AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums Talk Belize Travel Travelers entering Belize Must Purchase Travel Health Insurance

Mandatoy Travel Insurance for entry of Tourists into Belize, effective February 15, 2022

Visitors will be able to purchase the $18usd per person coverage (covers up to 21 days and then can be renewed for longer stays). It will be available for purchase starting on Feb 15 here:

www.belizetravelinsurance.com

You will also be able to purchase it at the airport.

*Yes, it is mandatory for everyone of every age.

The only exemptions are: Qualified Retirement Program members (QRPs), Belizeans & permanent residents, foreign homeowners, long-stay non-nationals, military personnel, airline crew and persons in Belize for less than 24 hours are exempted.

*No, it is not $18 usd per day. It's $18 usd per person for up to 21 days of coverage.

*Yes, it really is mandatory even if you have an insurance policy already.

All of the details can be found in the FAQ section under the Health & Safety tab in the Belize Travel app. You can download the app in the App Store.

Do you know that or do you think that? I was wondering if we would have to buy it on the 15th under some sort of pro rata deal.

Tourists Cancelling Trips To Belize Due To Traveler's Insurance

And switching gears, the borders are back open and Belizeans have been taking full advantage. On Monday, 409 Belizeans visited Mexico, and yesterday, that number rose to 463.

In terms of the western border, on Monday, only 36 Belizeans crossed into Guatemala. That number is significantly lower than at the northern border for several reasons, but the most pressing is that Guatemala requires a negative test to enter, which costs over $150.

And for tourists who want to come in through that border, the cost will increase come February 15th, when the traveler's insurance becomes mandatory. This insurance applies to both land and air tourists, though, and let's just say they're not too happy about it. They've been leaving harsh reviews on a popular travel site named belizing.com, and today, Courtney Menzies took a look at them. Here is that story.

Both the northern and the western borders have been open for three days and, while at first Belizeans were a bit hesitant to cross, the numbers have steadily increased. According to the minister, Anthony Mahler, approximately 1,200 Belizeans used the borders on Monday and roughly 1,500 yesterday.

Hon. Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism
"We had a constant flow of people passing the borders both ways, in both borders, and I think all the departments are working to ensure that it is a seamless effort. There's going to be some hiccups here and there and we're working through those and hopeful in the next couple of weeks we have seen less process as people move back and forth to Mexico and Guatemala."

But there isn't as much movement through the western border because, unlike Mexico, Guatemala requires a negative test, which costs about $165. And, to them, it's only fair because, well, Belize also requires a $100 test to enter. But the minister indicated that there might be a change coming next week.

Hon. Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism
"Hopefully we could do away with all these things pretty soon. We had an intense discussion in Cabinet yesterday in terms of the way forward, living with COVID, and the Ministry of Health and Wellness should bring a paper next week to the Cabinet to lay out the protocols or requirements that we would need as we continue to open up the economy."

Courtney Menzies:
"We know that a lot of Guatemala children, they have to come to Belize everyday to go to school."

Hon. Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism
"About 300 of them."

Courtney Menzies:
"Is there exception for them so that they don't have to pay for the test?"

Hon. Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism
"We're looking at that as well."

But while they're looking at the requirements, one thing that won't change is the traveler's insurance. It was launched yesterday and, by the looks of these comments, potential tourists aren't taking the news too well.

One person, Bill F, wrote, quote, "It looks like I'll be using my boat in Florida a lot more again and start learning Spanish again so I can go see some other great places in Central America and [to] hell with Belize and their stupid restrictions." End quote.

Another traveler, Jarrod B, said quote, "Yup I think this is my final straw, going to cancel my vacation now. Spending my hard earned time and money for entry test, exit test, curfews, have to wear mask when in public for 9 days or be ticketed, now travel insurance? Think I'll take my 9 nights to Florida where I do not have to do anything to spend my money." End quote.

And most of the other comments follow this trend - with potential tourists saying they will cancel their trips to Belize. One person calculated that the entry fee is 20 US dollars, COVID test is 50 US dollars, ferry fees are 120 US dollars, and 18 more US dollars for the insurance - along with the cost of gold standard hotels.

There are few who agree with the insurance and some who have questions, but for the most part, it's not looking good. However, the minister insisted that they won't be budging on that front when we spoke to him on February 2nd.

Courtney Menzies:
"But our competition in the region, they're opening up more, so don't you think that puts Belize back like people might not want to come here as much?"

Hon. Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism:
"What do you mean by opening up?"

Courtney Menzies:
"Like Costa Rica is saying you only need a vaccination, you don't need a test or any of that."

Hon. Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism:
"And we'll get there, we are in constant communication with the Ministry of Health but there are many, many countries around this world that do require insurance to go in and that is still a reality. I speak to ministers who still have that requirement as a part of the protocols for entering that country."

Courtney Menzies:
"Some of those hotels are saying that bookings are being cancelled or sold because there is no portal available yet, because it's something come in on the 15th, I believe, the insurance, but there's no portals, there's no structure, there's nothing to tell the tourists what to do so now they're cancelling their bookings."

Hon. Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism:
"I don't think agree with that, I really don't agree. If that is the case, then we'll have to talk to those properties, but as I understand it, the portal should be up by early next week so well in advance of the February 15th launch date."

And we'll just have to wait and see if mass cancellations do become a problem in a time when tourism is still rebounding.

Notably, the insurance isn't mandatory for cruise tourists. Also, while it is health insurance related specifically to the pandemic - there is no stated time frame for how long it will be in effect - which is consequential since countries like the UK are now saying the pandemic stage for them is basically over.

Channel 7

Travel Insurance Kicks in, but with Glitches

Today, the travel insurance, mandated by the Ministry of Tourism for international tourists to Belize, came into effect. But, the implementation was not without hiccups. News Five has confirmed that some fifty percent of the people entering Belize today did not purchase the insurance ahead of their travel, so they had to do so when they touched down at the P.G.I.A. This created a bottleneck in their processing. According to the B.T.B., insurance agents are posted at all border entry points to help facilitate this process, but visitors are encouraged to buy it ahead of their trip for a smoother arrival. For more information, visitors can go to travelbelize.org for the official details. A quick check shows that the Insurance Corporation of Belize, better known as I.C.B., is the only insurance company so far that has met the requirements of the B.T.B. and as such, has been included on the online portal.

Channel 5

How Do Tourists Feel About Mandatory Health Insurance?

As we've been reporting, the mandatory travelers' health insurance went into effect yesterday.

The $18 cost of the policy is meant to provide up to US $50,000 in medical expenses related to the treatment of COVID-19 for a period of 21 days.

But tourists, even those who have already bought into U.S. insurance schemes, have no choice in the matter: It's either buy this insurance or don't come to Belize. We wanted to find out how they feel about that and so we headed to the airport today to get a small sampling of opinions. Here's more:

For weeks we've been telling you about the mandatory health insurance that the Ministries of Health and Tourism have mandated for any visitor coming to Belize.

And yesterday on the first day the measure was implemented, we saw long lines on the P.G.I.A's tarmac, travelers from a single flight lining up to buy traveler's insurance.

And today as the arrivals from a United and an American Airlines flight trickled through the arrival gates. We took the opportunity to ask a few of them how they felt about having to buy this new insurance.

Cherisse Halsall:
"Mr. Harris, you bought the mandatory health insurance to enter Belize today, what was that experience like and do you feel that it's necessary?"

W.H. Harris, Tourist
"It was really quick and easy like it was very simple. I just kind of logged in and went through it and I think it gave me peace of mind so that if something happens especially like Covid related that our trip was covered because we're coming here for a really special event so it was nice to have that extra layer of security."

Suja Matthew, Tourist
"The price wasn't bad at all, my husband got into the website and got it, it was easy to do so."

Cherisse Halsall:
"Does it give you peace of mind for your trip?"

Suja Matthew, Tourist
"Yes, definitely."

Catherine Norris, Tourist
"It was kind of hectic because there were only like three stations that worked outside of the airport when we got out of the plane, they did warn us to do it before and we didn't, it was just a lot, but it was quick once we knew how to do it and I think it's worth it."

"I have health conditions so it's really helpful just in emergencies probably."

Avery Selch, Tourist
"Well, it came up like, I think it went right when we were going on vacation. We didn't mind though, if it's gonna keep people healthy and safe it's whatever but the price wasn't bad it was like $18. I think if we were here longer, we're like here for like five days, but it is what it is, it's worth the trip, yup."

Hugh Clarke, Tourist
"We're fine with that, it's not a bad idea, keep everybody healthy and protected, you can't be too careful so why not?"

Cherisse Halsall:
"And what about the price?"

Hugh Clarke, Tourist
"The price was very reasonable."

Daniel Hagaman didn't buy his insurance at the airport he got it coming in over th land border with Mexico but he told us he's not convinced that that $18 will give him the benefits it promises.

Daniel Hagaman, Tourist
"I'm coming in from Mexico so I actually came by land to meet my family here at the airport so that I can pick them up and then we're gonna have a couple weeks together."

Cherisse Halsall:
"Wonderful but so even though you came in by land you had to buy the mandatory health insurance. What was the process like and did it feel extra to you or like something that just added value?"

Daniel Hagaman, Tourist
"It was extra but it's cheap I mean it's 18 dollars so it's not that much but i'm not sure what it would actually give me if I were to get COvid down here, would it actually benefit me in anyway? If were gonna have to spend 5 days in a hotel or 10 days in a hotel until I test negative."

Cherisse Halsall:
"And so what was your emotion around finding out that even thought you'd been here several times and you hadn't had to do this it was different this time?"

Daniel Hagaman, Tourist
"Well, I have to buy it for my whole family so now it's not just $18 dollars you know then it's I have my wife and my son who is nine years old are also having to buy that. So, it makes it complicated for travel."

And while Daniel called the fee complicated his wife said that while it was difficult to navigate at first she understands it's purpose.

Esther Olsen, Tourist
"So, I purchased it online before i got here and actually I tried it one web server and it didn't work and so i had to go to google chrome so it was a little bit difficult to navigate the website but it seemed easy to do and I, you know I think it's fine, if we come here and get sick the we're you know causing stress on your health care system here so I think it's fine to pay some money in case that happens."

Opinions today were mostly positive, but this arrive was more than a little annoyed.

Cherisse Halsall:
"Miss Cake how do you feel about the mandatory health insurance that you were made to purchase upon entry to Belize?"

Tony Cake, Tourist
"I really didn't appreciate it, although the policy changed over I believe on the 15th or the 16th, the 15th, they should have notified people in a different way because this was a surprise getting here and suppose I didn't have the money to do it not to mention that I have my own medical insurance that covers me here because I told them I was traveling. So now I've paid two times for mine and here. It's a big surprise along with the 100 dollar fee that I have to pay to get out of here for a COVID test, you guys gotta do better."

Our final opinion came from this couple, they floated through the airport with what seemed like not a care in the world. They were okay with the $18 price tag because they've got more important priorities for their vacation.

Heather Taylor, Tourist
"It was a little confusing but however they did let us know beforehand to go online and do it and it was very simple process, it took all of like six or seven minutes so, I can't really complain."

Cherisse Halsall:
"Do you feel safer having that while you're here."

Heather Taylor, Tourist
"I do I'm a nurse so I enjoy it, it's more coverage i'll have here than I do back home."

Cherisse Halsall:
"What are you looking forward to for your belizean vacation, Oh it's been two years since the pandemic so I haven't been able to do anything and so i'm here in this beautiful country."

Tourist:
"The Ocean and very little clothes."

Heather Taylor, Tourist
"Exactly what he said what, what he said."

While the travelers insurance is specifically related to COVID - no one has said when and if it will be lifted if the COVID threat subsides on a long term basis.

Channel 7

First day of travel insurance sees delays at PGIA

On Tuesday, February 15th, the Belize Travel Health Insurance (BTHI) for international visitors came into effect. The mandate implemented by the Ministry of Tourism saw some inconveniences on its first day at the Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA), when a number of passengers arrived without insurance. This caused delays and even frustration among some travelers who needed to purchase the insurance at the airport. The process, since then, has reportedly improved, and most visitors seem to support the new policy.

The insurance is not required for people in the Qualified Retired Persons Incentive Program, Belizeans, permanent residents, foreign homeowners, long-stay non-nationals, military personnel, members of the Peace Corps, airline crew, and persons staying in Belize less than 24 hours. The BTHI costs US$18/ BZ$36 and provides coverage up to US$50,000/ BZ$100,000 in medical and related expenses for 21 days. The insurance plan is available for pre-purchase online at www.belizetravelinsurance.com. It can also be purchased at the entry points to Belize, such as the PGIA and land borders. The policy also provides coverage for lodging expenses for quarantine up to US$2,000/ BZ$4,000 or around US$300/BZ$600 a day. Other insurance benefits include the coverage of emergency services such as air evacuation and emergency expenses related to a pre-existing condition. In addition, the policy will also cover trip cancellations and costs incurred by COVID-19 positive travellers for extended stays.

Click here to read the rest of the article in the San Pedro Sun

4 of us just spent 9 days on Ambergris. Because we arrived on the 9th we did not have to get the insurance; however, that fee of $18 would have had absolutely no affect on us coming to visit. I do think the government should allow an exemption for people with existing coverage that is as good or better (like mine) than the one they are requiring. That just makes no sense. We paid almost $500 for a stand alone covid travel policy to give us peace of mind. I would not have been amused to have to pay the additional fee for insurance I do not need, but oh well....