Belize FAQ
Whether you landed on this page because you are already planning a vacation to Belize or by accident, you can get a good feel for this fine country by reading through the answers to frequently ask questions below.
1. Where is Belize?
Belize is located on the northern coast of Central America facing the Caribbean Sea on its eastern shoreline. It is bordered by Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the west and south, but is considered to be a Caribbean nation in Central America due to its history which is similar to that of English-speaking Caribbean nations. It was once a British colony.
3. Are there tours & attractions that make Belize worth visiting?
There are a variety of spectacular tour & attractions that would make your trip to Belize truly unforgettable. Inland, you can explore ancient Mayan cities like the great Caracol and Xunantunich, go cave tubing through underground rivers, and swim at the base of stunning waterfalls. You can also hike lush jungle trails or step into the Mayan underworld with a tour of the ATM Cave, declared the world’s most sacred cave by National Geographic. Meanwhile, offshore adventures include diving, snorkeling, fishing, picnicking, or beachcombing around over 400 cayes and reef systems. Additionally, a trip to the Belize Great Blue Hole, a World Heritage Site located at Lighthouse Reef Atoll, would be the ultimate adventure stamp on your trip. With so many great tours and attractions to choose from, it’s no wonders why Belize was recently voted ‘Best Adventure Destination in Central America’ at The Prestigious World Travel Awards.
Yes! Belize is just a stone throw from the United States. With shorelines that rival the best in Southeast Asia, rainforests that look like they belong in the greater Amazon, and vibrant neighborhoods nearby ancient Mayan complexes, you can experience a tropical or cultural vacation without traveling far. Check out our Visitor Information page for Airlines and departure cities.
5. Besides my passport do I need a Visa to visit Belize?
Visitors to Belize are required to be in possession of passports valid for no less than 6 months and return/onward tickets. Visas are not required for citizens of the U.S., European Union, Commonwealth Nations, Mexico, Austria and Costa Rica. Visas are required for all other nationalities. Prior to your travel to Belize, you will be required to fill out the new online
Digital Embarkation/Disembarkation (E/D) Form
, to simplify the immigration and customs process upon arrival.
No inoculations are required for visiting Belize. Getting vaccinations or medications, such as anti-malarial tablets for malaria and dengue fever, are a personal choice. Recommended vaccines are hepatitis A and B, typhoid, rabies, measles, mumps, tetanus/diphtheria, and rubella (MMR) only if you didn’t have it as a child.
Also, if you are taking any kind of doctors prescribed medications please make sure to bring an adequate supply with you to last the duration of your trip since such medications most likely will not be available in Belize.
Belize hasn’t had any Covid-19 travel restrictions since 2022 but this can change at anytime. Please check with the
Belize Tourist Board prior to your visit for any new updates.
8. Is the tap water in Belize safe to drink?
Water in all Belize locations is not necessarily safe to drink and we recommend you not do so. Bottled water is readily available at tourist sites, hotels, and restaurants or you can purchase at stores. You may also want to boil tap water before brushing your teeth.
9. When is the best time to visit Belize?
Belize offers two main seasons: the dry season (February to May) and the wet season (June to November). Both seasons have their allure, but for beach and jungle excursions, many prefer the drier months. Yet, for those who love the wild, the wet season presents nature in its most vibrant form.
While every country has its challenges, most travelers find Belize to be welcoming and safe, especially within the tourist areas. You might have heard or read somewhere that Belize has a high crime rate but such crimes are concentrated only within Belize City. Outside the city the only concerns if any, would be petty misdemeanors like pick pocketing around crowded tourist sites and resort areas. Many popular resorts are secluded and outside the realm of even such misdemeanors. A little common sense can go along way in having an enjoyable trouble free stay in Belize. Just take standard precautions; don’t flash valuables, stay aware of your surroundings, and consult local advice on places to avoid. The people in Belize are very friendly and would bend over backwards to help you with anything.
12. What’s the weather like in Belize? Belize climate is subtropical. Easterly Trade winds blow onshore most of the year, and from October to February sometimes northerly winds may bring cooler, drier air. The days are warm with an average annual temperature of 80 degrees. The mountain areas experience cooler weather than the islands and coastal plains. In the rainforest and mountains the warmest months are April and May and the coolest months are January and February.
The probability of a hurricane making landfall in Belize in any given year is 17%. A hurricane hasn’t hit Belize in August in well over 100 years, but the prime storm season arrives in Belize and the Western Caribbean region in September and October. Of the 20 hurricanes that have made landfall in Belize in the past 117 years, 17 or 85% have arrived in September and October.
14. What language is spoken in Belize?
The official language of Belize is English which is spoken throughout the country. Spanish, Garifuna, Chinese and Mayan are also spoken.