Covid-19 Testing Requirements: Navigating Travel To Belize

As of July 12, 2022, Belize has removed all COVID-related public health measures at its points of entry, meaning that travellers no longer need to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test upon arrival. However, it is recommended that tourists purchase travel health insurance and stay in certified Gold Standard hotels or vacation rentals.

As of July 12, 2022, no Covid test or vaccination proof is required to enter Belize

However, it is important to note that the government of Belize still recommends taking certain precautions. While the purchase of travel health insurance is no longer mandatory, it is still encouraged. Additionally, the government advises that vaccines remain the best form of protection against severe illness and death from Covid-19.

International tourists are also reminded that they must book their stay at a BTB-approved hotel. The government has implemented new procedures that must be followed before arrival, and travellers are advised to check the latest requirements on the official website.

Prior to July 12, 2022, travellers to Belize were subject to different Covid-related entry requirements. Previously, tourists were required to provide proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test upon arrival. Additionally, the purchase of travel health insurance was mandatory, and there were recommendations to stay at certified Gold Standard hotels or vacation rentals.

It is important to note that entry requirements can change, and travellers are advised to stay updated on the latest information provided by official sources. The information provided here is based on the regulations as of July 12, 2022, and may not reflect the current requirements. Travellers should always refer to official government sources for the most up-to-date and accurate information before planning their trip to Belize.

It is recommended that you stay at a Gold Standard hotel or vacation rental

As of July 2022, the Belize government has removed all public health measures at the points of entry. This means that proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test is no longer required for entry into Belize. However, it is still recommended that you stay at a Gold Standard hotel or vacation rental.

The Gold Standard program was introduced by the Belize Tourism Board to promote health and safety in the tourism industry. It focuses on enhancing cleaning practices, social interactions, workplace policies, and standard operating procedures. Hotels that have achieved the Tourism Gold Standard Certificate of Recognition have implemented social distancing and the use of face masks in public spaces, online check-in/out and contactless payment systems, hand sanitizing stations, enhanced room cleaning, and daily health checks for guests and employees.

International tourists are recommended to book a stay at BTB-approved hotels, and most places have now received Gold Standard designations, including vacation rentals, restaurants, and tour operators. The program has received the #SafeTravels stamp of approval by the World Travel & Tourism Council.

• Ramon's Village Resort in Ambergris Caye: Located in downtown San Pedro, it offers beachfront thatched cabanas surrounded by a tropical garden and swimming pools.
• Pelican Reef Villas in Ambergris Caye: Features modern and well-equipped beachfront condos located 20 minutes from downtown San Pedro, perfect for couples and families.
• Victoria House Resort in Ambergris Caye: A beautiful British colonial-style resort located a short distance south of downtown San Pedro, known for its elegance, luxurious accommodations, fine dining, and world-class service.
• Matachica in Ambergris Caye: An adults-only resort perfect for couples seeking access to the lively town of San Pedro. It offers cozy and uniquely decorated beach huts and luxurious villas.
• Blue Tang Inn in Ambergris Caye: One of the most affordable options, located in the Boca del Rio area of San Pedro, near excellent dive shops and popular beach bars.
• Cayo Espanto in Ambergris Caye: A private 4-acre island offering pampered relaxation, privacy, and world-class service. This luxury island resort is a celebrity hotspot.
• PUR Boutique Cabanas in Ambergris Caye: One of the newest adults-only hotels near downtown San Pedro, featuring six bungalows, a small pool, a swim-up bar, and a restaurant.
• Las Terrazas Resort in Ambergris Caye: Located on the beach in North Ambergris Caye, offering beautiful island-style villa accommodations for families and couples looking for adventure and relaxation.
• The Phoenix Resort in Ambergris Caye: An award-winning beachside resort in the vibrant town of San Pedro, providing a convenient refuge for travelers.
• Mahogany Bay Resort & Beach Club in Ambergris Caye: Part of the Curio collection by Hilton Worldwide, this resort offers seclusion and is only a 15-minute golf cart ride from San Pedro's downtown.

These are just a few examples of the many Gold Standard accommodations available in Belize. By choosing a Gold Standard hotel or vacation rental, you can have peace of mind knowing that your health and safety are a top priority.

You must have a valid passport and proof of intent to depart Belize

As of July 12, 2022, Belize has removed all COVID-19 public health measures at its points of entry, meaning travellers no longer need to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test upon arrival. However, it is recommended that you check for the latest requirements before travelling.

Regardless of COVID-19 requirements, visitors to Belize must have a valid passport and proof of intent to depart the country. This includes having a valid passport for no less than 30 days after the intended period of stay.

When entering Belize, international tourists must have proof of their intent to depart, such as a return ticket or onward ticket (e.g. an airline ticket, pre-purchased bus ticket, or proof of passage on a cruise ship). Visitors must also have proof of sufficient funds to maintain themselves during their stay.

U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises (i.e. cruises that begin and end at the same U.S. port) will be permitted to depart or enter the U.S. with a birth certificate and a government-issued photo ID. However, U.S. citizen passengers returning by air will need to present their valid U.S. passports to airline officials before boarding the aircraft.

You must buy travel health insurance to visit Belize

As of July 12, 2022, the requirement to purchase mandatory travel health insurance for Belize ended. However, it is still strongly recommended for all travellers as many U.S. health insurance plans may not cover international travel. The cost of travel insurance is typically between 5-7% of the total price of your trip.

When purchasing travel insurance, it is important to consider the activities you plan to do in Belize. For example, if you plan to scuba dive, parasail, or bungee jump, you may need to upgrade your travel insurance plan for adventure travel. Additionally, some insurance plans do not cover the risk of adventurous or hazardous sports, so purchasing an add-on package may be necessary.

• Emergency medical evacuation: In the event of a severe medical issue, this coverage can provide airlift services and cover the associated costs.
• Baggage and personal effects coverage: This coverage will reimburse you for lost, damaged, or stolen items during your trip.
• Trip cancellation insurance: If you need to cancel your trip due to unforeseen circumstances, such as a serious illness or family emergency, this coverage will reimburse you for prepaid and non-refundable expenses.
• Trip delay insurance: If your flight is delayed or cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances, this coverage can help offset additional costs such as hotel stays, meals, and personal expenses.
• Trip interruption insurance: In the event that you need to cut your trip short due to an emergency, this coverage can reimburse you for non-refundable, prepaid activities, and one-way economy travel back home.
• Travel medical insurance: When travelling outside the U.S., your health plan may have limited or no coverage. Travel medical insurance can provide coverage for hospital and doctor bills, lab work, and medicine.

By purchasing travel health insurance, you can protect yourself against the unpredictability of international travel and ensure that you have financial security in case of any medical emergencies or unforeseen circumstances.

Children under five are exempt from Covid testing

If you are planning to travel to Belize, it is important to understand the COVID-19 testing and vaccination requirements for entry. As of July 15, 2022, the Government of Belize has removed the requirement for proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test upon arrival at all official border points (land and sea). This means that children under five are exempt from COVID-19 testing when travelling to Belize.

While this provides ease of travel for families with young children, it is important to remain cautious about the presence of the BA.2 and BA.5 sub-variants in Belize. The Government of Belize continues to caution that vaccines are the best form of protection against severe illness and death from COVID-19. Therefore, it is highly recommended that travellers ensure their vaccinations are up to date before their trip.

In addition to the removal of mandatory vaccination and testing requirements, the Government of Belize has also made the purchase of travel insurance optional for entry. However, it is still encouraged, and travellers can find more information on the websites www.belizetravelinsurance.com and www.belizevisitorinsurance.com.

To protect the health and safety of both tourists and Belizeans, the Government of Belize has implemented new procedures that must be followed before arrival. Travellers are advised to check the latest requirements on the website www.travelbelize.org/health-safety before booking their trip.

Furthermore, it is important to note that international tourists must book their stay at a BTB-approved hotel. This is part of the country's designated safe corridors for tourists, which aim to keep visitors and locals separated as much as possible.

Frequently asked questions