Belize - No Ordinary Destination
Central America's BEST KEPT SECRET - a still unspoiled wild destination, brimming with life and diversity. Full of national parks, marine reserves and wildlife sanctuaries, Belize embraced green initiatives and habitat protection efforts long before ECO became a buzz word.
And It’s Our Playground
The 165 mile Belize Barrier Reef System, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the longest barrier reef in the Western hemisphere. It includes seven marine protected areas and three coral atolls under its umbrella. Hundreds of tiny cayes (“keys”, as Belizeans call their islands) and miles of beaches and hidden coves offer world-class snorkeling diving and fishing.
And it’s all within reach. Within a matter of hours you can travel inland to the largest remaining tracts of undisturbed rainforest in all of Central America - a treasure-trove of tropical biodiversity. Our experience is enriched by the Mayan people who have lived on this land for thousands of years.






Cross Cultures Easily
The only English speaking nation in all of Central America, Belize nestles between Mexico and Guatemala. Its 400,000 residents are a super friendly and dynamic blend of Creole, Garifuna, Mestizo, Maya, Mennonites, and Europeans.
Exotic music, ethnically diverse food, colorful influences, and a relaxed vibe don’t get lost in translation, but a shared common language fast-tracks deeper exchange, making every interaction richer.
Time travel is possible
Belize was once the heart of the Mayan world. The region is thought to have been one of the most densely populated and culturally dynamic societies on earth. We can trace this ancient civilization through Belize’s more than 600 archaeological sites - living museums of a disappeared civilization.
Experience a new frontier of Mayan archaeology in the caves of Belize. To this day, archaeologists are discovering underground ceremonial centers which are helping to unravel the meaning behind sacred rituals and sacrifices. These sites are remarkably preserved and are like living museums complete with hand painted pottery, stone tools and carved alters - all thousands of years old.
BELIZE GEOGRAPHY
BELIZE CLIMATE
BELIZE POPULATION
BELIZE LANGUAGE
BELIZE GOVERNMENT
BELIZE CURRENCY
The Belize Dollar has a fixed rate of $2BZ = $1US. US currency and travelers checks in US currency are widely accepted. Credit cards can be used in most tourist facilities. ATMs are becoming more common in Belize but should not be part of your planned travel budget as they may be problematic to access during your trip. However, the machines are now connected to North American systems and can be used in an emergency.
BELIZE ELECTRICITY
The current is the same as Canada and the US (110V AC) and the same plug is used. No adapters are required.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS INTO BELIZE
Valid Passports are required for entry into Belize.
Also, please note the Government of Belize does require your passport to be valid for more than three months after your arrival. For questions regarding entry requirements, or people from other nationalities, please contact our office (1-800-667-1630) or the nearest Belize Embassy.
For up to date information on entry requirements into Belize, please also double check the Belize Tourism Board's website.
BELIZE TAXES
Sales Tax
Belize does have a General Sales Tax (GST) which currently adds 12.5% on top of most goods and services within Belize.
Hotel Tax
Belize has a Hotel Tax, which is 9% on top of the cost of most hotel nights in the country. It is fairly customary to see a 5-10% service charge as well.
Departure Tax
By Air
All passengers are required to pay an international departure tax of $39.25USD. Most of the airlines now include these fees in their ticket price - please review your airline fare breakdown for more information.
By Land
All travellers are required to pay an international departure tax of $20USD
By Sea-
All travellers are required to pay an international departure tax of $20USD
BELIZE TIME ZONE
Belize is located within the Central Time Zone and does not observe Daylight Savings Time.
BELIZE DRINKING WATER
Bottled water is readily available throughout the country; however, the water in Belize is drinkable right from the taps in most large towns, lodges, and hotels. Safe drinking water is provided throughout your Island Expeditions' tour.
BELIZE TAXIS
Taxis are identifiable by their green license plates in Belize. They are non-metered and fares are standard. Taxis from the Belize International Airport are a standard rate and the rate is posted upon exiting the customs area. Be sure to negotiate the price before starting your journey.
BELIZE HEALTH
There are no endemic diseases. No inoculations are required for entry; however, we do strongly recommend you consider a Havrix injection for Hepatitis A (or Twinrix for both Hep A & B) and an up-to-date tetanus shot. Belize was certified Malaria-Free by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2023; however its good to exercise caution in areas where biting insects are prevalent. Contact your doctor or travel clinic prior to traveling to Belize.