GETTING HERE
Traveling to Belize is as easy as 1, 2, 3.
There are many direct flights from Canada and the US, and European travelers can fly via the US or Cancun and catch a puddle jumper to Belize City.
What Airlines fly to Belize?
- Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta
- JetBlue Southwest
- Sun Country* Tropic Air, United, WestJet
- Air Canada* Copa
- TAG
*Some airlines have seasonal schedules, usually from December to April each year.
- Canadian Gateways: Calgary (YYC) Toronto (YYZ)
- US Gateways: Atlanta (ATL) Charlotte (CLT) Chicago (ORD) Dallas (DFW) Denver (DEN) Houston (HOU and
IAH)Newark (EWR) New York (JFK) Seattle (SEA) Los Angeles (LAX) Miami (MIA) Minneapolis (MSP) - Mexican Gateways: Cancun (CUN)
- Central American Gateways: Guatemala City (GUA) Panama City (PTY) Roatan (RTB) San Pedro Sula (SAP)
San Salvador (SAL)
If you are spending time traveling in Belize before or after sailing, domestic puddle jumpers connect the mainland to the cayes and tourist destinations in the north and south of the country. The two carriers are Maya Island Air and Tropic Air. Be sure to have your camera handy, as the views of the reef and cayes are breathtaking.
Please refer to the Belize Tourism Website for the most current list of airline carriers providing services to Belize, or contact us to find the easiest route.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Entry Requirements:
All visitors must have a passport valid at least six months beyond their arrival date in Belize. Additionally, most travelers do not require a visa, except for a few countries with special requirements. Countries that don’t require a visa include European Union members, CARICOM, Canada, and the United States, among others.
Traveling with Children:
Children traveling with one parent or guardian must have a notarized permission letter signed before arrival in Belize. Otherwise, most international airlines will deny boarding to children without proper documentation from the U.S., Canada, or some European countries.
Immigration:
Contact the airline or immigration department before your trip to ensure smooth boarding and avoid issues at the airport.
Customs:
Returning U.S. residents have a $400 duty-free exemption per person or $1,100 per family, plus one quart of alcohol and 200 cigarettes.
Currency:
The official Belize dollar is pegged at 2 BZ$ = 1 US$, though U.S. dollars are widely accepted across most destinations. ATMs are widely available in tourist areas, including Belize City, Belmopan, Caye Caulker, Corozal, Orange Walk, Placencia, Punta Gorda, San Ignacio, and San Pedro. Most accommodations and tours list prices in U.S. dollars, while smaller restaurants and shops often charge in BZ dollars.
Language:
English is Belize’s official language, but most locals also speak Creole, Spanish, or other indigenous languages such as Yucatec, Mopán, and Kekchí. Additionally, the Garifuna speak an Arawak-based language, often alongside English or Spanish, and Mennonites speak Plautdietsch, influenced by Dutch and German.
Weather:
Belize has a sub-tropical climate with a constant Caribbean breeze and an average temperature of 79°F. The dry season runs December through May, though December may still see occasional downpours. March can be windy with trade winds, ideal for kiteboarding or windsurfing, while April through June offer sun-filled skies. The rainy season is June through November; early months are good for visiting, though mainland attractions may close due to flooding. Summer months can become very hot and humid along the coast, while September and October are peak tropical storm season; hurricanes remain rare.
Sargassum: Macroalgae from the Sargasso Sea appears unpredictably along Caribbean coasts due to climate change and nutrient inflows, affecting beaches intermittently.
Health:
No vaccinations are required, though standard immunizations such as chickenpox, diphtheria, hepatitis, measles, tetanus, and typhoid are recommended. Pharmacies are well-equipped in tourist areas, and travelers should consult their doctors for specific medication advice.
Other:
Electrical Outlets: Belize uses 110V and U.S. outlets, so European visitors should bring a travel adaptor, while U.S. travelers need none.
Tipping Etiquette: Standard tips range from 10–20% for taxis, guides, bars, and restaurants. Housekeeping tips are appreciated where service fees are not included.
For Captains and Chefs: Gratuities are welcome, generally suggested at 15–20% of the charter rate, depending on guest discretion.
PACKING TIPS
The average temperature in Belize is approximately 85 degrees, with occasional tropical rainfall. We recommend the following items to make your trip more comfortable. Belize (and the destinations you will be visiting) is very casual, and you do not need to dress up for meals (unless you want to).A soft duffel bag, carry-on size (no hard cases so that we can stash your empty bags while underway)
- 2 swimsuits, 3-4 pairs of shorts, 5-6 short sleeve shirts (SPF sun/swim shirts are recommended), and something
- casual for dinner or lunch during island stops (sundress, )
- Hat, insect repellent spray, lip protection, reef-safe sunscreen*, sunglasses
- 1 lightweight rain jacket, 1 long sleeve shirt, 1 sweatshirt
- 1 pair of hiking boots/tennis shoes (if you plan on hiking or running), 1 pair of sandals, 1 pair of water shoes A good book or two, your favorite playlist (although we have great music on-board!), cards, dominoes, and other easy-to-pack games your family enjoys
- We have snorkeling gear on-board; however, if you have that special mask that fits, bring it
Protecting the environment
We believe in doing our part to protect the beautiful Belizean barrier reef, we recommend the use of health- and reef-safe sunscreens. Most common sunscreens include the chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate which not only interfere with the human hormone system but are also harmful to coral and underwater life and can lead to coral bleaching. We recommend mineral-based sunscreens that only include zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as active ingredients. Thank you for helping us protect Belize’s fragile coral reef system and underwater life!
Here is a list of approved reef-safe sunscreen brands that can be purchased online.
- Avasol Responsible Suncare SPF 30/50
- Babo Botanicals Clear Zinc Lotion SPF30
- Loving Naturals Clear Body All-natural Sunscreen SPF30+
- Raw Elements Certified Natural Sunscreen SPF30
- Think sport Straight Goop On Sunscreen SPF50
Book Your Next Charter Today
Out of the Blue Yacht Charters
Direct- 757-759-8960
info@outoftheblueyachtcharters.com
(Vacations, 2025)
