Belize Travel Guide

Belize — Country and Tourist Information

Browse the Belize Photo Gallery

Country Facts

Location: Central America, Caribbean coast.
Language: English is the official language, but Spanish is spoken to some extent by over half the population. Garifuna (Carib), Maya and Creole are also spoken as well as a German dialect (by the Mennonites).
Area: 22,965 sq km (8,867 sq miles).
Time Zone: GMT - 6.
Electricity: 110 volts AC, 60Hz. American-style two-pin plugs are standard.
Population: 322,100 (2008 estimate).
Population Density: 11.6 per sq km.
Capital City: Belmopan City. Population: 18,100. Belize City (the former capital) has a population of 65, 2008.
Government: Parliamentary Democracy with Queen Elizabeth II as a constitutional monarchy. Gained independence from the UK in 1981.
Head of Government: Prime Minister Dean O. Barrow since February 2008.
Head of State: HM Queen Elizabeth II represented locally by Governor-General Sir Colville Young since 1993.
Religion: The people of Belize are mainly Roman Catholic (approximately 49.6% of the population). Approximately 27% is Protestant with a growing evangelical movement. There is a growing Rastafarian communities along with smaller pockets of Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Bahai.

Recent History

On February 7, 2008, Belize elected its first black prime minister when the United Democratic Party (UDP) lead by Dean O. Barrow won 25 of the 31 Seats of Representatives. The UDP ousted Said Moses and the People's United Party, who had been in power for over 10 years. Barrow inherited a heavy debt load, growing social problems, increased violence, an agricultural sector damaged by hurricanes, a sluggish economy and a government tainted by ongoing scandals and rumours of corruption. Since being elected, Barrow has pushed through a number of reforms aimed at restructuring the country's finances to bring about an economic recovery and lower unemployment rates.

Communications

Telephone

Country Code: +501. Stay away from the blue and yellow phones in tourist areas. You'll pay close to $US40 per minute for long distance calls.

Mobile Telephone

Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Coverage is good along most of the coast and along the main routes to Mexico and Guatemala. Turn your phone local by inserting a SIM chip bought for US$25 and then using pre-paid cards sold throughout the country. You can also get yourself set up with a plan with Digicell (www.digicell.bz) or with Smart Phones (www.smart-bz.com).

Internet

There are Internet cafes in urban centers and popular tourist centers offering reliable connections. The larger urban cities are starting to offer wireless.

Media

Belize's constitution guarantees a free press, though exceptions are provided for in the interest of national security, public order and morality. There are no daily newspapers; most of the weekly papers come out on Friday and are heavily subsidised by political parties. All TV channels and radio stations are privately run.

Post

Mail to Europe takes up to five days.Mon-Fri 0800/0830-1200 and 1300-1630. A few open on Saturdays.

Press

• The major weeklies include Amandala, The Belize Times, The Reporter and The San Pedro Sun, a community paper published on Ambergris Caye.
• The Guardian is a United Democratic Party-affiliated paper.

Radio

• Love FM is a commercial music and news station.
• Estereo Amor is a private, Spanish-language station.
• Krem FM is a commercial station.
• More FM is a private music station targeted at younger listeners.
• Wave Radio is United Democratic Party-affiliated.
• Positive Vibes FM is People's United Party-affiliated.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2010
25 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec Boxing Day

2011
1 Jan New Year’s Day
9 Mar Baron Bliss Day
22 Apr - 25 Apr Easter
1 May Labor Day
24 May Commonwealth Day
10 Sep St George’s Caye Day
21 Sep Independence Day
10 Oct Columbus Day
19 Nov Garifuna Settlement Day
25 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec Boxing Day

2012
1 Jan New Year’s Day
9 Mar Baron Bliss Day
6 Apr - 9 Apr Easter
1 May Labor Day
24 May Commonwealth Day
10 Sep St George’s Caye Day
21 Sep Independence Day
11 Oct Columbus Day
19 Nov Garifuna Settlement Day
25 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec Boxing Day

Contact Information

Belize Tourism Board

Street address: Lower Flat, New Horizon Investment Building, 3 1/2 Miles Northern Highway, Belize City, Belize
Postal address: PO Box 325, Belize City, Belize
Tel: 223 1913 or 1 800 624 0686 (toll-free from the USA only).
Website: www.travelbelize.org

Belize High Commission in the UK

3rd Floor, 45 Crawford Place, London W1H 4LP, UK
Tel: (020) 7723 3603.
Website: www.belizehighcommission.com
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1000-1800; 1000-1300 (consular section).