Belize Country Report

Belize, a former British possession and current Commonwealth member, is the only English-speaking country located in Central America and has long been a tourism hotspot. Its biodiversity and lengthy coral reef system combined with its Anglophone background equip it with a strong comparative advantage among its neighbors in terms of attracting North American and even European visitors. However, its reliance on tourism has also proved a vulnerability during negative economic global shocks, and the country has failed to diversify beyond a few traditional agricultural exports such as sugar and bananas. Oil production has provided some state revenue, but has become less important as global oil prices have only somewhat recovered from recent lows.

The principal risk for those visiting Belize is crime, often violent in Belize City. However, typical resort areas, including the cayes, are at far less risk given their distance from high-crime areas and instead see a threat mainly from opportunistic crime only. Rural areas in the interior also bring notable infrastructural and service-related risks, and the country as a whole is well within the hurricane belt during the Atlantic hurricane season.

Belize has an ongoing border dispute with Guatemala that has at times resulted in high tensions. Crime in the country is a serious issue, with incidents ranging from opportunistic to violent acts. Belize has no history of domestic or transnational terrorism but could prove to be a lucrative target due to its popularity among Western tourists. Protests occur occasionally in the country, but the general level of unrest is average.

International carriers are considered safe for travel to Belize.

Because of its small size, Belize is limited to a handful of major roads and highways. In general, roads vary greatly in quality. Basic services such as water, electricity and fuel availability are highly reliable in the majority of Belize, save but in the most rural of areas.

The country is considered both an unlikely sponsor of and unlikely target for cyberattacks; its defenses against such an attack are understood to be weak.

Belize has a warm tropical climate with a rainy season June-November and a dry season February-May. Temperatures and rainfall amounts vary by region depending on altitude and proximity to the coast; inland areas typically experience warmer conditions, with the exception of southern mountainous areas, and southern regions are typically wetter with less pronounced wet and dry seasons. Heavy downpours can trigger flooding, particularly during the rainy season (June-November), and the risk is amplified by the threat of tropical storms and hurricanes during approximately the same timeframe; such storm activity tends to peak September-October. The country does not experience earthquakes as frequently as other countries in the region but is still at some risk.

Mosquito-borne diseases are the only major non-routine concern in the country. Medical facilities in Belize City and Belmopan are adequate for most needs; extreme emergencies may require leaving the country. Most major medications can be obtained in some form in major towns. Tap water is not considered safe for drinking unless otherwise directed.

Corruption in Belize is considered to be a significant problem, though indicators are few and far between. Rule of law is sound on paper but is fundamentally weak in practice. The country's system of government is highly stable and is expected to continue as such. Sanctions are not a concern.