Difference between revisions of "Belize"

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{{metadata_country}} [[Category:Country]] {{pricecontrol_country}}
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{{onRoute|Pan American Highway}} {{metadata_country}} [[Category:Country]] {{pricecontrol_country}}
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 +
=Visiting {{PAGENAME}}=
 +
Belize is a great English-speaking country to visit, there are plenty of things to see and do, and the border crossings are simple.
  
 
=Entering {{PAGENAME}} with a Car or Motorbike=
 
=Entering {{PAGENAME}} with a Car or Motorbike=
−
'''Correct as of: <span style="color:red">Jan 2010</span>'''
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'''Correct as of: <span style="color:red">January 2015</span>'''
  
−
==Required Paperwork==
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==Required Paperwork==  
−
* Passport of registered owner (original and 1 copy).
+
{{visa_country}}
−
* [[Vehicle registration]] (original and 1 copy).
+
* Passport of registered owner (original).
−
* [[Drivers license]] of registered owner (original and 1 copy).
+
* [[Vehicle registration]] (original).
 +
* [[Drivers license]] of registered owner (original).
 +
* No photocopy of the documents required.
 +
* No COVID test required.
  
 
==Process at border==
 
==Process at border==
−
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* The vehicle must be fumigated, which costs <price cost="6" currency="BZD"/> for a motorcycle, <price cost="10" currency="BZD"/> for a sedan, and <price cost="11" currency="BZD"/> for an SUV. Be sure to get a receipt. The fumigation station can be easy to miss. At the Chetumal border crossing from Mexico, the station is a small, tin roof building you see before you get to the immigration buildings. Note that it is on the *new* bridge, which is one of two roads that take you through the border crossing. Google Maps directed this way automatically on 12/30/18.
−
{{visa_country}}
+
* The vehicle must be parked on the right on a small gravel lot on the side of the road, and the owner and all occupants of the vehicle gain entry at immigration (''migración''), including a stamp in their Passport. You *need* an exit stamp from the Mexican Banjercito before this point.
−
* Your vehicle will be fumigated, which costs <price cost="80" currency="MXN" />. Be sure to get a receipt.
+
−
* The owner of the vehicle gains entry at immigration (''migración''), including a stamp in their Passport.
+
 
* The owner must show the new passport stamp, [[drivers license]] and the original [[vehicle registration]] to customs (''aduana'').
 
* The owner must show the new passport stamp, [[drivers license]] and the original [[vehicle registration]] to customs (''aduana'').
−
* The owner is issued a temporary import permit for the vehicle.
+
* The owner is issued a temporary import permit for the vehicle which is a stamp in your passport, after inspection of vehicle.
 +
* Owner must pay <price cost="30" currency="BZD"/> Foreign Vehicle Border Processing Fee (trailers, cars, vans, autos). Motorcycles pay <price cost="15" currency="BZD"/>.
 +
* You have to purchase insurance. This is done past the customs checkpoint, at the INSURANCE CORPORATION of Belize, Ltd building. Typical cost for 30 days is <price cost="60" currency="BZD"/>. Typical cost for 7 days is <price cost="30" currency="BZD"/>. As of 12/30/18, it cost $12 BZD for 24 hours of insurance to simply drive through to Guatemala.
 +
* GPS coordinates & photos of the Money changers hut, New Mexican Border post, Banjercito & the Belize insurance office can be found [http://myoverlandadventure.com/mexico-belize-border-crossing/ here]
 +
 
 +
'''NOTE:''' You may encounter pushy locals offering to help you with paperwork to get across the border. They may try to trick you into buying insurance from them for a very high price. See  [[Pan_American_Highway#Helpers|Border Crossing Helpers]] for advice.
 +
 
 +
'''NOTE:''' If you stayed longer than about 5 months in Mexico you might be denied to enter Belize! They have a new policy to reject tourists that were too long Mexico to avoid VISA runs! Stay calm and try to explain your trip, plans etc. If you have dogs that's a big plus and you will probably enter easier, since people doing VISA runs don't go with dogs.<ref>[http://www.pawsontour.com/iea/DOWNLOADS/Grenzuebergang/grenzuebergang.html Pawsontour Mexico-Belize border crossing problems 2013]</ref>
  
−
'''NOTE:''' You will encounter pushy locals offering to help you with paperwork to get across the border. They may try to trick you into buying insurance from them for a very high price. See  [[Pan_American_Highway#Helpers|Border Crossing Helpers]] for advice.
+
'''NOTE FOR PETS:''' On 12/30/18 overlanders reported crossing with a dog. They stopped by a vet in Playa del Carmen the day before and easily got all the papers they needed for this, same day as the visit. The vet had been through this many times and just checked the dog for a bit then the US vet papers briefly, followed by a de-worming. The overlanders simply handed those papers a day later to a guy at the aduana after "declaring" a dog, paid $110 BZD, and received a receipt and paperwork for the dog. The whole thing took 5 minutes.
 +
2.17.23 UPDATE: In addition to a Health Certificate issued within 2 weeks of entry as mentioned above, you must submit an application for animal import through BAHA before arriving at the border. The application can be found here: https://baha.org.bz/departments/animal-health/entry-requirements/ Email the completed and signed application to the address at the bottom of the page. Processing takes 5 business days, they will email you upon approval. BAHA has an office at the border, the officer will look up the approved application in their system, make copies of the health and rabies certificates, pay $70BZD (credit cards accepted), then give you a receipt and certificate. No action required upon exit of Belize.
  
 
==Cost of entry==
 
==Cost of entry==
−
* <price cost="80" currency="MXN" /> for fumigation.
+
*Fumigation of a motorcycle costs <price cost="6" currency="BZD"/>, the cost for a car is <price cost="10" currency="BZD"/>, and an SUV costs <price cost="11" currency="BZD"/>). The fumigation station at Chetumal will also take pesos (<price cost="80" currency="MXN"/>).
 +
*<price cost="30" currency="BZD"/> Foreign Vehicle Border Processing Fee (trailers, cars, vans, autos). Motorcycles pay <price cost="15" currency="BZD"/>
  
 
==Permitted length of stay==
 
==Permitted length of stay==
−
90 days.
+
30 days, but you can extend for up to 90 days.
  
 
==Extension of stay==
 
==Extension of stay==
Line 31: Line 44:
  
 
==Storing a vehicle and temporarily leaving the country==
 
==Storing a vehicle and temporarily leaving the country==
−
(unknown) <br/>
+
 
−
''Describe if/how a vehicle can be stored, and for how long.'' <br />
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The owner of the vehicle can leave the country ONLY with the vehicle itself.  On his / her passport there will be a stamp that links the passport with the temporary import of the vehicle.
−
''Also mention if the owner / temporary importer can leave the country while the vehicle is in storage.''
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Hence, it is not possible to store the vehicle and leave without it.
 +
 
 +
The only other way is to ask for a vehicle import license, which allows you to import the vehicle legally and naturalize it as belizean.  Within 90 days you are supposed to get local license plates and pay the import duties. Some people do not do it, and continue to use the vehicle without ever paying duty.  Without having the duty paid paperwork you cannot sell the vehicle and transfer the ownership to a new person.
  
 
==Exiting with a vehicle==
 
==Exiting with a vehicle==
−
* People must pay an exit tax of <price cost="37.50" currency="BZD" /> per person.
+
* As with entering Belize, the car must be parked, and occupants enter the Immigration building.
 +
* Each person must pay an exit tax of <price cost="40.00" currency="BZD" /> per adult, <price cost="18.25" currency="BZD" /> for children. There is no exit fee for kids under 12. This payment must be made in Belize or US dollars.
 
* The registered owner presents the temporary import paper to customs.
 
* The registered owner presents the temporary import paper to customs.
−
* The registered owner is stamped out of Guatemala at immigration.  
+
* The registered owner is stamped out of Belize at immigration.
 +
if you're just transit in one day. You don't have to pay the <price cost="40.00" currency="BZD" /> exit tax.
 +
 
 +
'''NOTE:''' You may encounter very pushy locals offering to help you with paperwork to get across the border. See  [[Pan_American_Highway#Central_America|Central America Border Crossings]] for advice.
 +
 
 +
=Driving in {{PAGENAME}}=
 +
==Recommended books for Overlanding in {{PAGENAME}}==
 +
{{guide_books_country}}
 +
 
 +
==Travel Medical Insurance for {{PAGENAME}}==
 +
{{Travel insurance country}}
  
−
'''NOTE:''' As with entering Belize, you will definitely encounter very pushy locals offering to help you with paperwork to get across the border. See  [[Pan_American_Highway#Central_America|Central America Border Crossings]] for advice.
+
[https://www.imglobal.com/travel-medical-insurance/patriot-platinum?gad=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw3a2iBhCFARIsAD4jQB2rYUNB9-4fPtjuCeZWmZrmsoj-6lE0h4p53NJ42Kg3ZSWM6CO6C6YaAtvQEALw_wcB/ IMG Patriot Health Insuraunce] is another good option
  
−
=Driving in {{PAGENAME}}=
+
==Vehicle insurance requirements==
−
==Insurance requirements==
+
 
Insurance is mandatory in Belize, and you will be asked for it by Police
 
Insurance is mandatory in Belize, and you will be asked for it by Police
  
 
===Cost of insurance===
 
===Cost of insurance===
−
<price cost="46" currency="BZD" /> for two weeks for a 4x4.
+
<price cost="46" currency="BZD" /> for two weeks for a 4x4. <ref>[http://liferemotely.com/trip-shenanigans/belize/143-mexico-to-belize-border-crossing Life Remotely Mexico to Belize Border Crossing]</ref> <price cost="60" currency="BZD" /> for a motorcycle for 30 days
 +
<price cost="29" currency="BZD" /> for a suv for one week.
 +
<price cost="84" currency="MXN" /> for a car for 24 hours.
  
 
===Where to purchase insurance===
 
===Where to purchase insurance===
−
There are a couple of offices right at the border. The Insurance Corporation of Belize Ltd. seems to understand the idea of Overlanding and so purchasing insurance there is easy.
+
The Insurance Corporation of Belize Ltd has an office about 1/4 mile past the Santa Elena border crossing, its a large white building and hard to miss. If in doubt ask customs point it out for you. They accept VISA/Mastercard, US dollars, Belize dollars and Mexican Pesos.
  
 
==Driving license==
 
==Driving license==
Line 80: Line 107:
  
 
==Traveling with pets==
 
==Traveling with pets==
−
Unknown. <br />
+
 
−
''List the entry requirements and anything else required to travel with a pet.''
+
According to travelers in 2012, you need: <ref>[http://www.earthcircuit.org/blog/2012/08/19/central-american-borders-and-dogs/ Central American Borders and dogs]</ref>
 +
 
 +
Entering Belize with dogs is officially pretty difficult and needs some preparation. Travelers in 2013 explained all the steps when traveling from Mexico to Belize: <ref>[http://www.pawsontour.com/iea/reisen-mit-hund/erfahrungen-von-unterwegs/erfahrungen-von-unterwegs.html Traveling with dogs from Canada to Argentina. Experiences and Infos.]</ref><br>
 +
 
 +
* A Health Certificate for the animal (max. 5 days old!)
 +
* A vaccination record (nothing older than 30days!)
 +
* You need to fill out a [http://pettravelstore.com/products/Pet-Passport-Belize.html Belize Pet Passport form] to save costs! (<price cost="25" currency="BZD" /> instead of <price cost="50" currency="BZD" /> per dog)
 +
<br>
 +
You might not be asked for all these, but you should have them ready.
 +
 
 +
As of September 2017 we (slowcarfasthouse) contacted the BAHA (www.baha.org.bz)  and received an email with attachments of the procedures and the application.  We visited a veterinarian who wrote a statement of our dogs health, addressing the key points outlined in the procedures.  I filled out the application and submitted the vet statement.  BAHA advises that it can take up to 7 days to process and then the permit will be waiting at the border we intend to cross. Fees are to be paid at at the border.  I have uploaded the attachments to Facebook page "Animal Travelers" file section.
  
 
=Gas and Diesel price in {{PAGENAME}}=
 
=Gas and Diesel price in {{PAGENAME}}=
−
'''Last updated: <span style="color:red">September 2009</span>'''<br />
+
'''Last updated: <span style="color:red">Aug 2016'''<br />
  
 
<!-- Do not alter the following line. Include it as is. -->
 
<!-- Do not alter the following line. Include it as is. -->
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|-
 
|-
 
| Regular
 
| Regular
−
| <price cost="12" currency="BZD" unit="galUS" /> <ref>[http://theroadchoseme.com/belize-wilderness Belize Wilderness | The Road Chose Me]</ref>
+
| ??
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Super (90)
 
| Super (90)
−
| ??
+
| <price cost="9.8" currency="BZD" unit="galUS" />
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Premium (95)
 
| Premium (95)
−
| ??
+
| <price cost="10.4" currency="BZD" unit="galUS" />
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Ultra (97)
 
| Ultra (97)
Line 107: Line 144:
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Normal Diesel
 
| Normal Diesel
−
| <price cost="0.94710" currency="USD" unit="liter" /><ref>[http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/4wd-overland-travel/fuel-price-anybody-49494#post292247 fuel price - anybody ? - The HUBB]</ref>
+
| <price cost="1.355" currency="USD" unit="liter" />
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Diesel (low sulfur)
 
| Diesel (low sulfur)
Line 127: Line 164:
  
 
==Vehicle parking==
 
==Vehicle parking==
−
Find a secure parking lot to park in big cities. Price unknown.
+
* Find a secure parking lot to park in big cities. Price unknown.
 +
* Backpacker's Paradise<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/pages/Backpackers-PARADISE/163577321560 Backpacker's Paradise]</ref> in Sarteneja offers secure parking for <price cost="5" currency="USD" /> per day if you want to go visit the Cayes without your vehicle.
 +
Corozal by the highway southward has fenced parking, reasonable. They take you to/from the ferry.
  
 
==Special driving considerations==
 
==Special driving considerations==
Line 147: Line 186:
 
=Navigation=
 
=Navigation=
 
==Paper maps==
 
==Paper maps==
 +
Reise Know-How are among the best paper maps. Purchase paper maps before arriving in {{PAGENAME}}
 +
{{paper_maps_country}}
 
The [http://www.amazon.com/2011-Mexico-Atlas-Carreteras-Spanish/dp/6074031320/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321077573&sr=1-3 Mexico Road Atlas] also has maps of Belize. It can be bought at gas stations within Mexico for around <price cost="20" currency="USD" />. It is updated yearly, and is in Spanish.
 
The [http://www.amazon.com/2011-Mexico-Atlas-Carreteras-Spanish/dp/6074031320/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321077573&sr=1-3 Mexico Road Atlas] also has maps of Belize. It can be bought at gas stations within Mexico for around <price cost="20" currency="USD" />. It is updated yearly, and is in Spanish.
  
 
==GPS Maps of {{PAGENAME}}==
 
==GPS Maps of {{PAGENAME}}==
 
* Open Street Map: Appears to have good coverage.<ref>[http://www.openstreetmap.org/?lat=16.83&lon=-88.76&zoom=7&layers=M OpenStreetMap Belize]</ref>
 
* Open Street Map: Appears to have good coverage.<ref>[http://www.openstreetmap.org/?lat=16.83&lon=-88.76&zoom=7&layers=M OpenStreetMap Belize]</ref>
 +
* Cenrut: Free Open Source GPS map of Central America. Coverage is occasionally better than OSM. <ref>[http://www.cenrut.org/adw/over.htm Cenrut Mapping Project]</ref>
 
* Garmin: Apparently no map of Belize.
 
* Garmin: Apparently no map of Belize.
 
* TomTom: No map of Belize. <ref>[http://uk.support.tomtom.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/9885/ TomTom Map availability]</ref>
 
* TomTom: No map of Belize. <ref>[http://uk.support.tomtom.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/9885/ TomTom Map availability]</ref>
  
 
==GPS co-ordinates for camping, propane, gas, repairs, etc. in {{PAGENAME}}==
 
==GPS co-ordinates for camping, propane, gas, repairs, etc. in {{PAGENAME}}==
 +
* [http://ioverlander.com/ iOverlander] is a website and iPhone application designed by Overlanders, for Overlanders. It contains GPS co-ordinates and reviews for camping, hotels, propane, water, mechanics, borders and much more.
 +
*[http://www.pawsontour.com/iea/DOWNLOADS/GPS-Waypoints/gps-waypoints.html Places in Belize - Camping Places & Sights in Belize by Pawsontour]
 +
* [http://liferemotely.com/trip-shenanigans/belize/195-belize-campgrounds-and-hotels Belize Campgrounds and Hotels - Life Remotely] - List of campgrounds and  hostels with photos, GPS co-ordinates, descriptions and amenities from 2012]
 
*[http://www.dare2go.com/campingCA.html#Belize Camping Sites: Belize] - Detailed list of campsites and propane filling with description, directions and GPS co-ordinates. Some at hotels (lists facilities and price), some roadside and free.
 
*[http://www.dare2go.com/campingCA.html#Belize Camping Sites: Belize] - Detailed list of campsites and propane filling with description, directions and GPS co-ordinates. Some at hotels (lists facilities and price), some roadside and free.
 
*[http://www.questconnect.org/ca_camping.htm Central America Camping Locations] - List of campsites, with basic directions and GPS co-ordinates. Mostly free sites.
 
*[http://www.questconnect.org/ca_camping.htm Central America Camping Locations] - List of campsites, with basic directions and GPS co-ordinates. Mostly free sites.
 +
*[http://www.odysseyatlas.com/anita/trip/Belize BELIZE] - A trip through the Belize with gps locations and prices recorded.
  
 
=Special Overland Travel interests=
 
=Special Overland Travel interests=
 
None.
 
None.
−
 
−
==Guide Books==
 
−
<!-- Do not alter the following line. Include it as is. -->
 
−
{{guide_books_country}}
 
  
 
=Vehicle Maintenance=
 
=Vehicle Maintenance=

Latest revision as of 05:03, 30 October 2023

Pan American Highway > Belize Currency to display:

Visiting Belize[edit]

Belize is a great English-speaking country to visit, there are plenty of things to see and do, and the border crossings are simple.

Entering Belize with a Car or Motorbike[edit]

Correct as of: January 2015

Required Paperwork[edit]

(To check if you need a travel Visa for Belize, application instructions and fees see: Belize Visa online application at VisaHQ.com)

  • Passport of registered owner (original).
  • Vehicle registration (original).
  • Drivers license of registered owner (original).
  • No photocopy of the documents required.
  • No COVID test required.

Process at border[edit]

  • The vehicle must be fumigated, which costs BZ$6.00 BZD for a motorcycle, BZ$10.00 BZD for a sedan, and BZ$11.00 BZD for an SUV. Be sure to get a receipt. The fumigation station can be easy to miss. At the Chetumal border crossing from Mexico, the station is a small, tin roof building you see before you get to the immigration buildings. Note that it is on the *new* bridge, which is one of two roads that take you through the border crossing. Google Maps directed this way automatically on 12/30/18.
  • The vehicle must be parked on the right on a small gravel lot on the side of the road, and the owner and all occupants of the vehicle gain entry at immigration (migración), including a stamp in their Passport. You *need* an exit stamp from the Mexican Banjercito before this point.
  • The owner must show the new passport stamp, drivers license and the original vehicle registration to customs (aduana).
  • The owner is issued a temporary import permit for the vehicle which is a stamp in your passport, after inspection of vehicle.
  • Owner must pay BZ$30.00 BZD Foreign Vehicle Border Processing Fee (trailers, cars, vans, autos). Motorcycles pay BZ$15.00 BZD.
  • You have to purchase insurance. This is done past the customs checkpoint, at the INSURANCE CORPORATION of Belize, Ltd building. Typical cost for 30 days is BZ$60.00 BZD. Typical cost for 7 days is BZ$30.00 BZD. As of 12/30/18, it cost $12 BZD for 24 hours of insurance to simply drive through to Guatemala.
  • GPS coordinates & photos of the Money changers hut, New Mexican Border post, Banjercito & the Belize insurance office can be found here

NOTE: You may encounter pushy locals offering to help you with paperwork to get across the border. They may try to trick you into buying insurance from them for a very high price. See Border Crossing Helpers for advice.

NOTE: If you stayed longer than about 5 months in Mexico you might be denied to enter Belize! They have a new policy to reject tourists that were too long Mexico to avoid VISA runs! Stay calm and try to explain your trip, plans etc. If you have dogs that's a big plus and you will probably enter easier, since people doing VISA runs don't go with dogs.[1]

NOTE FOR PETS: On 12/30/18 overlanders reported crossing with a dog. They stopped by a vet in Playa del Carmen the day before and easily got all the papers they needed for this, same day as the visit. The vet had been through this many times and just checked the dog for a bit then the US vet papers briefly, followed by a de-worming. The overlanders simply handed those papers a day later to a guy at the aduana after "declaring" a dog, paid $110 BZD, and received a receipt and paperwork for the dog. The whole thing took 5 minutes. 2.17.23 UPDATE: In addition to a Health Certificate issued within 2 weeks of entry as mentioned above, you must submit an application for animal import through BAHA before arriving at the border. The application can be found here: https://baha.org.bz/departments/animal-health/entry-requirements/ Email the completed and signed application to the address at the bottom of the page. Processing takes 5 business days, they will email you upon approval. BAHA has an office at the border, the officer will look up the approved application in their system, make copies of the health and rabies certificates, pay $70BZD (credit cards accepted), then give you a receipt and certificate. No action required upon exit of Belize.

Cost of entry[edit]

  • Fumigation of a motorcycle costs BZ$6.00 BZD, the cost for a car is BZ$10.00 BZD, and an SUV costs BZ$11.00 BZD). The fumigation station at Chetumal will also take pesos ($80.00 MXN).
  • BZ$30.00 BZD Foreign Vehicle Border Processing Fee (trailers, cars, vans, autos). Motorcycles pay BZ$15.00 BZD

Permitted length of stay[edit]

30 days, but you can extend for up to 90 days.

Extension of stay[edit]

Unknown.
Describe the process to extend the permitted length of entry for the vehicle, if possible.

Storing a vehicle and temporarily leaving the country[edit]

The owner of the vehicle can leave the country ONLY with the vehicle itself. On his / her passport there will be a stamp that links the passport with the temporary import of the vehicle. Hence, it is not possible to store the vehicle and leave without it.

The only other way is to ask for a vehicle import license, which allows you to import the vehicle legally and naturalize it as belizean. Within 90 days you are supposed to get local license plates and pay the import duties. Some people do not do it, and continue to use the vehicle without ever paying duty. Without having the duty paid paperwork you cannot sell the vehicle and transfer the ownership to a new person.

Exiting with a vehicle[edit]

  • As with entering Belize, the car must be parked, and occupants enter the Immigration building.
  • Each person must pay an exit tax of BZ$40.00 BZD per adult, BZ$18.25 BZD for children. There is no exit fee for kids under 12. This payment must be made in Belize or US dollars.
  • The registered owner presents the temporary import paper to customs.
  • The registered owner is stamped out of Belize at immigration.

if you're just transit in one day. You don't have to pay the BZ$40.00 BZD exit tax.

NOTE: You may encounter very pushy locals offering to help you with paperwork to get across the border. See Central America Border Crossings for advice.

Driving in Belize[edit]

Recommended books for Overlanding in Belize[edit]

Lonely Planet Belize (travel Guide)
Lonely Planet Belize (travel Guide)
by Lonely Planet, Alex Egerton, Paul Harding, Daniel ...
From $10.98 on Amazon
Work Less To Live Your Dreams: A Practical Guide To Sa...
Work Less To Live Your Dreams: A Practical Guide To Sa...
by Dan Grec
From $click on Amazon
Don't Go There. It's Not Safe. You'll Die. And Other M...
Don't Go There. It's Not Safe. You'll Die. And Other M...
by LifeRemotely.com
From $click on Amazon
Americas Overland - The Driving Handbook
Americas Overland - The Driving Handbook
by Donald Greene
From $29.95 on Amazon
99 Days To Panama: An Exploration Of Central America B...
99 Days To Panama: An Exploration Of Central America B...
by John Halkyard, Harriet Halkyard
From $20.96 on Amazon
Overlanders' Handbook: Worldwide Route And Planning Gu...
Overlanders' Handbook: Worldwide Route And Planning Gu...
by Chris Scott
From $22.49 on Amazon
Adventure Motorcycling Handbook: A Route & Planning Gu...
Adventure Motorcycling Handbook: A Route & Planning Gu...
by Chris Scott
From $click on Amazon
Belize, Guatemala & Southern Mexico Handbook (footprin...
Belize, Guatemala & Southern Mexico Handbook (footprin...
by Richard Arghiris
From $12.93 on Amazon

Travel Medical Insurance for Belize[edit]

World Nomads offer the most flexible Travel Insurance at the best prices for multi-country / multi-year trips. You can buy, extend and claim online, even after you've left home.

IMG Patriot Health Insuraunce is another good option

Vehicle insurance requirements[edit]

Insurance is mandatory in Belize, and you will be asked for it by Police

Cost of insurance[edit]

BZ$46.00 BZD for two weeks for a 4x4. [2] BZ$60.00 BZD for a motorcycle for 30 days BZ$29.00 BZD for a suv for one week. $84.00 MXN for a car for 24 hours.

Where to purchase insurance[edit]

The Insurance Corporation of Belize Ltd has an office about 1/4 mile past the Santa Elena border crossing, its a large white building and hard to miss. If in doubt ask customs point it out for you. They accept VISA/Mastercard, US dollars, Belize dollars and Mexican Pesos.

Driving license[edit]

Technically an International Driving Permit is required.
In reality, showing a license from anywhere in the world seems to be good enough.

Driving side of road[edit]

Right.
Right hand drive vehicles are permitted without problem.

Mandatory items in vehicle[edit]

None.

Roads[edit]

General Road quality[edit]

Roads in Belize are typically good, though you can expect dirt roads to be impassible mud pits in the rainy season.

Road signs[edit]

Road signs are common enough, and are generally good enough to rely on.

Toll roads[edit]

None.

Bribery in Belize[edit]

Police bribery is uncommon in Belize, but it might happen. See the bribery tips page for advice.

Checkpoints[edit]

Police checkpoints are common in Belize, where the Police primarily want to see your vehicle insurance. You'll be asked to show your Passport, Vehicle registration, drivers license, vehicle insurance and the temporary import permit you were issued at the border.

Traveling with pets[edit]

According to travelers in 2012, you need: [3]

Entering Belize with dogs is officially pretty difficult and needs some preparation. Travelers in 2013 explained all the steps when traveling from Mexico to Belize: [4]

  • A Health Certificate for the animal (max. 5 days old!)
  • A vaccination record (nothing older than 30days!)
  • You need to fill out a Belize Pet Passport form to save costs! (BZ$25.00 BZD instead of BZ$50.00 BZD per dog)


You might not be asked for all these, but you should have them ready.

As of September 2017 we (slowcarfasthouse) contacted the BAHA (www.baha.org.bz) and received an email with attachments of the procedures and the application. We visited a veterinarian who wrote a statement of our dogs health, addressing the key points outlined in the procedures. I filled out the application and submitted the vet statement. BAHA advises that it can take up to 7 days to process and then the permit will be waiting at the border we intend to cross. Fees are to be paid at at the border. I have uploaded the attachments to Facebook page "Animal Travelers" file section.

Gas and Diesel price in Belize[edit]

Last updated: Aug 2016

Currency and unit to display:

Gasoline Grade Price
Regular  ??
Super (90) BZ$9.80 BZD per Gallon (US)
Premium (95) BZ$10.40 BZD per Gallon (US)
Ultra (97)  ??
Normal Diesel $1.36 USD per Liter
Diesel (low sulfur)  ??

Gas and Diesel Availability / Frequency[edit]

Gasoline is common.

Gas and Diesel Quality[edit]

Accepted to be good quality. Sulfur content of diesel is unknown.

Safety and Security Considerations[edit]

Driving at night[edit]

Driving at night is probably OK in Belize, though definitely not recommended in big cities like Belize City due to safety considerations.

  • The border with [Guatemala] is known to be particularly full of bandits and people wishing to visit the ruins of Caracol in the area will be given a military escort along the roads.

Vehicle parking[edit]

  • Find a secure parking lot to park in big cities. Price unknown.
  • Backpacker's Paradise[5] in Sarteneja offers secure parking for $5.00 USD per day if you want to go visit the Cayes without your vehicle.

Corozal by the highway southward has fenced parking, reasonable. They take you to/from the ferry.

Special driving considerations[edit]

None.

Security advisories and information[edit]

Camping in Belize[edit]

Camping is becoming more popular in Belize, and you will almost always find somewhere in the rural areas. Roadside camping is also OK in smaller places.

Camping guide books[edit]

The Traveler's Guide to Mexican Camping also contains information on Belize. Information includes detailed maps, GPS co-ordinates, and descriptions of campground facilities.

Drinking water[edit]

Tap water in Belize is not safe to drink.

Navigation[edit]

Paper maps[edit]

Reise Know-How are among the best paper maps. Purchase paper maps before arriving in Belize

Guatemala & Belize 1:500,000 Travel Map, Waterproof, G...
Guatemala & Belize 1:500,000 Travel Map, Waterproof, G...
by Reise KnowHow
From $12.95 on Amazon
Belize (national Geographic Adventure Map)
Belize (national Geographic Adventure Map)
by National Geographic Maps - Adventure
From $7.71 on Amazon
Belize (national Geographic Adventure Map)
Belize (national Geographic Adventure Map)
by National Geographic Maps - Adventure
From $7.71 on Amazon
Lonely Planet Guatemala, Belize & Yucatan La Ruta Maya...
Lonely Planet Guatemala, Belize & Yucatan La Ruta Maya...
by Tom Brosnahan, Nancy Keller
From $40.15 on Amazon

The Mexico Road Atlas also has maps of Belize. It can be bought at gas stations within Mexico for around $20.00 USD. It is updated yearly, and is in Spanish.

GPS Maps of Belize[edit]

  • Open Street Map: Appears to have good coverage.[6]
  • Cenrut: Free Open Source GPS map of Central America. Coverage is occasionally better than OSM. [7]
  • Garmin: Apparently no map of Belize.
  • TomTom: No map of Belize. [8]

GPS co-ordinates for camping, propane, gas, repairs, etc. in Belize[edit]

Special Overland Travel interests[edit]

None.

Vehicle Maintenance[edit]

Dealers[edit]

4x4s / Trucks

Motorbikes

Local Garages[edit]

Add known good mechanics here.

Buy or sell a car or motorbike in Belize[edit]

Buy
Unknown.

Sell
Unknown.

References[edit]

  1. ↑ Pawsontour Mexico-Belize border crossing problems 2013
  2. ↑ Life Remotely Mexico to Belize Border Crossing
  3. ↑ Central American Borders and dogs
  4. ↑ Traveling with dogs from Canada to Argentina. Experiences and Infos.
  5. ↑ Backpacker's Paradise
  6. ↑ OpenStreetMap Belize
  7. ↑ Cenrut Mapping Project
  8. ↑ TomTom Map availability

Helpful External links[edit]

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