Capital: Belmopan
Time zone: GMT – 6
Telephone services: Country Code: 501
Outgoing Code: 00
Emergency telephone numbers: All services – 911
Tourist information: Caribbean Tourism Organisation, 42 Westminster Gardens, Artillery Row, London SW1P 1RR Tel: (020) 7222 4335 Fax: (020) 7222 4325.
Passport information: Valid passport required by all must be valid for 6 months beyond the intended length of stay. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may change at short notice. Contact the High Commission before departure.
Visa information: Visa required by all, but it is advisable to contact the High Commission before departure as regulations are subject to change.
Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Malaria: Exists throughout the year excluding the urban areas predominately in the benign Vivax form.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required for travellers arriving from infected areas.
Other Health Risks: Cholera.
Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.
Currency: Belizean Dollar (BZ$) = 100
Amex and Visa are widely accepted. MasterCard can also be used but to a more limited extent. US Dollars is the preferred currency for travellers cheques.
ATM availability: Unavailable.
Cost of living: Caters for all travellers and budgets.
Languages: English is the official language but Spanish is spoken by over half the population.
Weather: Sub-tropical climate, hot and humid. Monsoon season June – September.
Electricity: 110/220 Volts Ac 60 Hz.
Post: Up to 5 days to Europe
Transport: FLIGHTS: Charter and scheduled flights operate between the main towns. ROAD: All weather roads link the main towns in the country although torrential rain during the monsoon season often makes these impassable. CAR HIRE: International companies exist in the main cities. DOCUMENTATION: A national driving licence is acceptable.
Special information: HIGH RISK. DUE TO DAMAGE CAUSED BY HURRICANE KEITH THE FCO ADVISE AGAINST ALL HOLIDAY AND OTHER NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL TO AMBERGRIS CAYE AND CAYE CAULKER. Petty crime is common and mugging is a problem in major cities. Travel in groups if possible. Common sense rules should be applied. It is inadvisable to discuss politics with the locals.