Capital: Belmopan
Location:
Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico (slightly smaller than Massachusetts).
Background:
Territorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the independence of Belize (formerly British Honduras) until 1981. Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation until 1992. Tourism has become the mainstay of the economy. The country remains plagued by high unemployment, growing involvement in the South American drug trade, and increased urban crime.
Ethnic Groups:
Mestizo 43.7%, Creole 29.8%, Maya 10%, Garifuna 6.2%, other 10.3%
Language:
English (official), Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib), Creole
Currency:
BZD
Belizean dollar (BZD)
Belizean dollars per US dollar - 2.0000 (fixed rate pegged to the US dollar)
Climate:
Tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May)
Population:
256,062 (July 2001 est.)
Religion:
Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 30% (Anglican 12%, Methodist 6%, Mennonite 4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3%, Pentecostal 2%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1%, other 2%), none 2%, other 6% (1980)
Medical:
Medical care is limited, and severe injuries or illness requiring emergency care may require evacuation to another country.
U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas may face extreme difficulties.
Please check with your own insurance company to confirm whether your policy applies overseas, including provision for medical evacuation, and for adequacy of coverage. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Please ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas hospital or doctor or if you will be reimbursed later for expenses that you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death.
Safety:
Local and international water taxis do not always carry sufficient safety equipment, may carry an excess number of passengers and may sail in inclement weather. Travelers should exercise caution when using water taxis.
The border between Belize and Guatemala is in dispute, but the dispute thus far has not affected travel between the two countries.
Traffic Safety:
While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Belize is provided for general reference only, and it may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
Safety of Public Transportation:
Good
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance:
Fair
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance:
Poor
Availability of Roadside Assistance:
Poor
Valid U.S. driver's licenses and international driving permits are accepted in Belize for a period of three months after entry. Buses and private vehicles are the main mode of transportation in Belize; no trains operate in the country. There are no emergency numbers to call when serious problems are encountered, and there are very few public telephones along the road. The Belizean Department of Transportation is responsible for road safety.
Roads in Belize vary from two-lane paved roads to dirt tracks. Most are high-crowned roads, which can contribute to cars overturning. The Manatee Road, leading from the Western Highway to Dangriga is easily flooded after storms. The Southern Highway from Dangriga to Punta Gorda is under construction, and sections are in poor repair.
Poor road and/or vehicle maintenance cause many fatal accidents on Belizean roads. Driving at night is not recommended, due to poor signage, a tendency not to dim the lights when approaching other vehicles, and drunk driving.
Service stations are plentiful along the major roads, and most villages have at least one service station nearby. For safety reasons, travelers should not stop to offer assistance to others whose vehicles have apparently broken down.
Driving is on the right-hand side of the road. Speed limits are 55 miles per hour on most highways and 25 miles per hour on most other roads, but they are seldom obeyed or posted. Seatbelts for drivers and front-seat passengers are mandatory, but child car seats are not required. There are very few motorcycles, but bicycles are numerous and constitute a traffic hazard at all times. Driving while intoxicated is punishable by a fine; if an alcohol-related accident results in a fatality, the driver may face manslaughter charges.
Local traffic customs include: stopping in the middle of the road to talk to someone while blocking traffic, pulling to the far right in order to make a left turn, and tailgating at high speeds.
For additional information about road travel in Belize, please see the U.S. Embassy home page at http://www.usembassy.state.gov/belize. For additional general information about road safety, including links to foreign government sites, please see the Department Of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, home page at http://travel.state.gov/road safety.html. For specific information concerning drivers' permits, vehicle requirements, and insurance in Belize, please e-mail the U.S. Embassy at amboffice@btl.net.
