Paying by American Express in Belize?

Belize is half card-friendly and half cash-reliant. Amex can cover hotel stays, scuba packages, and maybe fancy dinners, but for day-to-day life - chicken rice at street stalls (~BZD 10), local buses, or small lodges - cash or Visa/Mastercard rules. ATMs often charge USD 3-5 per withdrawal, so take out enough in one go. My tip: carry Amex as backup but keep Mastercard or Visa as your main card. This balance makes traveling through Belize smooth and stress-free.

Belize was disappointing for Amex users. It’s almost useless outside tourist resorts. Even in tourist towns, many places flat-out refused it. I wasted time trying different ATMs, only to realize Amex doesn’t connect well here. Visa worked instantly everywhere. If you want to explore inland destinations like San Ignacio or Hopkins, Amex is pointless - you’ll be stuck with cash. I wish I had known earlier; it would have saved me a lot of hassle. Definitely carry a Visa/Mastercard instead.

I used my Amex card successfully at a dive center in San Pedro and at a resort in Placencia, but when I tried smaller cafés, local water taxis, or souvenir shops, they didn’t accept it. ATMs only worked with my Mastercard. Belize is a mix - high-end services work with Amex, but daily travel requires cash or another card. I ended up withdrawing Belize Dollars at Atlantic Bank ATMs, which charged a small fee. If you’re traveling around Belize, don’t rely on Amex for everything.

Belize is very tourist-friendly, but American Express isn’t as widely accepted as Visa or Mastercard. Resorts, dive shops, and some upscale restaurants will take it, especially in Ambergris Caye or Placencia. However, local eateries, market stalls, and budget hotels usually don’t. ATMs across Belize mainly cater to Visa/Mastercard networks. If you’re planning tours to the Blue Hole or Mayan ruins, you’ll need cash or a backup card. Budget about BZD 20-30 per meal in tourist areas, and keep Amex as a secondary option, not your primary.