Belize Travel And Vaccinations: What You Need To Know

Belize is a country in Central America, bordering Mexico and Guatemala. It is a popular tourist destination, known for its rich culture, nature, and adventure. However, before travelling to Belize, it is important to consider the recommended vaccinations to ensure a safe trip.

While there are no mandatory vaccinations required for entry into Belize, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend several vaccinations to protect travellers against various diseases prevalent in the region. These include typhoid, hepatitis A, polio, yellow fever, chikungunya, rabies, hepatitis B, influenza, COVID-19, pneumonia, meningitis, chickenpox, shingles, Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis), and measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR).

In addition to these recommended vaccinations, travellers should also be aware of the risk of mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, and the Zika virus. Taking appropriate precautions against mosquito bites is essential.

It is always advisable to consult a healthcare professional or travel health clinic for personalized advice and recommendations before travelling to Belize or any other international destination.

Routine vaccinations

It is recommended that all travellers are up to date with their routine vaccinations before visiting Belize. These include:

• MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella)
• DPT (Diphtheria, Pertussis, and Tetanus)
• Polio
• Influenza
• Chickenpox

The CDC provides a list of recommended routine immunisations for children and adults to help you determine which vaccines you may need before visiting Belize.

Food and water safety

• Water Safety: While tap water in Belize is generally considered potable, it is recommended to drink bottled water to avoid any potential waterborne illnesses. Some travellers also choose to boil tap water before consumption or use water purification methods such as a Steripen.
• Food Safety: It is advised to follow food safety guidelines when travelling to Belize. Opt for fully cooked dishes, avoid raw seafood, and choose eateries with good hygiene practices. Be cautious with ice, and only consume alcohol in moderation. Wash your hands frequently and avoid street food to prevent travellers' diarrhoea.
• Vaccinations: It is recommended to receive vaccinations for typhoid and hepatitis A before travelling to Belize, as these diseases can be transmitted through contaminated food or water. Additionally, infants 6 to 11 months old should be vaccinated against hepatitis A, and adults over 40 or with underlying medical conditions should consider the hepatitis A vaccine as well.
• Other Precautions: It is important to wash fruits and vegetables before consumption and avoid certain raw foods like salads. Probiotics and digestive enzymes can also help prevent digestive issues. If diarrhoea occurs, carry medications such as cayenne capsules or Imodium.

Preventing bug bites

Bug bites can be a serious concern when travelling to Belize. There are many insects in the country that bite and sting, including mosquitoes, sand flies, scorpions, spiders, snakes, sea urchins, kissing bugs, and more. Here are some tips to help prevent bug bites when travelling to Belize:

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats. This will help protect you from mosquitoes, sand flies, and other insects.
• Use insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE). These products can help repel insects and reduce your risk of being bitten.
• Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks, and tents. Permethrin is an insecticide that can provide extra protection against insects.
• Stay and sleep in air-conditioned or screened rooms. This will help keep insects out and reduce your risk of being bitten.
• Use a bed net if you are sleeping in an area that is exposed to the outdoors. This will create a physical barrier between you and the insects.
• Avoid scratching bug bites. If you are bitten, wash the area, avoid scratching, and apply anti-itch creams or lotions, such as hydrocortisone or calamine lotion. Seek medical help if you experience a severe reaction.
• Be especially cautious in areas with stagnant water, such as marshes, puddles, and rice fields, as these are breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
• Be vigilant about your surroundings, including your clothing and bedding. Scorpions and spiders may be hiding in dark corners, piles of wood, or even your shoes.
• Wear closed-toe shoes when hiking or walking in forested areas to protect your feet from fire ants, centipedes, and other insects that live on the forest floor.

Travel health kit

It is recommended that you get vaccinated before travelling to Belize to protect yourself from diseases such as typhoid, hepatitis A, polio, yellow fever, chikungunya, rabies, hepatitis B, influenza, COVID-19, pneumonia, meningitis, chickenpox, shingles, Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) and measles, mumps and rubella (MMR).

• Medications — Carry all your regular medications in their original containers, with clear labels that identify the contents, dosage and your name. Take enough for your trip, plus extra in case of delays. If you have a chronic illness, consider wearing a medical alert bracelet or necklace.
• Painkillers — Pack painkillers such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen or aspirin to relieve headaches, pain, fever and simple sprains or strains.
• Antihistamines — To relieve allergies.
• Antacid medicine — To settle an upset stomach.
• Anti-nausea or motion sickness medicine — You may also want to include medicine for altitude sickness if you are travelling to high altitudes.
• Hand sanitiser — Carry antibacterial hand wipes or an alcohol-based hand sanitiser with at least 60% alcohol.
• Masks — Pack disposable or cloth masks.
• Bandages — Include bandages of assorted sizes to cover minor cuts and scrapes, as well as bandage closures such as butterfly bandages to tape the edges of minor cuts together.
• Triangular bandage — To wrap injuries and make an arm sling.
• Elastic wraps — For wrist, ankle, knee and elbow injuries.
• Gauze — Pack gauze in rolls, as well as 2-inch and 4-inch pads, to dress larger cuts and scrapes.
• Adhesive tape — To keep gauze in place.
• Safety pins — To fasten splints and bandages.
• Antiseptic wipes — To disinfect wounds or clean hands and utensils.
• Antibiotic ointment — To prevent infection in cuts, scrapes and burns.
• Hydrogen peroxide — To clean and disinfect wounds.
• Cold packs — Disposable, instant-activating cold packs to cool injuries and burns, as well as for use in strains and sprains.
• Tweezers — To remove small splinters, foreign objects, bee stingers and ticks from the skin.
• Gloves — Pack disposable rubber gloves to protect your hands and reduce the risk of infection when treating wounds.
• Thermometer — A non-mercury, non-glass thermometer to take temperatures in case of illness.
• Calamine lotion — To relieve itching and irritation from insect bites and poison ivy.
• Hydrocortisone cream — To relieve irritation from rashes.
• Sunscreen — Pack sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher to protect your skin and prevent sunburn.
• Aloe gel — For sunburns.
• Insect repellent — Those for adults should contain 30% to 50% DEET or up to 20% picaridin. Do not use insect repellent on infants 2 months of age or younger, and do not use products that combine DEET with sunscreen.
• Malaria medication — If you need it for where you are travelling.
• Diarrhoea medication — Talk to your healthcare provider about a prescription for an antibiotic you can take in case of diarrhoea.
• Cough and cold medicines — To treat coughs and colds.
• Epinephrine auto-injector — For people with severe allergies.
• List of prescription medicines and generic names — Keep a list of your prescription medicines and their generic names.
• Water purification tablets — To purify drinking water.
• Spare glasses or contact lenses — Pack an extra pair of prescription glasses or contact lenses.

Travel safety

Belize is a Central American country that borders Mexico and Guatemala. It is known for its rainforests, mountains, barrier reef, and Mayan ruins. While the country does not require any mandatory vaccinations for visitors, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends several immunizations and precautions to ensure a safe trip.

Firstly, it is important to ensure that all routine vaccinations are up to date. These include the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine, the DPT vaccine (diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus), the polio vaccine, and immunizations against the flu and chickenpox.

Secondly, the CDC advises Americans who have not been vaccinated against typhoid or Hepatitis A or B to receive these vaccinations before travelling to Belize. This is especially important for those who may be exposed to bodily fluids or have a higher risk of contracting Hepatitis B, and for those visiting rural areas where food sanitation may be inadequate, increasing the risk of typhoid through the food or water supply.

Thirdly, certain travellers may be at risk for contracting rabies and should consider receiving the vaccine. This includes individuals who will spend a lot of time outdoors, such as hikers and campers, those likely to be exposed to mammals, and children, who are more likely to interact with animals.

Additionally, if you are arriving from a country where yellow fever is prevalent, such as Brazil, Ecuador, or Peru, you must provide proof of inoculation against yellow fever. It is also important to check for the presence of yellow fever in other Central American countries you plan to visit and arrange for vaccination if necessary.

Lastly, it is crucial to protect yourself against mosquito bites, as mosquito-borne diseases like Chikungunya, dengue fever, and the Zika virus are prevalent in Belize.

Besides vaccinations, there are other important safety considerations for travelling to Belize. The country has a high level of violent crime, including gang and drug-related violence, and tourists are often targets for petty crimes such as pickpocketing and purse snatching. It is recommended to avoid non-essential travel to certain areas, such as Southside Belize City, and to follow safety guidelines such as remaining vigilant, avoiding travelling after dark, and not displaying signs of wealth.

Furthermore, when engaging in outdoor activities, it is important to stay informed about the weather, obtain detailed information about your activity and the environment, and purchase appropriate travel insurance. Road conditions and road safety are poor throughout the country, with most roads being unpaved and drivers often disregarding traffic laws. It is advised to avoid travelling by bus or taxi and to exercise caution when driving, especially at night.

Frequently asked questions