Belize allows visa-free entry for citizens of the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, European Union member states, and most Commonwealth countries for stays up to 30 days. A passport valid for the duration of your stay is required. Extensions can be obtained from the Immigration and Nationality Department in monthly increments up to six months total. Official information appears at belize.gov.bz under Immigration Department listings. Visitors must show proof of sufficient funds and onward or return travel. The land borders with Mexico at Santa Elena and with Guatemala at Benque Viejo del Carmen operate daily with posted hours that vary by season.
Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport sits 10 miles northwest of Belize City in Ladyville. It handles all international flights. The airport opened in 1943 as Stanley Field and was renamed in 2006 for a journalist and activist. Airlines serving Belize include American Airlines from Dallas, Miami, and Charlotte; United from Houston and Newark; Delta from Atlanta; Southwest from Houston and Denver; Alaska from Los Angeles; Copa from Panama City; and Avianca from San Salvador. Flight time from Houston is two hours. Flight time from Miami is two hours. A departure tax of 73 Belize dollars is included in international tickets. The single terminal has ATMs, money exchange counters, and car rental desks. Taxis from the airport to Belize City cost 50 Belize dollars fixed rate for up to four passengers. The drive takes 20 minutes.
Municipal Airport in Belize City handles only domestic flights operated by Maya Island Air and Tropic Air. These airlines fly between Belize City and San Pedro, Caye Caulker, Dangriga, Placencia, Punta Gorda, and other domestic points using Cessna Caravan aircraft. Flight time from Belize City to San Pedro is 15 minutes. Flight time to Placencia is 30 minutes. Domestic flights cost between 60 and 200 Belize dollars one way depending on distance.
The Belize dollar has maintained a fixed exchange rate of 2 BZD to 1 USD since 1976. This peg is managed by the Central Bank of Belize. US dollars circulate freely throughout Belize and most businesses accept them at the 2-to-1 rate. Change may come back in Belize dollars. ATMs dispense Belize dollars only. Atlantic Bank, Belize Bank, and Heritage Bank operate ATMs in Belize City, San Ignacio, Placencia, San Pedro, and other towns. Daily withdrawal limits typically range from 500 to 1000 Belize dollars. ATMs are scarce in Punta Gorda and absent in many rural areas.
Credit cards work at hotels, restaurants, and tour operators in tourist areas. Visa and Mastercard have wider acceptance than American Express or Discover. Many businesses add a 3 to 5 percent surcharge for credit card payments. Cash remains necessary for water taxis, street food, local buses, and small guesthouses. Banks exchange US dollars, Canadian dollars, British pounds, and euros but rates for non-US currencies carry high margins. Scotiabank branches appear in major towns.
No legal restriction prevents bringing US dollars into Belize. Amounts over 10,000 USD must be declared on arrival. Banks close at 1pm on Fridays. Money changers operate near the Mexico border crossing in Corozal and the Guatemala crossing at Benque Viejo del Carmen.
Budget accommodation in Belize City or San Ignacio starts at 40 to 60 BZD per night for basic guesthouses with shared bathrooms. Mid-range hotels on Ambergris Caye or Placencia cost 150 to 300 BZD. Resorts and lodges in Mountain Pine Ridge or near Caracol reach 400 to 800 BZD.
Meals at local restaurants serving rice and beans with stewed chicken cost 10 to 18 BZD. Belizean street food including garnaches, salbutes, and panades costs 2 to 5 BZD per item. Sit-down restaurant meals in tourist areas cost 30 to 60 BZD. Belikin beer costs 5 to 8 BZD at local shops and 8 to 15 BZD at bars. Imported goods carry high markups due to import duties and transportation costs.
Public buses on scheduled routes cost 2 to 20 BZD depending on distance. Belize City to San Ignacio costs 8 BZD on a local bus. Water taxis from Belize City to Caye Caulker cost 30 BZD one way and take 45 minutes. The Caye Caulker to San Pedro water taxi costs 20 BZD and takes 30 minutes. Domestic flights range from 120 to 400 BZD round trip.