Wheelchair Parts: Belize Retailers

Belize is a beautiful country with ocean shorelines to the east and lush jungle to the west. However, it is not very accessible for people with disabilities. There are limited services for people with disabilities, and most areas of the country have limited accessibility. This includes a lack of accessible public transport, commuter airlines, and water taxis. There are only a handful of hotels that offer wheelchair-accessible accommodations, and even these often have issues like inaccessible bathrooms or poorly placed accessible rooms.

The Belize Zoo is one place that is fully accessible to people with disabilities, and there are also some accessible tours and cruise excursions available. However, overall, it can be challenging for people with disabilities to get around and find the resources they need in Belize.

Wheelchair-accessible hotels in Belize

Belize is a beautiful country, but it has limited options for wheelchair users. There are only a handful of hotels that offer wheelchair-accessible accommodations.

Belize City:

• Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza: Located approximately seven miles from Philip Goldson International Airport.
• Ramada Belize City Princess Hotel: Located approximately 15 miles from Phillip Goldson International Airport, overlooking the Caribbean Sea.
• Radisson Fort George Hotel And Marina: A 102-room hotel situated in the historic Fort George area, close to major commercial areas.

Belmopan:

Super Palm Resort: A natural and serene environment with soothing tropical breezes.

Placencia:

• Michelo Suites A 3 Palms Hotel: Located in Placencia, a popular tourist destination.
• The Villas at Banyan Bay: An all-suite resort on Ambergris Caye, a 15-minute walk along the beach from San Pedro town.
• Corona Del Mar Hotel And Apartments: Spacious and comfortable accommodation right on the beach.

San Pedro:

Sunbreeze Hotel: Conveniently located within walking distance of the town of San Pedro.

Additionally, Calico Jack's in Placencia, the original SunBreeze in San Pedro, and Hok'ol K'in in Corozal Town are mentioned as having wheelchair-accessible rooms.

While the options are limited, these hotels can provide a good starting point for planning a wheelchair-accessible trip to Belize. It is always a good idea to contact the hotels directly to confirm the accessibility features and ensure they meet your specific needs.

Accessible tours and cruise excursions

Belize is a popular destination for cruise ships in the Caribbean, with its ocean shorelines to the east and lush jungle to the west. While the jungle areas and Mayan ruins can pose some accessibility challenges for disabled travellers, there are accessible tours and cruise excursions designed to ensure that everyone can enjoy this beautiful place.

Accessible Belize Zoo Guided Tour

The Belize Zoo is a popular choice for visitors to this breathtaking Caribbean paradise, with over 50,000 visitors annually. The Accessible Belize Zoo Guided Tour is a fun and exciting way for families to spend time in Belize. Native wildlife such as tapirs, toucans, harpy eagles, jaguars and howler monkeys can be seen in a setting of 29 acres of tropical savanna. The zoo has over 150 different animals and 45 species, all native to Belize, including orphaned, rescued and rehabilitated animals. This private tour is fully accessible with no steps to navigate, accessible bathrooms, and wheelchair-accessible routes.

Essential Belize Accessible Shore Excursion

This excursion offers a unique Belize experience for families. It includes a visit to the popular Belize Zoo, a delicious lunch at an accessible restaurant, and a trip to the famous Mayan ruins of Altun Ha, all in one tour. While there are some steps to climb at the temples in Altun Ha, there is one part on the ground where you can sit or stand to see all the temples in one sight. The route for this excursion has been customised to be entirely step-free, and your tour guide will be familiar with accessibility in each location. Accessible vans with portable ramps are used for transfers, and there is also an accessible restroom onsite with a ramped entrance.

Other Accessible Excursions

Belize offers a range of other accessible excursions, including:

• A river cruise and cultural tour of River Wallace and Burrell Boom
• A Jeep adventure through the Belizean rainforest to a hidden cave system
• A barrier reef snorkelling excursion to the island of Caye Caulker
• A cultural and scenic tour of Xunantunich and cave tubing
• A beach excursion to Kukumba Beach and a train ride through Old Belize

Disability awareness in Belize

Belize has an estimated 35,000 people living with disabilities. While there are efforts to raise awareness and counter social stigma, the country faces challenges in providing accessible infrastructure and services for people with disabilities. Here is an overview of disability awareness and the current situation in Belize:

Infrastructure and Accessibility Challenges

Belize's infrastructure poses challenges for people with disabilities, particularly in the jungle areas and around Mayan ruins. Most buildings, including hotels, and transportation options are not wheelchair accessible. This lack of accessibility extends to public spaces, restrooms, and even schools, making it difficult for students with disabilities to access education.

Government Initiatives and Support

The Belizean government sponsors an annual "Disability Week" to raise awareness and has partnered with organisations like Special Olympics International to promote inclusion. The Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation (MHDSTPA) works with people with disabilities, and the Ministry of Health allocates around 2% of its budget to mental health services. Pensions, grants, and benefits are available for people who become disabled after employment.

Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)

Several NGOs, including the Community Agency for Rehabilitation and Education (CARE), work to provide services for people with disabilities. CARE focuses on community rehabilitation, especially for children, and HIV/AIDS awareness for the blind and deaf. The Belize Assembly for Persons with Diverse Abilities (BAPDA) provides National Disability Identification Cards, allowing access to special services, and advocates for the rights of people with disabilities. They also launched the "Live and Let Live" campaign, where individuals share their experiences with discrimination.

Education and Awareness Programs

Belize has implemented educational policies aligned with international conventions, such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The National Resource Center for Inclusive Education (NaRCIE) trains teachers and parents on working with children with special needs and promotes inclusive education. Additionally, disability awareness programs have been conducted in schools, positively influencing children's knowledge and attitudes toward their peers with disabilities.

Healthcare and Eye Care

Belize's healthcare system does not cover eye care, and access to ophthalmologists is limited. The Belize Council for the Visually Impaired (BCVI) provides eye care services, and support services for children with visual impairments are available. However, there is a lack of regular prosthesis services and government programs to support individuals seeking prosthetic technology.

While Belize has made some strides in disability awareness and support, there is still much room for improvement to ensure equal access and opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

The Belize Zoo

The zoo is home to over 150 animals, representing 43 native species, and is the oldest wildlife rescue and rehabilitation facility in Belize. The habitats designed for the animals reflect their natural settings, providing an immersive educational experience for visitors. The zoo is committed to the conservation of Belize's wildlife and its habitats, aiming to foster environmental awareness among Belizeans and visitors.

The zoo features a range of native animals, including mammals, birds, and reptiles. Mammals include Belize's national animal, the Baird's tapir, five wildcat species (jaguar, puma, ocelot, margay, and jaguarundi), white-tailed deer, red brocket deer, collared peccaries, white-lipped peccaries, Yucatan spider monkeys, black howler monkeys, and more.

Bird species include several species of parrots, owls, and raptors, as well as a wetland aviary with scarlet macaws, red-lored amazons, yellow-headed amazons, keel-billed toucans, jabiru, harpy eagles, king vultures, and others.

Reptiles at the zoo include American crocodiles, Morelet's crocodiles, boa constrictors, fer-de-lance, green iguanas, and black spiny-tailed iguanas.

The zoo also offers special encounters, such as the Junior Buddy encounter, where visitors can safely enter a cage within the jaguar exhibit, and the Scarlet Macaw encounter.

Accessible restaurants in Belize

Belize is a beautiful country with ocean shorelines to the east and lush jungle to the west. However, it poses some accessibility challenges for travellers with disabilities. The infrastructure, including transport, can be difficult to navigate for those with limited mobility. There are only a handful of hotels that offer wheelchair-accessible accommodations, and even then, there may be some features that are not fully accessible, such as bathrooms or pools.

Despite these challenges, there are a few accessible restaurants in Belize that you can visit:

Robert's Grove Beach Resort, Placencia

Robert's Grove Beach Resort in Placencia is a luxury beach resort that prides itself on having an accessible room for guests with disabilities. The resort is known for its helpful and gracious staff, who are more than willing to assist guests with any challenges they may face. While the bathroom in the main dining area was not accessible during the traveller Deborah's visit, she was directed to an alternative bathroom that could have been made accessible with a few minor adjustments, such as making the door open outward and installing a raised toilet seat and grab bars. The resort also has accessible ground-level rooms and pathways that allow guests to roll from the parking area to the pool deck and restaurant.

The Placencia Hotel, Placencia

The Placencia Hotel in Placencia is another option for accessible dining. While the hotel does not have any fully accessible rooms, they were accommodating to Deborah's needs. They built a steep but workable ramp to the lobby and pool area and offered to carry her up the stairs to the restaurant. They also allowed her to order from any menu and eat wherever she wanted on the property.

Maruba Resort, Northern Jungles

The Maruba Resort in the Northern Jungles of Belize offers a perfect jungle experience with colourful and detailed "ethno" themed decor and amazing grounds. Deborah, a traveller with a wheelchair, found the resort to be accessible, with mostly stone-paved walkways and direct stepless entry into the room. However, the bathroom was workable but lacked actual accessible features. The resort also had gravel pathways to pool decks and steep and incomplete ramps to the pool area bathrooms and dining area.

Calico Jack's Village, Cayo District

Calico Jack's Village in the Cayo District of Belize is a pet-friendly and wheelchair-accessible hotel/resort. It is located in a pristine environment with a unique blend of Caribbean and Central American traditions. While the website does not provide specific details on accessible dining, the fact that it offers wheelchair access indicates that guests with disabilities can expect some level of accommodation.

Maya Mountain Lodge & Tours, San Ignacio

Maya Mountain Lodge & Tours in San Ignacio, Belize, is an eco-friendly adventure jungle lodge with access to many days of exploring and adventure. It is nestled against a private jungle reserve yet is conveniently located on the edge of the small town of San Ignacio. The website mentions wheelchair access, indicating that guests with disabilities can expect some level of accommodation during their stay and dining experience.

While Belize may have some accessibility challenges, these restaurants and resorts showcase the country's potential to become a more inclusive destination for travellers with disabilities. With a few adjustments and a growing awareness of the economic opportunity of inclusive tourism, Belize can seize the opportunity to cater to a wider range of visitors.

Frequently asked questions