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Money & Currency in Belize: Top Travel Guide 2025

money and currency in Belize

Turquoise waters, rainforest adventures, and laid-back island life await-but managing money in Belize smartly is key to a smooth trip. Currency in Belize is the Belize Dollar (BZD), which is pegged to the US Dollar at a fixed rate of 2 BZD = 1 USD. US Dollars are widely accepted, especially in tourist areas, but change is often given in BZD. This guide explains what currency to bring, how to access or exchange cash, card usage tips, and local money dos and don’ts-so you avoid overpaying or getting short-changed in paradise.

How to pay in Belize – cash or card?

Good old cash hasn’t lost its charm. Tourists rely more on cash, with a significant majority of transactions (estimated above 70%) being conducted in cash, especially outside of tourist areas.

You can use cash for:

  • Budget hotels (especially in islands and remote areas)
  • Hostels
  • Local tour operators (e.g., snorkeling, inland nature tours)
  • Tips and gratuities (widely expected in tourism)
  • Street food (taco stands, local grills)
  • Small eateries / restaurants
  • Sit-down restaurants (especially in rural towns)
  • Small purchases
  • Local expenses at grocery stores, local shops, markets
  • Local buses (colorful old school buses, cash-only)
  • Local taxis (cash only)
  • Laundry services
  • Mobile SIM and phone top-up (at stores or vendors)
  • Nightlife / bars (especially casual beach bars)

You can use card for:

  • 4 and 5 star hotels
  • Large tour operators (especially in Belize City and San Pedro)
  • Shopping at malls (limited-mostly in Belize City)
  • Entry fees to national parks and some tourist attractions
  • Airport transport (private shuttle services, sometimes accept card)
  • Sit-down restaurants (tourist zones)
  • Upscale restaurants
  • Online bookings for upscale hotels, flights, tours
  • Spas (at resorts)
  • Vehicle renting (in cities or via tour desks)
  • Emergency medical clinics / pharmacies (in major areas)

Cash is preferred in most places outside tourist hotspots. USD is widely accepted alongside Belize dollars.

What’s the best currency to take to Belize?

Belize mainly accepts its local currency Belize Dollar (BZD or B$). Note denominations are B$ 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100.

US Dollar: USD is also widely accepted in the country, except for local supermarkets, transportation tickets and street food.

So, Belize Dollar is the best currency to take to Belize.

Where to get the local currency in Belize?

In Belize, you can get the local currency in 2 ways. These are:
ATMs, or
Currency exchange

Types of cards to swipe in Belize

Visa and Mastercard transactions are commonly accepted for swiping. You might also find some places that accept Amex and other cards, albeit less frequently.

Types of cards at ATMs in Belize

When withdrawing money in Belize, majority of the ATMs will accept Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus, and Plus cards. Others such as Maestro, Amex, Diners, Discover, JCB, UnionPay, Rupay are not usually accepted by many ATMs.

Should I exchange money before travelling to Belize?

It’s a good idea to bring a small amount of Belize Dollars (BZD) or US Dollars (USD) before arriving, especially for immediate expenses like transport from the airport or food. Belize has a fixed exchange rate of 2 BZD to 1 USD, and USD is widely accepted throughout the country.

ATMs are available in larger towns and tourist destinations like Belize City, San Ignacio, and Ambergris Caye. Most accept Visa and Mastercard, but Cirrus and Plus compatibility may vary. Some ATMs dispense either BZD or USD depending on the bank. Always check international withdrawal fees with your bank before traveling.

If you’re bringing cash to exchange, do so at local banks or licensed money changers. Avoid exchanging large amounts at the airport, where the rates are less favorable. USD, especially in smaller denominations, is easy to use and often accepted directly.

Card usage is growing, but many rural areas, markets, or small hotels may only accept cash. A mix of USD, BZD, and cards is recommended for a smooth trip.

Where to withdraw money in Belize

The best ATMs for foreigners to use in Belize are those owned by popular banks such as:

  • Altantic Bank
  • Heritage Bank
  • Belize Bank

There are other banks with ATMs that also accept international debit and credit cards.

For a detailed guide, read Cash and ATMs in Belize.

Discover fee-free and low-fee ATMs on the ATM Fee Saver mobile app for iOS and Android. This app provides ATM PINs and details of leading bank ATMs such as ATM fees and withdrawal limits for foreign cardholders at ATMs in Belize. Moreover, its simple fee calculator helps you determine exact withdrawal charges. You can also find cash tips and tricks on the app for 160+ countries including Belize.

Download now from the App Store or Play Store.

Where to exchange currency in Belize

In Belize, you can exchange currency at authorised currency exchanges, banks, airports, and hotels, the most popular being both banks and authorised currency exchanges.
Currency exchange in Belize is straightforward, especially in tourist areas, border towns, and city centers. Exchange offices are called “cambios” or “money changers”, and rates are usually posted openly.

Common locations include:
San Pedro, Belize City, Placencia, and Caye Caulker
Corozal and Benque Viejo del Carmen (border towns with Mexico and Guatemala)
Philip Goldson International Airport – convenient but with higher rates

Note: USD is widely accepted throughout Belize at a fixed 2:1 rate (2 BZD = 1 USD), so you may not always need to exchange.

  • Banks Offering Currency Exchange:

Atlantic Bank
Belize Bank
Heritage Bank
Scotiabank Belize

Banks generally exchange USD to BZD at the official rate, and you may need ID.

💡 Tip: Avoid black-market street exchangers, especially near borders. USD is accepted almost everywhere, but carry small bills and coins for easier use.

Pro-tips:
Stay away from airport exchanges – Poor rates
Avoid the black market – Be wary of being conned.
Include fresh notes – If your notes are damaged or dirty, you can expect to pay more or less.

Is carrying money in Belize safe?

Carrying a large amount of cash while traveling in Belize is generally not safe. Stick to carrying only what you need for the day. To keep your cash safe:

Some safety tips for carrying cash while travelling in Belize are:

Carry only the cash you need.
Do not keep all the cash in one pocket or wallet.
Put some cash in a safety belt or fanny pack.
Do not flash your cash.
When paying, do not remove or display your entire cash.
Keep wallets preferably in front pockets.
Cross-wear your purses if possible.
Hold your purses, wallets and bags close and tight on crowded streets and in public trains and buses.
When withdrawing cash, keep the cash low while you count it so people around don’t see it.
If you’re dining alone, don’t leave your wallet / bag unattented while you go to the restroom.
If sitting outdoors in a restaurant, don’t leave your wallets / bags on the table.

Is it better to use debit or credit cards or pay by cash in Belize

Use a card if it is fee-free i.e. your bank does not charge any fees to swipe the card, when the merchant / POS also does not impose any extra charge to use a card, you need to use the insurance of the card, don’t want to block cash of large purchases and card’s swipe fees are lower than withdrawal fees.
Pay by cash by withdrawing cash from ATM or exchanging currency where – fees on ATM withdrawals are lesser than fees on swiping cards, you don’t want to leave any digital footprint of your expenses, it is convenient and easier to conduct transactions.

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