Belize Landmarks
Belize is not a typical country to spend a beach holiday there. According to constructmaterials, the tiny country has some wonderful beaches, but most of the coast is actually too overgrown and very difficult to access.
Only a handful of tour operators offer package tours direct to Belize.
Tourists are more likely to come to Belize for its natural treasures and archaeological sites. There are a lot of relics from bygone times, especially from the Mayan era. These left a very large number of pyramids and temples.
Belize Cayes are a special feature of Belize, where you will find the second largest coral reef in the world. Therefore divers and snorkelers like to come here, as there is also a very interesting underwater fauna to discover. There are many turtles in Belize, but there are also sharks.
Belize – money
Local currency: 1 Belize dollar equals 100 cents
Currency abbreviations : Bz $, BZD
Banknotes are issued with a value of 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 2 BZD. Coins are in circulation to the denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 cents as well as 1 Bz $. The Belize dollar is pegged to the US dollar with a fixed exchange rate.
Currency Exchange: by far the most common currency is US dollars. Banks change US dollars but usually not euros. Foreign currencies may only be exchanged for Belize dollars at officially approved exchange offices (e.g. Domestic Commercial Banks, Accountant General, Postmaster General and Belize Global Travel Services). If you swap at unauthorized places, you are liable to prosecution (high fines and even jail sentences are possible).
Belize dollar exchange rate
Currency converter at OANDA
Credit Cards: most major credit cards (American Express, Visa, MasterCard) are accepted in large hotels, petrol stations, shops and large rental car companies.
ATMs: Visa, Master Card, Plus and Cirrus cards are usually accepted by ATMs.
Travelers checks are accepted by most banks.
Foreign exchange regulations: Local currency may be imported and exported up to a value of 10,000 US dollars. There are no restrictions for foreign currency, but the amount must be declared if the equivalent value is more than 10,000 BZD. The export of foreign currency may not exceed the amount stated on entry.
Bank opening times: Mon – Thu 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Fri 8 a.m. – 4.30 p.m., Sat 8 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Health and Diseases in Belize
Officially, no compulsory vaccination is required when entering Belize, but contrary to these regulations there are occasions (especially at land borders) that a cholera vaccination certificate is required, especially if you are traveling from a country where cholera occurs. Another exception is entry from areas where yellow fever occurs; a valid yellow fever vaccination must be proven.
For shorter stays in Belize, vaccinations against tetanus, hepatitis A and diphtheria are recommended. For longer travel times, vaccinations against typhoid, hepatitis B and possibly rabies should also be considered. Let an experienced tropical doctor advise you on this.
Malaria
Malaria and dengue fever, which is also transmitted by mosquitoes, occur particularly in rural areas of Belize. Protect yourself against mosquito bites with mosquito nets and mosquito repellants. Malaria prophylaxis may be necessary, especially when traveling to rural areas, tropical medicine can advise you on this.
If a febrile illness occurs during a trip to Belize or after returning from the country, malaria must be considered and the attending physician must be made aware of this. If left untreated, malaria can be fatal.
Medical supplies
Medical care is limited in Belize. Doctors and hospitals usually only treat for immediate payment. It is recommended that you obtain valid Belize travel insurance that includes both health and repatriation insurance prior to departure.
In addition to my general disclaimer, please note the following important note:
A guarantee for the correctness and completeness of the medical information and liability for any damage that may occur cannot be assumed. You stay responsible for your healthy.
Belize – important addresses
Belize Tourist Board: PO Box 325,
Lower Flat, New Horizon Investment Building, 3 1/2 Miles Northern Highway, Belize City
Phone: (02) 23 1913, Fax: (02) 23 1943
Email: [email protected]
Belize Tourism Industry Association: 10 North Park Street,
PO Box 62, Belize City
Phone: (02) 27 5717, Fax: (02) 27 8710
email: [email protected]
Central America Tourism Agency: C / Rafael Salgado 9,
4º Izda 28036 Madrid
Telephone: 0034 914 57 4926, Fax: 0034 914 58 0348
email: [email protected]
Embassy of Belize in Belgium: Ms. Sofia Bobak, Chargé d’affaires aI,
Boulevard Brand Whitlock 136, 120 Brussels
Telephone: 00322 7 32 62 04, Fax: 00322 7 32 62 46
email: [email protected]
Honorary Consulate General of Belize in Germany: Mr. Wolf Kahles, Honorary Consul General,
Breitscheidstrasse 10, 70174 Stuttgart
Telephone: (0711) 90 71 0920. Fax: (0711) 90 71 0918
email: [email protected]
Opening times: by telephone agreement 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
District: Germany excluding the state of Hesse
Honorary Consulate of Belize in Germany: Mr. Alexander Holtermann, Honorary Consul,
Kranichsteiner Strasse 21, 60598 Frankfurt / M.
Telephone: (069) 60 62 7857, Fax: (069) 60 62 96 41
Opening times: Mon – Fri 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
District: State of Hesse
Embassy of Belize in Austria: Franz-Josefs-Kai 13/5/16,
A-1010 Vienna
Telephone: (01) 533 7663, Fax: (01) 533 8114
email: [email protected]
Opening times: Mon – Fri 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., consular department: Tues, Wed and Thurs 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Consulate of Belize in Switzerland: Ruelle des Templiers 4,
CH-1201 Geneva 1
Telephone: (022) 906 8428, Fax: (022) 906 8429
email: [email protected]
Opening times: Mon – Fri 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Honorary Consulate of Germany in Belize: Arsenio Burgos, Honorary Consul,
57 Southern Foreshore, Belize City
Phone: (02) 22 4369, Fax: (02) 22 4371
Postal address: Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany, POB 1021, Belize City, Belize, Central America
Email: [email protected]
Germany does not have its own embassy in Belize. The embassy responsible for Belize is located in Guatemala City (see Guatemala – important addresses).
Honorary Consulate of Austria in Belize: 16 Regent Street,
Belize City
Phone: (02) 7 7070, Fax: (02) 7 5593
Consulate of Switzerland in Belize: 41 Albert Street,
PO Box 24, Belize City
Phone: (02) 27 7257, Fax: (02) 27 5213
