Volunteer abroad in Belize
For dive fanatics and lovers of tropical islands, we have a great surprise in store for you. Volunteer for a program in Belize and get your diving gear together as you contribute to preserving this well-kept secret. Discover what lies beneath the clear blue surface of the Caribbean sea and grab your chance to catch a glimpse of a whale shark or admire the second largest coral reef on our planet. Prepare for a mix of Mayan culture, jungles and Caribbean beach life that will take your breath away. Get to know the local community and let your volunteer adventures begin!
Where help is needed most
Belize has a unique ecosystem boasting a mix of jungle and unique marine life. Most programs focus on helping the community with conservation projects to maintain it’s delicate ecosystem both on land as in the sea.
Before we continue with the different conservation programs, let’s take a closer look at some interesting facts which may give a better idea of where a volunteering program in Belize will take you. We gathered a few interesting facts about this Caribbean gem which has remained a well-kept secret despite its undeniable beauty:
- The tallest building in Belize is a Mayan temple.
- There are no McDonalds, Burger King, Starbucks or KFC in Belize.
- Belize is the only country in South America where the official language is English. You will, however, hear a mix of Creole, Spanish, Garifuna and Mayan on the streets.
- The islands of Belize are called keys. There are around 450 surrounding Belize.
Belize offers an exciting mix of jungles, beaches, and rich Mayan culture. As a volunteer, you will have the opportunity to get to know this unique South American country from a volunteering perspective. Work on one of the volunteering programs and grab this unique chance to connect with the local community and support the ongoing conservation efforts for marine life and agroforestry.
Conservation and Research
Most conservation volunteering programs in Belize will require some diving and snorkeling. Admirers of coral reefs and other marine life will think they’re in heaven if they volunteer for marine conservation work in this Caribbean treasure. Volunteer projects in Belize will differ depending on their focus. One of the main aims of the conservation projects for marine life is to assist in maintaining an ecological balance by getting rid of invasive species. Another important objective is observing the different inhabitants of the Caribbean sea for research purposes.
Invasive species
During this exotic work adventure on one of the Belizean programs, volunteers will learn more about the conservation methodology and get the chance to observe the diverse sea life of the region. You will help keep the Caribbean waters in ecological balance by removing invasive species such as Lionfish. And with the caught fish, you can even support the local community you’re staying at. Lucky volunteers will get the chance to spot a whale shark!
Agroforestry
Volunteers who are drawn to Belize but prefer to keep it dry can contribute to a project on agroforestry and sustainable farming. Learn the ins and outs of sustainable farming and what it takes to farm one of the world’s most precious crops, cacao. Experience all of this while you bask in the magical surroundings of Belize and work with the local community.
Most projects are focused on conservation of marine life or agroforestry. Nature loving volunteers will definitely find a program to their liking. Take a look at the different programs and select an organization that is aligned with your values and interests. Combine this with a warm and welcoming local community and this will be an opportunity of a lifetime for all volunteers!
Cost of living abroad
The suggested daily budget for living in Belize as a volunteer is between US$ 20 and US$60. This is an estimate made considering the local average price of some of the services you might need and things you might want to buy. It gives you a general overview of how much things cost in this country, so you can be prepared and save the money you will need. As your accommodation is provided for by the organization, your living expenses may be a bit lower while volunteering for one of the programs. Once you have contacted the coordinator of the project, you will have a better understanding of the daily costs and how much you will need to make things work.
Additional costs you should consider will be:
- program fees
- flight tickets (
find cheap flights to Belize ) - travel insurance (we recommend
World Nomads ) - fees for your visa
- personal expenses
Good to know before you volunteer abroad in Belize
Culture and Etiquette
- Belizeans are generally welcoming and accustomed to tourists. The country is quite conservative. Dress code is usually casual, though tourists who wear revealing clothing will probably be looked down on, particularly in Belize’s many churches.
- When approaching Belizeans, it’s best to be friendly, relaxed and patient. Women travelers may receive advances from local men. Ignoring such attentions completely will sometimes only lead to greater persistence; walking away while flashing a quick smile and a wave usually gets the message across.
- Belizeans are not particularly accepting of homosexuality and rarely open about sexual orientation. Though it is unlikely that locals will express disapproval, it is a good idea to avoid public displays of affection. There are no gay venues in the country.
Money and Payment
- Credit cards will be accepted in most places and are safer than carrying around a lot of cash. Make sure to bring cash to remote places as they may lack a bank and an ATM. Be sure to check whether your destination has one and whether you need to bring more cash.
- Belizeans rarely tip, however, foreigners are usually expected to give around ten percent in taxis and in restaurants. Haggling is also uncommon in Belize and will usually be considered rude, except at street markets.
Safety & precautions for volunteers
Before embarking on your international volunteer experience in Belize, there are a few things you may want to take into account. International travel always holds some adventure but your safety will help you maintain your health and enjoy your volunteer experience to the fullest:
- Make sure you have an international travel insurance for the time you are away. This is easy to come by and will ensure you are covered when anything happens to you while you travel.
- Take copies of your passport and credit cards and store them separately just in case.
- Belize is still a very safe country. Just like all major cities, don’t walk alone in secluded areas, don’t flash cash, high-value electronics, and don’t get excessively drunk.
- The only crime you might experience (mostly in large cities) is theft in crowded places or on public transport. Pay attention to your wallet, especially on the buses or trains, and do not leave it exposed.
- Using or selling drugs is strictly prohibited in Belize.
- Avoid hitchhiking and accepting rides from strangers.
- Carry a basic first aid kit in case of emergencies.
- Avoid carrying large amounts of cash or expensive jewelry.
- Don’t leave your luggage or other personal belongings unattended.
- The weather can be extreme so be sure to pack the right gear for all weather types. Sunblock for sunny weather but proper rain gear and shoes in case you will be out hiking.
- When you go hiking, always inform someone about your whereabouts before leaving.
- Police hotline: 911
-
BERT (Belize Emergency Response Team – certified ambulance and tourist evacuation service): 90 or 223-3292
Health advice
Belize is a developing country with reasonable health facilities. To make your stay at the volunteer program enjoyable, take into account the following health which will help you avoid the most common travel illnesses:
- Tap water is relatively clean, however, we recommend against drinking it and to choose purified water as the viable option. Sometimes tap water can be dirty due to flooded rivers or drainage work in your area, or sometimes it can contain high levels of chlorine that is equally unsatisfactory
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The US based health protection agency CDC recommends getting Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccines, both to protect against contamination from water or food. - You should avoid mosquito bites to prevent malaria, although the risk of acquiring it is low. If you gather from your travel itinerary that you will be staying in an area that is mosquito-ridden then, by all means, consult with your doctor for possible vaccination before traveling
- Definitely protect yourself against the strong sun when you go, as most of your volunteer work in Belize will be outdoors!
- If you have any health problems or take medication, be sure to bring the medication along with the prescription with you. The prescription can be important when passing through customs.
Packing essentials
After reading all of the above, we’re sure you’re ready to pack your bags and to volunteer abroad for an international program in Belize. Before you stuff your backpack with swimwear, shorts, and sunglasses, we’d like to help you by providing some useful tips you may not have thought of before you travel:
- Travel Insurance
- Money, cards, credit cards
- Passport
- In Belize the power sockets are of type A, B, and G. The standard voltage is 110 / 220 V and the standard frequency is 60 Hz.
- Waterproof phone case to protect against dust, scratches, and water
- Water shoes for spending time at or around the beach
- Personal medication, first-aid kit
- Sun hat
- Raincoat
- Scarf
- Quick-dry towels
- Suitable footwear for hiking etc
Requirements & qualifications
As you will have noticed by now, there is a variety of projects that expect different skills and abilities from their volunteers. Some will require volunteers to stay for a certain amount of time for example. While you can find out the specific requirements for each project on the program page of the organization, here are some general requirements that apply to most projects in Belize:
- Volunteers need to be at least 18 years old for most of the volunteer projects. When in doubt, we advise you to get in contact with the local project manager, as in some projects you can also volunteer when you're 16 years old.
- You need to have basic English skills to do volunteer work in Belize.
- Depending on the project you're interested in, you might need to provide a criminal background check and a health declaration before volunteering.
Visa regulations to volunteer in Belize
You have made it to the last section of this guide, which is another really important aspect while planning your trip: getting your volunteer visa for Greece.
Please consider that the following information is based on a best practice approach, which has been made according to the best of our knowledge and in cooperation with several volunteer organizations. That’s why you should please make sure to discuss your visa requirements with your contact person at Volunteer World. If in doubt, we also recommend getting in touch with the Belizean embassy in your country.
General immigration information
There are some general requirements volunteers should comply upon their arrival in Belize:
- Please check the current validity of your passport. The passport should be valid at least 3 months after your expected return home date. However, we strongly recommend traveling with 6 months validity on your passport at all times.
- Make sure your passport has at least two blank Visa pages. Belize requires that you have adequate unused pages in your passport, allowing for any necessary stamps upon arrival and departure.
- Please check if a transit visa is required for any connections.
- Make sure to be in possession of a valid return ticket for your travel home.
Citizens of most countries do not require a visa to enter Belize. As of 2018, individuals with valid USA or Schengen Treaty Visas in their passports, as well as individuals with valid US residency, do not require a visa to travel to Belize. Volunteers carrying this passport can stay for a month.
Visas for those countries who require them should be obtained prior to coming to Belize. This can usually be facilitated by the hosting organization.
Best practice for short-term volunteers
People from
Citizens from countries that are not on the visa waiver list can apply for a visitor visa and will need to arrange this before leaving for Belize. You can easily
check if you come from a visa waiver country on
Best practice for long-term volunteers
If you are volunteering for longer than 1 month, you’ll need to go to the Immigration Department office in Belize City, Belmopan, or one of the outlying districts, for a visa extension. It’s best to discuss this with your the volunteer organization. You can easily renew your visa monthly for up to six months, for a renewal fee of $25. At the end of a six-month stay you must leave the country, but after two weeks outside of Belize you can return and re-start the process.