Getting To Belize By Air
Most all visitors travel to Belize by air – the safest, fastest and most convenient way to get to Belize arriving at Belize City’s Phillip Goldson International airport (BZE). Almost all flights to Belize originate from the U.S. hubs at Miami, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Los Angeles and Newark. The major airlines serving Belize are American Airline, Delta, Continental, United, US Airways and WestJet from Canada. The cost of airfare to Belize can be high compared to for example Cancun in Mexico, so much so that regular travelers sometimes opt to fly into Cancun and from there ride the ADO bus to Belize. Getting to Belize from Guatemala and Mexico is easier by land, public or chartered tour bus, rented vehicle or by sea. Local Belize Airlines Tropic and Maya Island Air operate daily flights from Guatemala and Honduras using Cessna Caravan equipment.
For additional information regarding amenities, quick facts, and other helpful details about Philip Goldson International Airport, please click here for PGIA Passenger Info And Quick Facts. It is generally recommended to allow yourself a few hours between your arrival in Belize City and any connecting flights or water taxis you may have. Although the airport is small and typically not crowded, there are instances where two or three full-size jets land simultaneously, resulting in a rush of passengers trying to clear customs and retrieve their luggage all at once.
All private aircraft arriving in Belize must be cleared at the PGIA through the Belize Airport Authority and Civil Aviation Department. The maximum airport runway available is 9,900 feet. The PGIA is designated as a Category 8 Airport in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Annex 14 Standards and Recommended Practices.
How To Get To Belize By Land
Getting to Belize from Guatemala and Mexico is easier by land, public or chartered tour bus, rented vehicle or by sea. Regular bus and busito (small bus) transport is readily available at the land borders with Guatemala and Mexico. Fuente Del Norte and Linia Dorada (Guatemala) and ADO Bus (Mexico) make runs all the way to Belize City catering to tourists wanting to catch the water taxis to Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. In the south entry is possible by sea at Punta Gorda Toledo district which has several water taxi operators travelling to and from neighbouring Guatemala and Honduras. Artisanal fishermen and locals enter and exit Belize informally in the south using the Sartstoon and Temash rivers and numerous creeks as transportation corridors. Milpa farmers regularly criss-cross the Belize land border with Guatemala in this area. Belize has formal border crossings at Benque Viejo del Carmen in Western Belize, and at Santa Elena Corozal bordering Chetumal Quintana Roo in the north. Like in the south, informal crossings by river, creeks and land are numerous in the Orange Walk and Corozal districts. The north of Belize has the least rainfall and rivers and creeks are small and shallow especially in the dry season. To say that Belize has porous land borders, is an understatement.
Belize Entry Requirements
You must have a valid passport to enter Belize, with at least six months before expiration, but visas are not required for citizens of the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and most Caribbean and European Union countries. You should also have an onward or return ticket. Immigration in Belize won’t ask for it, but the airline you fly in on most likely will. Entry is granted for up to 30 days, with renewals of up to a total of six months permitted (renewals cost US$25. per month for the first six months, then US$50. a month.) Children under 18 years of age must have proper documentation, including a valid passport and letter of parental consent. Children traveling with one parent require a notarized letter of authority from the other parent indicating travel consent.
Effective 1st December 2024, electronic Immigration and Customs departure and arrival forms were introduced alongside paper forms for all travellers entering and departing through the Philip Goldson International Airport. The use of electronic forms to all ports of entry is effective end of January 2025, and complete phase-out of paper forms March 31, 2025: Belize Digital Customs Forms (will open in new tab).
What to Pack and Bring
Belize is a very casual country. You don’t need evening clothes or even a coat and tie or other U.S.-style business dress. You’ll live in tee shirts, shorts, loose-fitting slacks and shirts. A really dressy occasion for men might require a guayaberra or collared shirt and long pants; for women a simple skirt or dress. Leave all your fancy jewelry and Rolex watches at home. They will impress only thieves. Also leave your rain gear at home. It probably will rain, but raincoats just make you sweat. Here are ideas for your packing list: Lightweight cotton clothes or quick-drying cotton/synthetic blends. Comfortable walking shoes. Consider light boots or walking shoes for hiking and sandals for the beach. Extra swimsuits. Maps, guidebooks and reading material. If available at all in Belize, these will cost more than back home and may be out of date. Cap or hat — be sure it’s one that won’t blow off in windy conditions on the water. Sunglasses — the darker the better. Small flashlight with extra batteries, baggies in various sizes, a roll of duct tape, a large garbage bag, pen and writing pad — with these you can go anywhere and do almost anything. Health kit consisting of your prescription medicines and a copy of your eyeglass prescription, plus aspirin, insect spray with 30% DEET, sunscreen (more than you think you’ll need), baby oil or Avon Skin-So-Soft for sandflies, Pepto-Bismol or other tummy medicine, bandages, sun-burn lotion, toilet tissue, moist wipes, seasick pills and other over-the-counter medicines.
Getting Around Belize
For a small nation, Belize has a well-planned highway and road system that connects all mainland towns, villages and attractions. This system allows travelers to fashion a unique combination of experiences in one of the last unspoiled places on earth. There are small airports in Belize centrally located around key points of interest in the country, bus terminals in most towns and boat services operating from all major coastal regions and island towns. Travel via local airlines in passenger aircraft is the fastest and most popular means of transportation throughout Belize, especially for itineraries that combine different in-country locations. Flight schedules are coordinated with the arrival and departure of international flights, for even more convenient traveling and exploring. Belize City and the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) are hubs for most rental agencies, with localized services available in the larger tourism destinations.
Car Rentals And Driving
Upon your arrival at Philip Goldson International Airport (BZE), you can find car rental services conveniently located across from Terminals 1 and 2. Crystal Belize is one of the bigger car rental companies in the country. They allow you to drive to Tikal in Guatemala, although it is necessary to arrange this in advance. There is also Budget, Avis, Hertz and a slew of local auto rental companies. For a comprehensive list of available rental providers, please refer to this list provided by the Belize Airport Concession Company that operates the PGIA International Airport.
Driving in Belize can be challenging at times. Similar to the United States and Canada, traffic moves on the right side of the road. While a 4×4 vehicle is generally not required, having good ground clearance can be advantageous. It’s important to note that roads outside major urban areas are often poorly lit during nighttime. Additionally, you will encounter substantial and unmarked speed bumps when entering or leaving villages along major roads. Exercise caution as you may encounter drivers and motorcycles who exhibit creative maneuvers and attempt unsafe overtaking, particularly on the right hand side. Lastly, ensure that you have your local driver’s license readily available for any checkpoints you come across.
Taxis
In Belize, taxis are typically operated by independent owners, resulting in affordable fares. However, it’s important to note that prices can vary between drivers, even for the same route. It is recommended to confirm the rates before accepting a ride. Many taxi drivers are flexible and can provide services as you need them, including longer trips. They may also offer local tours and excursions, adding convenience to your travel experience.
At PGIA (Philip Goldson International Airport), the taxi service is managed by the Ladyville Airport Taxi Association. They offer transportation to Belize City and various other destinations throughout Belize. You can reach them at +501-225-2125 or +501-610-4450. Alternatively, as you exit the airport, you will find available drivers waiting for passengers.
It’s worth mentioning that many drivers and other tourism providers in Belize utilize WhatsApp for communication. They often coordinate with travelers through text or voice messages. If you encounter difficulty reaching a local number, try reaching out via WhatsApp instead.