Discovering Belize: The Gateway To Central America's Beauty

Belize is a tropical country in Central America, with over 400 islands and the world's second-largest barrier reef. It is easily accessible from the United States, Canada, Central America, and other parts of the world. The most popular way to get to Belize is by air, with all international flights landing at the Philip Goldson International Airport (BZE) in Ladyville, just outside Belize City. This airport is served by several international airlines, including American Airlines, Delta, and United Airlines, offering non-stop flights from major US cities like Atlanta, Chicago, and Miami. From Canada, WestJet and Air Canada provide seasonal direct flights, while travellers from Europe, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand will need to make flight connections. Belize also has several small domestic airports, making air travel within the country convenient.

Flying into Belize City

Belize is easily accessible by air, land, and sea. However, flying is the most popular way to get to Belize. All international flights land at the Philip Goldson International Airport (BZE) in Ladyville, just outside of Belize City. This airport is also known as PGIA and is the only international airport in Belize. It is approximately 10 miles from Belize City and serves as the main hub for local airlines Tropic Air and Maya Island Air.

If you are flying from the United States, you can find non-stop flights from several major cities, including:

• Atlanta
• Charlotte
• Chicago
• Dallas
• Denver
• Fort Lauderdale
• Houston
• Los Angeles
• Miami
• Newark
• Orlando
• Seattle

These flights are offered by American, Delta, Southwest, and United Airlines. The average flight time from the US is between 2 and 5 hours.

For those travelling from Canada, WestJet and Air Canada offer seasonal direct flights from November to April. These flights depart from Toronto and Calgary, with an average flight time of 5 to 6 hours.

If you are coming from Europe, Africa, Australia, or New Zealand, you will need to make a flight connection, usually in the United States, Canada, or Central America.

Once you arrive at the Philip Goldson International Airport, you can easily connect to other destinations in Belize. Tropic Air and Maya Island Air offer flights to various locations, including San Pedro, Placencia, and Belize City Municipal Airport. Alternatively, you can take a taxi or water taxi (ferry boat) to Belize City.

Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport

The airport covers 457 acres of land and has one runway. In 2018, the airport received over 5,000 international and 26,000 domestic flights, serving approximately 1.1 million passengers. Currently, 11 international and two domestic airlines operate from the PGIA with scheduled flights to the USA, Canada, Latin America, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Europe.

The airport has a range of facilities, including Terminals 1 and 2, International Arrival and Departure Halls, a Domestic Arrival Hall, restaurants, bars, snack outlets, gift/souvenir shops, duty-free shops, a bank, and various other services. Outside the terminal building, there are car parking lots, taxi services, and a Rental Services Center offering car rental, telephone, and travel agency services.

For transportation to and from the airport, travellers can choose between ground transportation and domestic flights. Taxis are readily available outside the airport exit doors, and the journey to Belize City typically costs US$25. Shuttles and private car transfers can also be arranged through hotels and private companies. For those wishing to travel by air, local airlines such as Tropic Air offer daily domestic flights to various destinations across Belize.

The processing time upon arrival at the Philip Goldson International Airport can vary, depending on the number of flights arriving simultaneously. It typically takes around 30-45 minutes to clear customs, but this can extend to over an hour during the high tourist season. When departing from Belize, it is recommended to arrive at the airport 2 hours prior for international flights and 1.5 hours prior for domestic travel.

Tropic Air or Maya Island Air

When flying into Belize, you have a few airline options to choose from, including Tropic Air and Maya Island Air. Both airlines offer daily scheduled flights to various destinations within Belize and beyond.

Tropic Air

Tropic Air operates a fleet of 17 light aircraft and offers over 200 daily scheduled flights to 13 destinations in Belize, Mexico, El Salvador, and Honduras. The airline also provides private charters and sightseeing tours. Tropic Air's destinations in Belize include:

• Ambergris Caye
• Caye Caulker
• Corozal
• Dangriga
• Placencia
• Punta Gorda
• Belize City

Tropic Air's commitment to safety and service excellence is evident, and they also prioritise sustainability by investing in renewable energy sources to reduce their carbon footprint.

Maya Island Air

Maya Island Air, also known as Maya Airways, is based in Belize City and operates from the Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport. They fly to 12 destinations in Belize, Guatemala, Mexico, and Honduras. Maya Island Air's destinations in Belize include:

• San Pedro
• Dangriga (Hopkins)
• Placencia
• Caye Caulker
• Corozal
• Punta Gorda
• Belize City

Maya Island Air offers tours of the Blue Hole and Lamanai, as well as charter flights.

Both Tropic Air and Maya Island Air provide similar services and cover many of the same destinations within Belize. When choosing between the two, it is essential to consider factors such as pricing, schedule convenience, and personal preferences. Reading reviews from other travellers can also provide valuable insights into the experiences and level of service offered by each airline.

US to Belize flights

If you're flying from the US to Belize, you'll likely fly into the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) in Belize City. This airport is the main international airport in Belize and is the destination for all flights from the US. From there, you can take a local flight to your final destination within Belize.

There are several nonstop flights to Belize from the US, depending on your city of origin. For example, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) offer nonstop flights to Belize. Miami International Airport (MIA) is the only airport that offers nonstop flights to Belize City Airport.

When planning your trip, keep in mind that December to April is the peak tourist season in Belize due to the dry weather. As a result, fares are likely to be higher during this period.

• Houston (IAH) to Belize City (BZE)
• Denver (DEN) to Belize City (BZE)
• New York/Newark (EWR) to Belize City (BZE)
• Los Angeles (LAX) to Belize City (BZE)
• Chicago (ORD) to Belize City (BZE)
• San Francisco (SFO) to Belize City (BZE)
• Dallas (DFW) to Belize City (BZE)
• Washington, D.C. (IAD) to Belize City (BZE)
• Milwaukee (MKE) to Belize City (BZE)
• Austin (AUS) to Belize City (BZE)

It's important to note that flight prices can vary depending on your departure city and the time of year. Be sure to check multiple travel sites and compare prices to find the best deals.

Belize's land borders

Belize is bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. The country has a 174-mile (280-km) coastline. The Hondo River forms part of the northern border with Mexico, and the Sarstoon River delineates the southern boundary with Guatemala.

Belize is divided into six districts: Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, and Toledo. These districts are further subdivided into 31 constituencies.

Frequently asked questions