Highlights

Mayan Sites

Belize’s Mayan sites reveal towering temples, sacred plazas, and ancient carvings. Places like Xunantunich, Caracol, and Lamanai highlight the ingenuity and grandeur of Maya civilisation. 

Wildlife

Belize teems with wildlife. From jaguars, tapirs, and howler monkeys in the jungles to sea turtles, manatees, rays, and vibrant reef fish along its stunning coastline. 

Rainforest

Belize’s rainforest is rich with towering trees, cascading waterfalls, and wildlife like toucans, tapirs, and jaguars. Dense jungles create a lush, immersive world of biodiversity and natural beauty. 

Useful information

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Communications

Country Code for Belize: +501 

 

Official Travel advice visit:  

Belize Travel Advice & Safety | Smartraveller (Australia) 

Belize | SafeTravel NZ (New Zealand)  

Emergency Services: 911 

 

Australia doesn't have a High Commission or Consulate in Belize. For consular assistance, contact the Australian High Commission in Trinidad and Tobago. 

Australian High Commission, Port of Spain 

18 Herbert St, St Clair, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago Phone: +1 868 235 7950 
Website: trinidadandtobago.highcommission.gov.au 
Email: ahc.portofspain@dfat.gov.au 
 

Consular assistance for New Zealanders 

New Zealand has no diplomatic presence in Belize, so the Government’s ability to provide consular assistance to New Zealanders is limited. 

Customs

Belizeans are known for their warmth, and a simple greeting goes a long way when interacting with locals. Showing basic courtesy and friendliness is encouraged and making a small effort to use Kriol or Spanish phrases is often met with genuine appreciation.  

 

While Belize has a relaxed, Caribbean feel, modest clothing is preferred when you're away from beaches or resorts, particularly in churches or rural communities where attitudes can be more traditional. 

 

Belize’s cultural heritage, from Mayan ruins to Garifuna communities, is deeply valued. Travellers should follow site rules, avoid climbing structures at archaeological sites, and always ask permission before photographing people, especially in Indigenous or rural areas.

Electricity

Belize uses Type A, Type B, and occasionally Type G sockets. 
Voltage: 110V or 220V 

Health

The following information is intended as a guide only and in no way should it be used as a substitute for professional medical advice relative to a traveller's individual needs and vaccination history. No guarantee is made as to its accuracy or thoroughness. For further information, please contact The Travel Doctor and visit the Smart Traveller website.  
 
Medical facilities in Belize City are basic and those in rural areas are limited or non-existent in rural areas. You may need to pay cash before doctors and hospitals will treat you, even in an emergency.  

If you become seriously ill, evacuation to the US may be necessary.  

 

Insect-borne diseases: Cases of Zika virus occur in Belize. Other insect-borne illnesses include Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, chikungunya, and Malaria. To protect yourself from disease: 

  • make sure your accommodation is insect-proof 
  • use insect repellent 
  • wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing 

 

Other health risks include waterborne and foodborne diseases. To protect yourself from illness: 

  • drink boiled water or bottled water with sealed lids 
  • avoid ice cubes 
  • avoid raw and undercooked food such as salads 
  • check your vaccinations are up to date 

 

Official Travel advice visit:  

Belize Travel Advice & Safety | Smartraveller (Australia) 

Belize | SafeTravel NZ (New Zealand) 

How to Get There & Getting Around

Most visitors arrive by air, landing at Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) near Belize City. This is the country’s main international gateway, with flights arriving from major hubs like Miami, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Los Angeles, and Newark.  

 

Belize offers a variety of effortless ways to explore once you arrive, with domestic flights providing the fastest connections between major hubs like San Pedro, Caye Caulker, Placencia, and Punta Gorda, with frequent services from Tropic Air and Maya Island Air.  

 

Local buses, named “chicken buses,” offer the cheapest way to move between towns such as San Ignacio, Belmopan, Dangriga, and Punta Gorda, though they are slow and crowded.  

Holidays & Festivals

  • Independence Day: 21 September: Belize’s biggest national celebration is marked with parades, concerts, fireworks, and patriotic events across the country. 

  • Garifuna Settlement Day: 19 November: A culturally significant holiday honouring the arrival of the Garifuna people. It is celebrated with drumming, traditional dances, and reenactments of their canoe landing. 

  • Battle of St. George’s Caye Day: 10 September: Commemorates the 1798 naval victory over Spanish forces. 

  • Easter Holidays: Good Friday-Easter Monday: One of Belize’s most widely observed holidays; most businesses close and families take part in religious processions, beach trips, and nationwide celebrations. 

  • Carnaval de San Pedro - PreLent: February: A vibrant, uniquely Belizean festival held in San Pedro featuring parades, paint and flour battles, dancing, and cultural performances. 

Language

Belize’s official language is English, but most locals speak Belizean Kriol. Spanish is also widely spoken, and Indigenous Maya and Garifuna languages remain strong in their communities. 

Money, Tipping & Shopping

You will use Belize Dollars (BZD), a currency that stays locked at 2 BZD for every 1 USD, which makes conversions simple and stress-free for travellers. Because the US dollar is widely accepted throughout the country, most visitors move comfortably between both currencies. Carrying a little BZD is advised for small purchases or market stalls. 

 

Tipping in Belize is appreciated wherever there’s a service element. In restaurants, a gratuity of 10-15% is considered the norm unless a service charge has already been added to your bill. Hotel staff also welcome small tokens of thanks, such as a couple of dollars per bag for porters or a few dollars per night left for housekeeping. For guided tours offer $5-10 USD per person. Belizeans typically prefer cash tips, in either USD or BZD. 

 

When browsing Belize’s markets and shops, having cash on hand goes a long way. While larger businesses and hotels offer card payments, it’s always worth checking beforehand. Prices may appear in either USD or BZD, so it helps to confirm the currency before paying. ATMs are easy to find in major towns but less frequent in outlying villages.  

 

Belize offers a colourful mix of handmade crafts and locally produced treats that make memorable souvenirs. Popular souvenirs include intricate wood carvings, woven Maya textiles, Garifuna musical items, and jewellery crafted from jade or seashells. Food lovers can pick up Belizean chocolate, produced from locally grown cacao, or beloved hot sauces. Rum enthusiasts may also enjoy Belizean rum.

Visas

The Travel Corporation has partnered with the company Sherpa to provide travellers with the latest government and health restrictions. Simply enter the country you want to travel to for information on safety regulations, border closures, quarantine requirements, your travel visa and more using the Sherpa travel tool: Visa Advice 

 

You don't need a visa for Belize if you have an Australian or New Zealand passport and are staying less than 30 days. 

 
Official Travel advice visit:  

Belize Travel Advice & Safety | Smartraveller (Australia) 

Belize | SafeTravel NZ (New Zealand)