Belize land borders with Mexico and Guatemala will finally fully-open up to travelers from Monday, February 7 says the government. But only to the fully-vaccinated.
Belize announced yesterday it was finally reopening its land borders with Mexico and Guatemala to non-tourists. This will be effective Monday, February 7, 2022 – but only for fully-vaccinated travelers.
Since July 2021, the Belize land borders have been open to non-resident tourists entering the country. Upon arrival at the border, they need to take a compulsory Covid test (at their own cost – $50). They must also show proof of at least three nights of pre-booked, Gold Standard accommodations.
Belize had planned to fully-open its land borders on January 1, but postponed because of the global Omicron spread. Despite rumors of a February 1 reopening, the government said nothing, until Health & Wellness Minister Kevin Bernard’s announcement yesterday.
Bernard, who took over as Belize’s new health minister last week, said the move came after final cabinet approval. The borders with Mexico and Guatemala will expand their opening hours from 8:00 AM-4:00 PM weekdays (8:00 AM-12:00 Saturdays and Sundays) to 6:00 AM-10:00 PM daily (all week).
The critical part of the announcement, though, is that all travelers entering Belize by land must show proof of full vaccination. This will include non-resident tourists.
It’s unclear whether Belize will mandate on-the-spot testing to enter by land as it’s been doing so far, or if it will accept negative tests taken in advance. We imagine the on-the-spot testing mandate will remain for now.
In the meantime, the important takeaway is this: Unvaccinated people entering Belize can only do so by air, coming in through the Philip Goldson International Airport in Belize City.
Both vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers entering Belize by air need to provide a negative test. Unlike the land borders, travelers can take these tests in advance (within 96 hours of arrival for a PCR and 48 for a rapid antigen). Travelers arriving without a test must take one upon arrival at a $50 cost.
From February 15, all travelers entering Belize must also buy health insurance to cover possible Covid treatment and quarantine.
This includes both vaccinated and non-vaccinated travelers, whether they arrive by air or through a land border.
The cost of this insurance is $18 and is valid for three weeks at a time. Travelers coming to Belize for less than three weeks must still pay $18. Those traveling in Belize for more than three weeks must renew their insurance, and keep doing so every three weeks, at $18 a time.
Belize saw a massive spike in Covid cases at the end of 2021, caused by the Omicron variant. That spike, which delayed the opening of the land borders, now seems to have peaked.
50% of Belize’s population are fully-vaccinated against Covid, with 7.2% partially-vaccinated. In Belize, “fully-vaccinated” still means two jabs (for now). For continuous, up-to-date into on Belize’s entry requirements, bookmark this page from the Belize Tourism Board.