U.S. Advises Americans to Reconsider Travel to Belize

Tourism has been one of the hardest hit sectors of Belize’s economy during the pandemic. Hoteliers, tour guides, water taxi companies and many others have had to get creative with their marketing, hoping to lure those travelers who do still want to come with assurances of enhanced safety and sanitation protocols.  The Belize Tourist Board has even instituted a Gold Standard certification system. But the U.S. Department of State has once more renewed its Travel Advisory for Belize, urging Americans to “Reconsider travel to Belize due to COVID-19.” Belize is still at a Level Four Travel Health Notice. In addition to health risks, the advisory also cites what it terms as “limited transportation options” and that “some businesses are operating, usually with significant restrictions.”  Additionally it points out that quarantine measures or entry restrictions are in place for certain U.S. citizen travelers.  The U.S. Travel Advisory continues to warn American citizens about crime throughout the country, but in Southside Belize City in particular. The advisory singles out the area south of the Haulover Creek Canal through to Fabers Road as areas to be avoided due to the increased risk of violent crime and gang related activity which it says are common even during daylight hours and in tourist areas. Americans who do still want to visit the country after reading this advisory are urged to check the Department of State’s COVID-19 page before they plan their visit. Tourism Minister Mahler is not only hoping visitors will come, but that some, particularly digital nomads, will consider staying to longer to work from Belize.

Anthony Mahler

Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism

“We just approved in cabinet a long stay programme. Right now what happens is when a visitor comes to Belize, he or she gets thirty days. We are looking to extend it to ninety days and then up to a hundred and eighty days for them to come, stay, work if they would like under a special category of visitor. Some other countries have successfully launched theirs and we are just doing the same thing.”