BELIZE CITY, BELIZE — Health insurance is now mandatory for all travellers visiting Belize, a new mandate designed to protect against incurred medical and non-medical expenses should they test for COVID-19 during their stay.

As of Feb. 15, 2022, all visitors are required to apply for Belize Travel Health Insurance, which costs US$18 and provides coverage for up to US$50,000 in medical expenses related to treatment of COVID-19 for a period of 21 days. It also provides up to $2,000 in coverage (maximum $300/day) for lodging expenses due to quarantine, and also covers trip cancellations and expenses incurred by COVID-19-positive travellers for extended stays.

It is recommended that travellers purchase the Belize Travel Health Insurance prior to travel to Belize, however, it can be bought upon arrival at the Philip Goldson International Airport or at Belize’s land borders.

Belizean nationals, permanent residents and travellers with QRP or Long Stay status and flight crews are exempt.

In addition to purchasing the plan, all international tourists must book accommodations at a Gold Standard property and present confirmation at Immigration. For a list of properties click here.

All travellers, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, entering Belize through the Philip Goldson International Airport from other countries will also be required to present a negative COVID-19 test upon arrival. If no test is presented, a COVID-19 test will be administered at the airport for a fee of $50 per passenger. Children under the age of five are exempt.

In the past year, Belize has implemented several traveller protocols to ensure the health and safety of visitors, including the Tourism Gold Standard Program and the Travel Belize app. For more information go to www.travelbelize.org.