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Please be advised that the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Travel Advice is now available at Ireland.ie/travel. Travel Advice on this webpage is no longer being updated. To ensure you receive the latest Travel Advice for Belize, please see Ireland.ie.

Belize

If you’re travelling to Belize, our travel advice and updates give you practical tips and useful information. 

Security Status

  • Normal precautions
  • High degree of caution
  • Avoid non-essential travel
  • Do not travel
  • Overview
  • Safety and Security
  • Local Laws and Customs
  • Health
  • Additional information
  • Embassy Contact

Overview

Overview

Security status

High Degree of Caution

General Travel Advice

Irish citizens do not require a visa to enter Belize, though if you intend to stay longer than 30 days in Belize, you must apply for a visa from immigration authorities. Immigration offices are in major towns and cities. When leaving by air, the departure tax is usually included in the airfare. When leaving by land, the departure tax is BZD$40 or US$20, which must be paid in cash.

A valid passport is required for travel to Belize. Irish passports should have a minimum validity of 6 months to enter. Passport cards cannot be used.

Visitors to Belize are advised to follow the guidance of national and local authorities and stay fully informed of what's going on by monitoring local news and social media.

Citizens can also follow the Irish Embassy in Mexico on social media (Twitter@IrishEmbMexico and Facebook) to ensure access to relevant updates and alerts.

Emergency Assistance

The best help is often close at hand so if you have problems, try talking to your local contacts, tour operator representative or hotel management.

If you need to contact the emergency services in Belize, you can contact:

  • Police: 911
  • Ambulance: 911
  • Fire Brigade: 990

Our tips for Safe Travels:

  • Get comprehensive travel insurance that covers all your planned activities.
  • Register your details with us so that we can contact you quickly if there’s an unforeseen crisis like a natural disaster or a family emergency.
  • Follow us on twitter @dfatravelwise for the latest travel updates.
  • Read our ‘Know Before You Go’ guide.

As there is no Irish Embassy in Belize we are limited in the help we can offer you in an emergency. However, if you need assistance, you can contact the Irish Embassy in Mexico.

Safety and Security

Safety and Security

Belize has high rates of violent crime. To avoid becoming the victim of a crime, and visitors should take sensible precautions due to the risk of street and petty crime. Remain alert to your surroundings and be vigilant at all times:

  • Don’t carry your credit card, travel tickets and money together - leave spare cash and valuables in a safe place. 
  • Leave a copy of your passport (and travel and insurance documents) with family or friends at home.
  • Avoid showing large sums of money in public and don’t use ATMs after dark, especially if you’re alone. Check no one has followed you after conducting your business.
  • Avoid dark and unlit streets and stairways, and arrange to be picked up or dropped off as close to your hotel or apartment entrance as possible.
  • Keep a close eye on your personal belongings and hold on to them in public places such as internet cafés, train and bus stations.

While tourists are not normally the targets of gang violence, passers-by could be affected. Visitors should avoid unnecessary travel to the southern neighbourhoods of Belize City due to the high rate of violent crime and gang violence.

Visitors should take particular care when  entering at land borders, and only use officially recognised border crossings.

If engaging in adventure tourism or outdoor activities, review weather conditions and the condition of equipment before departing. It is recommended to keep a friend or family member informed of your plans and inform them when the activity is complete.

Road conditions and driving standards are poor. Overland travel outside the major cities and resort areas should be undertaken with caution and only during daylight hours. It is not advised to drive in rural areas during or immediately after heavy rains.

Hurricane season

The hurricane season generally runs from June to November each year and can cause heavy rain, flooding and extremely high winds. Citizens with plans to be in the affected region during this period should consider the need to travel based on information relating to extreme weather projections. Always monitor local and international weather updates for the region by accessing, for example, the Weather Channel, or the US National Hurricane Centre website.

Local Laws and Customs

Local laws and customs

The local laws apply to you as a visitor and it is your responsibility to follow them. Be sensitive to local customs, traditions and practices as your behaviour may be seen as improper, hostile or may even be illegal.

Possession of illegal drugs is considered a serious crime in Belize and can lead to a fine and/or imprisonment.

A Supreme Court ruling in 2016 decriminalised homosexual activity between consenting adults.

It is advised to carry a photo ID.

Health

Health

Medical facilities in Belize are limited and availability of prescription medicine inconsistent.

Serious medical cases are normally evacuated to the United States (at the patient’s expense). Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment and repatriation.

Zika Virus

Belize may have a risk of Zika virus transmission. Irish citizens, especially those with a weakened immune system, or those who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant are advised to follow the guidance available on the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).

Belize has also had cases of Chikungunya virus.

You should take steps to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.

Additional information

Entry requirements (visa/passport)

Irish citizens do not need a visa to enter Belize. Passports should be valid for six months from the date of entry into Belize.

Tourists are typically granted a one-month entry stamp. For stays in excess of one month, visitors should arrange the relevant extension, which comes at a cost of BZD$200 per month. 

Departure tax

When leaving by air, the departure tax is usually included in the airfare. When leaving by land, the departure tax is BZD$40 or US$20, which must be paid in cash.

 

Embassy contact

Embassy Contact

The Embassy operates an out of hours service for Irish citizens requiring emergency assistance on weekends and public holidays.

If you are in need of emergency assistance during these times, you should leave a message on the emergency message system by calling +52 55 5520 5803.

Embassy of Ireland
Goldsmith 53
Piso 4
Polanco
Miguel Hidalgo,
Ciudad de México,
México

Tel: +52 55 5520 5803

Monday to Friday 09:30 to 13:30

Contact us