Belize
Travel Destination – Belize
Belize is a captivating Central American destination where turquoise Caribbean waters meet dense rainforests and ancient Mayan ruins. From the world-famous Belize Barrier Reef and the laid-back cayes to inland jungles, waterfalls, and wildlife reserves, Belize offers a diverse travel experience for beach lovers, divers, and adventure seekers alike.
Whether you’re snorkelling the Great Blue Hole, exploring cave systems, or wandering through historic sites such as Caracol or Lamanai, thoughtful preparation will help ensure your journey is safe, enjoyable, and free from avoidable health concerns.
Health Risks
Pre-travel preparation
Before travelling to Belize, it’s recommended to book a consultation with a travel doctor to receive personalised medical advice. A travel health professional can tailor recommendations based on your itinerary, whether you’ll be spending time on offshore islands, in coastal towns, or in rural jungle regions.
Your doctor will review your vaccination history, discuss any destination-specific health risks, and provide prescriptions for medications you may need, including malaria prevention if indicated. Ideally, schedule your appointment six to eight weeks before departure, allowing time for multi-dose vaccines. However, even last-minute travellers can benefit from accelerated vaccination schedules and essential health guidance.
Insect avoidance
Mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue and zika are present in parts of Belize, particularly in low-lying and forested areas. Other diseases can also be caught from insect bites, such as Chagas disease. Protecting yourself from insect bites is a key aspect of travel health.
Stay in accommodation with air conditioning or screened windows where possible, and use permethrin-treated mosquito nets if needed. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, especially during dawn and dusk, and apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
Additional protection includes permethrin-treated clothing and reducing standing water around accommodation to help limit mosquito breeding. Keep cuts and wounds clean and covered to prevent secondary insect-related infections.
Food and water hygiene
Belize offers a blend of cuisines as well as fresh seafood, which can be enjoyed whilst minimising the risk of gastroenteritis and other food-borne illnesses. Practise good hand hygiene by washing hands or using alcohol-based hand sanitiser before eating. Avoid raw or undercooked foods, and choose meals that are freshly cooked and served hot.
Street food is safest when prepared in front of you. Fruits and vegetables are best eaten when they can be peeled, such as bananas, papayas, and mangos. Drink only bottled, boiled, or properly filtered water, and avoid ice made from untreated tap water.
Rabies prevention
Australia is one of the few regions worldwide that is free from rabies. In Belize, rabies can be transmitted through bites or scratches from dogs, bats, and other mammals. The most effective prevention strategy is avoiding contact with animals.
Discuss rabies vaccination with your travel doctor, particularly if you plan to visit remote areas, spend extended time outdoors, or work with animals. Any animal bite or scratch requires immediate medical attention, as prompt treatment can prevent rabies, which is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.
Our Travel Doctors
Our fully qualified doctors have an interest in travel medicine and immunisations. And they know travel. Their expert advice will be tailored for you, your travel companions and your trip.
Which shots do I need for Belize?
Hepatitis A
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Hepatitis A infects the liver and can cause short term infection causing a range of gastrointestinal and systemic symptoms. It is caused a a virus that is commonly spread through contaminated food and water. Hepatitis A is more prevalent in Belize than in Australia, and many Australians are not routinely vaccinated. Immunisation is strongly recommended for travellers who have not completed the two-dose course, particularly those staying with locals or travelling to rural areas.
Typhoid
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Typhoid is an infection that causes high fever, fatigue, abdominal pain, and gastrointestinal upset. It is caused by Salmonella bacteria and is spread through contaminated food and water. Food and water hygiene is essential in preventing typhoid fever. A typhoid vaccine provides protection for up to three years, and is especially useful for longer stays or travel outside major tourist centres.
Hepatitis B
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The hepatitis B virus can cause long-term infection of the liver. Hepatitis B is transmitted through contact with blood or bodily fluids, including unprotected sex, tattooing, or shared personal items like razors. While many younger Australians are vaccinated, not all adults are immune. Hepatitis B vaccination is generally advised for travel to Belize if you are staying for a prolonged period or have other risk factors.
Routine vaccinations
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Diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, influenza, and COVID-19 can circulate more widely in Belize compared to Australia, due to Australia's strong immunisation program. A travel consultation can identify any gaps in your routine immunisations and ensure boosters are up to date before travelling to Belize.
Belize
Other health risks in Belize
Dengue
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Dengue fever is common in urban and semi-urban areas of Belize, and is spread by day-biting mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, and rash. A severe form of Dengue can occur involving severe complications such as bleeding and shock, which is more likely with repeat infections. Prevention relies heavily on effective mosquito protection.
Rabies
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Australia is one of the few regions worldwide that is free from rabies. In Belize, rabies can be transmitted through bites or scratches from dogs, bats, and other mammals. The most effective prevention strategy is avoiding contact with animals.
Discuss rabies vaccination with your travel doctor, particularly if you plan to visit remote areas, spend extended time outdoors, or work with animals. Any animal bite or scratch requires immediate medical attention, as prompt treatment can prevent rabies, which is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.
Gastroenteritis
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Gastroenteritis, otherwise called travellers’ diarrhoea, is commonly caused by bacteria in contaminated food or water. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal cramps which can occur within one to three days of exposure.
Hydration is essential for treatment, whereby oral rehydration solutions can be helpful to replace lost fluids and salts. Symptoms usually resolve within a few days. Seek medical attention if symptoms are unusual, persistent, or severe.
Non-infectious conditions
Crime and unrest
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Crime rates in Belize are higher than in Australia, particularly in certain urban areas. Stay informed by checking the Smartraveller website for current Australian Government travel advice before departure and during your stay.
Deep vein thrombosis
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Long-distance air or road travel to Belize increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), where blood clots form due to reduced circulation. To reduce risk, move regularly during travel, stay well hydrated, and consider wearing below-knee compression stockings if you are at higher risk. Treatment usually involves blood-thinning medications.
Safety on the roads and elsewhere
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Travelling to Belize involves trying new activities and going on new adventures. But before setting out, it is wise to know the risks and take measures to reduce them.
When contemplating motorbiking overseas ensure you have the necessary skills to ride, be aware of the road rules and always wear a helmet. For other road transport options, choose alternatives with functioning seatbelts.
If surfing or diving for the first time, choose an instructor who is well versed in all the necessary safety aspects. And if unfamiliar with hiking, wear boots which are already worn in, use sunscreen and insect repellent, pack light and stay within your limits when choosing your route.
Regardless of what you are planning, it is a good idea to have travel insurance which covers the cost of medical repatriation.