Useful News
By plane
The International Airport of Belize is “Philip SW Gordon International Airport” located 10 miles far from Belize City.
The operating airlines in Belize are as follows:
American Airlines, Continental, United and Delta, arriving from the USA, in particular from Miami; Tikal Jets from Guatemala e Grupo Taca, an alliance of five Central America Countries. The main national airlines are: Tropic Air and Maya Island Air. Both airlines have national and international charter flights and daily flights to Guatemala.
By car
To reach Belize by car is very demanding. The trip to Belize through Mexico is almost 1.350 miles in length.
At their entrance in Belize from Guatemala or from Mexico, tourists must have a temporary entry visa. Visa has 1 month validity, but it can be extended on request to be presented to the Custom Department.
To obtain a visa, it is necessary to present the following documents to the Custom:
- Travel papers and identity card;
- Certificate of the car’s property (registration of the car);
- Temporary third party Insurance Policy, to be filled at the Custom.
- Rental documents (in the case it is a car rented in Mexico or in Guatemala.
By Bus
A bus travel from the United States boundaries toward Belize, via Cancun, Mexico City and Chetumal is comfortable, relatively cheap and fast. The highways link the Mexican Cities with Chetumal City. From Chetumal City, buses leave regularly to Belize City, stopping in Corozal and Orange Walk. The safe and regular bus connections leaving from Guatemala City represent another exciting reason to visit Belize. This choice is preferred by travellers who wish to tour Peten before entering Belize through the western border, near to Benque Viejo del Carmen. From this locality, buses bring travellers to San Ignacio, to Belmopan, the Capital, to Belize City and all over the Country.
Arrival by crafts
There are small taxi-boats, leaving on regular timetable, from the South District of Toledo, between Punta Gorda e Puerto Barrios, in Eastern Guatemala. The harbours are those of Belize City, Corozal, Dangriga, San Pedro e Punta Gorda.
Custom
Tourists who are already 18 year old can enter Belize carrying only one bottle of wine or alcohol, 250 gr. of tobacco, 50 cigars or 200 cigarettes, provided that they are not coming from a city near the border of the Country.
Anybody owing Bz$10.000 or any other equivalent foreign currency must fill a form (report of currency importation C300) at disposal, care of the Custom.
Passport and visa
Click services-visa.
Animals
For entering Belize, domestic animals must be healthy (something that must be certified by a veterinarian of the Country of origin), to present a vaccination certificate against rage and to obtain a permit of entrance issued by the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA –tel. 224-5230/4794, foodsafety@btl.net).
Weapons and drugs
It is illegal to enter or to leave Belize with weapons or munitions.
It is foreseen a sentence to prison and severe penalties for persons who have, use and or traffic drugs.
Territorial/Maritime Boundaries
The official borders of the Country are the following: Santa Elena in the North, Benque Viejo del Carmen in the west, and Punta Gorda in the South.
Private Airlines
Private airplanes must have custom clearance at the Philip Goldson International Airport, with the authorization of the Belize Civil Aviation Department and the Belize Airports Authority.
Private Crafts
Boats can enter Belize or have custom clearance in the Port of Belize City, Big Creek, San Pedro, Dangriga and Punta Gorda.
Departure
It is forbidden by Law to purchase items of pre-colombian origin, sea goods (unless permit had been obtained by the Department of Fishery Protection), raw Coral or turtle shells.
Telephone
The Private Telephone Company “Belize Telecommunications Limited” (BTL) offers national and International phone services, Internet connections (high quality connections or via cable connections) and mobile services.
To call from one area to the other, we have to dial “zero” and the code also for local calls. Using a telephone card, it is necessary to dial “zero” and the code also for local calls.
Belize code is 501. Then, to call Belize from Italy we have to dial 00+501+ the code of the locality (without “zero”) and the telephone number of the person we are looking for.
Vice versa, to call Italy from Belize, we have to dial 0039+ the city’s code and the telephone number of the person.
Clothing
We suggest a light and informal wear, except for excursions in the jungle where there is a thick vegetation and where we have to consider the presence of insects.
In the case of excursions to the internal zone, it is advisable to bring a sweater or a jacket to be used in the morning or at night.
Health
No vaccinations are requested to enter Belize; anyway, in the case of trips into the jungle we suggest to undergo an anti-malaria prophylaxis. The current water is drinkable.
Payments
In Belize the most used credit cards are VISA and MASTERCARD; these ones are accepted by airlines, rental cars Agencies, and by the main Hotels and restaurants. AMERICAN EXPRESS is often accepted by the most luxury premises.
Tour Operators
Maya Travel Services Ltd.www.mayatravelservices.com
Gray Line Tours Belize
www.graylinebelize.com
Amphilife Tours
(501)-670-8192
www.amphilife.com
Bel Cruise
www.bel-cruisebelize.com
Belize R Us Resorts & Tours
www.belizerus.com
Karibbean Water Sports
www.karibbeansports.com
Tanisha EcoTours
www.tanishatours.com
TIDE Tours
www.tourbelize.bz
Rental Cars
Crystal Auto rental
www.crystal-belize.com
Budget Car & Truck Rental
www.budget-belize.com
Vista Auto Rentals
www.vistarentalsbelize.com
