March 2021

Rodolfo is the Marketing Manager for Memorable Belize, a US-based tour operator that designs exclusive vacations for those seeking a memorable experience in Belize.
Reading Time: 9.6 minutes

Q. What's great about Belize for American travelers?
A. Belize has warm weather year-round and any time of year is a perfect time to go. There’s always something for every traveler in any season. For fans of water sports like snorkeling and diving, Belize is already at the top of their list, Belize is on the second largest coral reef in the world. Belize is very convenient to the US with lots of nonstop flights available from major US hubs It takes 2 hours from Florida, 5 hours from New York, 6 hours from California, 3-4 hours from Dallas and Houston. 

And, Belize is way more than watersports and historic Mayan ruins, I call it my 4Rs destination: Reef, Ruins, Rivers, Rainforest. There's wildlife, adventure, and one of the most outstanding aspects is the warm, welcoming culture of the Belizian people. If you are interested in getting to know about the local culture or even the Mayan culture, Belize is the place to go. Belize is also the only Central American country where English is the official language. It used to be a British colony and got its independence back in the 1980s, so Belize is a very new country. Yes, there are people here who speak other languages, like Spanish and Creole, and that just adds to its charm. 

There is no reason to convert your money before traveling to Belize. The US dollar is accepted everywhere and you get 2 Belizean dollars for every US dollar. You can easily use your credit card without any problem as well. We do recommend bringing some cash with you since ATMs are available only in the larger cities. If you are in Placencia or San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, and you want to explore on your own, you are going to need cash if you visit smaller cafes or small handicraft businesses that sell along the street. Make sure it is in small denominations so that the locals have change.

Q. What are the entry requirements for Belize?
A. That’s easy. That’s easy. First, a passport that is valid for at least 6 months when you travel, and second, a negative PCR COVID test result 72 hours prior to arrival. You will also need to download the Belize health app and fill in general information for location tracking purposes. After completing you get a QR code that you screenshot and keep on your phone to show to Immigration. Another thing I wanted to mention is if they could not get a test done prior to travel, they can get a $50 rapid antigen test and get the results in about one hour at the Belize International Airport. To get back to the US, it really depends on where people are, but we offer 3 options: 1. A Lab or clinic  2. Some resorts have on-site clinics  3. If not, a doctor or lab technician comes to guests’ rooms. The cost is approximately $75 per person for the Covid test.

Q. How much time do travelers need for Belize?
A. You want to do a weekend getaway here? I suggest you head straight to the beach, the beaches here are amazing. SSit back, relax, sip cocktails, enjoy watersports for at least 3-4 nights. Ideally, guests will stay for at least a week. That affords them the opportunity to see two completely different areas of the country. I recommend they visit the mainland rainforest to experience Mayan ruins, culture, and adventure tours. For the second half of their vacation, they can then head to the ocean and relax on one of Belize’s beautiful beaches.

Overwater bungalows and private islands that people expect in the South Pacific islands like Tahiti or Fiji can also be done in Belize at a way lower price. There are lots of small islands off the coast of Belize. Some are uninhabited but some have been developed into private island resorts. There are a few that cater to divers and those who enjoy fishing. There is one that was built for total privacy for 2 – 10 people There is one that has a dedicated staff to the guest’s room that caters completely to the guests. I think that people simply aren’t aware that you can get all that in Belize. 

Q.  Are all tourist services/facilities/attractions open?
A. All the main attractions are all open, including the National Parks and the Mayan ruins. The difference is, with a few exceptions, at what capacity. Everything is running, just at 50% or at 75%, at the most. Restaurants, pool bars, watersports all open, just not at full capacity. Belize is a very small country with a population of 400,000 living in a territory about the size of Massachusetts. Every business has to follow bio-sanitary protocols. What the government and local authorities have done is create a program called the Gold Standard Certificate. Hotels, transportation companies, restaurants, bars, boats, stores, and tour operators all need to be displaying the certification. We only work with those suppliers because we want to guarantee our guests the best and safest experience possible. Belize did a really great job stepping up to keep travelers and residents safe.

Belize is not a massive high-rise hotel destination like Cancun or Punta Cana. Resorts are intimate boutiques built for those looking for privacy and independence. It is for those who don’t want to be surrounded by tons of people. The average hotel or resort in Belize has 30-40 rooms. Turtle Inn and Blancaneaux Lodge, which are owned by Francis Ford Coppola, have closer to 20 rooms, and their sister property, Coral Caye, is a 2-acre private island that can accommodate up to 10 people, one party at a time. It is just a 25-minute boat ride from Placencia and is the perfect getaway for a family or a group of friends. 

Q.  Are all excursions available?
A. Yes, and whenever possible, we try to book guests on private experiences just to give peace of mind with regards to safety. If for any reason, a private excursion is not available, we let them know in advance what activities will be shared. The tours are not operating at maximum capacity to allow for social distancing with a smaller number of participants.

It is a requirement that masks be worn indoors unless you are eating or in the privacy of your own room. If you are shopping indoors then a mask is required. It is not mandated that you wear a mask outdoors so it is a personal decision whether or not guests wear a mask. It is recommended to wear one if you cannot stay 6 feet from other people. Tour guides, wait staff, taxi drivers, and private transfer drivers will all wear masks to protect guests.

Q. What makes Belize better than before?

A. The Number One Reason is the Gold Standard Certification. It guarantees that sanitary protocols set by the Belizean government are being met by that company whether it be a restaurant or a hotel. Belize took COVID very seriously, shut down the country until October, and only reopened once the Gold Standard had been reached. Number Two, the health services never collapsed in Belize and they are easy to access. Safety and Peace of Mind are 2 key elements we prioritize because we want to keep things easy and running smoothly for our clients. We understand that people want to get out and travel, decompress, and not have to worry about their safety. Our goal is to make sure we provide that for our guests. The feedback we have received from guests that have traveled to Belize is that they always felt safe and that everyone took great care of them. 

Q. Anything else you'd like to add?

A. Now is the time to start planning a visit, both to Belize as well as Costa Rica, which opened in August. The destinations have been trending in travel polls as safe, easy, and convenient destinations. Belize is a barefoot luxury destination with all the modern amenities and a Caribbean touch. We know that travelers want to sit back and relax and that is completely possible in Belize. The country’s laid-back, laissez-faire attitude is a welcome respite.

Hint: More than 3,000 rivers and 3 million lakes can be found here

With travel slowly picking up, we are revisiting some of the best images from years past.  Please #planethoppers your Instagram photos so we may follow your journeys when we are all traveling again!