FAQ about Belize

Many people traveling to Belize have a fun and exciting time. After all, there is only one International Aiport. Why fun you may ask. For starters, clearing the Customs and Immigration area after deplane can take between 20 minutes to an hour (1hr).

Be sure to have all the necessary documentation ready because Belize Immigration in the first department you need to clear before Customs. We have compiled some need to know information before entering the country at Phillip Goldson International Airport.

Belize Entry / Exit Requirements

All visitors must have a passport valid beyond their planned departure date. No visas are required for citizens of the United States for tourist visits of up to 30 days, but they must have proof of their intent to depart Belize (such as onward or return air tickets) and proof of sufficient funds to maintain themselves in Belize. Visitors for purposes other than tourism, or who wish to stay longer than 30 days, must obtain visas. All tourists and non-Belizean citizens are required to pay an exit fee of approximately US$40 (this fee may be included in your airline ticket, please check with your airline before your trip). Belize allows visitors a maximum of one month’s stay in the country before Belize Immigration requires an extension in one-month increments obtained from Belize Immigration offices throughout the country. No specific immunizations are required for visitors to Belize.

Visitors traveling with minor children may be asked by immigration officials to show Birth certificates for each child. When children are not traveling with both parents, immigration officials often request signed documentation to establish the children are traveling with the permission of both parents. Such documentation may include notarized letters from the parent(s), custody or adoption papers, and death certificates in situations where one or both parents are deceased.

Immigration requirements

All passengers arriving and departing Belize through PGIA must be properly documented.

Completed Embarkation Form on arrival
Completed Disembarkation Form on departure
Valid Passport
Return ticket to country of origin (non-residents)
Valid visa for countries from which visa is required
Present at least US$60.00 per day for the duration of stay
Satisfy Immigration Officers of specific address or hotel reservation

CARICOM citizens who are Secretariat Members can travel on special travel documents.

A line is provided for other citizens of CARICOM and for wheel-chair passengers.

For further information on immigration procedures, call Belize Immigration at:

Immigration Headquarters 011 501 (822 – 3860)
Belize City 011 501 (222 – 4620)
International Airport 011 501 (205 – 2214)

further information on customs procedures, call Belize Customs at 011 501 (205 – 2059)

Belize Customs
The Belize Customs Department conducts an inspection of incoming passengers’ luggage and collects the requisite taxes and/or import duties where applicable.

There are two categories of passengers: passengers with items to declare and passengers carrying items which are duty-free, thus nothing to declare.

No Central American or Caribbean country can ever guarantee you that nothing will go wrong, Belize is generally considered a very safe country for visitors, with Belize City giving the country a rough reputation, just like Chicago does for Illinois. Comparing Belize to Costa Rica in terms of safety. San Jose isn’t a desirable city for tourists, and downtown has much higher crime rates than anywhere else in the country. Placencia is the of the most visited destination in Belize and has a very low crime rate.

Belize is very rural in aspect, and even the largest municipality (Belize City) has only 70,000 inhabitants.

San Ignacio and Santa Elena make up the second-largest municipalities and travelers always mention when leaving how comfortable and safe they felt while being there.

Belize has a section of is Police department specialize in tourism. You can Identify these officers from there uniform with Tourism Police mark on it. They a special task to keep a watch full eye on tourism-related issues, like a local drug peddler trying to approach a traveler, ( yes drugs are still illegal here ) I always say, “it’s a safe as you behave”, people that think that USA illegal stuff is not illegal here might be in for a surprise …and when your gut tells you something is wrong to listen to it…

The advisory given by the U.S. State Department is to, exercise increased caution in Belize due to crime. Local crime – such as sexual assault, home invasions, armed robberies, and murder – happen anywhere in the world but tourists on vacation are normally not part of this. No one is out to kidnap you or steal your passport. Due to high crime travelers are advised to exercise caution while traveling to the south side of Belize City, but anywhere in Belize City at night I wouldn’t suggest to go walkabout, take taxis if you need to. Good common sense and simply seeking the stores, bars and other public areas popular amongst your fellow travelers can keep you comfortably safe.

The American Dollar is accepted country wide. In all hotels, resorts, stored, pharmacies and local street side vendors.

The conversion rate is: $1USD = $2BZD

In the Banks this rate is a bit lower.

Purified Bottle water is highly recommended in all areas of Belize. Placencia Village is the only location where the locals drink the water from the tap.