Belize has been open for travel since its international airport reopened on October 1, 2020 and it’s one of the countries you can travel to right now. There are no countries that are currently banned from traveling to Belize, so travelers from any country can visit.

Of course, there are some entry requirements for international travelers in Belize: they must book a stay at a Gold Standard hotel and have proof of confirmation to show upon arrival; complete the Customs and Immigration form they are given on their flight to Belize; and provide a negative PCR COVID test that was taken within 96 hours of travel or a negative Rapid Antigen test result from within 48 hours of arrival, regardless of their vaccination status.

If travelers do not present a test, they can get tested at the airport on arrival in Belize for a fee of $50.

Can I travel to Belize right now?

Belize is open for international tourists from almost any country. Below is a list of countries that can currently enter Belize.

Belize COVID-19 travel restrictions and entry requirements

Belize has instituted several entry requirements for international travelers:

1. They must book a stay at a Gold Standard accommodation and have proof of confirmation to present on arrival in Belize.
2. They must complete the Customs and Immigration form that is given to them on their flight to Belize.
3. They must either have proof of a negative PCR COVID test that was taken within 96 hours of travel or a negative Rapid Antigen test result that was obtained within 48 hours prior to travel. If travelers do not have proof of a PCR or Rapid Antigen test result, they will be tested upon arrival, which costs $50.

Travelers do not have to quarantine if their PCR or Rapid Antigen test is negative.

Covid-19 vaccine to travel to Belize

Vaccinated travelers are not exempt from presenting a negative PCR test result from within 96 hours prior to travel or a negative Rapid Antigen test result that was obtained within 48 hours prior to travel.

Is PCR testing mandatory to travel to Belize?

All travelers, regardless of vaccination status, must have proof of a negative PCR COVID test result that was obtained within 96 hours prior to travel to Belize or a negative Rapid Antigen test result from within 48 hours prior to travel to Belize.

If you have not taken a RT-PCR or Rapid Antigen test before you arrive in Belize, you will have to get tested upon arrival in Belize. The cost of this test is $50, and if you test positive, you will have to quarantine.

Children under the age of 5 are exempt from the testing entry requirement.

Is there a mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Belize?

No, if your COVID test is negative, whether taken at the airport or before your flight, you do not need to quarantine upon arrival in Belize. However, if your test result is positive, you will have to quarantine for at least 14 days at your own expense.

accommodation at a Gold Standard hotel

All international travelers must book accommodation at a Gold Standard hotel. You must be able to show confirmation of a booking at a Gold Standard hotel upon arrival in Belize. A list of Gold Standard hotels can be found here, but these are our picks:

Is travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage mandatory to enter Belize?

No, travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage is not absolutely mandatory to enter Belize, but if you want to stay safe and secure while you’re traveling, you really shouldn’t travel without it.

A great option for travel insurance with comprehensive and affordable COVID-19 coverage is Heymondo. We compared many different companies’ travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage, and Heymondo came out on top for quality of coverage and value for money, especially since their policies include COVID-19 testing and treatment abroad. If you’re interested, you can even get a 5% discount on their policies just for being our reader.

Other travel restrictions for Belize during COVID-19

Travelers entering Belize have a few other regulations they should keep in mind:

• All travelers must complete the Customs and Immigration form they will be given on their flight to Belize.

• All travelers will undergo a health screening upon arrival that may include testing.

• Face masks are required at all times in public areas.

• All travelers must keep a distance of 6 feet away from others who are not in their family group.

• Depending on your nationality, you may need a tourist visa to enter Belize. Check if you need one below.

What’s open in Belize

Although Belize does allow tourists to explore the country freely, all international travelers must stay at Gold Standard accommodations. They are also encouraged to stay within Belize’s safe corridor and use Gold Standard tour operators, tour sites, car rentals, transportation, gift shops, and restaurants.

The safe corridor in Belize consists of Gold Standard establishments, which have been certified as such by following the Belize Tourism Board’s health and safety standards, so it is in tourists’ best interests to restrict themselves to Gold Standard properties and businesses so they can stay healthy and safe.

Hotels and accommodations that are open in Belize

Although all tourists must stay at a Gold Standard accommodation in Belize, there is still a long list of options to choose from. Travelers can rest assured that they will have a safe, clean, and healthy experience by staying at a Gold Standard hotel.

You can check the full list of Gold Standard hotels here, but our favorites are these wonderful resorts that are open in Belize

• Victoria House Resort & Spa
• Mahogany Bay Resort
• Radisson Fort George Hotel & Marina
• Best Western Plus Belize Biltmore Plaza
• Island Magic Beach Resort

All Gold Standard hotels have the following safety regulations:

• All guests must social distance and use face masks in public spaces.
• Check-in and check-out are online if possible.
• All payments are contactless (tap-to-pay).
• Booking/ordering systems are completely automated.
• There are hand sanitizing stations in various locations around the property.
• Room cleaning and disinfection of public spaces and high-contact surfaces is frequent and thorough.
• Both guests and employees will be subject to daily health checks.
• If any guest or employee shows symptoms of COVID-19, there are action plans in place, as well as specific “Isolation/Quarantine rooms” where the person can stay.

Additionally, guests will have their temperatures checked upon arrival. Masks will be available at reception for any guests who need them. Guests will be informed of health and safety protocols before arrival and when they check-in.

All the Gold Standard hotel regulations can be found here.

Beaches that are open in Belize

If your dream vacation is lying on the beach, getting some sun, and going for the occasional dip in the sea, Belize can absolutely make your dreams come true. All beaches are open in Belize, so you can sunbathe and swim to your heart’s content.

Beachgoers should keep a distance of 6 feet away from others who are not in their family group and wear masks while on the beach. You do not need to wear a mask in the water. Hand sanitizer should be available in various locations for beachgoers to disinfect their hands.

More information on beach regulations can be found here.

Attractions that are open in Belize

Whether you want to go hiking, visit ancient ruins, or explore gorgeous landscapes, there are plenty of Gold Standard sites you can visit or Gold Standard tours you can go on in Belize right now. The most popular Gold Standard tours that are currently running during the COVID-19 are:

• Caracol Maya Ruins & Waterfall Tour
• Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Tour
• Snorkeling in the Belize Barrier Reef
• Xunantunich Mayan Tour
• Cave Tubing from San Ignacio

All the tours above are operated by Gold Standard tour operators. You can check all the Gold Standard tour regulations here and find a list of Gold Standard sites and their regulations here.

At Gold Standard sites, guests need to wear masks and social distance from others who are not in their family group.

Gold Standard tours will be limited to 15 people per guide for land tours and 8 people per guide for water tours, so be sure to book your tour in advance. Guests will have their temperatures checked before the tour starts and need to keep a distance of 6 feet away from others who are not in their family group and wear masks throughout the entire tour.

Restaurants and bars that are open in Belize

Plenty of restaurants in Belize are open, although, to be safe, tourists should stick to eating at Gold Standard restaurants.

At Gold Standard restaurants and bars, clients may be subject to a temperature check before they enter. Hand sanitizer will be available at the entrance and all clients should sanitize their hands before they are seated. Clients must wear masks when they are entering and exiting the bar/restaurant, but they can remove the masks once they are seated. Large groups should make reservations in advance; since capacities will be limited

At bars, clients must keep 6 feet away from others who are not in their family group. Seating will only be available if chairs can be placed 6 feet away from each other.

More information on restaurant regulations can be found here.

Airports that are open in Belize

Belize only has a single international airport, Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport. It officially reopened on October 1, 2020, and commercial flights are available.

All travelers should wear masks at all times, sanitize their hands often, and keep a distance of 6 feet from other travelers who are not in their family group. Travelers will also be subject to a health screening upon arrival.

Curfew in Belize

There is currently a daily nationwide curfew from 9 PM to 4 AM.

Where to get a PCR test in Belize

Your country may require you to take a PCR test in order to fly back home. If you need to get a PCR test in Belize, here is a list of places you can get tested.

Belize reopening its borders to tourists – F.A.Q.

Check out these FAQs related to Belize reopening for tourists and let us know if you have any other questions in the comments below.

Sources

We will update this guide on Belize reopening to tourism with any new developments. If you need more information on travel to Belize, you can check these official sources:

• US Embassy Updates on COVID-19 in Belize
• CDC Travel Recommendations for Belize
• General Belize Travel Advisory
• Government of Belize COVID-19 Website in English
• Belize Tourism Board COVID-19 Information for Travelers
• Belize Travel Health and Safety Information
• Belize Tourism Board Tourism Gold Standard Program
• Belize Tourism Board Safe Corridor Tourist Information
• Belize Tourism Board List of Gold Standard Hotels
• Belize Tourism Board List of Gold Standard Tourist Sites
• Belize Tourism Board List of Gold Standard Tour Operators
• Belize Tourism Board Hotel, Restaurant, and Tour Operator Regulations