Is Belize Safe to Travel?

The short answer is, ‘absolutely’.

Belize is known for its pristine jungle landscape, breathtaking Maya temples, and dazzling diving sites. But has covid impacted travel and tourism? Will new safety measures affect your travel plans? Should you postpone the trip? If you’re planning a trip to Belize for fun and relaxation, here’s what you need to know about new entry requirements, country-wide domestic restrictions, safety and more.

In October 2020, Belize welcomed back international travellers, simultaneously unveiling its new Tourism Gold Standard Program. The program allowed for hotels, restaurants and tour operators to enhance their health and safety practices ensuring the safety of travellers in Belize. Gold standard properties and service providers are certified by our local tourism board and are in compliance with the highest world travel standards of safety measures within the hospitality sector. Workers within the tourism sector that engage directly with international travellers, such as hotel workers, restaurant staff and tour operators are also required to be vaccinated or submit to bi-monthly covid testing.

The Government of Belize has implemented additional health and safety measures to curtail the spread of the virus. Adhering to the measures will help to keep you safe throughout your visit.

Covid Testing and Entry Requirements

Vaccinated or not, visitors to Belize are required to produce a negative covid test taken within three days prior to travel to enter the country. This has become a standard practice for travel as most airlines now require a negative covid test to board flights as well. Similarly, returning visitors are also required to have a negative covid test to leave the country and board the flight. Children under the age of 5 however, are exempt.

Curfew

The current data supports a noticeable decline in covid cases where limitations on the size of social gatherings and movement of people are in place. Currently, a curfew period is in place from Sunday to Thursday from 11 pm to 4 am, and Friday - Saturday - 12 am - 4 am throughout Belize. During the curfew period, all businesses are closed. Allowances have been made, however, for the purchase of fuel and medical emergencies outside of curfew hours.

Dining Out

Globally, the restaurant industry has been particularly impacted by the pandemic as governments seek to manage the spread of covid. As of October 2021, open air and al fresco restaurants across the country can offer dine-in services to vaccinated persons only, at 75% of its normal capacity. In-door dining halls can host up to 50% of its regular capacity. Guests staying at properties that have on-site restaurants are allowed to dine in regardless of vaccination status. During curfew hours hotel guests must remain on the property but are free to enjoy whatever amenities are provided therein such as dining, on-site activities and tours.

Transportation

Public transportation such as buses and water taxi services are still available however, for public safety reasons they are required to meet enhanced sanitation requirements and carry a reduced number of passengers.

While the travel and hospitality industry has certainly been impacted by the pandemic, responsible action and creative solutions have helped turn things around. As vaccination campaigns continue globally, and the number of vaccinated persons continues to rise, the threat of covid to our global health, wellness and livelihoods continues to diminish. In short, there’s no reason to postpone your travel plans, in fact with more safety regulations in place, world travel and tourism today are safer than ever.