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General Information
 Geographically this
country is small in size (8,866 square miles), but,
it's gigantic in attractions and diversity. The mainland
and coastal cayes are remarkable wonders. The topography
changes rapidly as do compass points. Travelers see
estuaries, rivers, jungle, mountains, coral reefs,
expansive underground caves, glorious waterfalls and
an incredible collection of wildlife.
Every year more and more visitors are discovering
Belize. Most come to dive, fish, enjoy the wildlife
and explore ancient ruins. Some come to relax, some
for the education, and many for the diving.
Belize offers all ranges of diving - from shore diving
in shallow water to the Great Blue Hole at over 200
feet (61m) deep.
The Belize Barrier Reef spans 185 miles (297 km) of
coast with the largest barrier reef in the Western
hemisphere. Dive sites are located inside and outside
of the reef. Outside the reef, look for spur and groove
formations - narrow canyons of corals. Inside the
reef, patch reefs are covered with hundreds of brightly
colored fish and coral species.
 Belize boasts three offshore atolls:
Turneffe, Glover's Reef and Lighthouse Reef. Together
they easily provide more than a hundred dive and snorkeling
sites. Lighthouse atoll is where you will find the
famous Blue Hole, with a depth of 480 feet and stalagtites
at 130 feet.
Great diving can be found from the mainland or from
a number of resorts on the tiny islands offshore.
Most of the Belize marine ecosystem is protected under
World Heritage Sites and because of this, the diving
remains pristine.
Climate Annual Mean - Temp 79F 26C
Water Temps 75 - 84F 24 - 29C
U/W Visibility Often 100+ ft 30+ m
on the atolls, a little lower inside the reef
Dive Centers & Accommodations
New
Travel Regulations
Western
Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)
The
proposed implementation timeline has two phases:
Beginning
January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S.
citizens, traveling by air between the United
States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South
America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be
required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS
card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document,
or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if
applicable.
As
early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including
U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and
Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the
Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including
ferries), may be required to present a valid
passport or other documents as determined by
the Department of Homeland Security. While recent
legislative changes permit a later deadline,
the Departments of State and Homeland Security
are working to meet all requirements as soon
as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided
to enable the public to obtain passports or
passport cards for land/sea entries.
The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S.
citizens traveling to or returning directly
from a U.S. territory. U.S. citizens returning
directly from a U.S. territory are not considered
to have left the United States and do not need
to present a passport. U.S. territories include
the following: Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin
Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island, and
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
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Getting There
By Air
International flights to Belize go through Charlotte,
Dallas, Houston, Miami, Los Angeles and Montego Bay,
Jamaica. Flights arrive in Belize City, then if you
are heading to the offshore cays and atolls, you will
travel from here either by boat or small private charter
plane, depending on location.
The major airlines servicing Belize are:
American
Airlines
Continental
Delta
(Saturday Service Only)
TACA
US
Airways
These airlines also service Belize via Flores, Guatemala
Maya Island Air
1-800-521-1247
501-226-2435
501-226-2192
Tropic Air
1-800-422-3435
501-226-2012
501-226-2338
Caribbean Holidays
now agents for Tikal Jets
81 Albert St.
Tel: 501-227-2583
Entry Requirements
With the exception of cruise ship passengers, all
visitors to Belize must present a valid passport before
entering the country. Passports must be valid up until
time of departure. In cases where a visitor remains
in the country for over 30 days, an extension of entry
must be requested. Extensions are available for the
cost of:
- Up to 6 months for US $25
- After 6 months US $50 per month
VISAS
United States and Canadian citizens, nationals of
Caricom countries and of the European Community member
nations (Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg,
Netherlands, Denmark, Ireland, UK, Greece, Spain,
Portugal, Austria, Finland, Sweden), Hong Kong, Mexico,
New Zealand, Norway and Venezuela do not require
visas.
Entry visas should be obtained outside of Belize.
For the nearest place to obtain a visa please visit:
Belize
Consuls and Embassies.
Visas are required for nationals of the following
countries: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola,
Argentina, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Bosnia, Brazil, Central
African Republic, Chad, China, Columbia, Cuba, El
Salvador, Ethiopia, Haiti, Honduras, India, Japan,
Korea (North and South), Libya, Monaco, Mongolia,
Morocco, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Peru,
Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Ukraine, and Zaire.
Departure Fees
International Passengers by Air
Philip Goldson International Airport
- Passenger
Service Fee $15.00
- Airport
Development Fee $15.00
- Conservation
Fee $3.75
- Security
Fee $1.25
- Total
Airport Departure Fees: US $35.00
- Payable
ONLY in US currency.
- All
fees apply to non-Belizean citizens and non-Belizean
permanent residents.
International Passengers by Land
Santa Elena: Northern border with Mexico
Benque Viejo del Carmen: Western adjacency zone with
Guatemala
- Border
Processing Fee $15.00
- Conservation
Fee $3.75
- Total
Border Departure Fees: US $18.75 or BZ $37.50
- Payable
in US or Belize currency.
- All
fees apply to non-Belizean citizens
- Exemptions:
children under 12; permanent residents of Belize;
visitors from border towns for first 24 hours.
International Passengers by Sea
Departure by boat from Punta Gorda, Dangriga or San
Pedro
- Conservation
Fee $3.75
- Total
Sea Departure Fees: US $3.75 or BZ $7.50
- Payable
in US or Belize currency.
Domestic Air Passengers
International Airport to Domestic Airport
- Security
Fee $0.75
- Total
Fee for Domestic Air Passengers: US $0.75 or BZ
$1.50
Travel
Tips
Getting
Around
If you are short on time or would like to forego the
scenic highways, flying is safe, fast and efficient
in Belize.
The least expensive way to get around Belize on a
day to day basis is by bus. Buses run regular schedules
and by other Central American standards, Belizean
buses are clean, roomy and efficient.
No reservations are required though often recommended
as some bus routes fill up quickly and completely.
Taxis are available in towns and resort areas, and
they are easily recognized by their green license
plates. Unless specific arrangements are made prior
to your arrival at Belize International Airport (P.S.W.
Goldson), taxis are available at the entrance to the
main terminal.
Although there are no meters on the taxis, the drivers
do charge somewhat standard fares, but it is always
important to understand what your fare will be, prior
to hiring a taxi.
Communication
You won't find telephones on every corner of the open
road in Belize. If you plan to rent a car and discover
Belize at your own pace, its smart to pack your cellular
phone or arrange for one through Belize Telecommunications
Ltd. when you arrive. Also, some rent-a-car companies
now offer cellular phones. It might spare you a headache
in the event of a breakdown.
What to Wear
If you are visiting the Cayes and/or the Barrier Reef,
bring your shorts, T-shirts, and bathing suits, as
well as some comfortable tennis shoes or deck shoes.
As the sun is probably more intense than what you
are used to at home, bring a cap to protect your head
from the tropical sun when you are boating and/or
fishing and use sunscreen protection.
Loose fitting, light colored cotton pants and camping
shirts, along with a comfortable pair of hiking shoes
or boots are appropriate for exploring the Mainland
or trekking through the rain forest. When visiting
the Maya Ruins or traipsing through the jungle, a
hat with a wide brim will provide shade from the tropical
sun, as well as provide protection from a tropical
shower.
Ambergris Caye, the largest of about 1000 cayes (islands)
located in the northern most waters of Belize, Central
America. This narrow strip of paradise surrounded
by the azure Caribbean, is approximately 25 miles
long and was once a part of the Yucatan Peninsula.
Get there by small plane or water taxi.
Caye Caulker is located 12 miles from the mainland.
It is only 5 miles long and seperated into 2 parts.
The main village is on the southern portion. Get there
by small plane or water taxi.
Business Hours
Banks: Monday - Thursday 8:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. Friday
8:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. and 3:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M.
Commerce & Industry: Monday - Friday 8:00 A.M.
to 12:00P.M. 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. Some businesses
are open on Saturdays
Electricity
Although most of the electricity is provided by Diesel/Generator
Sets, the power is stable at 110 Volts A.C., which
is the same voltage as in the United States.
Medical
There is a well staffed hospital and several private
doctors in Belize City. Also the District Towns and
larger Villages have hospitals or clinics.
Water
Potable water is available in most areas of Belize,
but it is advisable to ask, and if in doubt, to drink
boiled or bottled water.
Health
There are no serious epidemic diseases in Belize.
No inoculations are required for entry, but anti-malaria
tablets are recommended for extended stays in the
jungle.
Language
Everyone in Belize speaks English.
Tipping
Tip if you find the service good. Tipping can range
from 10-15%.
Telephone Service
Belize Telecommunications Limited provides telephone
communication between Belize and the United States
and Canada. Direct dial service is available.
Time
Time observed year round is GMT-6, which is the same
as United States Central Standard Time. Daylight Savings
Time is not observed in Belize
Climate
The climate is subtropical, with a brisk prevailing
wind from the Caribbean Sea. The country has an annual
mean temperature of 79 degrees Fahrenheit, and the
humidity is nicely tempered by the Sea breezes.
Variation in weather features, emphasizes the interesting
difference in elevation, geology, plant and animal
life. A summer high temperature, usually never exceeds
96 degrees Fahrenheit, and winter lows are seldom
below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, even at night.
Saltwater temperature varies between 75 degrees Fahrenheit
and 84 degrees Fahrenheit.
Rainfall
Annual rainfall ranges from 50 inches in the North
to 170 inches in the South. Although the rainy season
is usually between June and August and the dry season
is between February and May, global weather changes
are making historical predictions somewhat invalid.
At the end of October, the weather does become cooler,
and from November to February, it is pleasant with
showers of rain. Average humidity is 85 percent.
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