Entry Requirements
Visa requirements for Belize depend on which passport you hold. Check the Traveller visa tool to see whether your passport needs a visa and, if so, how long you can stay.
Check if you need a visa for BelizeEmergency Numbers
- General
- 911
Currency
- Name
- Belize Dollar
- Code
- BZD
- Symbol
- BZ$
Pegged at 2:1 to the USD — USD is universally accepted. ATMs in Belize City, San Ignacio, and Placencia. Cards accepted at hotels and tour operators; carry cash for local restaurants and villages.
Power Outlets
- Outlet types
- Type A, Type B, Type G
- Voltage
- 110V/220V
- Frequency
- 60Hz
Time Zone
CST (UTC−6) — no daylight saving
Best Time to Visit
November–April is the dry season — ideal for the Barrier Reef (Blue Hole, Turneffe Atoll), snorkelling, and inland Maya sites (Caracol, Xunantunich). May–October is wet season; diving stays good year-round on the reef.
Tipping Customs
| Venue | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | 10% | Check if already added — some tourist restaurants include it |
| Dive guides | $5–10 USD per dive | — |
| Tour guides (Maya ruins) | $5–10 USD per tour | — |
| Hotels | $1–2 USD per bag | — |
Dress Code
- Casual and tropical throughout
- Modest dress in smaller towns and villages, especially in the Mennonite communities
- Beach attire only at beach and resort areas
Social Etiquette
- Belize is English-speaking — the only country in Central America with English as its official language, with Kriol widely spoken
- A relaxed, Caribbean pace of life — no one is in a hurry
- Mennonite communities (who run much of the agriculture) are part of Belizean culture — they appreciate respectful behaviour and modest dress
- Jaguar are present in the jungle — follow all guide instructions in forest areas
Local Laws
Laws change. Verify current rules with your country's official travel advisory before departure.
- LGBTQ+ same-sex activity was decriminalised in 2019 (historic Supreme Court ruling); marriage equality followed in 2023
- Drug possession is technically illegal but enforcement is minimal; trafficking carries severe penalties
- Coral is protected — do not touch, stand on, or remove any reef material
- Archaeology laws are strict — do not remove artefacts from Maya sites
Common Phrases
| English | Local | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello (Belize Kriol) | Weh di go on? / How yuh do? | weh dee GOH on / hao yoo DOO |
| Good (Kriol reply) | Di ting deh | dee TING deh — 'things are there', meaning all good |
| Thank you | Tank yu / Thanks | TANK yoo |
| No problem (Kriol) | Nobadi nuh perfect | noh-BAH-dee nuh PER-fect — Belizean philosophy |
| Let's go (Kriol) | Mek wi go! | mek wee GOH |
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