Organize your stay Belize
Money Belize
The national currency is the Belizean Dollar (BZ$).
In 2024: 1 US$ = 2 BZ$, 1 BZ$ = 0.50 US$; 1 € = 2.18 BZ$.
The only foreign currency you can change everywhere is the US dollar (which is accepted by most businesses, formal and informal). Many hotels and restaurants advertise their prices in US dollars (US$). Be careful when consulting them, to avoid unpleasant surprises on arrival.
Budget & Tips Belize
Contrary to what you might think, given its geographical location between Mexico and Guatemala, Belize is a country with a high cost of living. It is close to that of the United States, and high prices particularly affect the tourism industry. Low-cost hotels are hard to find in the country, and when they do exist, they generally offer very basic services (between US$20 and US$30 per person). Many backpackers from Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala find themselves a little disoriented once they arrive in Belize, as hostels can be counted on the fingers of one hand. The large number of expatriates in the tourism industry, both American and European, has helped to drive up prices. When it comes to restaurants, it's hard to find a meal for less than BZ$25, but on the other hand, the country doesn't have many high-class establishments in this area. It is therefore rare to find an establishment offering prices above BZ$ 80 for a dish. Renting a car is also quite expensive, with daily rentals starting at no less than BZ$160. Guided excursions are also quite expensive, and rates are often unified according to the sites visited, so it's hard to find more affordable solutions. Public transport, on the other hand, is very affordable, and it's easy to travel around the country by bus for very little money.
Here is a short list of the cost of the most commonproducts and services in Belize. Fuel: approx. 3.80 BZ$ per liter; bottle of mineral water (1.5 l): approx. 2 BZ$; beer (33 cl): 4 BZ$ (Belize), 6 BZ$ (imported); meal in a popular restaurant (single course and cold drink): 15 BZ$; bus ticket for a one-hour trip: approx. 4 BZ$; double room without bathroom in a modest hotel: approx. 70 US$ for 2 people; stamp to Europe: 0.40 BZ$; 500 grams of tomatoes at the market: 3 BZ$; day trip: approx. 200 BZ$ per person.
Small budget: BZ$110 per day per person for a youth hostel with room, street food and public transport.
Medium budget: BZ$300 per person per day for a room with bathroom, restaurant, bus and cabs.
Big budget : 800 BZ$ per person per day for a luxury hotel, high-end restaurants, private vehicle and plane.
Payment by credit card. As a general rule, avoid carrying too much cash. It could be lost or stolen without recourse. Pay with your bank card whenever possible. Charges are lower than for ATM withdrawals, and the spending limit is often higher. Note that when paying by credit card, you may not need to enter your pin code. You may, however, be asked to provide a signature and, if necessary, proof of identity.
Tipping. A tip of around 15% of the bill in a restaurant. Service may be included in the bill brought to you at the end of the meal, but this is very rare. You'll also need to allow 15% of the tour price for the guide who accompanies you on your adventure.
Haggling. There's not much haggling in Belize. Prices are fixed in all establishments (hotels, restaurants, stores and stalls) and clearly displayed. Occasionally, Belizeans will try to haggle at the market, but this is quite rare.
Taxes. In the vast majority of cases, taxes are not indicated in the prices displayed by Belizean establishments (hotels, restaurants, stores and stalls). So always bear in mind that you'll have to add a fairly substantial sum (around 15-20%) to your bill.
Duty Free. Since your final destination is outside the European Union, you can benefit from Duty Free (tax-free shopping). A flight to Belize City from the European Union will usually have a stopover in the USA. You can therefore take advantage of American Duty Free before arriving in Belize and on your return. However, on your return from Belize City, it's best not to buy products in the Belize Duty Free that could be confiscated during your stopover in the USA (food products, liquids). You won't be able to put them in your luggage, which has already been checked in, and you run the risk of losing them when passing through US customs.
Passport and visas Belize
All passports issued in France are now biometric. They include your photo, fingerprints and a secure chip. To obtain a passport, go to the town hall with a tax stamp, proof of address, proof of identity, a birth certificate and two passport photos. The passport is issued in around three weeks. It is valid for ten years. Please note that it is no longer possible to register children on their parents' passports: they must have an individual passport (valid for five years).
Tip. Before you leave, photocopy all the documents you need to take with you. Take one copy of each document with you and leave the other with someone in France. In the event of loss or theft, this will make it much easier to renew them with the consular authorities. You can also keep copies on the official website mon.service-public.fr; simply create an account and scan all your identity papers and other important documents into the confidential area. They will then be stored and easily accessible.
Formalities and visa - No visa is required for French, Belgian, Swiss or Canadian nationals for a stay of less than 30 days. If you wish to stay a little longer, you can obtain a visa extension from the local immigration authorities. On the other hand, a passport valid for at least three months after arrival in Belize is required for entry into the country. Customs authorities may also ask for proof of a return ticket.
Please note! If you are transiting through the United States, you will need to fill in the ESTA form online, and pay a fee of US$21(https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov).
Driver's license Belize
If you are European or American, a driver's license from your country of origin is sufficient to drive in Belize as a tourist. However, you must be 18 to drive in Belize, even if this is not the case in your home country.
Health Belize
Several tropical diseases are rife in Belize, including bilharzia, the chikungunya virus and the Zika virus. In 2023, Belize was among the countries reporting the most cases of Zika infection. The preventive measures recommended by the various international health agencies are as follows: use mosquito repellent lotion containing DEET, wear long-sleeved clothing, sleep under a mosquito net or in an air-conditioned space. In short, all the techniques you need to avoid being bitten by a mosquito.
Advice - For advice before your trip, don't hesitate to consult your doctor. You can also contact the Société de médecine des voyages at the Institut Pasteur medical center on 01 45 68 80 88 (www.pasteur.fr/fr/centre-medical) or visit the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs website under "Conseils aux voyageurs" (www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/voyageurs).
In the event of illness - The first thing to do is contact the French or European Union representative office. They'll be happy to help and support you, and can provide you with a list of French-speaking doctors if necessary. In the event of a serious problem, they will also inform the family and decide on repatriation. To find out about emergency services and establishments that meet international standards, visit www.diplomatie.gouv.fr and www.pasteur.fr.
Medical repatriation by credit card operators. If you have a Visa®, EuroCard® or MasterCard® bank card, you are usually covered by medical insurance and repatriation assistance for any trip abroad lasting less than 90 days (you don't have to pay for your trip with your card to be covered; simply holding a valid card provides you with coverage). Ask your bank for details, and carefully check the overall amount of coverage and deductibles, as well as the conditions of coverage and exclusion clauses. If you are not covered by one of these cards, don't forget to take out medical assistance insurance before you leave.
Medical assistance insurance. First of all, it's possible to benefit from the advantages of Social Security, even abroad. The Centre des Liaisons Européennes et Internationales de Sécurité Sociale (www.cleiss.fr) is responsible for providing assistance to nationals abroad. But this coverage has its limits. That's why taking out health insurance can be so useful. In most cases, benefits include repatriation, medical and hospitalization expenses, payment for research examinations or transportation of the body in the event of death.
Mandatory vaccination Belize
The vaccines required in Europe are sufficient for travel to Belize, but you should always check for changes in these recommendations, for example by consulting the Institut Pasteur website: www.pasteur.fr/fr. You'll find up-to-date recommendations by destination.
Security Belize
Potential dangers and advice - Security is currently one of the country's major problems, given that the country occupies a prime position in the narcotraffic that is rife throughout Central America. The ensuing insecurity (which affects the Belizean population much more than tourists) mainly affects Belize City (especially its southern districts), the coastal town of Dangriga and the border area with Guatemala. Extreme caution should be exercised in all these areas. For the latest local safety information, consult the "Conseils aux voyageurs" section of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/voyageurs. Be aware, however, that the site provides an exhaustive list of potential dangers, which sometimes gives a rather alarmist picture of the real situation in the country.
Women traveling alone - Women traveling alone in Belize encounter no more problems than men. Belizeans are generally not very "flirtatious" and rarely pushy, with the notable exception of the village of Hopkins. Of course, a single person (man or woman) is unlikely to wander through a deserted neighborhood after dark, and will avoid the southern parts of Belize City day and night.
Travelling with children - Belize is a delight for young and old alike. Children will easily find playmates in the village squares where families gather, and will feel like real explorers in the middle of Mayan cities! A few precautions should be taken in terms of hygiene, sun protection and protection against insects of all kinds. Make sure you bring your own buoys for excursions around the Belize coral reef. For the youngest visitors, take a baby carrier rather than a stroller, which is not very practical in the earthen spaces of the Mayan archaeological ruins.
LGBTQI+ traveler - Homosexuality has not been a punishable offense since 2016. But with the Church playing a major role in society, as well as Caribbean culture in general, much of the population remains somewhat retrograde on this issue. So it's best to be discreet if you're traveling with your same-sex partner or spouse. A few hotels, generally run by Westerners, are LGBT-friendly, but there are as yet no bars or hotels catering to gay customers. San Pedro (Ambergris Caye) is Belize's most gay-friendly destination. There are no specific LGBTQI+ venues, but the bars, restaurants and clubs cater for everyone. If you visit during high season, you'll discover a thriving LGBT nightlife.
Time difference Belize
Belize is part of the Central Standard Time Zone.
In winter, there is a 7-hour time difference between France and Belize. When it's noon in Belize, it's 7pm in France.
In summer, as Belize does not change time, there is an 8-hour time difference between France and Belize. When it's noon in Belize, it's 8pm in France.
Spoken languages Belize
Belize is the only Central American country where English is the official language, while Belizean Creole is the most widely spoken dialect. Spanish is the second most widely spoken language, followed by Mayan languages, German dialects and Garifuna.
Communication Belize
Internet - Most hotels and some restaurants and bars offer free wi-fi. Internet cafés, on the other hand, are becoming increasingly rare.
Mail - Belize's postal service is fairly reliable, but very slow, especially if you're sending mail to Europe. If you're in an emergency, it's best to use the private American company UPS (www.ups.com), which has an office in Belize City. In a normal situation, sending a postcard to Europe will cost you BZ$ 0.50 in stamps. Post offices are generally open weekdays from 8:30am to 12pm and from 1pm to 4pm (some as late as 5pm).
Belize area code: 501. Local numbers have 7 digits (e.g. +501 303 1234), whether landline or cellular.
To call Belize from France: +501 and the 7 digits of the local number (mobile or landline).
Calling from Belize to France: +33 and your correspondent's number without the 0.
Local calls from Belize to Belize: 7-digit local number.
Telephone costs. From hotels, expect to pay several Belizean dollars (BZ$) per minute.
Cell phone - If you want to keep your French rate plan, you'll need to activate the international option (usually free) by calling your operator's customer service before you leave. Who pays what? The rule is the same for all operators. When you use your French phone abroad, you pay for the call, whether you make it or receive it. In the case of an incoming call, your correspondent also pays, but only the price of a local call. All calls made to or from abroad are out of the bundle, including those to voicemail.
Electricity and measurements Belize
These are American standards: 110 V and flat-pin plugs (sometimes 220 V in large hotels). Don't forget to bring an adapter, as the vast majority of your electronic devices now operate on 110 and 220 V.
On the other hand, as in France, we measure in meters and weigh in grams.
Luggage Belize
Here's a quick checklist to help you decide what to pack: a medical kit containing a few essential products (antibiotics, antidiarrheal, antiseptic, aspirin, bandages, possibly a preventive treatment against malaria, etc.), an adapter and multiple sockets to recharge your electronic equipment, comfortable hiking shoes or sandals, a raincoat (especially during the rainy season), warm trousers, a fleece or pullover.), an adapter and power strip to recharge your electronic equipment, comfortable hiking shoes or sandals, a raincoat (especially during the rainy season), warm pants, a fleece or woollen sweater for cool nights in the highlands, a swimsuit, sun cream and a hat, a torch, anti-mosquito lotion, a book to occupy your lazy days, photocopies of your important documents (passport, tickets...).
