TRAVEL WARNING
Overview Belize
Security
advice from the Federal Foreign Office: Status: January 18, 2017
Unchanged valid since: January 11, 2017
Country-specific safety instructions
Crime
Crime has increased noticeably in recent years. Drug trafficking and drug transit play a major role here. Tourists can also be affected by violent crime, including armed robbery and theft.
Especially in Belize City and after dark, caution is advised. In tourist centers it is also advisable to keep valuables in the hotel safe and not to wear jewelry. In an emergency, the Belizean Tourist Police TPU (+501 227 1440) can be asked for help.
Worldwide safety notice
Please also note the external link, opens in new window, worldwide security notice.
General travel information
Natural disasters
In Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and the southern states of the USA, the hurricane season is from June to November. Tropical storms, heavy rainfall and, under certain circumstances, landslides must be expected.
Current hurricane information is available on the Internet at the external link, opens in a new window National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami.
Infrastructure
Belize is a developing country. Some of the tourist facilities are very simple, but there are also luxury hotels.
languages
The official language is English, although in some areas the Spanish influence of neighboring countries can be clearly felt. In addition, a patois is spoken, which is difficult to understand even for foreigners with a good command of English. As a rule, the local population does not have any knowledge of German.
Money / credit cards
Most credit cards are accepted in Belize. With cards from Visa, Master Card, Plus and Cirrus companies, money can be withdrawn from ATMs. The preferred method of payment is the US dollar. Banks also usually do not accept euros. Foreign currencies can be exchanged for Belizean currency at the approved exchange offices (Domestic Commercial Banks, Postmaster General, Accountant General and Belize Global Travel Services). Exchanging money with unapproved entities is a criminal offense under the Bill of Exchange Act and can result in a conviction of up to $ 10,000 and / or a prison sentence of up to 12 months.
Road traffic
Traffic is on the right in Belize. The main roads are two-lane and in relatively good condition. Remote areas can only be reached via unpaved roads. The behavior of pedestrians, cyclists and roaming animals in traffic requires particularly careful and defensive driving behavior. Driving overland after dark should be avoided if possible. Gas stations are located a reasonable distance from each other on the two main roads connecting Belize City with Mexico and Guatemala. Otherwise there are petrol stations only in the larger cities. There is no breakdown assistance and public telephones are few and far between. However, the mobile network is now well developed.
We do not recommend stopping en route to help other travelers who are believed to have broken down.
MONEY
Currency
1 Belize dollar = 100 cents. Currency abbreviations: Bz $, BZD (ISO code). Banknotes are in circulation to the denomination of 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 2 Bz $; Coins worth 1 Bz $ and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 cent. The local currency is linked to the US dollar (1 US $ = 2 Bz $).
Credit cards
American Express, Visa and MasterCard are accepted to a limited extent. Details from the issuer of the credit card in question. Many shops and restaurants charge an additional service fee of 5% when paying with credit cards.
ATMs
ec / Maestro card / Sparcard
Attention: Travelers who pay with their bank customer card abroad and want to withdraw money should find out about the options for using their card from their bank prior to departure.
Bank opening times
Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Fri until 4.30 p.m. (deviations are possible).
Foreign exchange regulations
The import and export of the local currency is prohibited. The import of foreign currencies is unlimited; Obligation to declare from an equivalent of 10,000 Bz $. The export of foreign currencies is possible in the amount of the amounts declared upon import, minus the exchange amounts (proof).
Currency Exchange
Foreign currencies can be exchanged at most banks, hotels and travel agencies. Euros are usually not exchanged in local currency in banks. Some stores also accept US dollars. Currency exchange is only allowed in the authorized offices (exchange offices, banks), violations will be punished.
LANGUAGE
Overview
The official language is English in Belize, a country located in North America according to topb2bwebsites. Approx. 15% of the population speak Spanish. English Creole and various Indian languages are widely used.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
DUTY-FREE SHOPPING
Overview
The following items can be imported into Belize duty-free (people over 18 years of age):
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 g tobacco or a combination of these products up to 250 g;
1 l of spirits;
50 g perfume and 250 ml eau de toilette.
Prohibited exports
Items from pre-Columbian times, products made from marine animals or plants, untreated corals and turtle shells.