Belize Travel Medical Insurance for International Travelers – FAQs
If you're planning a trip to Belize, make sure you purchase Belize travel insurance or travel medical insurance to protect yourself against the unpredictability of international travel.
Do I need travel medical insurance for Belize?
The requirement to purchase mandatory Belize travel health insurance ended on July 12, 2022. Insurance coverage is now optional for tourists entering Belize. However, it is still strongly recommended for all travelers.
Why buy travel medical insurance for Belize?
While the requirement to have insurance may have ended, the risks have not. You can still contract COVID-19 in Belize even if you are fully vaccinated. Just the same, you could get a broken bone or another illness.
The only way to ensure your financial security is to have health insurance coverage that covers any new medical condition; not just COVID-19. Purchase travel medical insurance and be protected.
Belize Trip cancellation Insurance for International Travelers — FAQs
A trip to Belize is a dream for many, but that dream can quickly be dashed when travel plans go awry. If you were to suddenly have to cancel your trip, it would be disappointing, but also potentially costly. The smart thing to do is to project your travel investment with trip cancellation insurance.
Why buy trip cancellation insurance for Belize?
Think about all the planning that goes into a Belize vacation: Buying airline tickets, booking hotels or resorts, and buying tickets to events and attractions. Many of these expenses are not refundable. This means that if you have to cancel your trip, all that money you’ve already paid could be gone in an instant.
Don’t think trip cancellation is a possibility? Neither do countless would-be travelers who have to cancel their plans every day. You cannot predict getting sick and being unable to travel, a tropical storm closing down your destination, or a family emergency requiring you to stay home.
These situations are where the right insurance coverage can help. Trip cancellation insurance can provide you with a way to be reimbursed for your prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses if you have to cancel your trip for a covered reason.
What can be covered by trip cancellation insurance for Belize?
The exact scope and amount covered by travel insurance will depend upon the plan you choose. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you closely read the policy document of any plan before you purchase it. Generally, travel insurance can provide coverage for situations like:
- Trip cancellation
- Loss of baggage
- Baggage delays
- Trip interruption
- The option to cancel for any reason with certain plans
Top Things to Do for Travelers in Belize
Belize is a Central American country bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the south and west, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. As a tourist destination, it's known for its wide variety of ecosystems fit for just as many different activities, from lounging on the beach to hiking through the forest, from scuba diving off the coast to exploring one of its more than 450 cayes (islands). Belize is also home to a number of archaeological sites of the Mayan people, whose civilization was in full swing when Spanish explorers arrived in the 1500s. Today, tourism is the second-largest industry in the nation, which saw more than 1.5 million visitors in 2018.
Belize City
Belize City is the country's largest city and commercial center. It was the capital of Belize until 1970, when Hurricane Hattie destroyed much of its infrastructure. Today, the port city welcomes cruise ships and is a popular tourist spot. Attractions include the Museum of Belize, an art and history museum housed in a former prison; the colonial structure of Government House, today a historical museum; St. John's Cathedral; the Belize City Swing Bridge, the oldest of its kind in Central America; and the Belize Zoo, which houses only animals native to the region.
Belizean Cuisine
Belizean cuisine is a hybrid of all the nation's ethnicities and the cuisine of their native cultures. One staple is Belize rice and beans, cooked in coconut milk with meat and signature spices and served with potato salad. Cochinita pibil is a traditional Yucatan-Mayan slow-roasted pork dish, marinated in orange juice and spices and wrapped in a plantain leaf before cooking. Tamales are a popular choice, as are Johnny cakes, Belize fruit cake, and ceviche. Make sure to save room for dessert options like Soursop ice cream, craboo ice cream, and cassava pudding. Cashew and craboo wines are also common.
The Belize Barrier Reef
The Belize Barrier Reef stretches more than 190 miles long, the second largest coral reef system in the world behind the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. The country's top tourist destination, it's one of the most beautiful sites in the world for scuba diving, snorkeling, and fishing. Underwater attractions include the Cat's Eye (a crescent-shaped sinkhole) and Shark Ray Alley, where sharp-eyed divers can spot sharks and stingrays.
Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve
The Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, located in west-central Belize, was established in 1944. The forest's high altitude means cooler temperatures and fewer mosquitoes, to many a welcome change from the tropical conditions of the country's beaches and islands. Hiking through the forests, visitors pass by gushing rivers, waterfalls, caves, and pools, including Rio On Pools, a popular swim spot. Wildlife includes cougars, jaguars, Baird's tapirs, crocodiles, toucans, falcons, and more. The reserve is also home to the scenic Thousand Foot Falls, which actually measures 1,600 feet high and is the highest waterfall in Central America.
Travel Risks for International Travelers in Belize
Adventure Sports Injuries
The waters of Belize are a playground for snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming, and more. Make sure you research adventure sports coverage in travel insurance. Many base insurance plans don't cover the risk of adventurous or hazardous sports, and it may be necessary to purchase an add-on package to stay covered.
Hurricanes and Tropical Storms
Due to its Central American location, Belize is struck by major hurricanes about once a decade on average. However, even less potent tropical storms can easily soak travel plans. It is a good idea to keep an eye on tropical weather forecasts before and during your Belize trip, and follow the advice of local authorities to keep yourself safe if a storm does strike.
Crime
As with any tourist destination, instances of petty crime do occur. Stick to well-populated tourist areas, do not venture out alone at night, and avoid wearing flashy jewelry that could attract unwanted attention. Also, never leave your drink unattended at a bar. Criminals have been known to spike drinks, only to steal the victim’s belongings after the drugs have taken effect.
Before you travel to Belize, do this:
- Pack plenty of sunscreen, and apply it liberally
- Stay updated on weather forecasts that could impact travel or vacation plans
- Purchase travel medical insurance or travel insurance to protect your health and your finances