aBOUT
oUR cOUNTRY
Belize is a country located on the eastern coast of Central America. Belize is bordered on the northwest by Mexico the east by the Caribbean Sea, and on the south and west by Guatemala.
VISITORS TO BELIZE
Entry Requirement: Citizens visiting Belize from the US, Canada, the European Community (E.U.) and CARICOM countries do not require a visa to enter Belize. Visitors to Belize must possess a passport valid for at least three months after the date of arrival, a return ticket and sufficient funds to cover their stay. Visitors are given a 30 day visa stamp at the international airport, subsequently a 30 day extension can be applied for at the Belize Immigration Department.
CURRENCY
The Belize dollar is locked at $2 BZD = $1 USD making it easy for most visitors, especially US citizens. Most places readily accept US currency as well as credit cards with a valid passport or driver’s license. Bank ATMs are available across the country, particularly in major towns and most tourist destinations.
TAXES, FEES & TIPS:
- Belize Hotel Room Tax – 9%
- Belize Sales Tax (on goods & services) – 12.5%
- International Passenger Airport Departure Fee – $39.25 USD
- Tipping at a hotel – 5 to 10%
- Tipping at a restaurant – 10 to 15%
HEALTH SERVICES
Hospitals: There are three main hospitals in Belize City; one public and two private. There are smaller public and private clinics throughout the country.
Water: Potable water is available in most areas of Belize, but it is advisable to ask, and if in doubt, drink bottled (purified) water.
TOURISTS and EXPATS:
Belize’s Popular Tourist and Expat Destinations include: Ambergris Caye (San Pedro), Caye Caulker, Corozal, San Ignacio and the Placencia Peninsula.
Residence: Expats have three basic options for residing in Belize and these include visa extensions, Permanent Residence, and the Qualified Retired Persons Program (QRP – through the Belize Tourism Board).
Belize Cost of Living: A monthly income of $1,500 to $2,000 USD will usually go much farther in Belize than in the US, Canada or Europe.
Belize Real Estate: Belize continues to be a hot-spot for those wanting to vacation, retire or invest here. Real estate in the highly sought after Caribbean countries have seen rising prices, Belize is no exception but in comparison it is still much affordable than those other destinations.
FACTS ON Belize
Population: 387,890
Size: 8,867 square miles (including 266 square miles of islands or cares)
Capital: City of Belmopan (50 miles inland from Belize City)
Government: Unitary parliamentary (parliamentary democracy) and a member of the British Commonwealth
Currency: The Belize Dollar is pegged to the United States Dollar at a rate of $1 USD = $2 BZD.
Language: The official language of Belize is English; however, Spanish is widely spoken in several parts of the country. There are other cultural and ethnic groups who speak their own language including creole (broken English), Maya, Mandarin, Low German (Mennonite), and Garifuna.
Time Zone: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time). No daylight savings time is observed in Belize.
Climate: Belize has a tropical climate, mainly there is a rainy season and a dry season, although there are significant variations in weather patterns by region. Temperatures may vary according to proximity to the coast, elevation and the moderating effects of the northeast trade winds off the Caribbean. The rainy season (or wet season) is from June to December, and the dry season from January to May.
Date format: dd/mm/yyyy
Telephone code: 011 – international dial code to Belize
Emergency numbers: In case of an emergency, dial 911 from anywhere in Belize.
Quick & Fun Facts on Belize...
1. The first people to inhabit Belize were the Mayas around 1500 B.C.
2. Belize has around 900+ Mayan sites scattered throughout the country.
3. Belize is also known as the “Jewel in the heart of the Caribbean basin”.
4. Belize was previously known as British Honduras but got its current name in 1973, when it gained independence from Great Britain.
5. National Days: Battle of St. George’s Caye (National Day – September 10th, 1798) Independence Day (September 21st, 1981).
6. Belize is considered a melting pot with several ethnic groups arriving at different times including: Mestizo, Garinagu, Mennonites, Chinese and several others.
7. Belize’s economy is largely dependent on tourism and agriculture.
8. Belize’s islands are called Cayes (pronounced “keys”) and total to around 450.
9. The Belize Barrier Reef is an UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to more than 440+ species of fish.
10. Belize is home to the only Jaguar reserve in the world which is known as Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary.
11. The highest point of Belize is Doyle’s Delight.
12. Over 540 species of birds have been recorded in Belize.
13. Belize is home to the second largest barrier reef in the world (also known as the largest living reef in the world).
14. In Belize you drive on the right.
15. The country code for Belize is +501.
16. You will not find any US fast food chains in Belize like McDonalds, KFC, Dominoes or Subway.