Basics - The Rough Guide to Belize - page 31

made for the US or Canada should function properly,
but anything from Britain or South Africa will need a
plug adapter and possibly a transformer. The
electricity supply is generally pretty dependable, but
power cuts do occur. In small villages where
electricity is supplied by local generators, voltage will
often be lower and less dependable.

South Africa , contact the British High Commission
( W gov.uk), which represents Belize in these
countries.
Australia (Honorary Consul) 81 Highfield Rd, Lindfield, NSW T 02
8425 0805, E [e-mail].
Canada (Honorary Consul) Suite 3800, South Tower, Royal Bank
Plaza, Toronto M5J 2JP T 416 865 7000, E mpeterson@mcbinch
.com.
Mexico 215 Calle Bernado de Gálves, Col Lomas de Chapultepec,
México DF 11000 T 555 520 1274, E [e-mail];
there is also a consulate in Cancún T 988 78417, E nelbel
@prodigy.net.mx.
UK Belize High Commission, Third Floor, 45 Crawford Place, London
W1H 4LP T 020 7723 3603, W belizehighcommission.com.
US 2535 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington DC 20008 T 202 332
9636, W embassyofbelize.org; also 5825 Sunset Blvd, Suite 206,
Hollywood, CA 90028 T 323 469 7343.

Entry requirements

Citizens of the US, Canada, the EU, Australia, New
Zealand and South Africa do not need visas to
enter Belize as tourists. Swiss, Japanese and Israeli
citizens, as well as most other nationalities, do need
a visa, for which they have to apply at a Belizean
embassy or consulate in advance, as visas are not
o cially obtainable at the border. There is no
charge to enter Belize - just fill out the immigration
form on the plane or at the border. Even if you don't
require a visa, keep your passport or a photocopy
with you at all times in Belize, as you may be asked
to show it at police checkpoints.
Non-US citizens passing through the US en route
to Belize will possibly need a US visa . It's essential
you confirm before you travel that your current
passport will permit you to enter the US; allow at
least two months if you need to obtain a US visa.
For more on this, check the latest information on
the US Department of Homeland Security website
( W dhs.gov/us-visit).
All visitors to Belize are generally allowed a
maximum stay of thirty days , but entry stamps can
be renewed for up to a year. Many foreign
embassies and consulates are still in Belize City,
though the US embassy ( T 822 4011, W belizeus
embassy.gov) is in Belmopan, which is also the
location of the UK High Commission ( T 822 2146
W gov.uk/government/world/belize).

Gay and lesbian travellers

Belize overall is not a gay-friendly country, and local
homosexuals often keep their sexuality a secret.
Few people will make their disapproval obvious to
foreigners, however, and many openly welcome the
gay cruises that visit the country. San Pedro is
probably your best bet for a hassle-free time.

Insurance
Travel insurance is important for a trip to Belize;
your coverage should include emergency treatment
and provision for repatriation by air ambulance.
Although there is a modern, private hospital in Belize
City, in emergencies you may well need treatment in
a US hospital, so ensure that your policy provides you
with a 24hr emergency contact number.
Consider also taking out coverage for loss or
theft of personal possessions, as petty theft is fairly
common in Belize.
Before shopping around for a policy, check first to
see what coverage you already have. Bank, credit
and charge cards often have certain levels of

Belizean embassies and consulates
These are just a few of the Belizean embassies and
consulates around the world. In New Zealand and

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