Permit· Ambergris Caye· Other Caribbean

Belize Port of Entry & Clearance (San Pedro, Belize City, Big Creek, Punta Gorda)

17° 55.2′ N · 87° 57.9′ W

Every yacht arriving from abroad must clear in before touching any other part of Belize. The Port Authority lists San Pedro Terminal, Big Creek and Punta Gorda as ports of entry open to all vessels, with Belize City handled through its marinas; this position is the San Pedro immigration office in town.

Belize Barrier Reef

Practical

Before arrival: SailClear (sailclear.com) has been mandatory for all pleasure craft since 1 August 2022 (Belize Tourism Board), and a Notice of Arrival must reach the Port Authority at least 48 hours ahead by VHF 16 or email; one 2023 report says boats that did not give notice were fined. Offices work Monday to Friday; weekend or holiday arrivals must be arranged by 4:00 pm on the previous working day, and arriving on a Sunday or holiday brings overtime charges. Official BZD tariff for yachts up to 100 GT: administrative charge (boarding and clearance) BZ$100, boarding BZ$30, clearance BZ$50, port dues BZ$30 for the first 48 hours then BZ$10 per 24 hours, navigational aids BZ$1.50 per GT; pilot waiver from BZ$150 only above 50 GT (BTB page, undated; verify locally). What cruisers actually paid varies widely: San Pedro 2020 roughly US$50 immigration, US$50 customs boarding, US$60 agriculture and US$50 plus BZ$40 port fees; San Pedro 2023 about US$650 all-in for 30 days for four people; Punta Gorda 2020 BAHA BZ$50, Port Captain BZ$100, BZ$40 per person to check out (all Noonsite reader reports, verify locally). Noonsite calls Punta Gorda the most yacht-friendly and cheapest port and San Pedro the most expensive. San Pedro: go to the Amigos del Mar dive shop in front of the anchorage and staff call the officials, who usually meet you on the dock; customs is beside the airport and the Port Authority is a taxi ride down-island (Noonsite). Belize City: through Radisson Fort George or Cucumber Beach (Old Belize) marinas. Big Creek: the port is a secure terminal, so anchor at Placencia and go by water taxi to Mango Creek and taxi round the offices. Punta Gorda: all offices in one building by the dinghy dock, open roadstead. Permission is initially 30 days; extend in Belize City or sign out (Port Authority extension reported at BZ$10 per day, noforeignland). After clearing out you must leave within 24 hours. Give business-hours departure times or overtime is charged. Belize uses BZD pegged at 2:1 to USD; officials want cash.

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Planning your first Belize landfall and budgeting the paperwork

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