Travel Report for Belize

Country Profile for
Belize

TRAVEL REPORTS:

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TRAVEL REPORT

Last Updated: December 4, 2006 14:40 EST
Still Valid: December 8, 2006 23:16 EST

Belize

1.	INTRODUCTION
2.	ATTENTION
3.	SAFETY AND SECURITY
4.	LOCAL TRAVEL
5.	NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE
6.	LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
7.	ASSISTANCE FOR CANADIANS ABROAD
8.	ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS
9.	MONEY

10.	GENERAL INFORMATION
11.	TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM
12.	ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION
13.	RETURNING TO CANADA
14.	INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS
15.	TRAVEL TIPS
16.	HEALTH AND TRAVEL INSURANCE
17.	FOR MORE INFORMATION
18.	ANNEX

1. INTRODUCTION

Section 2 of this Travel Report has been updated.

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2. ATTENTION

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada offers a registration service for Canadians travelling or residing abroad. Canadians are encouraged to register with the responsible Canadian government office during the hurricane season, which runs from June 1st to November 30th. Registration can be done on-line or by calling the responsible Canadian government office abroad to request a registration form.

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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

Demonstrations, protests, marches, and strikes, may occur at any time in the capital, throughout the country and on main highways. Local transportation services can be disrupted. Roadblocks may occur on main roads at any time and often cause traffic disruptions. There have been acts of sabotage against the electricity and telephone systems. Communications within Belize and internationally have suffered considerable disruption. Emergency services have also been affected. Canadians should not attempt to cross blockades, even if they appear unattended. Curfews may also be in effect.

Criminal activity, including robbery and mugging, is a significant problem in Belize City. It increases seasonally around Christmas and New Year. Occasional violent crimes against tourists have occurred. Ensure personal belongings and travel documents are secure at all times. Do not show signs of affluence and travel in groups. Use taxis after dark instead of walking. The emergency number for police is 911.

Armed robberies have occasionally occurred near the western border with

Guatemala

, including near Belmopan and Caracol. Be cautious when visiting Mayan archeological sites in that region. Treks and excursions should be undertaken with experienced tour guides.

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4. LOCAL TRAVEL

Only use official border crossings to enter Guatemala.

Avoid driving after dark. Belize has four paved highways: the Western Highway from Belize City to Benque Viejo del Carmen and on to the Guatemalan border; the Northern Highway from Belize City to Corozal and on to the Mexican border; the Hummingbird Highway from Belmopan to Dangriga; and the Southern Highway from Dangriga to the resort area of Placencia and on to the southernmost town of Punta Gorda. Watch for and be careful crossing bridges on the Hummingbird and Southern Highways. Although these highways are modern two-lane roads, the bridges are usually one lane. There is a 15-km section of rough gravel on the Southern Highway near Nim Li Punit. There is a very rough unpaved all-weather road off the Southern Highway to Placencia that can be very dusty in the dry season and muddy in the wet season. Most other roads are unpaved, all-weather roads; major puddles and mud can be a problem in the rainy season. The Coastal Highway, leading from the Western Highway to Dangriga, is an all-weather, unpaved road with some puddles and mud after heavy rainfalls. Bicycles constitute a traffic hazard, especially in urban areas.

Service stations are available on the three main highways connecting Belize City with

Mexico

Guatemala

, and southern

Belize

. Always keep your tank full when in remote areas, as service stations are few and they usually close for holidays. There are no emergency road services. A few public telephones can be found in larger villages only. You should not stop to offer assistance to others whose vehicles appear to have broken down.

Rental vehicles are available to drivers over the age of 25. Travellers should purchase sufficient car insurance.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended.

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5. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

The hurricane season extends from June to the end of November. You are advised to monitor the Web site of the

Belize

National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) for local information on hurricane tracking and preparations. Visit the Web site of the United States National Hurricane Center for regional hurricane information.

Flooding and mudslides can occur during this period. Transportation, utilities, emergency and medical care, as well as food, fuel, and water supplies, may be disrupted. Canadians should monitor local weather reports, avoid disaster areas, and contact the nearest Canadian government office if they require assistance. Travellers should check with their travel agent or tour operator to confirm their travel plans prior to departure.

The low-lying coastal islands of Belize are particularly vulnerable to direct hits by hurricanes and tropical storms. The islands have been cut off from communications and outside assistance during hurricanes. Extensive flooding as a result of storm activity is common both on the islands and in areas of the country not directly affected by hurricanes.

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6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 7 below. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The Department publishes A Guide for Canadians Imprisoned Abroad, specifically targeted at incarcerated Canadians. Its prime objective is to inform Canadian detainees, their families, and friends about available assistance and advice.

Individuals and organizations must obtain a permit to possess pre-Columbian artifacts. A CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) permit is needed to collect, possess, and/or export certain plants, animals, and/or plant and animal products.

Penalties for possession of unlicensed firearms or unlicensed ammunition are strict, including high fines and mandatory jail sentences for repeat offenders.

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7. ASSISTANCE FOR CANADIANS ABROAD

You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following addresses:

Belize - BELIZE CITY, Consulate of Canada
Address: 80 Princess Margaret Drive, Belize City, Belize
Postal Address: P.O. Box 610, Belize City, Belize
Tel.: (501) 223-1060 or 224-4399
Fax: (501) 223-0060
E-mail: cdncon.bze@btl.net

Services are limited and hours of operation are Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 1:00pm.

Guatemala - GUATEMALA CITY, Embassy of Canada
Address: Edyma Plaza Building, 8th Floor, 13 Calle 8-44, Zona 10, Guatemala City, Guatemala C.A.
Postal Address: P.O. Box 400, Guatemala City, Guatemala
Tel.: (502) 2363-4348
Fax: (502) 2365-1210
E-mail: gtmla@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.guatemala.gc.ca

For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Guatemala City, Guatemala, and follow the instructions. You may also make a collect call to the Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885 or use the services offered by Canada Direct.

Canada Direct, offered by Canada's major telecommunications companies, provides travellers with toll-free and hassle-free access to the Canadian telephone network. The Canada Direct access number from Belize is 558 from hotels, and 816 from pay phones, where a Canadian operator is always available. For more information, call 1 800 561-8868 or visit the Canada Direct Web site.

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8. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Conditions are subject to change.

Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Belize. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected return to Canada.

All Canadians visiting Belize must also possess a ticket for an onward or return journey and proof of sufficient funds (considered to be US$50 a day). At least half of this total must be in cash; the remaining portion may be covered by credit cards.

Border officials sometimes charge foreigners excessive entry or exit fees. Obtain current information before leaving Canada. If you are overcharged, ask to see a senior official and/or report the matter to the Consulate of Canada.

Tourist Visa: Not required
Business Visa: Required
Student Visa: Required

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

There is an airport departure tax of US35$ , which is normally included in the price of the plane ticket.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

Foreign Affairs Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the High Commission for Belize and its consulates, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements.

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9. MONEY

The currency is the Belizean dollar. Cash advances can be obtained at local banks with major international credit cards. Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. Check with your bank for information on ATM services in other countries. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ATMs around the world. Your bank can advise if you need a new personal identification number (PIN) for overseas access to your account. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ATMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

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10. GENERAL INFORMATION

Belize (capital: Belmopan) is located in Central America at the base of the Yucatán Peninsula, bordering Mexico, Guatemala, and the Caribbean Sea. Tourist facilities vary in quality. English is the official language, and Spanish is increasingly used.

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11. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

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12. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Be careful when swimming in local rivers. Cholera has been found in the Mopan and Roaring Creek rivers in the Cayo District. Avoid insect bites when on the southern coast or in the jungles and avoid being stung by jellyfish when snorkelling.

Medical facilities are limited and severe emergency cases require evacuation to another country at the expense of the patient.

Useful numbers include the Karl Heausner Hospital at (501) 223-1548 and two private clinics: the Belize Medical Associates at (501) 223-0303 and the Belize Diagnostic Centre at (501) 224 5779.

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13. RETURNING TO CANADA

Please consult the Current Issue on returning to Canada.

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14. INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS

Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.

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15. TRAVEL TIPS

Please consult our Traveller's Checklist.

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16. HEALTH AND TRAVEL INSURANCE

Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

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17. FOR MORE INFORMATION

N/A

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18. ANNEX

N/A

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