An absolute breeze: What it's like traveling to Belize during COVID-19
Belize was one of the first countries to reopen to international travel during the COVID-19 pandemic, and I've been eager to see the country. When Alaska Airlines launched new service to the Central American nation, it was the perfect opportunity for me to finally visit.
So, how hard is it to make the trip? As it turns out, it's not hard at all.
Read on for all you need to know to visit Belize and what it's like right now to go as an American.
COVID-19 testing requirements
Visitors arriving at Philip Goldson International Airport (BZE) need to provide a negative COVID-19 antigen test taken within two days of arrival or a negative PCR test taken within 96 hours of arrival — regardless of vaccination status.
As an alternative, you can test on arrival at the airport, but they charge $50 per passenger and some airlines might not allow you to board if you don't have a test.
The Belize Tourism Board website does offer updated, straightforward information on the requirements for entry based on how you plan to arrive.
Tourists must stay at a Gold Standard property
If you want to go to Belize, you'll need to stay at one of the country’s full-service hotels or resorts that have received the Belize Tourism Gold Standard Certificate of Recognition (the full list is updated regularly and can be found here).
Just be aware not all certified hotels are on the list. For example, the resort I stayed at, Gaia Riverlodge, wasn't on the list when I first looked (though it is now).
The Gold Standard hotels have to have a restaurant on the property, provide transportation to and from the airport and follow strict cleanliness protocols.
At the airport
As usual with international trips during COVID-19, I was worried about not being able to get on my flight.
Even though I knew you technically don't need a negative test before arriving, I was going to come prepared.
My plan was to use the BinaxNow test I took to return to the United States from Colombia a few days before the trip as my negative test to visit Belize. However, I realized the day before the trip that the BinaxNow test wouldn't qualify because it's an antigen test and my result was older than two days.
I knew there was a Clarity Lab at Terminal 6 at LAX, so I scheduled a PCR test for the morning of my flight. I took the PCR test at 7:18 a.m. for the price of $125. The test on arrival in Belize is only $50, but I didn't want to take a chance that I'd be denied boarding in Los Angeles.
I also had a backup Binax test in my bag "just in case," but I was hoping to save that to use before leaving Belize.
However, I needn't have worried.
Incredibly, there was no mention of entry requirements at the boarding area. In fact, aside from showing my passport, there was nothing unusual about getting on the flight. Good thing, too, since I didn't end up getting my test results back until I was already on board the plane at 11:05 a.m. That was a nearly four-hour wait for results (Clarity promises results in three to five hours).
They did make an announcement at the boarding area that anyone who checked in online or at a kiosk needed to see a gate agent for a passport check. They didn't mention anything about COVID-19 requirements.
Honestly, it's easier to go to Belize than it was to go to Hawaii.
Fill out the immigration form
The only thing the flight crew stressed about the arrival into Belize was that every passenger must fill out a two-sided immigration and customs form. One side is for your arrival details and asks for your home address, passport information, residency status, occupation and the countries you've visited in the past 30 days. The other side is a basic customs declaration form. There's no specific mention of COVID-19.
COVID-19 screening in Belize
Once you land in Belize, you'll descend either a ramp or stairs. As I came off the plane, I was greeted by at least 20 workers, many saying, "Welcome to Belize!"
Arriving passengers are divided into two lines: One line for those who don't have a negative COVID-19 test, and a separate line for those of us who brought negative test results.
I was directed to a stand with a plexiglass shield where I showed my negative test results from Clarity Labs (stored on my phone as a photo) as well as the immigration form. The form was stamped by a friendly woman working the check-in station, and then I was sent around the corner to the next station where my form was stamped again.
After that, you go around another corner to see customs officials who look at your paper immigration form, digitally scan your passport and put another stamp on your immigration form.
Then you see an official at a final customs declaration station who physically checks your passport and gives you yet another stamp on that immigration form.
Finally, you pass the immigration document (now full of stamps) to one last official and exit the airport.
Despite all of the form-stamping required, it only took about 10 minutes total, and I was officially in Belize.
Bottom line
Visiting Belize was a breeze. No matter your vaccination status, you can visit by testing beforehand or on arrival. It's been, by far, the easiest entry I've had of the three countries I've recently visited. In fact, it was easier than visiting Hawaii at times during the pandemic.
I'm staying at the Gaia Riverlodge in the forest of the Cayo District, and I really love Belize so far. Everyone speaks English, which is convenient for any U.S. travelers who don't know any other languages. I hope I get to come back to explore the famous coastline at some point soon. Maybe another flight on Alaska?
Keep in mind, there is a nightly curfew from 9 p.m. until 4 a.m. and they are very serious about the wearing of masks.
If you missed it, here’s our country-by-country guide to reopenings.
Do note that the U.S. Department of State’s travel advisory for Belize is Level 4: Do Not Travel due to COVID-19 and crime, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s advisory for the country is Level 4: Very High Level of COVID-19.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.