Belize Health

* A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers coming from infected areas.

Never drink the tap water and buy only bottled purified water with a proper seal. Milk is unpasteurized and should be boiled. Avoid ice cream, raw fish and anything from street vendors. Peel or cook all fruits and vegetables. Cooked food should never be served lukewarm. Prevent flies from landing on your food as many carry airborne illnesses.

Vaccinations against tuberculosis and hepatitis B are advised. Dengue fever is on the rise so mosquito protection is recommended. Belize is closer to the equator so you will burn faster - sunscreen is a must. Motor vehicle crashes are the main cause of injury. Just over 2.5 % of the population has HIV/AIDS.

Note: Visitors applying for residency will require an AIDS test (foreign tests may not be acceptable).

There are seven government hospitals - one in Belmopan, one in Belize City and one in each of the other five main district towns, but, generally, medical facilities are limited and there is a shortage of doctors in rural areas. Medical services in rural areas are provided by rural health care centres, and mobile clinics operate in remote areas. Medical insurance is strongly advised. Most hospitals and doctors expect to be paid in cash, whether you have insurance or not.