BELIZE

(BZD) Currency News >>

CURRENCY:

Belize Dollar - BZD, Symbol BZ$

DENOMINATIONS:

NOTE: BZ$100, 50, 20, 10 and 5

COIN: BZ$1 and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 cents

US DOLLAR ACCEPTED:

Yes, widely - Please note the Belize Dollar is 'tied' to the US Dollar, at US$1 = BZ$2.

CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS AND ATMS:

If using a foreign credit card, please note it may not necessarily be accepted at an ATM machine in Belize. Major credit cards accepted are MasterCard, American Express and Visa.

CURRENCY EXCHANGE:

Currency exchange should be fairly problem-free in Belize, although for best rates it is best to get foreign currency in advance.

TRAVELLER'S CHEQUES:

It is best to use Travellers Cheques in US Dollars, though bear in mind you may be charged a commission fee for using these.

BANKING HOURS:

Mon-Thurs 0800-1300, Fri 0800-1630. These times may vary so ask in advance if unsure.

COUNTRY OVERVIEW:

Belize is situated in Central America. This country was formerly known as British Honduras but gained independence from the British Empire in 1981. The official language of Belize is English, and Spanish and Creole are also spoken by large proportions of society. The capital is Belmopan although the largest city is Belize City.

POPULATION:

320,000

ECONOMY:

The economy of Belize is based on agriculture – bananas and sugar are the main exports - merchandising and tourism. It could be described as a developing nation. There are many elements to this country that attracts tourists in more recent years including the warm climate, the famous Belize Barrier Reef as well as jungle and wildlife reserves. There are also ancient Mayan ruins that attract visitors from around the globe, and provide growth for the economy. Despite this, a period of poor export prices has meant that Belize still struggles.