Belize Travel Restrictions and Travel Updates

Everything you need to know before you visit Belize.

Last Update: November 1, 2023

Contents

  1. Pre-travel Info
  2. Entry Requirements
  3. Land Borders and Seaports
  4. Flights to Belize
  5. Hotels to Book
  6. Tours & Activities
  7. FAQ

Pre-Travel Checklist:

All covid-related travel restrictions have been lifted as of July 12, 2022. Some minor guidelines and procedures may still be in place to maintain the health and safety of our visitors and citizens. 

✅ Gold Standard Accommodation.

Tourists visiting for vacation are encouraged (not required) to have a booking or reservation at a Gold Standard accommodation in Belize. Gold Standard properties include hotels, resorts, vacation rentals, hostels, and live-aboard yachts as long as they are licensed "tourist accommodations". This has no relation to price or type of accommodation.

Are Gold Standard Hotels Mandatory?

As of March 4th, 2022, it is no longer strictly required. All visitors are encouraged to stay at Gold Standard accommodations. As of April 1st, 2022, no bookings are required for entry into Belize. Tourist accommodation must always be licensed. We always recommend that all travelers consider staying at Gold Standard properties for the duration of their stay. Gold Standard is a health and safety program and has no relation to price or type of accommodation.

✅ Travel Insurance

The Belize Travel Insurance is available to all visitors. Travel insurance is not required for entry into Belize, but we always encourage visitors to have travel insurance. Many credit cards provide automatic travel insurance when you book your stay and flights using the card.

✅ Transportation.

You should make arrangements, prior to arrival, for transportation to your accommodation. Recommended transportation include Private Shuttles, hotel transfers, airport rental cars, golf cart rentals, domestic flights, and airport taxi.
⛴️  Water Taxi Belize International Airport to San Pedro and/or Caye Caulker available via San Pedro Belize Express.
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✈️  Domestic Flights Gold Standard Certified roundtrip flights from the Belize City to San Pedro to Placencia available via Tropic Air.
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Belize Entry Requirements & Travel Restrictions

These are the Belize travel restrictions and entry requirements in place for travelers to Belize.

1. Passport & Visa: All visitors to Belize must have a valid passport for entry. It must be valid for the duration of your stay. Most airlines enforce a 6-month validity policy, meaning they won't allow you to board your flight to Belize if your passport expires within 6 months. Check with your airline prior to traveling. Most visitors do NOT need to obtain a visa prior to arrival, including visitors from the United States, Canada, EU member states, and CARICOM member states. Check with the Belize Department of Immigration to determine if you need a visa to travel to Belize. 

Traveling with children? You must have a notarized travel authorization from the parent not traveling with the children, or other documentation showing that authorization is not required (custody papers, etc).
2. Covid Testing:  No testing is required for entry, whether vaccinated or not. You no longer need proof of vaccination since there is no testing requirement.

3. ⛔️Mobile App: You no longer need the Belize Health app.

4. Hotel & Transportation: Tourists visiting for vacation only are encouraged to have reservations at Gold Standard Accomodation in Belize. You MUST stay at approved (licensed) accommodation only. All transportation and tours within Belize should be arranged through approved Gold Standard service providers. You may also rent a vehicle from a rental provider. 

*Staying only at Gold Standard accommodation is no longer required, but always encouraged.

5. Travel Insurance: All visitors may purchase local Belize Travel Health Insurance prior to entering the country. It is no longer an entry requirement.

Mask, Curfew & Other Restrictions

The nationwide curfew is NO LONGER IN EFFECT. 

All nationwide covid-related restrictions have been dropped. 

*Keep in mind that these travel restrictions may change and may be different when you travel to Belize. Keep checking this page for the most up-to-date Belize travel restrictions and important travel updates.

Entry from Land Borders and Seaports

The Belize land borders are now open. Travelers may enter via the northern (Santa Elena) and western (Benque Viejo) land borders. 

Exit from land borders remains open as always. A border exit fee of $40 bzd is payable to exit land borders. 

The San Pedro and Punta Gorda seaports are open, but transportation options may still not be available. 


Testing Requirements at Land Borders: NONE

*Check back on this website for updated details regarding new protocols and procedures that may be required for entry at land borders and seaports.

Flights to Belize.

Flights to Belize resumed as of October 1, 2020 when the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport reopened. Direct flights are available from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Panama. 

United Airlines

Daily direct flights are now available from Houston, Texas. 

Flights are also available from Denver Colorado, Chicago Illinois, Newark New Jersey, and Los Angeles California.

American Airlines

Direct flights now available via Miami FL, Dallas TX, Charlotte NC, and Los Angeles CA.

Delta Airlines

Direct flights via Atlanta GA, and Minneapolis MN.

JetBlue

Schedule between New York (JFK) and Belize City (BZE) 
Operating Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays beginning December 6, 2023
Flights starting at $149

Alaska Airlines

Direct flights are available via Seattle WA, and Los Angeles CA.

Tropic Air

Tropic Air, a domestic airline in Belize, also provides flights from Cancun Mexico, Roatan Honduras, and San Salvador El Salvador. We recommend checking their schedule as flights are only available on Mondays and Fridays. 

Discounted Domestic Flights available.

Tropic Air also provides flights to Ambergris Caye and flights to Placencia from the Belize international airport (BZE).

*Find the best rates and book your Tropic Air flight here.

TAG - Transportes Aereos Guatemaltecos

Flights to/from Guatemala City

Southwest Airlines

Direct flights via Houston (Hobby airport), and Denver CO. 

Sun Country Airlines

Direct flights from Minneapolis.

COPA Airlines

Direct flights from Panama City, Panama.

WestJet

Direct flights from Toronto and Calgary, Canada.

Air Canada

Service is currently suspended. 


*For information about the Belize International Airport, see our official guide.

What Hotels are open in Belize?

You should stay at approved Gold Standard accommodations if you are visiting for vacation only. Approved accommodations are those that are licensed by the Belize Tourism Board. 

Recommended Hotels in Belize

These are the recommended hotels in Belize that that you can book now for your next vacation.
Browse the full list of approved Safe Corridor Hotels that you can book for your next trip to Belize.

Tours & Activities

You are able to enjoy all tours and activities in Belize. Gold Standard tour companies and tour guides have undergone comprehensive training to ensure health and safety. All sites and attractions are open. You should expect slightly higher prices due to the added overhead of providing tours with reduced group sizes. The experience is the same as before. 

Top Things to Do in Belize

Browse a list of the most popular tours and attractions in Belize that you can book now for your next trip. These are bucket list tours that you must do in Belize.

Will I be able to visit all sites and attractions?

Yes, Belize is fully reopened. You are free to explore the country at your pleasure once you are here. There are no restrictions. For tours and activities, it is recommended that you use an approved tour operator who has received the Gold Standard Certification. 

You may now use rental cars when you visit Belize.

As of May 15, 2021 The Institute of Archaeology, National Institute of Culture and History (IA/NICH) announced that archaeological reserves are open to visitation.

You can visit all the attractions, including the ATM Cave, Barton Creek Cave, and Nohoch Che'en Cave. 

Connect with Locals on Facebook Groups

Ask questions and get recommendations from locals and fellow travelers in these Facebook groups:
Belize Vacation by Belizing.com
Ambergris Caye Tourists by Mangata Villas

Are Rental Cars Available?

Yes! You can rent vehicles from approved rental providers at the International Airport. Transportation can also be provided through your hotel or approved Gold Standard transportation providers.

What is the Belize Gold Standard for Health & Safety

Belize had adopted a stringent set of standards that all hotels, tour operators, and transportation providers must follow before they are allowed to accept international guests. The Gold Standard Certificate of Recognition means that hotels, resorts, restaurants, and tour operations must develop and maintain sanitization and cleanliness standards before being approved to accept international guests.

Will I be denied entry into Belize?


The international airport is now open for travel. 

Who can travel to Belize?

Everyone is welcomed to travel to Belize. Otherwise, there are no restrictions or prohibitions on who may travel to Belize. The main requirement for entry is proof of a negative COVID-19 test result. Non-resident second homeowners and others with business concerns are equally allowed to visit. Homeowners should register as "resident" in the health app.

Are there restrictions for visitors from certain countries?

There are no restrictions with regard to the nationality of the visitors. Visitors from all countries are welcome to visit. Unvaccinated travelers will be required to get a negative Covid-19 test upon arrival. Certain guidelines will be in place.

Will I need a Covid-19 Test to Travel to Belize?

NO! As of July 12, 2022, all testing requirements have been lifted. Visitors are no longer required to have a negative test for entry, whether vaccinated or not. 

Are cruise calls to Belize canceled?

Cruise ships are now visiting Belize as of July 7, 2021.

Can I cancel my booking?

Belizing.com enables direct booking with local licensed providers in Belize. Since your booking is direct with each service provider, you may be restricted by their cancelation policy. The main question is whether and how much refund you may get. In most cases, we believe you can get a full refund.

Contact the Service Provider First. We recommend messaging the service provider via your Belizing Inbox before canceling your booking. If YOU cancel the booking, then the refund policy of the service provider applies and no automatic refund may be provided. If the SERVICE PROVIDER cancels the booking, then you will always get a FULL refund. For this reason, we recommend communicating with the service provider first to ask if they agree to a full refund. If yes, ask them to initiate the cancelation from their Belizing Inbox.

Consider Changing your Date. We recommend considering a date change for your travel plans. Some cancelations may incur a fee or 3 to 30% depending on the policy from the service provider. There is no fee to change your travel dates. You must communicate with the service provider to agree on a new date or to hold your booking until you have confirmed new travel dates.

Check your Confirmation Email. Please check your booking confirmation email for the cancelation policy that applies to your booking. The email will include your voucher number, as well as the details of the cancelation timeline and fees that may apply. Check your junkmail folder if you cannot find the email. Please reference your voucher number when communicating with your service provider or Belizing.com staff. 

If you do not agree with any decision by the service provider, then Belizing.com staff can mediate to find a resolution. You can contact us directly at support@belizing.com or message us on Facebook. We are here to help and we understand the frustration that this pandemic is causing to both travelers and tour companies alike.

How will my refund be processed?

All refunds for bookings made on Belizing.com or via Belizing Payments are automatically processed to your original form of payment. Once your refund is processed, it may take 5 to 10 business days for you to see it in your credit card statement. Refunds will show as a credit to your account.

Please do NOT dispute the charges. If you do not see the credit within 10 days, please contact us at accounts@belizing.com

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is always a good idea for international travel. You should also check coverage offered by your credit cards used to pay for your bookings. However, if you’re purchasing it due to concerns related to COVID-19, be sure to read the policy carefully as rules may differ by company. Travel insurance may not widely cover cancellation or offer the travel flexibility you’re seeking. We recommend checking with your insurance provider to determine whether you are covered.

Still have Questions?

Join our Belize Vacation Facebook Group to ask questions or provide answers to questions from other Belize travelers and locals.

FAQ

The airport reopened on October 1st, 2020. Daily flights to Belize are available. Visit Belizing.com for the latest travel updates.
Travelers are encouraged to stay at approved Gold Standard hotels when visiting Belize on vacation. A full list of gold standard hotels is available at Belizing.com
Yes, Belize is Open! The international airport reopened on October 1st, 2020 for leisure travel. All visitors must test negative for Covid-19 to visit Belize. Enhanced health screening is in place at the airport.
There are NO restrictions on who can visit Belize for vacation. All travel restrictions were dropped as of July 12, 2022 for all visitors, including vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers.
As of July 12, 2022, all testing requirements have been lifted. Visitors are no longer required to have a negative test for entry.
The land borders are fully reopened. However, some cross-border transportation services may still be unavailable. Keep checking Belizing.com for the latest updates.
The Belize health app has been discontinued. You do not need any app to visit Belize. Visit Belizing.com for more updates.
Yes, Americans can travel to Belize for leisure as of October 1st, 2020. Belize will not impose any travel restrictions based on nationality. No quarantine is necessary to visit Belize. NO negative COVID test is required for entry.
Yes, you can stay at an Airbnb as long as the Airbnb property is licensed by the Belize Tourism Board. We also encourage using Gold Standard approved properties. You can check out the full list of Gold Standard approved properties here.
Yes, you are allowed to stay with friends and family in Belize. Having a booking at a gold standard property is highly encouraged, but not strictly required under the updated travel protocols as of March 2022.
Belize has never required testing for departure, but certain destinations require testing before boarding your departure flight. US-bound air travelers are no longer required to test in Belize before their departure flight.
Testing is available in Belize at private medical facilities. Contact us if you need to schedule a covid test while visiting Belize.
No, visitors are NOT required to get a covid test to enter Belize. Your vaccination status does not matter.
No, the local travel insurance is no longer mandatory. We highly encourage all visitors to get the local travel insurance.
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