+ Tell me about travel and COVID-19.

The Belize Tourism Board has created a Tourism Gold Standard Recognition Program for accommodations, tour operators, restaurants, gift shops and transportation providers (golf carts) to reduce the risk of COVID-19. It’s part of Our Clean Stay Promise.

Belize’s travel re-opening plan continues to evolve with restrictions loosing and changing often. Rest assured we’ll keep you up-to-date on any changes to realign expectations and to make sure you enjoy an extraordinary vacation.

This information is governed by the Belize Tourism Board and Ministry of Health and can change at a moment’s notice. To keep up to date visit Belize COVID-19 Update.

Download the Belize Travel Health App Visitors must download the Belize Travel Health app no more that 72 hours prior to arrival. This allows you to register and receive a unique ID to help with the arrival process. Anyone 17 years and older must register. Children 16 years and younger are registered on their parent’s and/or guardian’s app.

Download for Apple HERE
Download for Android HERE

Get a PCR COVID-19 Test
To expedite your arrival process, you should have a PCR test with 72 hours of arrival in Belize and be prepared to present the negative results. You may be selected to take a second test upon arrival, either way be prepared for it to take longer than usual due to the enhanced airport procedures. Anyone who tests positive upon arrival will be whisked to a beautiful Belize City hotel for 14 days quarantine at their expense.

+ How do I get to Ambergris Caye from the international airport?

At this time, you can choose Tropic Air, Maya Island Air or a private boat charter through an approved Tourism Gold Standard tour operator to get the Ambergris Caye. Arrival by water-taxi is not yet permitted.

+ What can we do and not do when we get to Ambergris Caye?

With the loosening of restrictions, you are able to enjoy our culture and communities at your leisure. We encourage you to choose tour operators, restaurants and gift shops that have achieved their Tourism Gold Standard certification to help keep you safe. Exploring the island can also be done on your own with a Tourism Gold Standard transportation provider (golf cart) or on a bicycle. We can help make any of these arrangements and you can be sure that you will have the most relaxing vacation of all time!

This information is governed by the Belize Tourism Board and Ministry of Health and can change at a moment’s notice. To keep up to date visit Belize COVID-19 Update.

So now let’s realign what you can expect:

• Virtual planning, booking and communication prior to your arrival.
• Enhanced cleaning and sanitization of your vacation rental prior to your arrival.
• Daily health checks with staff.
• Use of face covering and physical distancing while in public spaces for everyone.
• Pick-up by BelizeIt Vacation Rentals upon arrival in San Pedro Town.
• Temperature, symptom check and recording your Belize Travel Health app unique code upon drop-off at your vacation rental.
• Hand sanitization station at the entrance to your vacation rental.
• Visible best practices signage with reminders about a face covering, physical distancing and hand sanitization.
• Grocery concierge services available for almost anything under the sun during your stay.
• Immediate assistance should you experience any COVID-19 symptoms with support from our local health authorities.
• And if you plan to explore or go on an adventure with Tourism Gold Standard certified tour operators, restaurants or gift shops you’ll receive additional heath checks.

+ What if I start displaying symptoms for COVID-19 during my stay?

We have a response plan for every scenario and a direct line to the health authorities for any suspect COVID-19 cases. If you display any symptoms or have a temperature of 100F | 38C or more we’ll take you to the clinic for testing. You and your entire group will have to self-isolate at the property until test results are known.

+ What if I test positive for COVID-19 during my stay?

If testing comes back positive you and your group staying at the property will have to quarantine for 14 days and receive a negative test result before you can depart.

+ What are the costs associated with my stay if I have to quarantine?

If you or anyone in your group tests positive during your stay we will extend your reservation until the end of the quarantine period at your cost. Provisioning, including food and beverage, medications and any other amenities and/or costs associated with your medical care and/or changing your travel plans will be your responsibility.

+ What if I have to cancel because I receive a positive COVID-19 test prior to or upon arrival in Belize?

We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance that will cover COVID-19 situations. Travel insurance varies from coverage to coverage and from plan design to plan design, including “cancel for any reason (CFAR)” clauses, so it will be important to understand the details of the plan you purchase so you be assured your travel investment is covered. For more information and to get a quote check out Travel Insure Services.

+ What if the property I have booked has a guest who has to stay longer because they are a suspect COVID-19 case awaiting test results or are tested positive?

Guests who are required to quarantine due to a positive COVID-19 test will remain at the property for 14 days and receive a negative test result before they can depart. If you were reserved for that property and the quarantine measures now prevent that reservation, we will offer a comparable property in our roster and/or offer a full refund.

+ What are BelizeIt Vacation Rentals deposit, payment and cancellation policies?

A 35% deposit is due at the time of booking and full payment is due 30 days prior to arrival. Reservations can be cancelled in writing by email up to 30 days prior to arrival and deposits will be refunded less a $100 USD cancellation fee. Cancellations within 30 days of arrival will forfeit all payments made through the date of cancellation. No refunds are made for early departures.

+ Tell me about the Vacation Rental Finders Service Fee and refunds.

Did you book through a HomeAway, Airbnb, FlipKey or any other provider? If you did, then you were charged for their service fee. The service fee is paid by the traveler when booking through the provider websites. This fee helps cover the costs of operating the websites for owners and travelers. Owners and property managers don't have the ability to discount or waive this service fee. If the reservation is within the window for a 100% refund as per BVR’s cancellation policy, the service fee will be refunded by the provider when the cancellation is confirmed by BVR. Please note, when you book directly on our website, you are not charged the service fee.

+ How do I get my security deposit back?

Your security deposit will be refunded within 5-7 business days after departure pending inspection by management and upon compliance with property policies, departure instructions and return of keys. Guests agree to be responsible for loss or damage to the property occurring during their stay and to leave the property and contents in the same condition upon arrival. Losses or damages exceeding the security deposit will be documented and charged to the credit card provided at the date of reservation.

+ Should I get travel insurance?

We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance that will cover COVID-19 situations. Travel insurance varies from coverage to coverage and from plan design to plan design, including “cancel for any reason (CFAR)” clauses, so it will be important to understand the details of the plan you purchase so you be assured your travel investment is covered. For more information and to get a quote check out Travel Insure Services.

+ Can you help arrange for tours, golf cart and the vacation of a lifetime?

Just ask Jessi! Our Guest Experience Manager, Jessi Betancourt, is our resident guru in all things Belize. His experience, happy spirit and abundance of energy will ensure that whatever you dream a memorable experience to be, will simply be. Be it diving, fishing or swimming with sharks, to just finding the right sunscreen or channel on the TV, he is your wingman and will do his best to exceed your expectations. He will be on-hand to help book Tourism Gold Standard tour operators and restaurants, coordinate our grocery concierge service, answer any questions about our COVID-19 health and safety protocols, and more.

+ How do we get around the island?

The best way is to rent a golf cart if you plan to explore the island. Taking in the culture by bicycle is always fun too. We can help you reserve a golf cart and have it ready for you when you arrive or rent bikes for a fun day.

+ Do you offer a grocery concierge service?

Guests are able to place an order in advance of arrival for food, beverage and just about anything under the sun to be stocked and refrigerated for when you arrive at your property. BelizeIt Vacation Rentals grocery concierge will be available to guests prior to their departure to Belize to talk about their grocery list, ensure availability and make suggestions on how to best enjoy the tastes of Belize from the comfort of your home away from home. Throughout your stay you can email, message or call the Guest Experience Manager daily prior to 10 am for delivery of goods by 4 pm.

BelizeIt Vacation Rentals has also aligned with some of San Pedro’s most beloved restaurants for delivery/catering services. You’ll find more information about the restaurants and caterers closest to your property that we’ve aligned with to ensure you’re not cooking every night.

+ Tell me about the cleaning service.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 we won’t enter your personal space during your stay. If it is an emergency, please reach out to Jessi. There will be a small supply of toilet paper, paper towel, dish soap, hand soap and EPA approved cleaning supplies, but please ask Jessi about quantities and brands (if interested) to ensure that you have what you need to keep clean and tidy. You can stock additional supplies through our grocery concierge or by visiting a local store.

+ What do we do if there is a water or power interruptions?

The town of San Pedro sits on the Caribbean island of Ambergris Caye, Belize. It is a beautiful tropical paradise, like most Caribbean islands, in a small and developing country. Although most areas on the island are connected to electricity, water and internet, please be aware that there are occasional interruptions in service. Planned interruptions in service are announced by the local utility companies, and we strive to inform our guests as quickly as we are notified. When interruptions occur that are unplanned, the locals go about making the most of their day until service is restored.