Introduction
Belize is good for your blood pressure. This tiny nation is so laid-back it's almost comatose. Dabbling its toes in the Caribbean Sea, Belize has more in common with its island neighbors than the fiery volatility of Central America - its history is thoroughly coup-free. Soak up the glorious natural wonders and rich cultural history.
Destination Facts
Capital: Belmopan
Governor General: Sir Colville Young (representing Queen Elizabeth II)
Prime Minister: Said Musa
Government: parliamentary democracy
Time zone: GMT -6
Area: 22966
Population: 287730
Religi: 49.6% Roman Catholic, 27% Protestant, 23.4% other
Currency: Belize Dollar (BZ$)
Country Dialing Code: 501
Getting There
The best months to visit Belize are the drier ones (December to May), but this is also the busy winter tourist season when prices rise and hotels fill up. The tourist hordes are out during the couple of weeks either side of Christmas and Easter; some accommodation will be priced even higher during this period. The rainy summer season (June to November) is cheaper and isn't so wet that you can't do anything (except at times in the south, which has two to three times as much rain as the rest of the country).
Getting there and away
The Philip Goldson International Airport is located at Ladyville, 18km (11mi) northwest of Belize City's center. Airlines flying to and from Belize include American, Continental, Delta, Grupo TACA, Maya Island, Tikal, Tropic and US. Most flights enter the country via the USA and some Central American capitals. By land, there are two official crossings on the Belize/Mexico border: Subteniente L ó pez/Santa Elena, which is more frequently used, and La Uni ó n/Blue Creek. The only crossing on the Guatemalan border is a mile west of Benque Viejo del Carmen, in Belize. Bus passengers crossing land borders must disembark and carry their luggage through immigration and customs. To bring a car into Belize, obtain a permit at the border - you must also have proof of ownership and Belizean car insurance. The only scheduled boat services into Belize are from Puerto Cort é s, Honduras; Puerto Barrios, Guatemala; and from L í vingston, Guatemala.
Getting around
Belize's domestic airlines, Maya Island Air and Tropic Air, are efficient and reasonably priced. They use the international airport and the Municipal Airstrip, 19km (12mi) apart. Beyond Belize City, there are domestic airports in Caye Caulker, Corozal, Dangriga, Placencia, Punta Gorda and San Pedro. Novelo's bus line travels regularly on the country's major roads (Corozal to Belize City, Benque Viejo del Carmen to Belize City, and Belmopan to Dangriga) - they're old US school buses which will stop anywhere to drop people off or pick them up. James bus line is another domestic long-distance service. A variety of smaller companies also serve villages around the country. Cars and motorbikes can be rented in Belize City if you're at least 25 years old and have a valid driver's license from your home country. Most of Belize's roads are pretty flat, so cycling is an option. Bicycles can be hired.
Visa:
Citizens of the EU or Caricom (Caribbean Community) countries, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, the USA or Venezuela do not require visas if they have a passport and return ticket. A visitor's permit, valid for 30 days, will be stamped in your passport when you enter the country. This can be extended by further periods of one month, up to a maximum of six months. Apply at an immigration office - there's a fee for each extension. For further information, contact your embassy or the Immigration and Nationality Department in Belmopan. Citizens of other nationalities should apply for a visa in advance through any Belizean consulate.
Weather
With such hot and humid weather throughout the year, people can be forgiven for slowing down in Belize. Temperatures hardly vary between the coolest part of the year (December to March) and the hottest (May to September). There are, however, distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season runs from mid-May to November in the south and from mid-June to November in the north. November to February is a transitional period, with the year's coolest temperatures and a limited amount of rain. The true dry season is from February to April (which also brings an extra hour or two of sunshine) - highs hover around 30° C (86° F) and humidity is as thick as a Creole accent, so you might as well spend your days snorkeling.
Belize is good for your blood pressure. This tiny nation is so laid-back it's almost comatose. Dabbling its toes in the Caribbean Sea, Belize has more in common with its island neighbors than the fiery volatility of Central America - its history is thoroughly coup-free. Soak up the glorious natural wonders and rich cultural history.
Destination Facts
Capital: Belmopan
Governor General: Sir Colville Young (representing Queen Elizabeth II)
Prime Minister: Said Musa
Government: parliamentary democracy
Time zone: GMT -6
Area: 22966
Population: 287730
Religi: 49.6% Roman Catholic, 27% Protestant, 23.4% other
Currency: Belize Dollar (BZ$)
Country Dialing Code: 501
Getting There
The best months to visit Belize are the drier ones (December to May), but this is also the busy winter tourist season when prices rise and hotels fill up. The tourist hordes are out during the couple of weeks either side of Christmas and Easter; some accommodation will be priced even higher during this period. The rainy summer season (June to November) is cheaper and isn't so wet that you can't do anything (except at times in the south, which has two to three times as much rain as the rest of the country).
Getting there and away
The Philip Goldson International Airport is located at Ladyville, 18km (11mi) northwest of Belize City's center. Airlines flying to and from Belize include American, Continental, Delta, Grupo TACA, Maya Island, Tikal, Tropic and US. Most flights enter the country via the USA and some Central American capitals. By land, there are two official crossings on the Belize/Mexico border: Subteniente L ó pez/Santa Elena, which is more frequently used, and La Uni ó n/Blue Creek. The only crossing on the Guatemalan border is a mile west of Benque Viejo del Carmen, in Belize. Bus passengers crossing land borders must disembark and carry their luggage through immigration and customs. To bring a car into Belize, obtain a permit at the border - you must also have proof of ownership and Belizean car insurance. The only scheduled boat services into Belize are from Puerto Cort é s, Honduras; Puerto Barrios, Guatemala; and from L í vingston, Guatemala.
Getting around
Belize's domestic airlines, Maya Island Air and Tropic Air, are efficient and reasonably priced. They use the international airport and the Municipal Airstrip, 19km (12mi) apart. Beyond Belize City, there are domestic airports in Caye Caulker, Corozal, Dangriga, Placencia, Punta Gorda and San Pedro. Novelo's bus line travels regularly on the country's major roads (Corozal to Belize City, Benque Viejo del Carmen to Belize City, and Belmopan to Dangriga) - they're old US school buses which will stop anywhere to drop people off or pick them up. James bus line is another domestic long-distance service. A variety of smaller companies also serve villages around the country. Cars and motorbikes can be rented in Belize City if you're at least 25 years old and have a valid driver's license from your home country. Most of Belize's roads are pretty flat, so cycling is an option. Bicycles can be hired.
Visa:
Citizens of the EU or Caricom (Caribbean Community) countries, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, the USA or Venezuela do not require visas if they have a passport and return ticket. A visitor's permit, valid for 30 days, will be stamped in your passport when you enter the country. This can be extended by further periods of one month, up to a maximum of six months. Apply at an immigration office - there's a fee for each extension. For further information, contact your embassy or the Immigration and Nationality Department in Belmopan. Citizens of other nationalities should apply for a visa in advance through any Belizean consulate.
Weather
With such hot and humid weather throughout the year, people can be forgiven for slowing down in Belize. Temperatures hardly vary between the coolest part of the year (December to March) and the hottest (May to September). There are, however, distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season runs from mid-May to November in the south and from mid-June to November in the north. November to February is a transitional period, with the year's coolest temperatures and a limited amount of rain. The true dry season is from February to April (which also brings an extra hour or two of sunshine) - highs hover around 30° C (86° F) and humidity is as thick as a Creole accent, so you might as well spend your days snorkeling.
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