Belize Currency: Everything You Need To Know

The official currency of Belize is the Belize dollar, which is abbreviated as BZ$ or BZD. The currency is permanently pegged to the US dollar at a rate of 2:1, meaning two Belizean dollars will always equal one American dollar. The Belize dollar is divided into 100 cents, and banknotes come in denominations of $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. Belizean coins include the one-cent, five-cent, 10-cent, 25-cent, 50-cent, and $1 coin.

The Belize dollar is abbreviated to BZ or BZD

The Belize dollar was introduced in 1974, replacing the British Honduras dollar. Belize, which was a British colony, was renamed from British Honduras to Belize in 1973. The country gained independence in 1981. Prior to its independence, Belize used several different currencies, including the British Honduras dollar, the British pound, and the Spanish dollar.

The Central Bank of Belize, established in 1982, manages the nation's foreign reserves and issues its currency. The bank has enhanced the security of the Belize dollar several times since its introduction, most recently in 2003. The primary security features of Belize bank notes include a watermark, a windowed security thread, a see-through feature, novel numbering, intaglio, a multi-redundant hologram, and specific dimensions for different denominations.

The Belize dollar is widely accepted in the country, although some local shops and restaurants may prefer cash payments as many locals do not own credit cards. Visitors to Belize can use US dollars or Belize dollars to make purchases, with US dollars being widely accepted, especially in tourist destinations. However, change will typically be given in Belize dollars, following the official exchange rate.

The official value is pegged at $2 BZ to $1 US

The Belize dollar is the official currency in Belize. It is normally abbreviated as BZ or BZD. The official value is pegged at $2 BZ to $1 US. This means that two Belizean dollars will always equal one American dollar, so you don't need to worry about calculating exchange rates. The Belize dollar has been pegged to the US dollar at this fixed exchange rate for over 25 years.

The Belize dollar is divided into 100 cents. Banknotes come in $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 denominations. The reverse of every banknote features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II of Britain as Belize is a member of the Commonwealth. The front of Belize notes feature local wildlife or prominent buildings in the country. Belizean coins are one cent, five cents, 10 cents, 25 cents, 50 cents, and a $1 coin.

Belize was a former colony of Great Britain and, as a result, this colonial history is reflected in its currency. All local banknotes and coins feature a prominent image of Queen Elizabeth II. Belizean banknotes are also similar in style to other British colonial dollar fractional coinage used in Hong Kong and Canada.

The Belize dollar is by law tied to the US dollar at a fixed rate. In practice, the Belize dollar is officially accepted at a slight fluctuation, usually $2.0175 BZ for one US dollar. This applies when purchasing a bank draft, for example. A lively parallel informal market usually gives $2.05 BZ for one US dollar.

US dollars are widely accepted in Belize

The Belize dollar is the official currency of Belize, but US dollars are widely accepted across the country, especially in tourist destinations. The Belize dollar is pegged to the US dollar at a fixed exchange rate of 2:1, so one US dollar is always worth two Belize dollars. This means that you can use US dollars to pay for goods and services in Belize, and you will receive change in Belize dollars. However, you cannot pay using US coins, so it is best to leave these at home.

The Belize dollar is divided into 100 cents, and banknotes come in denominations of $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. The front of the banknotes features local wildlife or prominent buildings in the country, and the reverse features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II of Britain, as Belize is a member of the Commonwealth. The Belizean coins are 1 cent, 5 cents, 10 cents, 25 cents, 50 cents, and a $1 coin.

It is important to note that smaller bills are more widely accepted than large ones, especially in villages or boutique shops and restaurants. These smaller businesses may not have enough change for large bills, or they may be concerned about the risk of counterfeit bills. Therefore, it is recommended to carry smaller denominations of US dollars when travelling to Belize.

Additionally, it is worth checking whether a price is listed in US dollars or Belize dollars before making a purchase. Usually, more expensive items, such as hotels or tours, are priced in US dollars, while menus or shops and restaurants typically list prices in Belize dollars. If you are unsure, it is always best to ask to avoid any confusion.

When it comes to exchanging money, it is not necessary to exchange US dollars into Belize dollars, as the exchange rate is always 2:1. In fact, exchanging USD into BZD will result in a worse exchange rate than the official rate. Instead, it is recommended to simply use US dollars for purchases and receive change in Belize dollars.

Belize law allows individuals to bring a maximum of $5,000 USD into the country, in any form (cash, cheques, etc.). All visitors must declare their total currency holdings if they exceed this amount. Failure to do so may result in arrest and/or fines triple the amount of any undeclared funds.

Belize dollars are hard to exchange outside of Belize

The Belize dollar is the official currency in Belize, usually abbreviated as BZ or BZD. The Belizean currency is pegged to the US dollar at a fixed exchange rate of 2:1, meaning two Belizean dollars will always be equal to one American dollar. This has been the case for over 25 years.

While the US dollar is widely accepted in Belize, the same cannot be said for Belize dollars outside of Belize. Belize dollars are generally worthless outside of the country, and very few places will exchange them. Foreign exchange bureaus will offer little for Belize dollars, and it is recommended that expats and Belizeans keep their foreign exchange outside of Belize in a bank in the USA, Canada, or Europe.

Belize law allows individuals to bring a maximum of $5,000 USD into the country, regardless of form (cash, cheques, etc.). All visitors must declare their total currency holdings upon entering the country if they exceed $5,000 USD. Violators may be arrested and/or fined triple the amount of any undeclared funds.

It is very difficult to exchange Belizean dollars for other currencies once you leave the country. Travellers are advised to convert all remaining Belizean dollars before departing Belize.

Belize charges a departure tax of $39.25 for non-locals, payable in US currency

The official currency of Belize is the Belize Dollar (BZD), which is normally abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or BZ$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies. The Belizean dollar is pegged to the US dollar at a fixed exchange rate of 2:1.

When departing from Belize, non-residents and non-citizens are required to pay a departure tax. This tax is mandatory and must be paid in cash using US currency. The departure tax is typically included in the price of airfare for flights departing from the Philip Goldson International Airport. However, it is recommended that travellers check with their airline beforehand to confirm if the departure tax has been paid. If it hasn't been, the tax must be paid in cash at the airport.

The departure tax for non-citizens and non-residents of Belize is $35.50 USD or $39.25 including the $0.75 security screening fee. For land/water crossings to Guatemala or Mexico, the total fees amount to $40 BZD or $20 USD, including the border development fee, conservation fee, and departure tax. It is important to note that the departure tax must be paid in US currency, and credit or debit cards are not accepted.

In addition to the departure tax, there is a conservation fee of $7.50 BZD for visitors staying in Belize for more than 24 hours. This fee is payable upon exiting the country and is separate from the departure tax.

Frequently asked questions