Belize Travel Guide — Belmopan
Location:
Belize, a small country roughly the size of the German state of Hesse, lies in Central America on the southeast of the Yucatan Peninsula along the Caribbean coast. It borders Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the west.
Belize is the second-smallest country on the American continent after El Salvador.
Central Belize consists of sandy soil and is known as the land of savannas. Roughly 48 kilometers southwest of Belize City, the terrain rises to between 460 and 1,120 meters above sea level. Here you'll find the Mountain Pine Ridge and the Maya Mountains. Heavy rainfall feeds numerous streams that flow from the highlands in the northwest to form the Macal River. The Macal River and the Mopan River eventually merge to become the main tributaries of the Belize River.
In the south of Belize, rivers flow along their short paths toward the Caribbean, flanked by overhanging cliffs and caves. Over the years, the rivers have enriched the coastal belt with sand, clay, and silt, creating conditions that support thriving citrus and banana crops.
Belize is home to the largest remaining contiguous tracts of tropical rainforest that once covered vast parts of Central America. This green heart of Belize is clearly visible even on satellite images from space.
What Makes Belize Special
Along the coast you'll find numerous coral reefs, sandbanks, and atolls — including Lighthouse Reef, Glover Reef, and the offshore Turneffe Islands. The reef off Belize, together with its cayes, is the second-largest coral reef in the world after the Great Barrier Reef. It stretches along the entire Belizean coastline, protecting a multitude of smaller reefs, sandbanks, and over 1,000 islands known as cayes. Most of the cayes, as well as the coastline outside of towns and settlements, are covered in dense, expansive mangrove forests that serve as natural barriers.
Around 200,000 tourists visit Belize each year, primarily from the United States. The reef coast is especially popular with divers and surfers. Culture enthusiasts visit the Maya ruins near Orange Walk. Cruise tourism is also significant — Belize has become a popular port of call for cruise ships.
Despite efforts to encourage the population to keep the environment clean, some areas unfortunately look like dumping grounds. Car wrecks dot the landscape alongside mangrove swamps, plantations, and marshlands. Venture a bit deeper inland and you'll find mountainous terrain.
The History of Belize
As early as around 2,000 BC, the region of present-day Belize was settled by the Maya, whose descendants still live there today. Significant archaeological finds from that period were discovered at Cuello (Orange Walk District). Between roughly 250 and 900 AD, during the "Classical Period" of Maya civilization, cultural centers emerged at Altun Ha, Xunantunich, Cahal Pech, Lamanai, Lubaantun, El Pilar, and Caracol. Around the year 900, the golden age of the Maya came to an end.
Until independence, Belize was known as British Honduras. The former British colony was granted independence on September 21, 1981, and has since celebrated its national holiday and Independence Day on that date. Since its first year of independence, Belize has been a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Climate and Best Time to Visit
Weather and climate data for Belize:
The climate is tropical.
Trade winds blowing in from the Caribbean make the high humidity quite bearable.
The average air temperature is 25.9 degrees Celsius.
Most rainfall occurs between June and October, when humidity is also at its highest.
Summer highs reach about 36 degrees, while winter lows rarely drop below 16 degrees at night.
Regularly occurring natural hazards include hurricanes, tropical storms, and heavy rainfall (hurricane season runs from June to November), resulting in flooding and landslides.
A hurricane destroyed the former capital Belize City in 1961, after which Belmopan was declared the new capital in 1970.
Entry Requirements and Recommended Vaccinations
Entry requirements for German nationals: a passport valid for at least 6 months is required. A visa is not needed for visits to Belize of up to one month.
For stays exceeding one month but up to three months, a visa is required, which can be applied for at the Immigration Office for currently US$12.50.
A return or onward flight ticket and proof of sufficient funds (US$50/day) must be presented upon entry.
Note: All information is provided without guarantee! Entry requirements for German nationals may change at short notice. Information is available from the German Federal Foreign Office.
No vaccinations are required for Belize. Only when entering Belize from yellow fever endemic areas must proof of yellow fever vaccination be shown. Contrary to official regulations, a cholera vaccination certificate may occasionally be requested, particularly when arriving from a country where cholera is present or when entering outside the international airport in the capital.
For short stays in Belize, vaccinations against Hepatitis A, tetanus, and diphtheria are recommended. For longer stays, vaccinations against Hepatitis B, typhoid, and possibly rabies may also be advisable. An experienced tropical medicine specialist should be consulted before departure.
Malaria and Dengue Fever:
Malaria occurs in rural areas of Belize. Recently, increased cases of dengue fever have been registered, which is also transmitted by mosquitoes. For this reason, general protection against mosquito bites is advisable. Malaria prophylaxis may be necessary when visiting rural areas; again, an experienced tropical medicine specialist should be consulted.
Note: During your stay in Belize and after returning, any feverish illness should always raise suspicion of a malaria infection, as untreated malaria can be fatal.
Medical care in Belize is limited. Doctors and hospitals generally expect immediate payment. It is recommended to take out travel insurance valid for Belize that includes health coverage and medical repatriation.
All information is provided without guarantee!
Belize is a developing country. Tourist facilities are sometimes very basic, though luxury-class hotels do exist.
The official language is English, although the Spanish influence of neighboring countries is clearly felt in some areas. A local Creole patois is also spoken that can be difficult to understand even for foreigners with good English skills.
Money and Credit Cards
Most credit cards are accepted in Belize. The preferred means of payment is the US Dollar. Even banks generally do not accept Euros. Foreign currencies can be exchanged at authorized exchange offices. Exchanging money at unauthorized locations is a criminal offense under the Exchange Act and can result in a fine of up to $10,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 12 months.
