Belize at a glance

Belize is a small nation on the eastern coast of Central America on the Caribbean Sea and is only 750 miles from Miami, Houston and New Orleans. It is bordered by Mexico to the North, Guatemala to the West and Honduras 75 Km to the East across the Gulf of Honduras. Belize is almost 9000 square miles and has close to 300,000 inhabitants. Belize has a rich history dating back thousand of years and the region has been inhabited by various groups at that time, most notably, Mayas, Caribs and Arawaks. Belize has a stable democratic government where laws were derived from Britain, and still remains a constitutional monarchy which recognizes Queen Elizabeth II as its sovereign. Belize is blessed with year-round tropical climate and has exotic flora and fauna, tropical rain forests and jungles, the largest living barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, excellent fishing, pristine waters for boating, ancient Mayan ruins (sites), animal reserves, bird and butterfly watching, water parks, and caves. Although Spanish is used much in Belize, English still remains the main language.

Travelling to Belize

A valid passport and onward ticket is needed for a 30-day visitor’s visa to be issued at a cost of US$50.00 for single entry or US$100.00 for multiple entries within 12 months. Prior to expiration, an extension can be obtained for a fee of US$25.00. Following do not require visas: citizens from USA, Mexico, Costa Rica, Austria, British Commonwealth (except India), CARICOM, nationals of a member state of the European Union. 

Quick Facts

·         Central Time Zone (no observance of Daylight Savings)

·         1US$ = 2BZ$

·         Official Language: English

·         Subtropical climate – Dry Season February to May; Rainy Season 

       June to January

·         The People – Mestizos, Creoles, Caribs, East Indians, Chinese,

       Lebanese, Mennonites

·          Religion – Roman Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, Mennonite,

       Bah’al, Hindu, Muslim, Presbyterian, Seventh Day Adventist

·         The Economy – Agriculture (Sugar Cane, Citrus Fruit, Bananas,

       Honey, Maize, Beans, Rice), Logging, Tourism

·         Emergency Numbers – 90 (Fire, Ambulance & Police), 911 (Police)

·         International Airlines – American, Continental, Delta, US Airways, Taca

·         International Cruise Ships – Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Norwegian,  Holland America

Special Events

·         February – San Pedro Carnival, International Billfish Tournament

·         March – Baron Bliss Day, La Ruta Maya River Challenge, San Jose Succotz Fiesta

·         April – Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic

·         May – Cashew Festival, Belmopan National Agricultural Trade Show

·         June – Caye Caulker and Placencia Lobster Fests, Dia de San Pedro

·         July – Benque Fiesta

·         August – La Costa Maya Festival

·         September – Battle of Saint George’s Caye, Belize City Carnival,

       Independence Day

·         October – Pan American Day

·         November – Garifuna Settlement Day

Main Attractions

·         Maya Sites – Several, the most popular being Xunantunich and

       Altun Ha

·         Diving and Fishing

·         Animal Reserves

·         Bird Watching

·         Caves and Tubing

·         Ambergris Caye & Caye Caulker

·         The Barrier Reef

·         The Blue Hole

·         Belize Zoo

·         Half Moon Caye

·         Laughing Bird Caye

·         Turneffe Islands

·         Victoria Peak