Belize is officially open for tourism, and there’s a handful of entry requirements all travelers should know. Firstly, all arriving passengers to Belize must test negative for COVID-19; either by providing your vaccination records, pre-testing or by testing on arrival. Secondly, all travelers no longer need to download and complete the Belize Health App. Instead, you’ll only need to complete the Customs & Immigrations form provided. Thirdly, all tourists must book with an approved Gold Standard certified accommodation. All inbound passengers will be screened on arrival to Belize with contact-less technology. In addition to undergoing non-invasive temperature checks and observations, passengers may be subject to additional testing depending on screening results. As a reminder, face masks are required to be worn at all times throughout the entire airport process; from deplaning to exiting the airport.
1-2-3 Entry Requirements to Belize
1. Pre-Travel Requirements
Look out for the seal of approval on Gold Standard accommodations. Photo by Las Terrazas Resort & Residencies
Travelers are no longer required to download and complete the Belize Travel Health app, regardless of nationality. Instead, all arriving guests will only need to complete the Customs & Immigrations form provided to you on your flight to Belize.
Leisurely travelers must also book with a certified Gold Standard Hotel; travelers must provide reservation confirmation at Immigration.
2. Pre-Travel Testing Requirements
Americans need a passport to travel to Belize and require either immunization—like being fully vaccinated— or a negative COVID-19 test result to gain entry. Negative results may be by a PCR Test within 96 hours of travel, a Rapid Test within 48 hours of travel, or a Rapid Test on arrival inside the airport clinic for US$50 per person.
An American Airlines flight on arrival to the PGIA. Photo courtesy Belize Tourism Board
Both results will inherently “fast track” your process through the Philip Goldson International Airport upon arrival in Belize City. Although while COVID-19 pre-testing is strongly recommended to travel to Belize, it is also optional. You can still land in the country without one, but you must test negative for COVID-19 to enter.
3. Vacationing Responsibly in Belize
Photo courtesy Grand Caribe Belize
Travelers to Belize should anticipate enhanced health and safety protocols from the time they step off of the plane, including face mask mandates, COVID-19 result verification, social distancing markers, temperature screenings and hand sanitizing stations. These elevated measures will be omnipresent throughout the trip, with hotels and resorts screening guests for COVID-19 symptoms such as fever and sanitizing their luggage on arrival. In addition to frequent cleaning and capacity limits, many properties are offering contactless features such as mobile room keys and paperless check-in and receipts. Seating areas at beaches, pools and restaurants will also be spaced out to allow for social distancing with QR codes replacing physical menus in many cases.
Tourists can also vacation with peace of mind by remaining inside Belize’s Tourism Safe Corridor. To do so, look out for the Tourism Gold Standard seal of approval at tourism sites, gift shops, restaurants, and more.
What if I test positive?
Visitors who test positive will need to remain in the mandatory quarantine at their Gold Standard hotel; this is at their own expense until cleared as negative. However, this mandatory 14-day quarantine following a positive test applies to both tourists and Belizeans. For more information, visit belizetourismboard.org.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This blog was originally published on September 12, 2020. The most recent edit reflecting updated requirements has been made May 13, 2021. Header photo courtesy of the Belize Tourism Board.
