Common Asked Questions:

What language is spoken in Belize?
What are the business hours?
What are the public and bank holidays?
What currency is used in Belize and what is it worth?
Is electricity 110 or 220 volts?
What types of health services are available?
Can I drink the water?
Are there any diseases I should be concerned about?
What will it cost to send a letter home?
Are there any taxes or services charges I should know about?
What are the Departure Fees?
Are taxis available?
How is the telephone service in Belize?
What time zone is Belize in?
Are there any entry requirements to visit Belize?
How long can I stay?
Can I use my credit card to get cash advances?
Will my cell phone work in Belize?

What language is spoken in Belize?

English is the official language of Belize, although Spanish, Creole, Garifuna and Mayan are widely spoken throughout the country.
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What are the business hours?

Banks:
Monday - Thursday 8:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.
Friday 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.
Commerce & Industry:
Monday - Friday 8:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M - 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. ?
Some businesses are open on Saturdays
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What are the public and bank holidays?

New Years Day - January 1
Baron Bliss Day- March 9
Good Friday
Holy Saturday
Easter Monday
Labour Day-May 1
Commonwealth Day- May 24
St. George's Caye Day- September 10
Independence Day- September 21
Columbus Day- October 12
Garifuna Settlement Day- November 19
Christmas Day- December 25
Boxing Day- December 26

What currency is used in Belize and what is it worth?

The Belize Dollar (BZ$) has a fixed rate of exchange of BZ $2 to US $1. Most hotels, resorts, restaurants, and tour operators will accept U.S. currency, traveler's checks, or credit cards. When using your credit cards in Belize, most establishments will add a 5% service charge to your bill. Always make sure that you understand which dollar rate is being quoted. Is it Belize Dollars or U.S. Dollars?
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Is electricity 110 or 220 volts?

Although most of the electricity is provided by Diesel/Generator Sets, the power is stable at 110 Volts A.C., which is the same voltage as in the United States.
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What types of health services are available?

There is a well staffed hospital and several private doctors in Belize City. Also the district towns and larger villages have hospitals or clinics.
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Can I drink the water?

Potable water is available in most areas of Belize, but it is advisable to ask, and if in doubt, drink boiled or bottled water.
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Are there any diseases I should be concerned about?

There are no serious epidemic diseases in Belize. No inoculations are required for entry, but anti-malaria tablets are recommended for extended stays in the jungle.
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What will it cost to send a letter home?

Postal rates to the United States are US $0.30 for letters and US $0.15 for postcards. Postal rates to Europe are about US $0.40 (BZ $0.75) for letters and US $0.20 for postcards.
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Are there any taxes or services charges I should know about?

Hotel Room Tax ......................................9%
Service Charge (In lieu of tips)................................10%

DEPARTURE FEES

International Passengers by Air

Philip Goldson International Airport

Passenger Service Fee $15.00
Airport Development Fee $15.00
Conservation Fee $3.75
Security Fee $1.25
Total Airport Departure Fees: US $35.00
Payable ONLY in US currency.
All fees apply to non-Belizean citizens and non-Belizean permanent residents.

International Passengers by Land

Santa Elena: Northern border with Mexico
Benque Viejo del Carmen: Western adjacency zone with Guatemala

Border Processing Fee $15.00
Conservation Fee $3.75
Total Border Departure Fees: US $18.75 or BZ $37.50
Payable in US or Belize currency.
All fees apply to non-Belizean citizens
Exemptions: children under 12; permanent residents of Belize; visitors from border towns for first 24 hours.

International Passengers by Sea

Departure by boat from Punta Gorda, Dangriga or San Pedro
Conservation Fee $3.75
Total Sea Departure Fees: US $3.75 or BZ $7.50
Payable in US or Belize currency.

Domestic Air Passengers

International Airport to Domestic Airport
Security Fee $0.75
Total Fee for Domestic Air Passengers: US $0.75 or BZ $1.50
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Are taxis available?

Taxis are available in towns and resort areas, and they are easily recognized by their green license plates. Unless specific arrangements are made prior to your arrival at the Phillip Goldson International Airport (PGIA), taxis are available at the entrance to the main terminal.

Although there are no meters on the taxis, the drivers do charge somewhat standard fares, but it is always important to understand what your fare will be, prior to hiring a taxi.
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How is the telephone service in Belize?

Belize Telecommunications Limited provides telecommunication between Belize and the United States and Canada. Service is also available for communication with other countries. The BTL main offices (www.btl.net) are located at the corner of Albert and Church Streets in Belize City at telephone number 227-7085 and the corner of Princess Margaret Drive and St. Thomas Street at telephone number 223-2868. Phone cards are available at numerous locations.

BTL is also the contact for obtaining an Internet connection in Belize.
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What time zone is Belize in?

Time observed year round is GMT-6, which is the same as United States Central Standard Time. Daylight Savings Time is not observed in Belize.
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Are there any entry requirements to visit Belize?

Click here for Entry Requirements and Fees.
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How long can I stay?

Visitors are permitted to stay in Belize for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days. The following category of persons may be granted by the Immigration Department extensions of up to three (3) months at a time. These three months would be after the thirty day period given by the Immigration Officer at the port of entry.

Persons living in remote areas away from the Immigration Office
Potential Investors
Business persons

The above is on the strict understanding that the applicant presents himself /herself in person and satisfies the requirement that the necessary funds (US $50.00 per person per day) are available for the duration of the period requested extension. Applicant must also have a ticket to his/her onward destination. Extensions are granted at a cost of US $50.00 per month.

To obtain a visitor's extension, an application must be submitted to any of the district offices or to the:

Belize Immigration and Nationality Department
Belmopan, Cayo District
Belize, Central America
Telephone 011-501-822-2423
Fax: 011-501-822-2662

Since visa requirements are subject to change, please contact the Belize Consuls and Embassies for up-to-date information.

OR Contact:

The Belize Embassy
2535 Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
Washington, D.C. 20008
USA
Telephone: (202) 332-9636
Fax: (202) 332-6741
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Can I use my credit card to get cash advances?

The following banks allow you to walk in and swipe your VISA or MASTERCARD to receive cash advances:

Bank of Nova Scotia
First Caribbean International Bank (formerly Barclays Bank)
Atlantic Bank
Belize Bank

The First Caribbean International Bank (Barclays Bank) has ATMs that accept VISA and MASTERCARD

in Belize City:

San Cas Plaza (Belcan Bridge)
Main Branch (21 Albert Street)
Shell One Stop Gas Station (Cor. Central American Blvd. and Cemetery Road)

in Belmopan:

Belmopan Branch (Market Square)

Will my cell phone work in Belize?

In order to have mobile cellular service in Belize, an unlocked GSM (Global System Mobile Communication) 1900 MHz cellular phone is required. Phones may be activated at any BTL office or Digicell distributor in the country. Prepaid service works using phone cards that can be bought at various stores around the country.

Cellular phones can also be rented for US $5 a day from the Belize Telecommunications (BTL) office at the Phillip Goldson International Airport (PGIA). A deposit of US $150 is required.
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information supplied through kind courtesy of Belize Tourism Board

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