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  1. The Belize Travelcast
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  2. Episode 34

Traveling to Belize during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Ali Wunderman 30 minutes


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In this episode, Ali Wunderman, a freelance journalist from San Francisco, is here to talk about traveling to Belize during a pandemic. With travel to Belize now fully reopened, including the return of cruise tourism in July 2021, there are some updated protocols and procedures that travelers should be aware of.

Since opening our airport in October 2020, the number of travelers coming to Belize has steadily increased. Requirements to visit Belize are as follows: you must book your stay at a gold standard accommodation and have a negative COVID test (PCR test within 96 hours and/or a rapid antigen test within 48 hours of arrival). You will be exempt from proving a negative COVID test if you prove you have been fully vaccinated. However, masks and social distancing are still required to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Belize Ground Shuttle
Airport Shuttle
Belize Ground Shuttle is a professional shuttle company operating daily shared shuttle service for travelers between San Ignacio, Placencia, Hopkins and the Belize International Airport ... more(BZE).

Frommer's Belize Complete Guide (Latest Version)
by Ali Wunderman
Belize is a rising star. With all of the natural allure of Costa Rica, it adds to the mix towering ancient pyramids, superb scuba diving and snorkeling (along the world’s second-longest ... morecoral reef system), and a culture that’s warm and welcoming. Author Ali Wunderman has been covering the country for years and uses her expertise to help you craft the vacation of your dreams.
The US government requires a negative COVID test for anyone traveling back to the US, effective since January 2021. If and when traveling anywhere during the pandemic you must put some extra time and consideration into the trip, as it is not a decision to be taken lightly. The main pre-travel consideration is the COVID test, if you are not fully vaccinated. You can also do the test upon arrival at the airport in Belize. The extra time at the airport is minimal, and the wait is usually 15 to 30 minutes. 

Belize has done a very good job in handling this pandemic, proven by the low number of cases throughout the country thus far. The hospitality industry in Belize takes COVID very seriously; upon arrival, those who have a negative test available are directed into one line while the others get tested. Temperature checks are administered to everyone and the process is very efficient. Safe travel is very important because countries like Belize rely heavily on tourism, an industry that has been devastated by the pandemic.
Information
Recommended Hotels
Aliana's Villas
 (3)
Private Riverside Villas
Aliana's is a vacation rental property located near San Ignacio, Cayo. Aliana's sits on a 50-acre farm and includes three private riverfront villas. ... more

Gold Standard Transportation is provided via Belize Ground Shuttle.
Relax on the banks of the Mopan river just outside your doorstep and enjoy bird watching or take a refreshing swim to cool off at your pleasure. We have canoes and floating tubes available. A popular guest activity is to float down the Mopan river from the village of Bullet Tree Falls. The float takes about two hours. You can spot monkeys and a variety of bird species along the river. We also have an outdoor grill and brick oven available for use by all guests.

Each unit includes air-conditioned bedrooms for your comfort. The property is filled with many tropical fruit trees that you can enjoy when in season, such as mangoes, breadfruit, plums, star fruit, and others. The property may be booked for private events subject to availability.
Gold Certified:
Yes
Area:
San Ignacio
Region:
Western Belize
Matachica Resort & Spa
 (2)
Steps away from the sea and the world’s second-largest barrier reef, Matachica is an idyllic secluded refuge for those seeking a reimagined Belizean beach experience. Private by nature ... morein both our locale and design, relaxation and inspiration call to guests from our property’s 32 vibrantly colored individual casitas and villas. Each is topped with an authentic thatched roof and adorned with a personal patio and hammock, offering guests the opportunity to enjoy calming sea views in utmost privacy. We designed with purpose, so you can vacation with peace of mind without compromising on the unique luxury experience.

Our relaxed and intimate atmosphere and sustainable design merge to create a truly authentic and restorative luxury getaway for adults. Visitors can select from a variety of all-inclusive packages including signature romantic honeymoons, diving and fishing excursions, and combinations of sea and jungle adventures. For the perfect end to your day, enjoy exotic flavors at our award-winning Mambo restaurant featuring spacious open-air dining. Whether you are searching for a tranquil or adventure-filled retreat to Belize, we offer tailored experiences for every type of traveler always mindful of our guest’s yearning for privacy.
Gold Certified:
Yes
Area:
San Pedro
Region:
Northern Islands
Gaia Riverlodge
 (3)
Perched atop the magnificent Five-Sisters Waterfalls in Belize’s famed secluded Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, GAÏA Riverlodge, named aptly for the Greek goddess of Earth and ... morethe mother of life and all creation, will fulfill its promise to reconnect you to your most authentic and adventurous self.

An hour jeep ride from the more populous San Ignacio area, guests can recharge in their private and spacious cabanas to the waterfall’s sounds. Enjoy the rainforest’s intimacy with its native birds, butterflies, and remarkable flora, set amongst the pink and orange glow of the setting sun.

Remote, private and sustainable by design, we are a proudly Green Globe Award certified hotel. We operate on hydropower and offer an electric tram to transports guests from the lodge to the river. Most of our fruits and vegetables are also farmed on-site by local staff in our Mayan organic garden.
Gold Certified:
Yes
Area:
Cayo
Region:
Western Belize
San Ignacio Resort Hotel
 (2)
Established in 1976, San Ignacio Resort Hotel is a Belizean and family-owned boutique Hotel located in the Cayo District, Western Belize. The Resort is centrally situated on a 17-acre ... moreprivate estate, 5-minutes away of Cahal Pech Maya temple and the popular San Ignacio Town—an area that features a variety of cultural, adventurous, and culinary experiences. This characteristic has dubbed the Resort as “the only jungle in town”.

The 27-room Resort is renowned for its hospitality services and features the award-winning Running W Restaurant (which showcases meats from the family’s ranch), an on-site tour company (Cayo Gial Tours), in-room wellness treatments, an outdoor swimming pool and tennis court area, the largest event facilities in the District, and the #1 Activity in San Ignacio, the Green Iguana Conservation Project.
Gold Certified:
Yes
Area:
San Ignacio
Region:
Western Belize
Learn More
Recommended Tour Operators
Tropic Air
Gold Standard Transportation
Tropic Air, the airline of Belize flies to 14 destinations that include Belize, Mexico, Guatemala & Honduras. Tropic Air safely transports almost 300,000 passengers annually, on ... moreover 200 flights a day, across a network that covers 14 destinations in 4 countries. 

The airline offers various tours, including the Blue Hole tour four times a week. Tropic Air operates thirteen Cessna Grand Caravans (208B) – Glass Cockpit, one Gippsland GA8 Airvan, and two Cessna T182T’s. Tropic Air is also the only airline in Belize to have IATA standard Safety Assessment (ISSA) Certification.

Founded in 1979 by John Greif III, with just a single airplane and only two employees. Over the past 40 years, Tropic Air has grown to become a sound fleet of 16 Cessna aircraft and a Gippsland GA8 Airvan.

Since its very first flight in 1979, Tropic Air has delighted in providing its customers safe, affordable air travel and cargo services. The company proudly states: “From the beginning, we have put our customers and our staff first, and by doing so, have become a leader in the airline business in the region. We have not only grown up alongside tourism in Belize, but we have also met a lot of great people along the way and have enjoyed every minute of serving you.”

Current Scheduled Destinations:
Belize City International Airport - BZE
Belize City Municipal Airport - TZA
Cancun, Mexico - CUN
Caye Caulker - CUK
Corozal Town- CZH
Dangriga - DGA
Flores, Guatemala - FRS
Placencia - PLJ
Punta Gorda - PND
Roatan, Honduras - RTB
San Pedro, Ambergris Caye - SPR
Charter Destinations:
Belmopan - BCV
Chetumal, Mexico - CTM
Mérida, Mexico - MID
Orange Walk - ORZ
San Ignacio / Benque Viejo - CYD
San Pedro Sula, Honduras - SAP
Codeshare Destinations
Guatemala City, Guatemala - GUA
Tegucigalpa, Honduras - TGU
Flights:
Roundtrip Flight: TZA Belize City - San Pedro SPR
One-way Flight: TZA Belize City - San Pedro SPR
Roundtrip Flight: San Pedro SPR - Placencia PLJ
All 11 Tropic Air Flights
Account Type:
Transportation
Gold Certified:
Yes
Service Types:
Tours | Activities, Flights

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Ali Wunderman

Ali Wunderman is a freelance travel and wildlife journalist with work in Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, and Lonely Planet, among many others. She is the author of Frommer's guidebook to Belize, as well as a contributing author for Fodor's Iceland. Originally from San Francisco, Ali now lives in rural Montana. Follow her travel adventures on Instagram @aliwunderman.

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