hotels or vacation rentals, which have passed a rigorous 9-point checklist by the Belize Tourism Board that tests for enhanced cleaning practices, social interactions, workplace policies, and standard operating procedures in the tourism industry. These hotels implement social distancing and the use of face masks in public spaces, provide hand sanitizing stations, and conduct daily health checks for guests and employees.

In addition to health and safety measures related to COVID-19, travellers should also be aware of the risk of violent crime in Belize, such as sexual assault, home invasions, armed robberies, and murder, which can occur during daylight hours and in tourist areas. Travellers should exercise caution, be aware of their surroundings, and follow other safety recommendations to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip to Belize.

The Philip Goldson International Airport is open to tourists

Belize is open for international tourism and The Philip Goldson International Airport is welcoming travellers. The airport is located in Ladyville, a village/suburb that is 10 miles northwest of Belize City. It can be reached in 20 minutes by car. The airport is also known as PGIA and is the country's only international airport. It is dedicated to the memory of Hon. Philip Stanley Wilberforce Goldson, a Belizean activist and politician who died in 2001.

The airport is currently undergoing a $60 million improvement project, which includes infrastructure expansion, a new Eastern Taxiway, a new car park facility, personnel training, new services, and equipment upgrades.

There are several transportation options available at the airport. Taxis are readily available outside the exit doors, and the trip to Belize City typically costs $25. Shuttles and private car transfers are also offered by hotels and private companies. For those who prefer flying, local airlines such as Tropic Air offer daily domestic flights to various destinations across Belize.

When departing from the Philip Goldson International Airport, it is recommended to arrive 2 hours before an international flight and 1.5 hours before a domestic flight. The airport departure tax for international tourists is $55.50, and there are additional airport development and conservation fees that only tourists must pay.

Tourists must follow COVID-19 measures, including testing and vaccination

Belize is not closed to tourists, but tourists must follow COVID-19 measures, including testing and vaccination. The CDC recommends that all eligible travellers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. The CDC also recommends that travellers check the vaccines and medicines list and visit their doctor at least a month before their trip to get any vaccines or medicines they may need.

In addition to COVID-19 measures, tourists should be aware of the risk of violent crime in Belize, including sexual assault, home invasions, armed robberies, and murder, which can occur during daylight hours and in tourist areas. Travellers are advised to exercise caution when travelling to the south side of Belize City, as this area has a high level of gang-related criminal activity. Local police may lack the resources and training to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents, so it is important to take precautions such as being aware of your surroundings, avoiding walking or driving at night, and not displaying signs of wealth.

To stay safe in Belize, it is recommended to:

• Be vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and make it easier to be located in an emergency
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter for updates
• Review the Country Security Report for Belize
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations

It is also important to note that there has been evidence of the chikungunya virus in Belize within the last 5 years, so travellers may want to consider getting the chikungunya vaccine, especially if they plan to spend a lot of time in areas with mosquitoes or stay in Belize for 6 months or more.

Tourists are advised to stay in Gold Standard hotels

Belize is open for tourism, but travellers are advised to exercise increased caution due to violent crime, which is common even during the day and in tourist areas. Travellers are advised to avoid travelling to Belize City, particularly the south side, where much of the violent crime occurs and is gang-related.

To ensure the safety of both employees and travellers, the Belize Tourism Board has launched the "Tourism Gold Standard" Recognition Program for hotels in the country. This 9-point program seeks to enhance the tourism industry's health and safety standards by implementing new behaviours and procedures. Hotels that have achieved the Tourism Gold Standard Certificate of Recognition will operate within a "tourism safe corridor".

Hotels within the safe corridor will implement the following:

• Social distancing and the use of face masks in public spaces.
• Online check-in/out, contactless payment systems, and automated ordering/booking systems.
• Hand sanitizing stations across the property.
• Enhanced room cleaning and increased sanitization of public spaces and high-touch surfaces.
• Daily health checks for guests and employees.
• Designated 'Isolation/Quarantine rooms' for suspected COVID-19 cases and action plans for handling suspected employees or guests.

International tourists are recommended to stay at Gold Standard hotels while in Belize. These hotels have passed a rigorous 9-point checklist that tests for enhanced cleaning practices, social interactions, workplace policies, and standard operating procedures in the tourism industry. The program has received the #SafeTravels stamp of approval by the World Travel & Tourism Council.

• Ramon's Village Resort in Ambergris Caye
• Pelican Reef Villas in Ambergris Caye
• Victoria House Resort in Ambergris Caye
• Matachica in Ambergris Caye
• Blue Tang Inn in Ambergris Caye
• PUR Boutique Cabanas in Ambergris Caye
• Las Terrazas Resort in Ambergris Caye
• The Phoenix Resort in Ambergris Caye
• Mahogany Bay Resort & Beach Club in Ambergris Caye

Belize has a high crime rate, and tourists are advised to be cautious

Belize is currently open for tourism, but tourists are advised to exercise caution due to the country's high crime rate. Violent crimes such as sexual assault, home invasions, armed robberies, and murders are common, even during daylight hours and in tourist areas. Gang-related violence is also prevalent, particularly in Belize City, specifically in the Southside area. While tourists are not usually the targets of gang violence, anyone in the vicinity of an incident could be affected.

To minimise the risk of becoming a victim of crime in Belize, it is recommended that tourists take the following precautions:

• Be aware of your surroundings at all times, especially in busy areas such as banks or ATMs.
• Avoid walking or driving at night.
• Do not resist any robbery attempts.
• Do not display signs of wealth, such as expensive watches or jewellery.
• Enroll in a travel safety program, such as the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), to receive alerts and make it easier to be located in an emergency.
• Follow local authorities' advice and monitor media for updates on political demonstrations and natural disasters.
• Use ATMs located in well-lit public areas or inside banks or businesses.
• Keep valuables out of sight.
• Use qualified guides for off-the-beaten-path excursions.
• Only use established accommodation and campgrounds.
• Understand local laws and customs, such as the illegality of public drinking.
• Take extra precautions to protect yourself from mosquito-borne illnesses like malaria.
• Be cautious when driving or taking public transportation due to hazardous road conditions and poor maintenance standards.
• Only use registered taxis with green license plates.

While Belize has a high crime rate, taking these precautionary measures can significantly reduce the risk of becoming a victim of crime. It is essential to stay informed and follow the latest safety guidelines provided by official sources.

Frequently asked questions