Travel Essentials

Belize: What To Know Before You Go

Plugs: Types A, B and G; 110 V, 60 Hz. Emergency: One number for everything 911. Tipping: 10-15% in restaurants if no service charge is added; tip guides and boat captains. Tap water: Drink bottled or treated water outside main resort areas.

Open The Belize Trip Kit

Plugs And Power

Types A, B and G; 110 V, 60 Hz

Emergency Numbers

One number for everything

911

Tipping

10-15% in restaurants if no service charge is added; tip guides and boat captains.

Water And Health

Tap water: Drink bottled or treated water outside main resort areas
Vaccines: Routine vaccines, hepatitis A, typhoid; hepatitis B and rabies for some travelers
Malaria: Small risk in some rural areas; ask about preventive tablets

Apps To Download Before You Go

WhatsApp: How everyone books tours, taxis and rooms.
San Pedro Belize Express: Book water taxis between Belize City, Caye Caulker and San Pedro.
Tropic Air / Maya Island Air: Domestic airline apps for short hops to the cayes and Placencia.
DigiWallet: Local mobile wallet from Digi (BTL) for payments and top-ups.
E-Kyash: Belize's mobile money app accepted by a growing number of vendors.
MyDigi: Manage a Digi prepaid SIM and data, the largest local network.
Hugo: Central American delivery app operating in Belize City and beyond.

Customs And Etiquette

Greetings. A smile, a handshake and a friendly "good morning" are normal, including to strangers you pass. Friends and family hug or bump fists, and relatives or friends sometimes kiss on the cheek. Greet each person in a group.

Multicultural etiquette. Belize is ethnically diverse (Creole, Garifuna, Maya, Mestizo); a friendly greeting and interest in local culture goes a long way.

Dress. Casual dress is fine everywhere, including in Belize City, though swimwear should stay at the beach/cayes.

Pace. Service can be slow and relaxed ('island time'); patience is expected and appreciated.

Safety And Scams

The cayes (Caye Caulker, San Pedro) and tourist towns like Placencia and San Ignacio are generally safe; Belize City has a real problem with gang-related violence concentrated in specific neighborhoods that most tourists don't visit.

Overpriced or unlicensed tours. Book through licensed tour operators and confirm prices in advance, especially for cave tubing and diving trips.

Unlicensed taxis. Use registered green-plate taxis or hotel-arranged transport, especially from Belize City's bus terminal or airport.

Women travelers. Generally safe in tourist areas; avoid walking alone at night in Belize City.

LGBTQ+ Travelers

Legal · Use Caution

Same-sex sexual activity was decriminalized in 2016 (upheld on appeal in 2019) and is legal; there's no marriage equality or civil unions, and discrimination by police, landlords, or employers is still reported, though tourist areas are generally accepting.

What Things Cost

Coffee (café)	BZ$6	$3
Local bus or metro ride	BZ$4	$2
Mid-range restaurant meal	BZ$30	$15
Hostel bed / budget room (night)	BZ$40	$20
Mid-range hotel (night)	BZ$200	$100
Daily budget, mid-range traveler	BZ$180	$90

2026-09

Best Time To Visit

Late November to April (dry season) is best, with the least rain and lowest hurricane risk; June-November is hurricane season.

Phrases

Basic English phrases · Basic Spanish phrases