Belize has undergone a significant economic transformation over the last two decades, mainly due to the growing tourism industry and to the commercial oil discovery in 2005. Tourism and Agriculture are the main sources of income and employment.

Tourism is the number one foreign exchange earner in this small economy, followed by exports of marine products, citrus, cane sugar, bananas, and garments. The sizable trade deficit and heavy foreign debt burden continue to be major concerns. 

Commentary from the Belize Chamber of Commerce on the business environment

This site list the advantags of establishing and doing business in Belize

The Laws of Belize allows for various categories of business ownership. The relevant legislation can be found at www.belizelaw.org.

This site provides a listing of business types. Almost all offshore or foreign businesses use the International Business Company or Trust forms, sometimes in combination.

This site provides a detailed summary of the bureaucratic and legal hurdles faced by entrepreneurs wishing to incorporate and register a new firm in Belize.

This site lists the steps required to register a company in Belize

Generally, non-Belizeans in Belize pay tax only on income derived in Belize. There are no capital gains or inheritance taxes in Belize.

The Sales Tax Rate in Belize stands at 12.50 percent.

This site provides a detailed summary of the tax obligations in Belize including VAT

This site provides a detailed summary of the taxes and mandatory contributions that a medium-size company must pay or withhold in a given year, as well as administrative burden in paying taxes.

A detailed description of the business tax obligation in Belize

Persons who are earning more than $26,000 per year are charged a flat tax rate of 25%. Those who are employed and reside in Belize and whose total income per annum from all sources is less than $26,000 are exempt from Income Tax.

Comprehensive Information on Belize Visa Requirements

Comprehensive information on Belize Visa Requirements, Embassy contacts and list of countries whose citizens do not require a visa to enter the country.

150 tips on getting to and getting around Belize from real travelers and locals.

The best ways to get around Belize are by car, water taxi and plane. Taxis and rental cars are the most hassle-free mode of transportation around Belize City.

Telecommunications in Belize include radio, television, fixed and mobile telephones, and the Internet.

BTL offers home and business telephone and internet services.

Labor fact sheet

LABOUR ACT; REVISED EDITION 2003

This site provides a detailed summary of some of the labor regulations that would apply to local entrepreneurs wishing to hire workers, organize working schedules, improve job quality for workers, or make workers redundant for economic reasons in Belize.

Discover the complete list of Belize’s public holidays for 2016 and 2017

See “People and Society” on this site

This site provides the demographic features of the population of Belize, includingpopulation density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace

This list contains the most popular international and bilingual schools in Belize: nurseryschools, primary and secondary (high) schools

Belize holidays 2016, bank holidays, national holidays, officialholiday calendar, religious festivals and celebrations for the year 2016

Average prices of more than 40 products and services in Belize. Prices of restaurants, food, transportation, utilities and housing are included.

Although Belize isn’t the cheapest country in the Western Hemisphere, it takes less to live well in Belize than in most places in the U.S., Canada, or Europe.

Guide to travel, doing business, and studying in Belize – culture, greetings, gestures,etiquette, protocol, negotiations, gift-giving, and more.

Trustworthy answers to how the rules of etiquette or customs are different in Belize and thousands of other topics, provided by a diversified group of experts.

Weather history by month in San Pedro, Belize

The weather in Belize is subtropical and has two distinct seasons, dry/ high season and rainy/ low season – the temperature changes accordingly

Latest travel advice for Belize including safety and security, entry requirements, travel warnings and health

See “Safety and Security” on this site

The education system in Belize is an approximation of the British system it inherited in Colonial times. It is compulsory for children between ages 6 and 14, and parents may be fined if they do not comply.

Customs and Duty information from the Belize Trade and Investment Zone

This site provides key information on Belize’s participation in the WTO. Belize has been a WTO member since 1 January 1995 and  a member of GATT since 7 October 1983.

The various trade agreements between CARICOM and its regional counterparts all mark another step in the widening process of trade and economic relations between CARICOM and the countries in the wider Caribbean and Central America.

Belize Customs regulations and procedures for importing and exporting goods at border. 

Find short-term furnished apartments and extended stay hotels with Biz-stay.com’s comprehensive directory.

Compare 12 hotels in Belize City using 699 real guest reviews.

TripAdvisor has 211,484 reviews of Belize Hotels, Attractions, and Restaurants making it your best Belize resource.

Belize’s rich cultural treasures and scenic countryside offer plenty of opportunities to explore. Belize, the only nation in Central America where English is recognized as the official language