- 1. Belize Travel Blog
- 2. Travel Reports for Vacation in Belize
- 3. Highlights in Belize
- 4. Safety in Belize
- 5. Belize Travel Tips
- 6. What You Should Know
- 7. Why Visit Belize
- 8. Money and Currency
- 9. Credit Card or Cash?
- 10. Entry Requirements for Belize
- 11. What Language is Spoken in Belize?
- 12. Best Travel Time for Belize
Belize Travel Blog
Are you currently planning a backpacking trip to Belize and Central America? We explored the country (mainly the islands) in combination with Mexico and Guatemala. The mix of Caribbean beaches and islands along with Maya pyramids is ideal. We enjoy it when trips are diverse.
There are so many beautiful things to discover in Belize. Therefore, we have compiled all the travel tips for Belize for your vacation. Have fun!
Travel Reports for Vacation in Belize
Highlights in Belize
- Caye Caulker, the dream island that couldn't be more relaxing
- Xunantunich Maya ruins and temple
- Belize Barrier Reef: Snorkeling, diving, or a flight over the Blue Hole are special experiences
- Caracol and Lamanai Maya ruins
- The other Cayes: Ambergris Caye, Half Moon Caye, and San Pedro (Madonna's celebrated 'La Isla Bonita')
Safety in Belize
For tourists, Belize is actually a safe country. But what does 'safe' mean in Central America, which is the axis of global drug trafficking? Since we saw with our own eyes how an armed gang was just arrested while transferring from Caye Caulker through Belize City to Flores, we did not leave the port (as recommended) in Belize City and avoided the capital.
There are certainly safe areas on site. However, we were more interested in the Maya ruins and beautiful islands anyway. The fact is that there are repeated armed robberies with fatalities. Usually, this is a matter within drug cartels and gangs. Nonetheless, you should know that you will be strictly checked for drugs on journeys from Mexico to Belize. Do not leave your luggage unattended, especially not in border regions.
As a tourist, you can still move around safely in the country. Traveling in Central America is always a bit of an adventure. My experience was not bad. If you follow the general safety tips, nothing should happen to you.
- Do not flaunt valuables. No cameras, jewelry, or watches. A new smartphone model also attracts attention
- Use a fanny pack or money stash and only carry the necessary amount of cash with you
- Research the situation in the country before you travel (not at the foreign office, but with the British. I find this more realistic)
- Take taxis at night, even if the distances are very short
- Avoid no-go areas that locals warn you about
Belize Travel Tips
Here are a few things I have summarized that are useful for your travel planning.
What You Should Know
- Belize has 397,621 inhabitants (Belizeans)
- The capital of Belize is Belmopan
- English is mainly spoken
- The country borders Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras
- Currency: Belize Dollar (BZD)
- Time difference: - 6 hours (summer)
Why Visit Belize
Do you know Madonna's song "La Isla Bonita" - in it she sings about the beautiful Isla San Pedro, which belongs to Belize. Belize is located between Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala in Central America (or Central America in English).
One highlight in Belize is the still intact coral reefs. Then there's the top diving spot, the Great Blue Hole, which may not be as spectacular as it seems in pictures. But the Belize Barrier Reef is the second-largest coral reef in the world after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
Another highlight is the Maya pyramids in Belize. You can even climb Xunantunich (San Ignacio, Cayo District). Just like the Maya site Lamanai. These sites are not quite as impressive as Tikal (Guatemala) or Chichen Itza (Mexico).
If you are not visiting the neighboring countries, you should definitely visit the rainforest of Belize. About 40% of the country is still forested. It's the habitat of various monkey species, pumas, jaguars, and tapirs. The latter can be encountered quite frequently.
Money and Currency
The currency in Belize is the Belize Dollar (BZD), which is 1:2 to the US Dollar. 1 USD equals 2 BZD. It's best to use an app like Currency (iPhone) to convert the currency. Compared to Guatemala or Honduras, Belize is quite expensive. It is almost on par with prices in the US, possibly due to the many US tourists coming here for their vacation.
We spent most money on excursions and accommodation. Boat and bus rides were not much more expensive than in Mexico.
Credit Card or Cash?
I withdrew cash at the ATM immediately upon arrival. By the way, it is common to pay in US Dollars as well. Withdrawals and payments in local currency can often be done smoothly with a credit card. Use a good travel credit card, like my DKB Bank credit card.
Wherever possible, we paid with a credit card so we wouldn't have to carry so much cash.
Currently, the best free credit cards for travel are the DKB Bank debit card, GenialCard (Hanseatic Bank), and the TF Bank Gold Mastercard. With a set-up of at least 2 of these cards, you can almost always withdraw money from ATMs abroad for free and pay locally without incurring foreign currency fees! -> Here you can find all tips with my experience for the best travel credit cards in comparison.
Entry Requirements for Belize
For entry into Belize, you only need a passport that is valid for at least 6 months and has two blank pages. You will receive your visa as a "visa on arrival" stamped in your passport. This allows you to stay in the country for 30 days.
When exiting, there is an exit fee of 19 US dollars (land exit) and 37.50 US dollars for exiting by plane. Currently, no entry fee is required. Source: German Foreign Office.
What Language is Spoken in Belize?
The official language in Belize is English. It is thus the only country in Latin America where English is an official language. This is because Belize was a British colony until 1981. In many places, residents speak English Creole (Patois), as well as Spanish, Garifuna, various Maya languages, and Plautdietsch. However, you can get by with English.
Best Travel Time for Belize
The tropical humid climate in Belize with a lot of rainfall is similar to that found anywhere in Central America.
Climate and weather for Belize in keywords:
- Best travel time: Dry season from late November to mid-April (which may shift with climate change). It is dry and very warm.
- The months of April to May/June mark a kind of intermediate season. It is very hot and the humidity is very high.
- Rainy season: Begins from late May to early June. Then it is still very moderate. Therefore, these months are not so bad for a trip.
- Like everywhere in the Caribbean, hurricanes can occur from July to November. I've always had luck so far.
- Important: Keep an eye on the summer holidays in the United States when traveling to Central America. Many North American tourists are in countries like Belize during that time. They have a short trip and Belize is very affordable.
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