BELIZE
“The Jewel in the Heart of the Caribbean Basin” is a popular landing spot for backpackers and expats alike! Although it is Central America’s smallest nation (with a population of approximately 400,000 people), there are plenty of reasons to visit. Belize is world-renowned for its scuba diving, tropical weather, Garifuna cuisine, Mayan ruins, and, of course, the Great Blue Hole! An added bonus: residents of the U.S. will find Belize quite easy to navigate given its national language and currency!
Updated COVID-19 Travel Information:
Currency:
The official currency of Belize is the Belizean Dollar (BZD), but U.S. Dollars are accepted everywhere. In fact, the Belizean Dollar is pegged 2:1 to the U.S. Dollar (more on that below).
$1 USD = $2 BZD
Pricing for Leisure Travelers:
Average Hotel Expenses = $170-$200 BZD/Night ($85-$100 USD/Night)
Average Food/Drink Expenses = $40-$70 BZD/Day ($20-$35 USD/Day)
Pricing for Backpackers:
Average Hostel Expenses = $18-$38 BZD/Night ($9-$19 USD/Night)
Average Food/Drink Expenses = $16-$36 BZD/Day ($8-$18 USD/Day)
Communication:
This may come as a surprise to some, but English is the official language of Belize. That said, nearly half of the population can speak three languages fluently (English, Spanish, and Belizean Creole).
Transportation:
Direct Shuttle Bus: For those who do not prefer public transportation, this is a great option! You can book private vans or share them with passengers (most have a max capacity of 12). Book through Belizing.
Bus: Given the small size of Belize, traveling by bus is the most popular mode of transportation for tourists. Most bus routes run through Belize City - which I would avoid spending an abundance of time in.
Airplane: Air travel is rare, but not unheard of. Domestic flights are operated by either Tropic Air or Maya Island Air. The country’s international airport is just outside of Belize City (Philip Goldson International Airport).
Taxi/Uber: This is a good strategy for getting to and from tourist attractions on Belize’s mainland. Prices aren’t too bad and the rides are short. Uber does not service Belize yet.
Miscellaneous:
Since 1978, the Belizean Dollar has been pegged to the U.S. Dollar at a rate of $2 BZD to $1 USD. This means that Belize’s central bank controls the value of the currency so that it rises and falls with the U.S. Dollar to ensure the exchange rate is always the same.
There is no entrance fee for Belize but there is a $40 BZD ($20 USD) departure fee.
Below are recommended vaccinations and prescriptions to obtain before travel to Central America. None of them are required, but a travel doctor I spoke with advised getting these shots and prescriptions to be safe:
Hepatitis A (shot)
Hepatitis B (shot)
Malaria (prescription for Mefloquine pills)
Traveler’s Diarrhea (Imodium pills to use just in case)
Typhoid (shot)
