Medical Summary
The health risk information presented here is summarized from Shoreland Travax®, a decision-support tool used by health care providers to perform a detailed health risk analysis based on specific locations, individual travel styles, and traveler risk behaviors. Travax provides practitioners current, independently researched malaria risk and prevention recommendations in a map-based format that goes beyond the annual WHO and US CDC statements included here. Not included here are current reports from Travax of disease outbreaks or environmental events that may pose elevated risks to travelers’ health and safety. The Providers section of this site offers a directory of health care providers who utilize Shoreland Travax for travel health counseling. Learn more about the detailed reports and maps available from these practitioners (includes links to samples).
General Information
Belize is a developing nation classified as upper middle income. Located in Central America (south of Mexico and north of Guatemala), the climate classifications range from humid equatorial (no dry season) in the south to humid equatorial (long dry season) in the north.
Vaccinations
Yellow Fever
See also: Library article for Yellow Fever
- Requirement: No requirement for any traveler as of November 18, 2022 per the 2022 online update of International Travel and Health.
Other Vaccines
Depending on your itinerary, your personal risk factors, and the length of your visit, your health care provider may offer you vaccination against chikungunya, COVID-19, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, rabies, or typhoid fever. Routine immunizations, such as those that prevent tetanus/diphtheria or "childhood" diseases, should be reviewed and updated as needed.
Malaria
See also: Library article for Malaria
The following is current information as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC):
WHO—International Travel and Health (current online update, Country List)
(2020) Malaria risk due predominantly to P. vivax exists in some areas of Stan Creek and is negligible elsewhere.- Recommended prevention in risk areas: A - Very limited risk of malaria transmission. Mosquito bite prevention only.
WHO Country List footnote: When available, the date of the most recent update or confirmation is indicated in parentheses in the country list. If no date is indicated, the most recent update or confirmation was provided before 2013.
CDC—Health Information for International Travel (current online edition)
Areas with malaria: Rare locally transmitted cases. None in Belize City and islands frequented by tourists such as Ambergris Caye.- Drug resistance3 : None.
- Malaria species: P. vivax 100%.
- Recommended chemoprophylaxis: None (practice mosquito avoidance).
3 Refers to P. falciparum malaria unless otherwise noted.
4 Primaquine and tafenoquine can cause hemolytic anemia in people with G6PD deficiency. Patients must be screened for G6PD deficiency before starting primaquine or tafenoquine. See Tafenoquine Approved for Malaria Prophylaxis and Treatment for more information.
Other Concerns
Travelers' Diarrhea
See also: Library article for Travelers' Diarrhea
High risk exists throughout the country, including in deluxe accommodations. Community sanitation and food safety measures are generally inadequate. Some itineraries (e.g., remote destinations, austere accommodations) and activities (e.g., ecotourism, eating street or local-market food) further increase risk.
Travelers should observe food and beverage precautions, which reduce the likelihood of illness.
Travelers should carry loperamide for self-treatment of diarrhea and, if risk is moderate to high, an antibiotic to add if diarrhea is severe. Consult a knowledgeable health care provider regarding which antibiotic is appropriate for you and most effective for your destination.
Other Food-Borne Illnesses
Precautions to prevent brucellosis, seafood poisoning may be needed.
Insect- and Arthropod-Borne Diseases
Chagas' disease (American trypanosomiasis), dengue, leishmaniasis, West Nile virus, Zika may pose a risk. Personal protective measures are important.
Other Disease and Health Risks
Additional concerns include helminths, leptospirosis, marine hazards, sexually transmitted infections, snakebites, tuberculosis.
Consular Advice
The material below includes information from the US Department of State (DOS), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCO), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), and Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), as well as from additional open-source material. Standard safety precautions that apply to all international travel can be found in the Library article Safety and Security.
Terrorism Risk
No intrinsic risk of attack by terrorist groups exists, but unforeseen attacks are possible.
Crime
High risk of violent crime (armed robbery, home invasion, assault, sexual assault, carjacking, gang-related violence, and murder) and high risk of petty crime exist throughout the country, especially in Belize City (particularly in southern areas), San Pedro (Belize District), Caye Caulker, and in areas surrounding Belmopan and Mayan archeological sites.
Scams involving extortion have been reported.
Civil Unrest
Protests and demonstrations occur throughout the country and are generally peaceful but have the potential to turn violent without warning. Bystanders are at risk of harm from violence or from the response by authorities. Disruption to transportation, free movement, or the ability to carry out daily activities may occur.
Water Safety
Basic safety standards for recreational water activities (including scuba diving, snorkeling, and jet-skiing) are often not in place. Rent water sports equipment from reputable operators. Scuba dive only with personnel certified by PADI or NAUI, and use equipment only from PADI- or NAUI-certified dive operators.
Transportation Safety
Significant risk of traffic-related injury or death exists. The road traffic death rate is more than 24 per 100,000 population, the highest risk category. Carefully assess the safety of transportation options before any road travel.
Speed laws are poorly enforced.
Seat belt laws are poorly enforced.
Drunk driving laws are poorly enforced.
There are no restrictions on mobile phone usage while driving.
Structural standards for vehicles may not meet international standards.
Natural Disasters
The hurricane season is from June through November. Floods, mudslides, and landslides may occur.
Consular Information
Selected Embassies or Consulates in Belize
- United States: [+501] 822-4011; bz.usembassy.gov
- Canada: [+501] 223-1060; travel.gc.ca/assistance/embassies-consulates/belize
- United Kingdom: [+501] 822-2146; www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-high-commission-belmopan
- Australia: Australia does not have an embassy or consulate in Belize.
Belize's Embassies or Consulates in Selected Countries
- In the U.S.: www.belizeembassyusa.mfa.gov.bz
- In Canada: www.belizeconsulatealberta.com
- In the U.K.: belizehighcommission.co.uk
- In Australia: [+61] 02-9488-7428
