Belize
Phone Code
+501
Capital
Belmopan
Population
411,106 (2023)
Languages
Area
22,966 km²
Electricity
550 V
Plug types
NEMA 1-15 · NEMA 5-15 · BS 1363
Driving side
right
Native Name
Belize
Region
Americas
Central America
Timezone
Central Standard Time
UTC-06:00
On This Page
Belize is a Central American country known for the Great Blue Hole, Mayan ruins, Caribbean coastline, and barrier reef (second largest in the world). English is the official language, making it unique in the region. Visitors are drawn to diving and snorkeling, ancient Mayan sites like Caracol and Xunantunich, rainforest wildlife, cave tubing, and the laid-back island culture of Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. Belize offers visa-free entry for many Western visitors and serves as a gateway to Central American adventures.
Visa Requirements for Belize
Belize offers visa-free entry to citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, EU countries, and many other nations for stays of up to 30 days. Visitors must have a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond entry date, proof of return or onward travel, and sufficient funds for their stay. The initial 30-day stay can be extended for up to 6 months total through monthly extensions obtained from immigration offices in Belize City, Belmopan, or San Pedro. Extensions cost BZ$100 per month and require proof of accommodation and financial means. Nationals from countries requiring visas should apply through Belizean embassies or consulates, providing application forms, photographs, travel itinerary, proof of accommodation, and financial documents.
Common Visa Types
Visa-Free Entry
For tourism, business, or visiting for citizens of US, UK, Canada, EU, Australia, and other eligible nationalities.
Tourist Visa
For nationals from countries not eligible for visa-free entry who wish to visit Belize for tourism purposes.
Visitor's Extension
For extending visa-free stays or tourist visas beyond the initial 30-day period.
Work Permit
For foreign nationals employed in Belize by a Belizean employer or establishing a business.
Important Travel Information
•Visa-free entry for up to...
•English is the official language...
•Currency: Belize Dollar (BZD), pegged...
•ATMs in Belize City, San...
•Cards at hotels and tourist...
•Exit fee: BZ$73 (~US$37) for...
•Drive on the RIGHT. The...
•Dry season February to May...
Belize is Central America's English-speaking outlier — a sliver of Caribbean coast, barrier reef, rainforest and Maya ruins wedged between Mexico and Guatemala, smaller than Wales but packed with a density of natural spectacle that rivals countries many times its size. The Belize Barrier Reef (UNESCO) is the second-largest coral reef system on earth, and its centrepiece is the Great Blue Hole — a perfectly circular marine sinkhole three hundred metres across and 125 metres deep, visible from space and one of the most iconic dive sites in the world. Ambergris Caye is the largest island, with San Pedro's waterfront restaurants, dive shops and easy access to Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley. Caye Caulker, smaller and scruffier, runs on the motto 'Go Slow' — reggae bars, lobster grills, backpackers splitting the cost of a snorkel trip, and no cars. Inland, the Maya sites are extraordinary: Caracol, hidden deep in the Chiquibul forest, was once larger than modern Belize City and its Caana pyramid remains the tallest structure in the country at 43 metres. Xunantunich commands a hilltop above the Mopan River with views across the jungle canopy to Guatemala. Cave tubing — floating on inner tubes through underground river systems inside caves that the ancient Maya considered portals to the underworld — is an experience found nowhere else. The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is the world's only designated jaguar reserve. The Garifuna communities along the southern coast around Dangriga and Hopkins preserve a UNESCO-recognised culture of punta drumming, coconut-based cuisine and Afro-indigenous heritage. And because the official language is English and the currency is pegged 2:1 to the US dollar, Belize is the most accessible Central American country for anglophone travellers.
Discover Belize
The Great Blue Hole and the world's second-largest barrier reef
The Belize Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the second-largest coral reef system on Earth, and its single most recognisable feature is the Great Blue Hole — a near-perfectly circular marine sinkhole 300 metres across and 125 metres deep, formed when an ancient limestone cave system collapsed as sea levels rose after the last ice age, visible clearly enough from above to be identifiable from space. Closer to shore, Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley off Ambergris Caye let snorkellers get close to nurse sharks and stingrays in chest-deep water, a far gentler introduction to the reef than the advanced-certification dive the Blue Hole itself typically requires.
Caracol's jungle pyramids and underworld cave tubing
Belize holds more than 900 recorded Maya sites, and Caracol — hidden deep in the Chiquibul Rainforest near the Guatemalan border — was once a city-state powerful enough to defeat Tikal in battle; its Caana pyramid, at 43 metres, remains the tallest structure in the entire country. Cave tubing takes that Maya heritage underground: floating on an inner tube through the river caves at Nohoch Che'en follows a route the ancient Maya themselves used ceremonially, since they regarded these cave systems as entrances to Xibalba, the underworld — a piece of active belief made physically explorable in a way found almost nowhere else in the Maya world.
Garifuna culture on the southern coast
The Garifuna communities of Dangriga, Hopkins and Punta Gorda, descended from West African and Island Carib peoples, carry a culture recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage — punta drumming and dance form the most visible expression, but the culture runs equally deep in food, from hudut, fish simmered in coconut milk and served with mashed plantain, to cassava bread made using techniques passed down largely unchanged. Hopkins in particular has developed into a small beach-and-culture destination where drumming workshops sit alongside direct reef access, giving visitors a way to engage with Garifuna heritage that feels participatory rather than observational.
Ways to Experience This Destination
The Belize Barrier Reef (UNESCO) stretches nearly 300 kilometres along the coast and supports an extraordinary diversity of marine life. The Great Blue Hole — a marine sinkhole 300 metres across and 125 metres deep, formed as a limestone cave that collapsed when sea levels rose — is one of the world's most famous dives (advanced certification recommended). Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley off Ambergris Caye offer snorkelling with nurse sharks and rays in chest-deep water. Half Moon Caye has pristine reefs and a red-footed booby colony. Turneffe Atoll and Glover's Reef deliver remote wall diving. Whale sharks gather at Gladden Spit from March to June. Water 26-29 degrees year-round.
Belize has over 900 recorded Maya sites. Caracol, deep in the Chiquibul Rainforest near the Guatemalan border, was a city-state that defeated Tikal in battle — its Caana pyramid (43 metres) is still the tallest building in Belize. Xunantunich sits on a hilltop above the Mopan River, reached by hand-cranked ferry, with panoramic views from the Castillo. Lamanai on the New River Lagoon is approached by boat through howler-monkey territory. Cave tubing at Nohoch Che'en — floating on inner tubes through underground river caves decorated with stalactites that the Maya used as ceremonial sites and portals to Xibalba (the underworld) — is unique to Belize.
Caye Caulker is the backpacker heart of Belizean tourism — a small, car-free island where the Split (a narrow channel dividing the island) serves as the social swimming spot, reggae leaks from every bar, lobster is grilled on the street, and the pace of life is governed by the 'Go Slow' motto painted on every other wall. Ambergris Caye (San Pedro) is larger and more developed, with restaurants, bars and resort-standard accommodation alongside easy reef access. Tobacco Caye and the atolls (Turneffe, Lighthouse Reef, Glover's) offer remote island stays for divers and solitude-seekers.
The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is the world's only designated jaguar reserve — 400 square kilometres of tropical forest with trails, waterfalls and a genuine chance (though no guarantee) of encountering a jaguar. Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve has the Thousand Foot Falls (the tallest waterfall in Central America), natural swimming pools at Rio On Pools, and the Rio Frio cave. The Community Baboon Sanctuary protects black howler monkeys through a community-based conservation model. Crocodiles, tapirs, toucans and keel-billed motmots round out the wildlife roster.
The Garifuna communities of Dangriga, Hopkins and Punta Gorda on the southern coast preserve a culture descended from West African and Island Carib peoples — UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Punta drumming and dance, hudut (fish simmered in coconut milk with mashed plantain), cassava bread, and the Garifuna Settlement Day celebrations on 19 November are the cultural highlights. Hopkins has developed as a small beach-and-culture destination with guesthouses, drumming workshops and direct access to the reef, combining Garifuna heritage with Caribbean coast relaxation.
Money & Currency
Belize Dollar (BZD)
Currency code: BZD
Practical Money Tips
Belize Dollar Pegged at Exactly 2:1 to USD — Both Currencies Used Everywhere
The Belize Dollar (BZD, BZ$) is pegged at a fixed rate of exactly 2 BZD = 1 USD. Both currencies circulate freely and are interchangeable across the country — prices are commonly listed in both. USD is widely accepted at the 2:1 rate in shops, restaurants, hotels, and tourist services. No exchange is required if you have USD. Change may be given in either BZD or USD. Canadian dollars, British pounds, and Euros are not widely accepted and should be exchanged at banks or ATMs.
ATMs Available in Belize City and Main Towns — Limited in Remote Areas
Belize Bank, Atlantic Bank, and Scotiabank have ATMs in Belize City, San Ignacio, Dangriga, and Placencia. Ambergris Caye (San Pedro) and Caye Caulker have ATMs. International Visa and Mastercard work reliably. ATMs dispense BZD or USD depending on the machine. Remote jungle lodges, Toledo District villages, and small cayes have no ATMs — carry sufficient cash before venturing off the beaten path.
Cards Accepted at Tourism Businesses — Cash for Local Markets and Villages
Visa and Mastercard are accepted at most hotels, tour operators, dive shops, and mid-range+ restaurants in tourist areas (Ambergris Caye, Placencia, San Ignacio, Belize City). Local market stalls, village comedors, chicken buses, and small guesthouses are typically cash-only. Apple Pay and Google Pay are not widely supported. Carry BZD or USD cash for day-to-day local spending.
Affordable Central American Destination — Cayes Slightly Pricier
Belize is affordable by Caribbean standards, though more expensive than neighbouring Guatemala or Mexico. Mainland guesthouse: BZ$40–100/night ($20–50 USD). Local stewed chicken and rice: BZ$8–14 ($4–7 USD). Ambergris Caye resort: $100–300+ USD/night. Budget BZ$80–150/day on the mainland, BZ$150–300/day on the cayes. Carry small BZD bills for local buses, pupusas, and market fruit.
Note: Always check current exchange rates before traveling. Currency exchange is available at airports, banks, and authorized money changers.
What currency is used in Belize?
Can I pay with Apple Pay, Google Pay, or contactless in Belize?
Do I need to exchange money before visiting Belize?
How expensive is Belize?
Are there ATMs on Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker?
Is tipping expected in Belize?
Can I use US dollars on local chicken buses or at village markets?
Can I take Belize Dollars out of Belize?
Cities
Explore our city travel guides
Embassies in Belize
These foreign embassies and consulates are based here. Choose a mission to open its in-depth guide and contact details.
Key origin countries
Accredited missions for Belize
Do I need a visa to visit Belize?
Most Western visitors don't — citizens of the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, EU countries and many others can enter visa-free for up to 30 days, provided their passport is valid at least 6 months beyond entry with proof of onward travel and sufficient funds.
Can I extend my stay beyond 30 days?
Yes — the initial 30-day stay can be extended monthly for up to 6 months total. Extensions cost BZ$100 per month and are obtained from immigration offices in Belize City, Belmopan or San Pedro, with proof of accommodation and financial means.
What if my nationality isn't covered by visa-free entry?
You'll need a Tourist Visa applied for in advance through a Belizean embassy or consulate, providing application forms, photographs, a travel itinerary, proof of accommodation and financial documents.
What currency does Belize use, and do I need to exchange money?
The Belize Dollar (BZD) is pegged at exactly BZ$2 to US$1, and USD is accepted everywhere at that fixed rate, so there's no real need to exchange money if you're carrying USD. Cards work at hotels and tourist businesses, but cash is essential for local buses, market stalls and small guesthouses.
Is there an exit fee when leaving Belize?
Yes, an exit fee of BZ$73 (about US$37) applies to international departures, but it's usually already included in the airline ticket — check with your carrier to confirm.
When is the best time to visit Belize?
Dry season, February to May, offers the best weather. Hurricane season runs June to November. Temperatures stay fairly steady year-round at 24-32°C.
How do I get between the cayes and the mainland?
Water taxis connect Belize City to Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker and the other islands. Domestic flights are also available for longer hops, such as to Placencia.
What language is spoken in Belize?
English is the official language, making Belize unique in Central America. Spanish is also widely spoken, especially near the Mexican and Guatemalan borders.
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