About Belize

Name: Belize

Capital: Belmopan

Largest City: Belize City

Size: 8,867 square miles

Location: Belize is located in Central America and it is bordered to the north by Mexico, to the south and west by Guatemala and to the east by the Caribbean Sea.

Climate: Sub-tropical, with trade winds from the Caribbean Sea.

Temperature: One of the nicest things about visiting Belize is the weather. With an average yearly temperature of 84° F (29°C), it’s always warm, yet comfortable.

Language: English is the official language however Spanish, Ketchi & Mopan Maya, Garifuna and other languages are also spoken.

Population: 368,310

Government: Constitutional monarchy, Parliamentary system. Independent since September 21, 1981.

Currency: Belize Dollar (BZD$). USD$1.00 = BZD$2.00

Electricity: 110 volts AC.

History: The first people to develop Belize were the Maya around 1500 B.C.E.

Airports: Belize only has one international airport and it is Philip Goldson International Airport (Airport code is BZE). There are also a number of airstrips in all the major towns and districts around the country.

Seaports: Main deep-water port – Belize City, Commerce Bight, Big Creek, Punta Gorda.

Telephone: Direct dial service between Belize and all other countries. Calling code is 501.

Time: Central Standard Time. Belize doesn’t observe daylight savings time.

Entry requirements: Visitors to Belize must possess a passport valid for at least three months after the date of arrival and a return ticket with sufficient funds to cover their stay.

Driving: International driver’s license accepted up to 90 days. Drives on the right.

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By Air:

International flights to Belize are via Atlanta, GA, Charlotte, NC, Dallas, TX, Los Angeles, Houston, TX, Toronto, Fort Lauderdale and Miami, FL. The major airlines to Belize are:

  • American Airlines
  • United Airlines
  • Delta Airlines
  • South West
  • Air Canada

Local airlines offer daily flights to different parts of Belize and to Las Flores, Guatemala, and Cancun, Mexico. These local airlines are:

  • Maya Island Air
  • Tropic Air
  • Caribbean Holidays

By Road:

Road travel to Belize through Mexico or Guatemala can be by private or rental cars and by bus travel. Traveling by road is relatively safe and inexpensive.

Belize has four major highways:

  • Northern Highway – connecting Belize City with Orange Walk and Corozal Towns and to Chetumal on the Mexican Border.
  • Western Highway – connecting Belize City with Belmopan and continuing to Santa Elena/San Ignacia and Benque Viejo del Carmen then to the border of Guatemala
  • Southern Highway – linking the Stann Creek and Toledo Districts.
  • Hummingbird Highway linking the Cayo and Stann Creek Districts.

By Boat:

For boats, cruise ships and personal watercrafts, maritime ports of entry are Belize City, Corozal, Dangriga, Big Creek, San Pedro, and Punta Gorda. Small regularly scheduled water taxis travel between Belize City and the Cayes, and Punta Gorda – in the southern district of Toledo – and Puerto Barrious in Eastern Guatemala.