Pre-Travel and Testing:
New airport guidelines and procedures are being implemented to maintain the health and safety of our visitors and citizens.
Tip: Download
Episode 28 of The Belize Travelcast to learn more about what to expect when you visit Belize.
Pre-travel process
✅ Negative Test. Fully vaccinated travelers are NOT required to have a negative test for entry if they have digital or hardcopy proof of full immunization. Unvaccinated travelers or those without proof of vaccination will be required to have a negative rapid antigen COVID-19 test within 48 hours prior to arrival, or a negative PCR test within 72 hours prior to arrival. Children under 5 are exempt.
*Fully Vaccinated means you have had the required doses of an approved vaccine, exclusive of any boosters. Approved vaccines and required doses are the following: Pfizer-BioNTech (2), AstraZeneca SK Bio (2), AstraZeneca-SII Covishield (2), AstraZeneca Vaxzevria (2), Medigen [Taiwan] (2), Moderna (2), Sinopharm (2), Johnson&Johnson / Janssen Cilag (1), Sinovac [Coronavac] (2)
*Proof of immunization means a digital copy or hard copy of a COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card issued and stamped by the relevant health authority of any country, whether laminated or preserved in any other form.
If you recently recovered from covid, but are unvaccinated then you must still have a negative test for entry. ALL persons who test positive must quarantine at their own expense for a minimum of 10 days, or until cleared by health officials.
*A negative test or proof of recovery is required from ALL air passengers upon return to the United States (per CDC rules). ✅ Gold Standard Accommodation. Tourists visiting for
vacation are encouraged 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 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.
✅ Mandatory Travel Insurance
Effective February 15, 2022, all visitors will be required to purchase the
Belize Travel Insurance. The policy will cost $18 USD Per Person. The policy will be effective for 21 days from the day the insured is legally in Belize. You can purchase online or upon arrival at any of the entry points in Belize (Airport, Seaports, or Land Borders).
Tip: If you purchase before arrival, and your trip is canceled, the insurance will provide
some reimbursement of non-refundable hotel expenses.
What is covered by the Belize Travel Insurance?
The Belize Travel Insurance policy covers visitors for medical emergencies up to the Maximum policy limit of US $50,000.00 for the cost of US $18 for a period of 21days.
It will also cover the cost of emergency treatment, diagnostic services, outpatient care, medical equipment, hospital stay, in-hospital miscellaneous charges, emergency room, emergency surgery, emergency transportation by local ambulance, prescription drugs all at 100% of eligible expenses, up to the policy limit
The lodging expenses due to Sanitary Isolation because of the Pandemic (Covid 19) up to US$2,000.00 (Max US $300.00 per day).
This policy will also cover Reimbursement of Hotel Expenses due to inability to travel. It covers some pre-paid lodging expenses if insured is unable to travel to Belize due to: Sickness, injury, or death of the insured or a family member once legitimate proof is provided. The maximum amount reimbursable under this benefit is US $3,000 per person.
* To be eligible for this benefit, the insured must have purchased this policy before the date of trip/arrival to Belize. Coverage will only reimburse hotel fees that are not refunded by the hotel. It does not cover fees paid to private rental properties (for example Airbnb).
This policy will also provide cover for Emergency Assistance Services which include, Emergency air evacuation and transportation of a close relative up to a combined maximum of US $20,000.00, and repatriation of mortal remains up to US$5,000.00 and also covers for Emergency expenses related to pre-existing conditions up to a combined maximum limit of US$25,000.00
✅ 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.
⛔️ Health App. This is NO LONGER REQUIRED. [Read the
App Guide.]
✅
Departure Test. The US Government requires all passengers returning to the United States to show proof of a negative covid test taken
1 day before returning or proof of recovery from Covid in the past 3 months.
Pre-Book your Departure test today to avoid airport delays or severe vacation disruption.
Self-test kits are not legal in Belize.
Testing Information
For ENTRY into Belize, fully vaccinated visitors and children under age 5 are NO LONGER required to present a negative Covid-19 test result. Everyone age 5+ must present digital or hardcopy proof of full immunization to waive the testing requirement. Unvaccinated travelers age 5+ or those without proof of immunization (age 5+) will need to have a negative test for entry. An acceptable negative test for entry is a rapid Antigen test done within 48 hours prior to arrival, or a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival. Anyone who tests positive will be quarantined for a minimum of 10 days at their own expense.
If you recently recovered, a negative test result will still be required for entry if you are unvaccinated. A negative rapid antigen test is recommended.
For EXIT from Belize, testing depends on your destination. Everyone returning to the United States must have a negative test IN Belize before boarding their return flight. This is mandated by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and also applies to US Citizens. All passengers must test ONE DAY BEFORE departure, regardless of citizenship or vaccination status. If you recently recovered and have proof, then no departure test is required.
Departure testing in Belize is available through
Belize Diagnostic Center, with service direct to your hotel or rental at no extra cost.
Belizing is the exclusive online booking provider for departure testing.
🚧 Transit via Land Borders: Day trips are allowed. Guatemala requires a negative test within 72 hours of arrival. Mexico does not require testing. No testing is required with proof of immunization. External tests are allowed at land borders. It is no longer required to test only at the border.
Vaccinated Travelers
To waive the testing requirement, all visitors 5+ must have proof of full vaccination. Children under 5 do NOT need to test, regardless of vaccination status.
Proof of vaccination is a digital copy or hard copy of a COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card issued by the relevant health authority of your home country, whether laminated or preserved in any other form.
Pre-Testing for Arrival
Fully Vaccinated travelers are not required to have a negative test but MUST show proof of vaccination. Travelers are encouraged to test before traveling, and unvaccinated travelers will be required to have a negative test for entry. If testing is required, present proof of a negative rapid antigen test taken within 48 hours prior to arrival, or a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival. Testing is available at the port of entry at a cost of $50 USD each.
eMed BinaxNow Test Kits
ALL
self-test kits are illegal in Belize. You cannot use them for departure testing.
The law specifies a fine of up to $5,000. Please reference Regulation 16 of the Public Health Regulations 2021 (SI #61 of 2022).
All test kits will be confiscated by Customs at the airport if you bring them with you and do not have a permit from the Ministry of Health.
Where to get a Departure Test?
Testing for Departure from Belize may be done through
Belize Diagnostic Center, a service authorized by the Belize Ministry of Health. Service is provided direct to your hotel or rental at no additional cost. Belizing.com is the exclusive online booking provider for Belize Diagnostic Center.
Testing on Arrival
If you are required to have a negative test for entry (unvaccinated or no proof of vaccination), you may take a rapid test at your own expense when you arrive at the airport. You may also bring a negative test result from a credible medical facility, pharmacy, or doctor office. Rapid antigen tests may be taken within 48 hours prior to arrival, and PCR test may be taken within 72 hours prior to arrival. Some visitors who arrive with negative test results may still be required to re-test at the airport for any reason as determined by health officers.
You MUST present a negative test for any of the following reasons:
- You do not have proof of full immunization
- You are unvaccinated
- You are randomly selected for secondary screening.
- Any other reason as determined by the health officer.
*The cost of the rapid test at the airport is $50 USD.
Quarantine
If you test positive while in Belize, you will be required to quarantine at your gold standard accommodation or a designated quarantine hotel at your own expense. Your Gold Standard accommodation will have a response plan for covid-positive guests. The hotel's Gold Standard program manager will enact their response plan to ensure your safety and the safety of all staff and other guests.
Quarantine is managed by the Ministry of Health. A minimum of 10 days is required. Those who may require additional tests for clearance can access rapid tests on days 7 and 10 at no additional cost. The Ministry of Health can provide any required certification of clinical recovery after clearance from quarantine.
*
Quarantine, if necessary, is at your own expense. Travel insurance is recommended.