Belize Readies for a Reopening after 192 Days of Closed Borders

by Carolee Chanona September 15, 2020

written by Carolee Chanona

After 192 days of border closure, leisure travel to Belize will resume on October 1, 2020 with its airport reopening. Travelers arriving on or after Oct. 1 are required to test negative for Covid, whether within the 72 hours of travel or on arrival at the airport. Arrivals who produce a positive test result will be subject to a 14-day quarantine, or until they test negative. Additionally, travelers must must also download and complete online forms in the Belize Health App within 72 hours of travel. At Belize’s October 1 reopening, entry requirements for various classifications of traveler carry slight variations.

The Belize Health App forms DOES NOT need to be completed more than 72 hours in advance. If you do so any earlier, the unique code will expire and you will need to start the process over.

Learn more your Classification as a Traveler

Learn more about travel to Belize during Covid with the Belize Gold Book.

What to expect as a Tourist

As a tourist, you can take a PCR Test for a negative test result within the 72 hours of boarding your flight to Belize. Without, you’ll need to pay US$50.00 per person for a double rapid test at the Belize airport’s health clinic. The double rapid test includes a Rapid Antigen Test (nasal swab) and an Antibody IgG/IgM combo test (finger prick blood test); both take approximately 5 to 15 minutes for results. However, depending on your non-invasive health screening like contactless temperature scanning, you can be selected for secondary testing. All tourists must also book a hotel with a Recognized Gold Standard certified property approved to reopen during Belize’s Phase 3 Safe Corridors (see full list here). Additionally, tourists will be subject to daily check-ins via the Belize Health App.

Bringing a negative PCR Test taken within 72 Hours of Travel? Access Belize’s Fast Track Lane!

Belize’s Tourism Safe Corridor

Once Belize reopens its air border, tourists can enjoy and explore the country’s Tourism Safe Corridor. To be eligible to reopen during Phase 3, accommodations must have:

A full service restaurant and bar, or
A fully furnished kitchen with the ability to offer grocery delivery services for guests, or
Establish an agreement with a licensed restaurant or catering service to provide daily meals for guests

Additionally, properties must also have a pool and/or beach front access, guest activities and entertainment, plus the ability to offer guided tours. Travelers that choose Belize can look forward to touring the tropical, year-round weather and explore all the adventures Belize has to offer – safely. Besides not having to worry about crowds that could increase risks, you can discover the lush landscape with a Gold Standard Certified Tour Operator alongside some limitations to self-guided activities.

Planning to visit Belize as a tourist? Book with a Certified Gold Standard Hotel approved for international guests here!

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Travel regulations and requirements are subject to change as new developments in COVID-19 arise. It is important to visit www.travelbelize.org/health-safety before booking travel or visiting Belize.

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reopening

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Carolee Chanona

Editor, copywriter, and staycation advocate by trade, Carolee Chanona brings an incurable case of Belizean wanderlust to the Caribbean Lifestyle team. With a formal background in Environmental Policy and an informal one in culinary kitchens, every Belizean experience told through the eyes of this local includes memorable experiences in the places she loves most. Lover of both adventure holidays and quiet beachside escapes, Carolee especially enjoys destinations explored off the beaten path in Belize—traversed on an oxygen tank or in her handy-dandy hiking boots.