To Travel Or Not To Travel To Belize During The Pandemic— That Is The Question

January 3, 2022
by Larry Waight +

It’s been over two years since the first COVID-19 outbreak, but there’s still a great deal of uncertainty about what is and isn’t safe as we try to ease ourselves back into something approaching ordinary life. And figuring out where to travel for your next vacation is as much a question of convenience as it is one of safety. Belize has made headlines for its ability to effortlessly thread these twin concerns during a time of the pandemic. And while travel to this pristine eco-tourist’s dream destination still isn’t the same as it was in 2019, things are going as well as one could expect. If you’re questioning whether or not to visit Belize as a tourist in 2022, here are the considerations you should know about.

Advanced Preparations For Your Trip

The Belize Health app was an early requirement for entry into Belize as a visitor, but you’re now just required to book your entire stay at a Belize Gold Standard hotel and provide officials at the airport with evidence of both your booking and your return flight information when your plane touches down at the airport. The number of hotels with this certification is growing over time, so it’s worth checking out the options now if you haven’t looked at the available list in a while. You’ll also need to make sure that your passport or visa is valid for at least three months beyond your arrival in Belize and that you have proof of safe transport from the airport to your hotel or resort.

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Arriving at the Airport

While COVID-19 vaccinations are certainly preferred, Belize’s approach to minimizing COVID-19 exposure is to require testing for all visitors arriving at the Belize International Airport. This can take the form of a PCR test taken within 96 hours of arrival or an antigen rapid test taken within 48 hours of arrival. Visitors that don’t arrive with a test in hand will be tested at the airport for an additional charge of $50. Because of that added cost — and since those who test positive will be required to quarantine for at least two weeks — it’s recommended that you have your testing performed in advance. In addition to presenting your test, you may be required to undergo a minor health evaluation and temperature check.

Your Time in Belize

The Tourism Gold Standard certification program has been Belize’s most effective method for protecting visitors and locals in tourist-heavy areas, but it also means that there are some rules you’ll be expected to follow while you’re in the country. The wearing of face masks and social distancing in public are expected for guests, and daily health checks are in place for both guests and staff. In return, you can expect any Gold Standard hotel to put extra precautions in place for your safety. Enhanced room cleaning schedules and sanitation practices are standard at all certified hotels, and they’re required to have a restaurant on-site and also provide safe transportation for guests.

To Travel Or Not

As long as you’re willing to follow the minimum standards for safety, visiting Belize should be both safe and refreshingly free of aggravation. Belize’s Tourism Safe Corridor constitutes a whole constellation of restaurants, hotels, and tour companies that meet the country’s stringent standards — and since meeting that certification is a necessity to stay open in this health climate, most businesses are eager to earn that certification. Life may seem like it’s back to normal in Belize, but you can be confident that the rules and regulations in place are stringent without being overbearing.