BELIZE SOLO TRAVEL GUIDE
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO! BELIZE TRAVEL GUIDE 2024
PLAN AND BOOK YOUR BELIZE SOLO TRAVEL
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WELCOME TO THE BELIZE!
Hi! I’m Gwen, and my passion is using my 28 years of solo global travel and sustainability knowledge and experience to help the solo over 50’s be and stay adventurous through solo travel with their eco-friendly, responsible travel foot forward. Here is my travel guide to Belize from my Belize solo travel so you can book and realize your solo trip to Belize. What are you waiting for?
BELIZE: DID YOU KNOW?
About Belize
Belize – home to the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Great Blue Hole, 900+ Mayan sites, approximately 450 surrounding islands (they call “cayes”), Caribbean music, Creole food and the only Jaguar preserve in the world.
Languages in Belize
The official language is English (being formerly the British Honduras), but there are many that also speak Creole (by Kriols) and Spanish.
Belizean Culture
Belize is a laid back, Caribbean country, but still has formalities that hail from being once British ruled. The Kriol (Creole) people, descendants from African slaves, are the majority of the population, but with Belize being surrounded by Latin-American countries, Latin-American influence is also very heavy. The country also home to native Mayans, the Garifuna and German-speaking Mennonites.
Like the mix of people, the food is also mixed with a blend of Mayan, Latin-American, Creole and Garifuna dishes utilizing the fresh seafood and fruits available. Caribbean, reggae and calypso music are the most popular.
Favorite sports are soccer and cricket.
Popular Activities in Belize
Belize holds many attractions for visitors: fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, boating, Mayan ruins, the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife sanctuary, hiking, zip-lining, kayaking, and more.
Popular Belize Activities
BELIZE TRAVEL PLANNING
Belizean Currency
Belize uses the Belizean dollar (BZ$) – the exchange rate is basically half that of the U.S. dollar (USD), but it’s always a good idea to double check during your planning.
Tipping in Belize
Traveling in a new country is easier when you know the country’s tipping etiquette in advance as each country has its own rules. That said, country rules and norms can shift, so here is an international tipping resource for over 70 countries to use as a general guideline that I have found is constantly updated.
What’s not on there is how to tip a concierge, beauty salons or spas, travel or tour guides, etc. For these extras, it is acceptable to tip 10% at minimum. Remember, tipping is for good service only.
Additionally, you should always tip in the local currency (if tipping in cash), and do not be offended if your tip is refused as it may not be the norm. I feel it’s always better to offer a tip for good service than not, unless I know it will be considered offensive, like in Japan.
Belizean Holidays
It’s a complete bummer to spend time and money on the holiday of a lifetime only to show up at a key attraction, or try to access travel or banking resources, only to find them closed due to a national or local holiday.
Therefore, a key activity to do in your early Belize travel planning stage is to know Belize’s holidays.
BELIZE TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
Travel Documents for Belize
From the U.S., you will need a valid passport. A Belize travel visa is not required if your stay is 30 days or less. Make sure your passport expiration date is greater than 6 months from your return to the U.S. The U.S. State Department provides up-to-date required vaccination information for visiting Belize. It is advised to always check for any Belize travel restrictions and required vaccinations during your planning stage and again before you leave.
If you are not from the U.S., please check your government’s website.
Choose from Top Travel Document Holders
Vaccinations for Belize
There are normally no vaccinations required but may be advised depending on your Belize destinations. The U.S. State Department always has their link up to date with pertinent information when traveling to Belize. It is advised to always check there during your planning stage and again before you leave.
If you are not from the U.S., please check your government’s website.
BELIZE TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
Electronics for Belize
Want to use your 110 V electronics vacationing in Belize? Belize’s voltage are 110 and 220 V, and the standard frequency is 60 Hz and use both Type A and Type B adapters, like the U.S. Therefore, U.S. electronics (hair dryer, clippers, curling iron, etc.) should not require a voltage converter in Belize.
Remember, most smart phones, tablets and laptops don’t require a converter, but double-check your device(s) before you leave home.
Although you don’t have to bring an adapter, check your electronics – if you have one requiring a 3-prong outlet you may want to bring a Type B adapter just in case.
If you are going to another country in addition to your travel to Belize, you can check this international travel adapter guide to make sure you’re prepared.
Cyber Security While Traveling
Having a virtual private network (VPN) service and portable WiFi is always a good idea to not just stay connected, but stay connected securely in your hotel and all public spaces, like airports, train stations, and restaurants.
GUIDES & ITINERARIES
Marine Conservation Voluntourism
Belize is not just a place to play during travel, but it’s also a place to volunteer on Belize solo travel. Find out how you can volunteer in Belize for marine and coral reef conservation like I did.
Placencia
I stayed in Placenia, Belize before and after my marine conservation volunteering to do some additional diving in Belize. Placencia is a lovely little village and worth a visit.
HOW TO BOOK BELIZE TRAVEL
It’s important to book the top three travel necessities early: flights, accommodations and ground transportation.
No travel guide for Belize would be complete without the booking tools below. These, along with fun Belize things to do and ecotourism ideas that will allow you to realize your solo trip to Belize.
Read these 7 know-before-you-go Belize travel tips before you book your Belize travel.
Cheap Flights to Belize
With the ever-growing demand for airline tickets to Belize, flights book quicker these days. Find cheap flights to Belize now.
Don’t Wait to Book Your Flight to Belize
Places to Stay in Belize
Second in importance to buying airline tickets to Belize is finding the best place to stay in Belize for your Belize solo travel. Develop your Belize travel itinerary now and find the best Belize solo travel accommodations to knock one more travel planning item off your solo travel list.
Find the Best Solo Travel Accommodations in Belize
Getting Around Belize
Belize has all forms of transportation. However, there are still no ride sharing services such as Uber or Lyft.
Of course, you can find a taxi or easily find a rental a car or golf cart in Belize, which is a very convenient mode of transportation for any Belize travel itinerary.
Find the Best Deals on Belize Rental Cars
What to Do in Belize
Here are some of the top things to do in Belize to book for your Belize solo travel.
Popular Food and Drink Activities in Belize
BELIZE ECO-TRAVEL IDEAS
There are ways to reduce your eco and carbon footprint through air travel, accommodations, tours, and activities in Belize. To help avoid greenwashing businesses, here are some eco-friendly or sustainable travel (also called responsible travel) tips and resources, you can use to book your travel.
Air Travel Tips
Skyscanner provides a ‘Greener flights’ filter highlighting flights that emit less CO2.
Purchase carbon offsets through your airline or through a third party, like MyClimate.org, Carbonfund.org, or terrapass. Carbon offsetting allows you to buy a certificate to reduce carbon emissions, a major contributor to climate change, which in turn contribute community projects across countries to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Ground Transportation
The best eco-friendly forms of ground transportation in Belize are public transportation, walking or renting a bicycle or electric scooter. They are also apt to cost less than other ground transportation.
Explore Belize Bike and Electric Scooter Rentals
Accommodation Tips
Look for Belize accommodations with the following self and third-party assessed certifications when you book:
Green Globe – Green Globe certifies hotels, resorts, conference centers, transportation, attractions, tour operators, and other tourism businesses globally on sustainable operations and management. Look for Belize and other Caribbean Green Global members.
Green Key Global is an internationally recognized environmental certification for the lodging and meetings industries, including hotels and hostels, campsites and holiday parks, restaurants and attractions in 65 countries. Search for Green Key awarded sites.
Living Building Challenge – if you want to stay in a true, sustainable building, find one certified by the Living Building Challenge. LBC’s certification directory shows all project types globally. Hopefully they will put in a filter soon to allow searching by hotels or hospitality type.
LEED Certified – the USGBC’s LEED Certified label on buildings, like many of the Marriott’s hotels, are those that have verifiably employed multiple and varying green building strategies to improve human and environmental health. Search the LEED directory for Belize certifications.
Green Lodging Program – Audubon International has an environmental stewardship certification through third-party verification. Search its certified members directory.
GSTC Certified – the Global Sustainable Tourism Council provides global standards for sustainable travel and tourism, as well as international accreditation for sustainable tourism Certification Bodies. Booking sites that offer GSTC certified sustainable are bookdifferent, EcoHotels, and Transat.
Another way to find accommodations in Belize implementing eco-friendly or sustainable practices, certified or not, is to reserve a Booking.com Travel Sustainable accommodation. Booking.com started the Travel Sustainable program in 2022.
Find Your Travel Sustainable Stay in Belize
Eco-Friendly Things To Do
Belize has ecotourism ideas available to explore for your next vacation.
Search Green Global and Green Key awarded members for eco-friendly activity providers in Belize. Some may also have the GSTC Certified logo.
Top Belize Ecotourism
Eco-Travel Products
There are more ways to do your part for the planet in your responsible travel, like bringing sustainable and eco-friendly products to protect Belize’s environment.
To protect the coral reef and marine biodiversity, many locations in Belize are banning non reef-safe sunscreen. Unfortunately, there are no places in Belize to buy reef-safe sunscreen so it is important you get it before your trip departure.
For more ideas on how to travel with the planet in mind, read my 10 Easy Eco-Travel Tips and view my suggested Eco Travel Resources to learn more.
BELIZE TRAVEL SAFETY
Before You Go To Belize
Always consult your government’s Belize travel advisory for your Belize travel destination in the beginning travel planning phase and up to your departure date.
Buy Belize travel insurance and international medical insurance for your Belize solo travel to protect yourself and cover for emergencies.
Safety in Belize
Theft or pickpocketing, which could happen in most places to be honest, could be a concern. Be careful not to wander or bike at night by yourself. If you do walk at night, make sure it’s in well-lit areas and with plenty of people. If need be, take a taxi.
Beyond that, there is nothing I can recall from Belize making it more of a “safety concern” than traveling in my own home country, so my standard tips for female and solo travelers are:
- always carry photo ID with you; if you don’t want your passport on you at all times, at least carry a copy of it.
- always be “street wise”.
- always be aware of your surroundings, especially if you feel the need to imbibe or feel the need to “let loose” – you’re on vacation so have fun!
- never leave your food or drink unattended.
- keep your belongs on your person, or at least in your view in close proximity, at all times.
- be open to meeting and talking with new people – that is where a lot of the travel experience lies – but be careful on how you divulge personal information.
- research places in advance, if possible, so you know what to expect (i.e., “have a familiar view” – I like to Google the street view of new addresses I’m going to first).
- if something, someone or someplace makes you feel uncomfortable, go with your gut – leave.
BELIZE BUDGET TRAVEL TIPS
Best Time to Visit Belize
The high season in Belize is late November to early April when it cooler but full or tourists. The rainy season in Belize is June to November, but the rains can start in May, making May to early June the lower season of less tourists and better prices; however, it is also a lot hotter in these months so, ensure you go at a time that is right for you. Mid to late-April is slower than the high season, of course, and not as hot. If you can afford it, try going then.
Bonus: If you dive, April is also the whale shark migratory season.
Budget Accommodations
Staying in Belize hostels could save you a lot of money on accommodations in Belize, especially if you stay in a dorm-style room. Save more money by booking well in advance.
Many hostels offer private rooms, which I choose from time to time. Private rooms in hostels could possibly be cheaper than hotels in Belize – it depends on where you stay and how far in advance you reserve.
Don’t overlook exploring hostels in Belize if you’re on a budget.
Reserve Your Belize Hostel
Best Time to Book Travel
Ready to book your Belize solo travel? Well, the sooner you book your reservations, the more you’re likely to save money and get the best flight, accommodation, and rental car choices and deals.
Don’t miss out and find the best Belize travel deals. The best time to book travel is now. Bundling flight, hotel and/or transportation reservations may even save you more money when traveling to Belize.
Book Belize Travel Early to Save Money
PERSONAL STORY
Having wanted to visit Belize for many years due to hearing of the many marine activities available and being passionate about protecting the environment myself, the feeling was compounded when I started to scuba dive.
The Belizean government is trying hard to protect the barrier reef that its country is home to. The Belizean Barrier Reef, second largest in the world, is key for the Belizean main exports of conch and lobster, not to mention is it critical for its tourism industry. I wanted to start volunteering around the world to participate in marine or coral reef protection work, and Belize was my first experience in this arena.