Most visitors to Belize pass quickly through Belize City on their way to the cayes, above all Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker, to the beaches of Placencia or to the Maya ruins and rivers of Cayo around San Ignacio. Diving and snorkelling on the barrier reef, including the Great Blue Hole, are the big draws. Belize is outside the EU's Roam Like at Home area, so a European SIM roams there at its operator's own rates.
Key facts for Belize
- EU roaming: not covered by Roam Like at Home
- Local networks: BTL (depending on plan)
- Emergency numbers: 911 or 90 (police, ambulance and fire)
- Embassies: in Belmopan and Belize City
Belize City
Serious gang violence happens mostly in Belize City, particularly south of Haulover Creek, the area known as Southside. Tourists are not normally the targets, but anyone nearby can be caught up in an incident, and armed robbery and shootings are also a concern, so stay out of dark alleys and use a taxi at night. Police capacity is limited and most crimes go unsolved.
The cayes, Placencia and Cayo
Coverage is good on Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker and in the main towns, and patchier in the forests of the interior. Theft of cash, cards and phones targets tourists in San Pedro, Caye Caulker, Placencia and San Ignacio, so keep valuables out of sight and use cash machines in well-lit places or inside a bank. Snorkelling and diving trips have led to injuries and deaths, mainly through poor safety and bad weather, so book only with registered, licensed operators and check the forecast. Armed criminals have been active in remote forest near the Guatemalan border, which the army patrols, although no incidents involving tourists have been reported.
Weather and roads
The hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November. Road accidents are common and driving can be hazardous in the rainy season and at night, and public buses are poorly maintained, often without seatbelts. Security checks have been stepped up at the domestic airstrips, so allow extra time for short flights to the cayes and the south.
Laws to know
Possession of illegal drugs can lead to a fine and a prison sentence. Same-sex activity between consenting adults is legal.
Money
The Belize dollar is pegged to the US dollar at two to one, and US dollars are accepted almost everywhere, so there is no need to change money for a short trip.
Getting connected
A travel eSIM installed at home connects when you land at Belize City's international airport, and your usual SIM stays on for texts and bank codes. An Americas plan also covers Mexico and Guatemala.
Belizean SIM cards from DigiCell, run by BTL, and from Smart are sold in the towns and on the cayes; bring your passport.
Consular protection: who to call in Belize
- Call 911 or 90 for the police, an ambulance or the fire service.
- Most embassies are in Belmopan, the capital, and some countries have offices in Belize City. The Telcomia app shows yours, with address and phone.
- An EU citizen whose country has no embassy or consulate in Belize can go to the embassy of any other EU country, which must help on the same terms as for its own nationals (Article 23 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU).
- English is the official language and Spanish is widely spoken, so you can explain an emergency in either.
Questions travellers ask about Belize
Can I use my EU mobile plan in Belize?
Only on roaming at your operator's rates, because Belize is outside Roam Like at Home.
Is Belize City safe?
Gang violence is concentrated in Southside; tourists are rarely targeted, but take a taxi at night and avoid dark alleys.
Which network does a Telcomia eSIM use in Belize?
BTL, with 4G where available.
Do I need Belize dollars?
Not really: the Belize dollar is fixed at two to the US dollar, and US dollars are accepted almost everywhere.
The short version
Install the eSIM before you fly, move on quickly from Belize City, dive only with licensed operators, watch the hurricane season, keep valuables out of sight on the cayes, and save 911.
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