Know Before
You Go...
A valid passport is necessary for
entry into Belize. A 30 day visitors permit
will be issued to you upon arrival. Citizens of
the British Commonwealth (India excepted), the
United States, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, and
the European community do not require visas
for travel to Belize. All other citizens should
contact the nearest Belizean Consulate or embassy
for details.
The Immigration & Nationality
Department in Belmopan can be contacted
at 501-8-22611 and -22423. Visitors are permitted
to stay in Belize for a period not to exceed
thirty (30) days. Extensions are routinely
granted at Immigration offices located in San
Pedro, Punta Gorda, Belmopan, Orange Walk,
and Belize City at a cost of US$12.50.
Philip S. Goldson International
Airport, is situated 10 miles from Belize
City, in Ladyville. Regular international services
are maintained by six airlines to and from the United
States, Central America, and Mexico. Taxi fare from
the International airport to Belize City is around $US 20.00.
Direct flights to/from the United States:
Houston to/from Belize City--Continental Airlines and TACA International
Airlines
Dallas to/from Belize City--American Airlines
Miami to/from Belize City--American Airlines and TACA International Airlines
New airlines now or soon to be serving Belize include: U.S. Airways and
Air Jamaica
Flights to/from Guatemala:
Belize City to/from Guatemala City--Aerovias (Monday, Wednesday and Friday)
Belize City to/from Tikal / Flores-Maya Island Air and Tropic Air
Flights to/from Honduras:
San Pedro Sula to/from Belize City--Taca International Air Line
Also from La Ceiba and Tegucigalpa north to Belize City
Flights from Mexico
Aerocaribe Airlines
The currency unit is the
Belize dollar (BZ$). The fixed rate
of exchange is BZ$2 to US$1. There are four commercial
banks. All four cash travelers checks, give cash
advances on Visa or Master cards and have wire
transfer services: Belize Bank, Barclays
Bank, Atlantic Bank, and the Canadian
based, Bank of Nova Scotia.
Visitors who plan on renting
a vehicle may want to consider bringing
their own cellular phone to Belize and activating
it at the International airport, or renting a cellular
phone from BTL at their airport location. Phone
cards can also be purchased there or at any BTL
office. You can also easily pick them up at a number
of resorts and shops throughout the country. Using
an international phone card, you can access ATT,
MCI, Sprint, Canada Direct and UK Direct.
Belize Telecommunications
Limited, a private company, owns the
automatic telephone service which covers the entire
country. A satellite earth station in Belmopan
provides high quality telecommunications with the
outside world. A cellular network has now been
introduced and is available country wide. BTL provides
telephone, direct dial and Internet connection
services for Belize.
WHEN IN BELIZE DIAL
 |
113 for Directory Assistance |
|
114 for Local and Regional Operator
assisted calls |
|
115 for International Operator assisted
calls |
Electricity in
many places is provided by diesel generator equipment.
Power is at 110 volts AC, which is the same as in the
United States. A small surge suppresser is highly recommended for
computers and other sensitive equipment.
Climate is sub-tropical,
tempered by trade winds. Extreme temperatures in coastal
districts range from about 10oC
(50oF) to about 35.6oC.
(96oF). Belize has
an annual mean temperature of 79 degrees Fahrenheit.
Annual Rainfall in Belize varies from an average of
50 inches in the north to180 inches in the extreme
south. The dry season usually extends from February
to the end of May, with a possible dry spell in August.
The Belize Tourist Board is
a good place to go for additional information about
Belize. They distribute free up-to-date bus schedules,
city maps, a visitors' magazine, and a comprehensive
list of accommodations. They're located on the second
floor of the Central Bank building in Belize City.
Tel. 501-2-31913.
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