Telephones

Belize has a standardized seven-digit phone numbering system. There are no city or area codes to dial from within Belize.

To call Belize: 1. Dial the international access code: 011 from the U.S.; 00 from the U.K., Ireland, or New Zealand; or 0011 from Australia.

2. Dial the country code: 501.

3. Dial the number.

To make international calls: To make international calls from Belize, first dial 00 and then the country code (U.S. or Canada 1, U.K. 44, Ireland 353, Australia 61, New Zealand 64). Next dial the area code and number. For example, if you wanted to call the British Embassy in Washington, D.C., you would dial tel. 00-1-202-588-7800.

For directory assistance: Dial tel. 113 if you're looking for a number inside Belize, and for numbers to all other countries dial tel. 115 and (for a charge) an operator will connect you to an international directory assistance operator.

For operator assistance: If you need operator assistance in making a call, dial tel. 115, whether you're trying to make a local or an international call.

Toll-free numbers: Numbers beginning with 0800 and 800 within Belize country are toll-free, but calling a 1-800 number in the States from Belize is not toll-free. In fact, it costs the same as an overseas call.

Telephone Access Charges -- Make sure you know what the charges are for your particular international long-distance provider. Be careful about using these numbers if you're not on a specific plan. If you don't have an international calling plan, only charge calls to your credit card as a very last resort, as these calls are usually exorbitantly expensive. If you are making direct-dial international calls from your hotel, always find out what the charges are in advance. A good option is to buy a local international calling card, which will be billed at approximately BZ$1 (US50¢/25p) per minute for calls to the U.S., or BZ$1.40 (US70¢/35p) per minute for calls to much of the rest of the world.

Cellphones

Belize uses both GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) and CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) networks. If your cellphone is on a GSM or CDMA system, and you have a world-capable multiband phone such as newer iPhones and many Android phones, you can make and receive calls across civilized areas around much of the globe. Activate an international plan on your account: data and calling prices will vary depending on your provider.

Belize Telecommunications Limited (BTL) and their cellular division DigiCell (www.digicell.bz; [tel] 227-7085) have a virtual monopoly on GSM cellular service in Belize. Luckily, DigiCell offers affordable packages for SIM card activation. If you have an unlocked GSM phone, they sell local prepaid phone cards in various denominations, although the initial SIM card and activation costs BZ$45, including BZ$20 of calls. You can buy subsequent minutes by topping up in grocery stores or on the DigiCell website. Calls anywhere within Belize are BZ50[ce], and you are not charged for incoming calls. The SIM chips and calling cards are sold at their desk at the airport or at one of their many outlets around Belize. Their website also has information on setting up your home phone for roaming in Belize.

Internet

These days it’s rare to find a business of any kind in Belize that doesn’t offer high-speed Wi-Fi access. Note that high-speed in Belize is not like high-speed in North America, so be prepared for slower, often spotty Wi-Fi service.

Belize uses standard U.S.-style two- and three-prong electric outlets with 110-volt AC current.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.