Medical care in Belize is limited. Doctors and hospitals usually expect immediate payment. There are seven government hospitals, one in Belmopan, one in Belize City, and one hospital in each of the five county capitals. Medical centers are available in rural areas. It is advisable to take out travel insurance that includes health and repatriation insurance. An individual first-aid kit should be taken with you and protected according to the temperatures on the way. Check indexdotcom for more information.
Notes vaccinations
[1] Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for all travelers (including infants) who have stayed in or transited through a WHO-designated infected area within the last 6 days. Excluded are travelers who have not left the transit area in the infected areas and transit passengers in Belize who have not left the transit area.[2] A certificate of vaccination against cholera is not an entry requirement, but there is a risk of infection, especially in the districts of Stan Creek, Cayo and Toledo. To protect yourself, you should practice careful drinking water and food hygiene. Since the effectiveness of the vaccination is disputed, It is advisable to seek medical advice in good time before starting the journey. Contrary to official regulations, it can occasionally be the case that a cholera vaccination certificate is also required. This is particularly the case when arriving from a country where cholera is endemic or arriving outside of the capital’s international airport. [3] Nationwide there is an increased risk of infection with typhus. A typhoid vaccination is recommended. There is no vaccination recommendation for polio. [4] Malaria protection required year-round across the country. The less dangerous form Plasmodium vivax predominates. The more dangerous form Plasmodium falciparum occurs less frequently (15%). The risk is highest in the southern regions and in the districts of Cayo and Toledo. There is little risk in Belize City. Recommendation: Mosquito repellent and emergency medication in risk areas. [5] Nationwide there is an increased risk of infection, especially for various intestinal infections. Careful food and drinking water hygiene should be practiced. Water should generally either be boiled or otherwise sterilized before it is used for drinking, brushing teeth and making ice cubes, or it should be bought packaged. When buying packaged water, you should make sure that the original packaging is not broken. Only consume dairy products made from pasteurized milk. Outside of urban areas, milk is unpasteurized and should be boiled. Meat and fish dishes should only be well cooked and served hot. Pork, raw salads and mayonnaise should be avoided. Vegetables should be boiled and fruits should be peeled. Caution should be exercised before consuming reef fish and seafood that is offered as a deli in dining restaurants because of possible algae poisoning. Warnings are given against eating and buying food from cheap street restaurants and markets.
Other risks
Chagas disease, caused by assassin bugs, occurs sporadically. Travelers who stay in simple huts and in the open air are recommended to use mosquito nets to protect them from insects. There is a medium risk of infection with dengue fever, which is transmitted by mosquitoes. An effective insect repellent is recommended. Nationwide there is an increased risk of infection with hepatitis A. Vaccination is generally recommended. Hepatitis B also occurs. Vaccination against hepatitis B should be given during longer stays and close contact with the local population, as well as for children and young people in general. HIV/AIDS has recently spread and poses a great threat to all risk of infection: Unprotected sexual contact, unclean syringes or cannulas and blood transfusions can pose a significant health risk. There is a low risk of infection for leishmaniasis, which is transmitted by whiteflies. Protection is offered by skin-covering clothes and insect repellents. Rabies occurs nationwide. Carriers include dogs, cats, forest animals and bats. Vaccination is recommended for backpackers, children, occupational risk groups and for longer stays. In the event of a bite, seek medical attention as soon as possible. The Zika virus is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, joint pain and conjunctivitis. The infection often goes unnoticed or only has mild symptoms. The isolated deaths documented so far were mainly related to other pre-existing conditions. The Federal Foreign Office advises pregnant women against non-essential travel to areas with current Zika outbreaks because the virus is suspected of causing microcephaly in the unborn child. There is neither a vaccination nor a medicinal prophylaxis. Consistent compliance with personal mosquito protection measures is recommended. The Federal Foreign Office advises pregnant women against non-essential travel to areas with current Zika outbreaks because the virus is suspected of causing microcephaly in the unborn child. There is neither a vaccination nor a medicinal prophylaxis. Consistent compliance with personal mosquito protection measures is recommended. The Federal Foreign Office advises pregnant women against non-essential travel to areas with current Zika outbreaks because the virus is suspected of causing microcephaly in the unborn child. There is neither a vaccination nor a medicinal prophylaxis. Consistent compliance with personal mosquito protection measures is recommended.
Health certificate
For long-term stays, an HIV test is carried out in the country.
Money
Currency
1 Belize dollar = 100 cents. Currency code: Bz$, BZD (ISO code). Banknotes are in denominations of Bz$100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 2; Bz$1 and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 cent coins. The national currency is tied to the US dollar (US$1 = Bz$2). Tourist facilities usually also accept US dollars.
Credit cards
Major credit cards such as American Express, Visa and Mastercard are accepted. Details from the issuer of the relevant credit card. Many shops and restaurants add a 5% service charge to credit card payments.
ATMs
Bank cards With the credit card and pin number, money can be withdrawn from ATMs in the larger cities and in the tourist areas. The Girocard (formerly ec card) with the Cirrus, Plus or Maestro symbol is accepted worldwide. It can be used at a few ATMs with the Cirrus, Plus or Maestro symbol in all tourist areas and in major cities. To be on the safe side, travelers should always have an alternative source of money such as cash. Further information from banks and credit institutes. Attention: Travelers who want to pay with their bank customer card abroad and withdraw money should find out from their bank about the possibility of using their card before starting their journey.
Travelers cheques
Traveller’s checks are no longer available in Germany and Switzerland and are rarely available in Austria. Traveller’s checks can be exchanged in a few banks in Belize’s larger cities. US dollar travelers checks are recommended.
Bank opening hours
Mon-Fri 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Fri until 4.30 p.m. (deviations are possible).
Foreign exchange regulations
The import and export of local currency is prohibited. The import of foreign currency is unlimited; Declaration obligation from a value of 10,000 Bz$. The export of foreign currencies is possible up to the amount declared upon import, minus the exchange amounts (proof).
Currency Exchange
Foreign currencies can be exchanged at most banks, hotels and travel agencies. Euros are usually not exchanged for local currency in banks. Some stores also accept US dollars. Currency exchange is only permitted in authorized places (exchange offices, banks), violators will be fined.
