Belice aka Belize

• San Ignacio
• Placencia
• Caye Caulker

Why visit Belize… 

• Gem – Mayan ruins, islands, waterfalls, and wildlife… gorge on surrounding scenery.
• Island Life – Bury all worries beneath the sand. The only decision you have to make is what you are drinking next.
• Seasational Food – There are plenty of fish in the sea… either scaled or shelled, fresh catch guaranteed.
• Life Aquatic – Scuba through the underworld, a flora and fauna filled fairyland (Zissou not included).

Belize is a struggle country for….

• Timid Women – You may get a few catcalls around town but nothing more so you’ll live. Heed caution on the dance floor as the Belizean dance moves can get a tad promiscuous. 
• Landlubbers – Floaties may compliment your snorkel look, but you’ll need to sink and swim if you plan on scuba diving.
• Motion Sickness – Prepare to be bumping up and down in a school bus or taxi boat. Neither includes a bathroom so pack a bag if you’ll be riding queasy.
• Penny Savers – With most tours averaging $100 USD, choose literally any other country in Central America.
• Fish Friends – Avert your eyes from the main feature of every menu.
• Insolence regarding relations with…
  • Guatemala:

Dating back to the days of European invasion of the Americas, the territory now known as Belize was deemed to be under Spanish sovereignty but also had a particular allowance for particular British settlers.

Following the fall of the Spanish Empire, the newly independent Guatemala declared self-proclaimed ownership of the Belize territory. 

This notion was quashed as the area was instead recognized as a British sovereignty, soon after becoming a crown colony by the name of British Honduras. Refusing to give in, Guatemala has continued this quarrel.

Belize gained independence in 1981, thus inheriting the ongoing territory disputes. Currently the claim is under review by the International Court of Justice.

Entry Requirements for Belize

Requirements are dependent on citizenship. 

Some countries do require a visa. For US citizens, no visa is required for up to 30 days. If required, the visa must be submitted to the Embassy of Belize along with the applicant’s passport, copy of bank statement, letter of employment (if applicable), itinerary, and a passport size photo.

Processing takes approximately 30 business days. Click the link below to complete the application form. Proof of onward travel within 30 days is required for entry. 

A single-entry visa is valid for up to 6 months, and a multiple-entry visa is valid for up to 12 months. Visa prices vary per country. See the link below for price information. Visitors are granted a maximum of 30 days from the date of entry. The Embassy does not accept personal checks.

If planning to stay beyond 30 days, visit a local immigration office as passports will need to be re-stamped and payment of the $200 BZ fee covered for each additional month for up to 6 months. If a visa is required after a predefined number of extended days, the visa must be obtained prior to permit extension approval. See the link below for additional information.

Currently proof of vaccination is required for entry. If unvaccinated, travelers must present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival or a negative Antigen Rapid test taken within 48 hours of arrival. 

Remember to check your entry requirements for returning home.

At this time all visitors must purchase Belize travel health insurance for $18 providing coverage for 21 days. Use the link below to complete the application.

Belizean Language Basics

Breathe easy as Belize is generally an English speaking country, but do not get too comfortable as you will most certainly still be interacting with Spanish speakers. It may be useful to learn a few Spanish words as the locals tend to appreciate the effort. See below for a starter pack.

English	Spanish	Pronunciation
Hi	Hola	Oh-la
Bye	Adiós	Ah-dee-ohs
Yes	Sí	See
No	No	No
Thanks	Gracias	Grah-see-es
You’re welcome	De nada	Deh-nah-duh
Please	Por favor	Poor-fah-vor
Excuse me	Disculpe	Dis-cool-pay
One	Uno	Oo-no
Two	Dos	Dose
Water	Agua	Ah-gua
Beer	Cerveza	Sir-vay-sa
Cheers	Salud	Sa-loo

WiFi & SIM Card in Belize

Free wifi is available at the international airport. Just about every building offers wifi as long as you do not mind asking for the password.

As with all things Belize, expect a significantly higher bill compared to the rest of Central America. Local SIM cards can be purchased from either Digi or Smart!. Neither offers unlimited data plans; Instead select a plan based on the desired data amount and time period. Outrageously overpriced, the tourist SIM card can be ignored. SIM cards can be topped off at the provider store, grocery stores, or convenience stores.

Opt for Digi for superior coverage and speed, but keep in mind that the SIM card deactivates after 3 months of no activity. 

Note: Passport required for purchase.

Currency in Belize

• Banknotes: Belize Dollar (BZ) $ comes in 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 & 100
• Coins: Belize Cents comes in 1, 5, 10, 25, 50; 1 BZ
• Cards are generally accepted, but you should always carry cash.
• ATMs are few and far between outside the major touristy towns, so be sure to stock up. 

Transportation in Belize

Belizean Quick Facts

• Taxis are available
• Chicken Bus
• Water Taxi
• International airport: Ladyville (near Belize City)
• Border Crossing: Guatemala & Mexico 

Taxis in Belize

Always an option. One that I personally tend to avoid. As a Westerner, I prefer card over cash as well as locked in prices. The taxis here only accept cash. Additionally, if you do not speak the local dialect, you can expect a higher fare compared to the natives. 

Chicken Buses in Belize

If you ever wondered what happens to school buses in the USA after they’ve surpassed their golden years, look no further than Central America. The Belize buses unfortunately lack the glitz and glamor afforded by other neighboring countries.

These rides will typically cost you between $2-15 B depending on the distance. Personal space is a luxury not afforded in that price, so don’t be surprised if a stranger (or two) squishes into your seat. 

If you’re ever unsure of the destination or just prefer reassurance (no shame), check with the driver or other passengers. Everyone is genuinely friendly and want to ensure visitors arrive without issue. 

Water Taxis in Belize

With half the country’s border wrapped by the Caribbean Sea, it comes as no surprise that water passage may be a shortcut. Operating with closer resemblance to a bus than a taxi, purchase your ticket from a booth and claim a center seat if you forgot your umbrella as edge seats tend to be in the splash zone.

Luggage is stored in the front of the boat. Similar to the chicken bus, you can expect to get cozy with your neighbor as the bench crowd forms.

Border Crossing from Belize to Mexico by Bus

Starting from Belize City take a bus to Corozal for around $11 B.

Subtly scan the crowd for a fellow tourist or luggage burdened passenger. Target obtained? Maneuver into sales pitch mode. Costumed with an affable smile, ascertain if anyone wants to be your border crossing comrade by splitting the taxi cost (~$35 USD) to the migration office. Buses continue throughout the day so if luckless in your first attempt and time is not of the essence, try, try again.

Prepare to pay $40 B whilst exiting Belize and be sure to add a few pesos to your purse, a simple enough process.

Next up, the Mexican migration office where a line swirls through the center and explicit instruction is non-existent. If your travel plans for Mexico extend past a week, head straight to the less frequented counter for the $30 USD visa payment (as required). The week vacationers are gifted free entry in consolidation for their brief visit.

With the financial aspects sorted, prepare yourself for cucumber composure as you become the line caboose. The wait provides ample time for completion of the entry form. Proof of onward travel is additionally required. Eventually, assuming paperwork and passport are in order, stamp and visa (if required) are obtained. Visa length varies and may involve a convincing tale for procurement of the desirable, maximum 6 month stay.

Welcome to Mexico! Here’s hoping you did not burn the bridge with your newly acquainted, ride sharing friends. Rekindle the beneficial conversation of carpooling for the $20 USD taxi to the ADO bus station in Chetumal (pesos required). 

Food in Belize

• Seaweed Juice – For the fans of seaweed salad and grocery store seaweed snacks, prepare yourself for disappointment. The juice is lacking in flavor but is still infused with the health benefits. Try a seaweed shake for milky, nutmeg refreshment.
• Marie Sharp’s Hot Sauce – Miss Marie has herself a monopoly 

• Stewed Chicken – Served over rice and beans, this homely dish packs pure comfort
• Hudut – A coconut stew, the last pond for this whole fish, served with mashed plantain
• Grilled Meats and Fish
• Pigtail – Don’t expect a corkscrew centerpiece as the soup only contains the meat from the tail. A misleading tale served typically with split peas and plantains.
• Cow Foot Soup – “Feet off the table” does not apply to the Belizean dinner table. An okra soup combined with a vegetable medley marinates the meat from a cow’s foot (hoof excluded).

• Conch – Pronounced “conk,” just a typical exception to the English language, these shells are sizeable in size and pointed on each end. An elating (yet ignorant) thrill to pull out of the water (as blind eyes eventually reveal their prevalence), but as far as food pertains picture a thicker, chewier shellfish. Chow down on this mollusk mass in forms of ceviche, fritters, soup, grilled, or even curry. The season runs from October to June.
• Lobster –  Rock out from June to February because it is claw cracking time

• Fry Jack – A fluffier, puffier crepe consistently containing cheesy beans. With a taste reminiscent of funnel cake, dessert really does come first with this fried dough breakfast treat.
• Bollos – The Belizean tamale alternatively dressed in a plantain leaf
• Plantain – Forget the fries, fried plantains are the only side dish needed
• Beans & Coconut Rice – Staples
• Salbutes – A mini, fried tortilla impersonating a crouton for the meaty salad heaped above
• Garnaches – An exquisitely dressed, oversized nacho differing from salbutes in the overpowering tortilla crunch factor.
• Pupusa – Meet the Central American dumpling; Shaped like a pancake the encasing is made with either maize (traditional) or rice and patticaked full with whatever your heart desires.

Alcohol in Belize

Belizean Beer

On par with rum selection, it is a drinker’s choice when it comes to light or dark. When attempting camouflage, it is Belikin or bust, but no need to fuss as the brand produces both lager and stout.

If interested in sampling more than one beer during your stay, settle down with either a Lighthouse Lager or a Guinness Stout. Swallow your Irish, know it all intrusions as the Guinness Foreign Extra is not only Belizean brewed but possesses a hoppier flavor and higher alcohol content compared to the classic. 

Belizean Rum

A pirate’s delight, the rum is never gone in Belize. Stay true to yourself by fueling debauchery with the Travellers liquor brand.

Belizean Cocktails

Sip on either of these country classics for a juicy yet intoxicating rum based blend: Panty Rippas, a coconut rum and pineapple juice frisky fusion, or Rum Punch, a pineapple and orange juice varying rum concoction.