Money and payments
Cards and cash
Three banks' ATMs in Belize accept Mastercard: the Belize Bank, Scotiabank, and Atlantic Bank.
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Americas · Central AmericaUsable guideCountry in Central America
Photo: Sadalmelik, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Belize offers world-class attractions include exploring the lush jungles with exotic plants and animals, deep sea fishing, swimming, snorkelling and diving in the Caribbean Sea with its attractive reefs and visiting the Mayan ruins. While income levels are still very low and the infrastructure is very basic, Belizeans are very proud and friendly to visitors as the tourist industry grew greatly in the last decade. It is the only country in mainland Central America with English as its official language.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Belize.
Cards and cash
Three banks' ATMs in Belize accept Mastercard: the Belize Bank, Scotiabank, and Atlantic Bank.
Belizean Creole, English, Spanish
As a former British colony, the official language of Belize is standard British English, which makes Belize stand out from its Spanish-speaking neighbours.
Mobile networks
Bottled water is a must in most areas.
Belize is a relatively healthy country. Bottled water is a must in most areas.
Belizeans are some of the most socially relaxed people in the world, especially if you venture inland away from the tourist islands of Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker.
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
inland capital
Belize's largest city, on the Caribbean Sea
Corozal Town in Northern Belize lies on the Caribbean Sea, 9 miles from the Mexican border. It has a population of approximately 8,100, and is the capital of the district of Corozal.
Crooked Tree is a town in Belize District, Belize.
Large Garifuna town in the south, formerly known as Stann Creek Town
Garifuna village
Orange Walk Town is the capital of the Orange Walk district 57 miles (95 km) north of Belize City. The agricultural town is not a tourist hotspot but a good base for explorations of Northern Belize and the Mayan ruins Lamanai.
Beautiful, quiet port town in the South; home to a complex and diverse Amerindian market on the weekends
Ambergris Caye is the largest of several hundred cayes ("keys") in the northernmost waters of Belize, Central America. This island is a top destination in Belize for tourists worldwide and its lack of high-rise hotels or big city public transportation gives the island a relaxed, laid-back feel.
smaller barrier island in the north
long peninsula (almost an island) off Stann Creek
a tiny island popular with budget travellers
Altun Ha are the ruins of an ancient Maya city in Belize, in the Belize District about 30 miles (50 km) north of Belize City and about 6 miles (10 km) west of the shore of the Caribbean.
Caracol is a Maya archaeological site in the Cayo region of Belize. It is a large site with many restored and documented structures, but is in a remote area near the Guatemala border.
Lamanai is a Mayan archaeological site in Northern Belize. The name Lamanai means "submerged crocodile".
Lubaantun (meaning "the place of the fallen stones") is a Late Classic Maya site near the village of San Pedro Columbia in southern Belize and is a great counterpart to Tikal and Caracol if you’re on the Mayan Ruin tour. The quiet green forest can easily wrap around you as you wander the ruins alone.
Places in Belize on the World Heritage List.
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
Districts of Corozal (coastal) and Orange Walk (inland).
Home of the largest city, the airport and a host of popular offshore islands.
Teeming with adventure, this central district is filled with jungles, caves, rivers and Mayan ruins.
Coastal region south of Belize District, access to quiet reef islands and boats to and from Honduras.
Southern coastal/inland region with more Mayan ruins and boats to Guatemala.
Public transport and paid services in Belize.
By bus
Several competing bus lines operate on the main road in the north–south direction from Punta Gorda to Belmopan and Belize City.
By water taxi
For those wanting a truly Belizean experience, take the water taxis from city to city.
By plane
Tropic Air and Maya Island Air both have multiple flights daily to various towns around the country and to Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker.
By taxi
Taxis are common and relatively cheap in Belize. Most taxis do not use meters, so be sure to negotiate the price beforehand.
By car
Compared to most Central American countries, driving in Belize is relatively safe. There is not much traffic, and the four major highways are all in good condition.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Belize.
Finding apps for Belize…
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Belize City · International · BZE
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Belmopan
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 27° | 29° | 32° | 34° | 33° | 30° | 30° | 30° | 30° | 28° | 27° | 27° |
| Avg. low | 19° | 20° | 21° | 22° | 24° | 24° | 24° | 24° | 24° | 23° | 20° | 20° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 101 | 55 | 45 | 34 | 118 | 230 | 149 | 174 | 198 | 243 | 170 | 126 |
| Humidity | 84% | 78% | 70% | 67% | 71% | 85% | 86% | 85% | 89% | 91% | 89% | 87% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$60
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$155
Per person, per day
Luxury
$400
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $30 | $85 | $235 |
| Food and drink | $15 | $35 | $75 |
| Local transport | $5 | $15 | $35 |
| Activities | $10 | $20 | $55 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 2 of 4Exercise increased caution
Exercise increased cautionin Belize due to crime. Some areas have increased risk. Please read the entire Travel Advisory. Crime Isolated incidents of violent crime can happen even during the day and in tourist areas, though the south side of Belize City has historically had the highest concentration of violent crime. Crimes include sexual assault, home invasions, armed robberies, and murder. Much of this violence is linked to gangs. Local police lack the resources and training to respond effectively to serious crimes. Most crimes remain unresolved and unprosecuted. Emergency medical services are usually unavailable or significantly delayed. Serious injuries or illnesses normally require medical evacuation to another country. Due to security risks, U.S. citizens should follow the same guidance as government employees while traveling. U.S. government employees are strongly discouraged from: Traveling to the south side of Belize City from the Haulover Creek Canal to Fabers Road. Driving between cities in Belize after dark. Read the Travel Guidance section page for additional information on travel to Belize. Reconsider travel to Southside Belize City due to crime.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
No advice against travel. Read the full advice before you go.
Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. Get travel advice updates Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. Follow FCDO: travel advice on X travel advice on Facebook Travel Aware on Instagram
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Belize.
Culture & historyThe Maya civilization was one of the great Mesoamerican and Pre-Columbian civilizations. The Maya were renowned for having the most sophisticated and developed writing system in the Western Hemisphere as well as their…
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ItinerariesCenotes of the Yucatán is a route through the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico. It follows a network of secondary roads through the interior of the peninsula which the Mexican government has dubbed La Ruta de los Cenotes…
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ItinerariesTren Maya (Maya Train in English) is a rail travel itinerary in the Yucatan Peninsula of southeastern Mexico. The train passes through all five states of the Yucatán Peninsula with stops at all major cities of the…
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Culture & historyMesoamerica, today being made up of southern Mexico and the Central American countries of Belize, Guatemala, and parts of Honduras and El Salvador, has been populated since at least 11,000 BC.
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsChicken Buses can be primarily found in Central American countries — Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama.
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Nature & adventureScuba diving is an activity in which you swim underwater for extended periods using self-contained underwater breathing apparatus, hence the acronym scuba.
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