The Ministry of Tourism and Diaspora Relations (MTDR), the Border Management Agency, and the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) announce the phased reopening of Belize’s land borders for tourism.

In Phase 1, only foreign tourists who are booked at Gold Standard hotels, and transferred by Gold Standard operators will be permitted to enter. Tourists will be required to present proof of a negative PCR Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival, or an approved rapid antigen test taken within 24 hours prior to arrival. All tourists, including those who provide proof of full vaccination, may be required to submit to testing at their expense. Foreign travelers testing positive for Covid-19 shall be denied entry.

Belizeans wishing to enter or depart for medical or other reasons may continue to do so with special permission from the Immigration Department.

Northern and Western Border stations will reopen on Monday, May 31, 2021, and the time of operations at the borders will be from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily, until further notice.

The MTDR welcomes the safe reopening of our land borders to international tourists as this represents another important step toward tourism recovery and overall economic recovery.

Former Executive Director of the Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management (SATIIM), Ms. Froyla Tz’alam, is installed as Belize’s first Mopan Maya Governor-General.

SATIIM has released an official statement on the occasion.

This is a significant moment in the history of our country and in the history of the Indigenous peoples of Belize.

In the 18th century, the Maya were moved onto reservations known as ‘Crown’ lands. More than 25 years ago, five Indigenous communities in Toledo created SATIIM to advocate for the recognition of their land rights, their human rights, and their culture. Ms. Tz’alam’s installation today brings SATIIM full circle with this high recognition of a Mopan Maya woman’s knowledge, skills, and expertise.

Ms. Tz’alam exemplifies a high caliber of leadership. She first collaborated with SATIIM as a researcher who wrote the first-ever report on Q’eqchi Maya women’s role in Belize’s economy. The findings influenced her tenure as the first woman to serve as SATIIM’s executive director.

Excerpt of a SATIIM Press Release issued on May 27, 2021

We congratulate Ms. Tz’alam and wish her well in her new appointment!

The Belize Tourism Board is pleased to announce that Alaska Airlines has confirmed a new non-stop service from the West Coast of the United States to Belize, commencing later this year. Belize will become the fourth country that Alaska Airlines flies to from its West Coast hubs, joining Canada, Mexico, and Costa Rica.

This is good news for tourism stakeholders since air routes are considered the lifeblood of the tourism industry. No official route or date has been set for the Airline’s first flight to Belize, but Alaska Airlines has already taken to its Twitter account to announce its direct flight to Belize for later this year. Ticket sales are set to begin in early June.

A new statutory instrument is now in effect which extends the curfew hours for Thursday to midnight. According to the S.I., the new curfew hours are twelve midnight to five in the morning, from Thursday to Saturday. The curfew hours for Sunday to Wednesday remains at ten in the night to five in the morning. 

The S.I. also states that persons are no longer required to wear a face mask or face covering when moving on a motorcycle, golf cart, or any other similar motor vehicle.

The general public is urged to continue practicing social distancing measures and be cognizant of wearing a proper face mask/face covering when in public areas. Face masks are meant to cover the nose and mouth and MUST be worn at all times while out in public spaces.

Cabinet has approved a temporary travel ban on persons who have traveled, originated from, or have transited India and Bangladesh. According to the government, the short-term ban is due to the rising COVID-19 numbers in the two countries. Notably, India currently has the second-largest number of active COVID-19 cases in the world.

The World Travel Awards (WTA) has opened voting across all regions worldwide for its 28th annual program. Travel professionals, media, and consumers are invited to vote for their favorite travel brands.

Categories cover the entire spectrum of the travel and tourism industry, and range from hotels, resorts, and destinations to airlines and tour operators. Belize has been nominated for awards in several categories. The full list of categories and nominees for the 2021 program can be viewed here.

The general public and travel industry executives alike are eligible to vote. They can cast their vote via the WTA website. The nominee in each category that receives the most votes will be announced as the 2021 World Travel Awards winner. The closing date for nominations for the awards in the Central American region is July 26, 2021.

Belize has been nominated in the following areas:

Destination

• Mexico & Central America’s Leading Beach Destination 2021 – Ambergris Caye, Belize
• Mexico & Central America’s Leading City Break Destination 2021 – Belize City, Belize
• Mexico & Central America’s Leading Destination 2021 – Belize
• Mexico & Central America’s Leading Island Destination 2021 – Ambergris Caye, Belize
• Mexico & Central America’s Leading Tourist Board 2021 – Belize Tourism Board
• Mexico & Central America’s Leading Boutique Hotel 2021 – The Ellysian Boutique Hotel, Belize
• Mexico & Central America’s Leading Boutique Resort 2021
  • Belizean Dreams Resort, Belize
  • Blancaneaux Lodge, Belize
  • Ka’ana Resort, Belize
• Mexico & Central America’s Most Romantic Resort 2021
  • Coco Plum Island Resort, Belize
  • Victoria House Resort & Spa, Belize

Belize Nominees for Hotels & Resorts

Belize’s Leading Hotel 2021

• Best Western Plus Belize Biltmore Plaza
• Radisson Fort George Hotel and Marina
• San Ignacio Resort Hotel
• The Ellysian Boutique Hotel
• Victoria House Resort & Spa

Belize’s Leading Resort 2021

• Belizean Dreams Resort
• Captain Morgan’s Retreat
• Cayo Espanto
• Las Terrazas Resort & Residences
• Turtle Inn

Belize’s Leading Villa Resort 2021

• Blancaneaux Lodge
• Chaa Creek
• Hopkins Bay Belize
• Matachica Resort & Spa
• Turtle Inn

How to Vote

Please register for an account in order to cast your vote. A verification email will be sent to your email account and you will need to click the verification link to verify your email address before you can log in to cast your vote.

TRAVEL INDUSTRY VOTERS

Travel Industry voters may apply upgrade their account to “industry” status by providing their company details and association membership number during registration and submitting a minimum of 10 votes. Votes cast by verified industry voters will count as two votes. Votes cast by non-industry voters will count as one vote.

For more information visit the World Travel Awards website.

The Ministry of Tourism and Diaspora Relations in tandem with the Belize Tourism Board welcomed a Return to Service announcement made by the Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL). The announcement by the NCL officially signals the safe reopening of the cruise tourism sector in Belize.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) announced last week that it will resume port calls to Harvest Caye in Southern Belize, on August 9, 2021.  Norwegian Joy will depart from its homeport in Montego Bay, Jamaica on August 7, and will include Belize as a part of its week-long Western Caribbean itinerary.

NCL’s President and Chief Executive Officer Harry Sommer said, “Over a year after we initially suspended sailings, the time has finally come when we can provide our loyal guests with the news of our great cruise comeback. We have been working diligently towards our resumption of operations, focusing on the guest experience with health and safety at the forefront. The growing availability of the COVID-19 vaccine has been a game changer. The vaccine, combined with our science-backed health and safety protocols, will help us provide our guests with what we believe will be the healthiest and safest vacation at sea.”

Cruise tourism in Belize has been suspended for more than a year and the thousands of Belizeans who rely on the tourism sector for their daily survival eagerly await the opportunity to welcome cruise visitors to Belize once again.

It is pertinent to note that all guests arriving on cruises through October 31, 2021 will be required to be fully vaccinated and tested prior to boarding any Norwegian cruise line. Norwegian plans to use its SailSAFE Health and Safety Program to ensure the safety of guests while aboard and onshore. As a part of these measures, NCL will require mandatory vaccination of all active crew members and guests. Each destination on the itinerary will also be operating with enhanced protocols. The ships have undergone extensive renovations such as upgraded medical-grade air filtration systems onboard, upgraded medical facilities, revamped layout of activity areas to meet social distancing and enhanced sanitizing stations, to name a few.

With the collaboration of the private sector and relevant government agencies, Belize has also developed health and safety protocols that support the safe restart of cruise tourism in Belize. As the sector continues to prioritize the health and safety of both guests and locals, Belize is committed to the ongoing monitoring and preparation required to welcome additional cruise calls in the coming months.

The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) issued a release stating that the Government of Belize has made the decision that persons entering Belize are NO LONGER REQUIRED to download and complete the Belize Travel Health App prior to their arrival in Belize. This recent adjustment to Belize’s COVID-19 Prevention Regulations is outlined in Statutory Instrument No.51 of 2021.

Travelers are still required to complete the Customs and Immigration form that is provided on their flight to Belize. Tourists must book their stay at a Gold Standard certified hotel and must present confirmation of the same upon arrival at Immigration.

Testing & Immunization

As Belize now accepts proof of COVID-19 immunization, travelers who have completed full immunization at least 2 weeks or more prior to travel no longer need to present a COVID-19 PCR test result upon arrival. Travelers who have not received full vaccination MUST present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 96 hours of travel.

Negative rapid tests will also be accepted once taken within 48 hours of travel. If no proof of testing or full vaccination is presented upon arrival, a COVID-19 test will be administered at the airport at a cost of USD $50 per passenger.

COVID Tests to Depart Belize

Persons wishing to take a COVID-19 test prior to their departure from Belize can take their COVID-19 test at any of the approved testing centers throughout Belize.