Belize – meaning muddy waters in Spanish, is known for its majestic beaches, the Belize Barrier Reef & various caves like the ATM cave.
There are also plenty of museums to visit, resorts to chill at & snorkeling and scuba diving locations – all instagrammable activities and locations!
Before you host a 1-hour live stream, you should know that social media apps consume a lot of data.
This is not an issue if you have a large data plan or, even better, an unlimited data plan; those allowances often do not apply when abroad.
And to make matters worse, international roaming rates are often insanely high, making it expensive.
If you do not watch out, you will come back home bankrupt.
Okay, roaming probably will not bankrupt you, but the costs are high.
So how to stay connected when traveling abroad in an affordable way? By using local SIM cards, like a Belizean one.
That way, you can enjoy local rates, which are almost always lower than international roaming.
So how much do SIM cards cost in Belize?
You can get a Belizean SIM card for 15 BZD (7.50 USD) from Smart or 22.50 BZD (11.20 USD) from Digi (formerly DigiCell) in their stores. Tourist SIM cards are sold from 20 BZD (9.95 USD) to 43 BZD (21.45 USD). SIM cards are not sold at Belize City-Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (BZE).
Those prices are not too bad.
Sure, it can be cheaper in other places throughout the Americas, but it could also be much worse *cough* The Falkland Islands *cough*.
But there are quite some things to know before buying a SIM card in Belize.
In this guide, I will go over everything you need to know about buying a SIM card in Belize. Let's do this.
Original publication: 29th of December 2019. Last updated: 21st of May 2023.
Table of Contents
Can You Buy a SIM Card in Belize?
Anyone 18 years old or older living in or visiting Belize can buy a Belizean SIM card from Digi (formerly DigiCell) and Smart! in their stores without any restrictions.
You do have to comply with the SIM card registration regulations.
- Find out which countries have SIM card registration regulations and what is required from you (lookup tool)
Moreover, you need a phone that supports the frequencies used in the country (preferably all of them to have the most optimal experience while in Belize).
Furthermore, you need to have a SIM-lock-free device.
Where Can You Buy a SIM Card in Belize?
You can get a Belizean SIM card in Digi and Smart! stores. They are not sold at Belize City-Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (BZE).
You can expect to pay the following for Belizean SIM cards:
- Digi Belize (formerly DigiCell): 22.50 BZD
- Smart! Belize: 15 BZD
The following Belizean mobile operators also have SIM cards targetting tourists:
- Digi Belize (formerly DigiCell): 20 USD
- Smart! Belize: 20 BZD & 45 BZD
TIP: Check out my SIM card prices lookup tool for a detailed overview of SIM card starter pack benefits (for Belizean SIM cards and SIM cards worldwide).
Can You Use Your Phone in Belize?
Belize uses GSM for its cellular communications, meaning that you need a GSM-capable phone to use your phone in the country. CMDA-phones will not work in Belize, but there is about a 99% chance you have a GSM phone anyway.
Besides that, you need to be aware of the ITU Regions to determine whether your phone will work in other parts of the world.
Belize uses American frequencies, which are used in the Americas (North-, Central– & South America + the Caribbean – ITU Region 2).
Phones sold in the Americas typically have no issues when using their phone in other ITU Region 2 countries.
In Africa, Asia (including the Middle East), Europe & Oceania (ITU Regions 1 & 3), they typically use European frequencies, meaning phones bought in those regions can be used in countries using European frequencies without issues.
If you purchased your phone in the Americas (ITU Region 2), you should not experience any issues with using your phone in Belize.
If you bought your phone in Africa, Asia, Europe, or Oceania (ITU Regions 1 & 3) and have a low/medium-end device without Tri-Band or Quad-Band support, then there is a possibility you cannot use your phone when in Belize or can only use slower networks (3G or 2G).
If you have a medium/high-end device with Tri-Band or Quad-Band support, you can use your phone in Belize (to some extent) – also on 4G/LTE.
Mobile Operators, Networks & Frequencies in Belize
Belize has two mobile operators offering prepaid services easily accessible to travelers:
- Digi by Belize Telemedia Limited/BTL (formerly DigiCell)
- Smart! by Speednet
The following frequencies are used in Belize:
- 2G: 850 MHz & 1900 MHz
- 3G: 850 MHz & 1900 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 13 & Band 17) & 1900 MHz (Band 2)
You can learn more about frequencies in the video below.
To check whether your phone will work in Belize, check out this page by Kimovil or this one by Will My Phone Work (outdated, unfortunately, but extremely user-friendly – useful for phones launched in or before 2019. It does not check for 5G NR compatibility).
Again, make sure your phone is unlocked. Otherwise, you will not be able to use any SIM card except the one from your home operator (meaning you have to roam internationally or buy another unlocked phone that does support the frequencies listed above).
If you want to learn how international roaming works, this guide explains it in-depth. If you wonder why it is often so expensive to roam, this article explains the hidden reason they do not want you to know.
VoLTE & VoWiFi in Belize
Both VoLTE (Voice over LTE (4G) – also known as HD Voice) and VoWiFi (Voice over WiFi – also known as WiFi calling) are not offered by the mobile operators in Belize (yet).
This means that when you make a call, your phone will downgrade to 3G (or 2G when 3G is not available) instead of staying connected to 4G/LTE.
This is also why you often cannot use mobile data while calling if not connected to WiFi.
VoWiFi is, as the name implies, calling on a WiFi connection as opposed to on a cellular network.
5G NR in Belize
5G NR is not available in Belize as of 2022, and the Belizean government has not made any indications of when they will auction 5G licenses.
Best SIM Card in Belize
If you want to buy the best SIM card in Belize, I recommend going with Digi (formerly DigiCell) or Smart!. Digi has the best coverage and fastest speeds. If you do not mind sacrificing speed and coverage for lower prices, go with Smart!.
Best eSIM in Belize
Unfortunately, none of the mobile operators offer eSIM to prepaid customers in Belize yet.
Note that the Belizean mobile operators require your identification (passport) for (future) eSIMs and physical SIM cards (will be discussed later).
Therefore, if you wish to get an eSIM for Belize (without personal detail capturing), you can get the Belize (Cho!) eSIM from Airalo with 1 GB of data for 7 days.
Now, you may think this is a sad selection or that 1 GB of data is insufficient.
Both points are true… I agree – but you can make unlimited top-ups with the Cho! eSIM through the Airalo website or apps.
So if you need 5 GB of data, you can purchase the Cho! 1 GB eSIM and get four 1 GB top-ups.
Yes, it is a bit inconvenient for now; Airalo may offer 3 GB, 5 GB & 10 GB plans with a 30-day validity for Belize soon, as it did for many other countries it supports.
The Airalo links will automatically get you the available Phone Travel Wiz exclusive offers – a code is unnecessary.
For an in-depth analysis of the Belize Cho! eSIMs (covering pros and cons as well), check out my Belize eSIMs Compared guide.
- Check out my Airalo eSIM reviews
With this eSIM, you can skip Belize's SIM card registration scheme entirely and use it immediately upon arriving in Belize!
- Find out about the best local eSIMs, local travel eSIMs & regional travel eSIMs for every country (lookup tool)
TIP: check out my Best Belize eSIMs Compared guide for an in-depth comparison of several eSIMs for Belize.
Airalo introduced an eSIM for Latin America (Central- and South America): Latamlink eSIM. The Latamlink is following the popular Eurolink eSIM for 39 European countries and the fairly new Asialink eSIM for 13 Asian countries.
The Latamlink eSIM comes in four variants: 1 GB/7 days, 2 GB/15 days – very popular with PTW readers, 3 GB/30 days – most popular with PTW readers & 5 GB/30 days – very popular with PTW readers to be used in Belize and 18 other Latin American countries:
Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in May based on data up to the 17th of May (2023 data only).
- Argentina
- Belize 1
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- French Guiana
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Mexico
- Nicaragua
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Uruguay
- Venezuela 1
1 on 3G only
With the Latamlink eSIM, you can save a lot of money by skipping the initial SIM card costs per country you visit in Latin America!
Holafly also has an eSIM covering most of Central- and South America (although the eSIM is called South America eSIM).
But honestly, the Latamlink eSIM is superior (but you can consider the Holafly Central America eSIM if you want 6 GB of data instead in 13 countries – just do not forget about code PHONETRAVELWIZ if you go with Holafly).
TIP: Check out my eSIM lookup tool for an overview of local mobile operators offering eSIMs to prepaid customers and travel eSIMs I use and love (for eSIMs in Belize and eSIMs worldwide) and my Best Belize eSIMs Compared guide for an in-depth comparison of several eSIMs for Belize.
SIM Card Registration in Belize
SIM card registration, with the use of your passport information, is mandatory in Belize. This will be done at the point of purchase.
Belize Mobile Speeds, Mobile Internet Prices & Insights
Being redone.
Currency in Belize
Belize uses the Belize Dollar with the symbol BZD (which will be used throughout this guide).
However, prices are often listed as just $ or BZ$. For example, 25 BZD = BZ$/$25.
BZD is officially pegged 2:1 to the US Dollar (USD), meaning that 2 BZD is 1 USD or 0.5 USD is 1 BZD. However, the exchange rate has been 1:1 for the past few years.
For up-to-date BZD:your currency (let's say EUR – Euro) exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.
If your credit/debit card charges you foreign exchange fees, get yourself a Wise Borderless Account and Debit Card.
Their fees are MUCH lower than banks and credit card companies charge you (and Wise is transparent about their fees, unlike banks).
I have saved literal THOUSANDS of Australian Dollars and Euros, my main currencies, when using Wise abroad when traveling compared to my debit and credit cards.
Belizean Prepaid SIM Cards
Below, I will guide you through Digi Belize (formerly DigiCell) & Smart! Belize, and go through:
- Background information
- Mobile coverage
- SIM card types, prices, and availability
- Recharge / top-up information
- Combo plans, data plans, and special packs (such as social media packs)
With that being said, let’s see what Belize has to offer to us.
Digi Belize (formerly DigiCell)
Digi Belize, just Digi and formerly DigiCell Belize, not to be confused with Digi in Malaysia, is the largest mobile operator in Belize.
Digi used to have a monopoly until Smart! Belize entered the market.
While Digi is still more expensive than Smart!, it still has the fastest speeds in Belize.
Digi uses the following frequencies:
- 2G: 850 MHz & 1900 MHz
- 3G: 850 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 17) & 1900 MHz (Band 2)
- VoLTE: No
- VoWiFi: No
This is what you will learn about Digi:
* Coverage
* How to Get a Digi SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings
Coverage – Digi Belize (formerly DigiCell)
Digi has the best coverage in Belize.
However, reception may be lacking in rural areas. Sometimes, you will have no coverage at all.
Below is Digi's coverage map produced by Speedtest:
SIM Card Price – Digi Belize (formerly DigiCell)
You can buy a Digi SIM card for 22.50 BZD with 10 BZD credit and 1 GB of data (valid for 10 days) in Digi stores. Digi SIM cards are not Belize City-Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (BZE).
Dial *100# or call *100 to access the Digi menu.
- Find out how much SIM cards cost in every country, including data-only SIM cards and tourist SIM cards, offered by each mobile operator + information about starter benefits (lookup tool)
Short-term visitors and travelers can also take advantage of the Digi Tourist SIM card.
It costs 20 USD (or 40 BZD) and features 5 BZD credit, 4 GB of data, 300 local minutes & 300 local SMS – all valid for 14 days. The SIM card itself gets deactivated after 21 days, and it cannot be extended.
The thing is… this offer vanished from the Digi website when I updated this guide in April 2022.
If you know this offer is still available or not, let me know.
It will be a while before I revisit Belize, so I cannot confirm this myself yet 🤐.
Digi has no eSIMs – not even for postpaid customers.
Note that the Belizean mobile operators require your identification (passport) for (future) eSIMs and physical SIM cards.
Therefore, if you wish to get an eSIM for Belize (without personal detail capturing), you can get the Belize (Cho!) eSIMs from Airalo (1 GB/7 days – top-ups are available).
The Airalo links will automatically get you the available Phone Travel Wiz exclusive offers – a code is unnecessary.
- Check out my Airalo eSIM reviews
Airalo introduced an eSIM for Latin America (Central- and South America): Latamlink eSIM. The Latamlink is following the popular Eurolink eSIM for 39 European countries and the fairly new Asialink eSIM for 13 Asian countries.
The Latamlink eSIM comes in four variants: 1 GB/7 days, 2 GB/15 days – very popular with PTW readers, 3 GB/30 days – most popular with PTW readers & 5 GB/30 days – very popular with PTW readers to be used in Belize and 18 other Latin American countries:
Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in May based on data up to the 17th of May (2023 data only).
- Argentina
- Belize 1
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- French Guiana
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Mexico
- Nicaragua
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Uruguay
- Venezuela 1
1 on 3G only
With the Latamlink eSIM, you can save a lot of money by skipping the initial SIM card costs per country you visit in Latin America!
TIP: check out my Best Belize eSIMs Compared guide for an in-depth comparison of several eSIMs for Belize (including ones not mentioned above).
- Find out about the best local eSIMs, local travel eSIMs & regional travel eSIMs for every country (lookup tool)
Be aware that there is no VoLTE nor VoWiFi with Digi.
Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Digi Belize (formerly DigiCell)
Digi top-up vouchers are sold in Digi stores, grocery stores, corner shops & electronics shops throughout Belize.
The following top-up options are available:
| Top-Up | Validity |
|---|---|
| 5 BZD | 30 days |
| 10 BZD | 30 days |
To top up your Digi SIM card, dial *100# and follow the instructions.
If you use ePIN, dial *200 and follow the instructions.
You can also tell the salesperson how much credit you want, your phone number, pay, and they will top up your SIM card with the POS system.
You can also recharge online with (international) debit and credit cards.
Dial *201#, call 100, or text bal to 100 to check your Digi balance.
You can also top up and check your balance on the My DigiGo app (Android/iOS).
Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Digi Belize (formerly DigiCell)
Digi has four data-featured prepaid plans:
- Digi After Dark (nighttime combo)
- All In One Bundles (combo)
- PrePaid Data Plans (as the name suggests)
- PrePaid Data Only Plans (as the name implies)
Click on the links above to jump to the plan you are interested in.
Digi After Dark Plan – Digi Belize (formerly DigiCell)
The Digi After Dark plan is a combo bundle with 3 GB of data, unlimited on-net minutes & unlimited on-net SMS for 1 night (between 20:00 and 6:00), costing 1.99 BZD.
Dial *100# to activate Digi After Dark.
| Price | Data | On-Net Minutes 1 | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.99 BZD | 3 GB | Unlimited | 1 night (20:00 – 6:00) |
1 +unlimited on-net SMS
All In One Bundles – Digi Belize (formerly DigiCell)
The All In One Bundles are combo plans with data, minutes & SMS.
You can activate All In One Bundles by dialing *100#:
| Price | Plan | Data | Local Minutes 1 | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 BZD | S-Bundle | 350 MB | 30 minutes | 3 days |
| 13 BZD | M-Bundle | 750 MB | 60 minutes | 5 days |
| 25 BZD | L-Bundle | 1500 MB | 90 minutes | 10 days |
1 +”unlimited” 10 000 on-net SMS
PrePaid Data Plans – Digi Belize (formerly DigiCell)
The PrePaid Data Plans are, as the name suggests, data-only bundles.
The following PrePaid Data Plans can be purchased by dialing *100#:
| Price | Plan | Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 BZD | XS Plan | 130 MB | 6 hours |
| 2.50 BZD | S Plan | 330 MB | 1 day |
| 5 BZD | M Plan | 680 MB | 3 days |
| 12 BZD | L Plan | 1700 MB | 7 days |
| 20 BZD | L+ Plan | 3000 MB | 15 days |
| 35 BZD | XL Plan | 5500 MB | 30 days |
| 45 BZD | XXL Plan | 7500 MB | 30 days |
| 69 BZD | Work From Home Data Plan | 25 600 MB | 30 days |
PrePaid Data Only Plans – Digi Belize (formerly DigiCell)
The PrePaid Data Only Plans are, as the name implies, data-only bundles.
The following Prepaid Data Only Plans can (initially) only be activated in Digi stores:
| Price | Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 28.11 BZD | 4.5 GB | 1 month |
| 44.99 BZD | 8 GB | 1 month |
| 78.74 BZD | 15 GB | 1 month |
APN/Internet Settings – Digi Belize (formerly DigiCell)
- Name: digi
- APN: data
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
Smart! Belize
Smart! Belize, just Smart, is the smaller mobile operator in Belize.
It entered the Belizean market to end Digi Belize's (formerly DigiCell) monopoly.
Smart! is popular among the Belizean youth because of its youth-specific postpaid plans.
Smart! uses the following frequencies:
- 2G: N/A – never had it
- 3G: 850 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 13)
- VoLTE: No
- VoWiFi: No
This is what you will learn about Smart!:
* Coverage
* How to Get a Smart! SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings
Coverage – Smart! Belize
Smart! has good coverage throughout Belize.
Smart!'s 4G/LTE coverage is still lacking, but it has 3G reception in the more populated areas in Belize.
It is not recommended going with Smart! if you plan on visiting rural Belize.
Below is Smart!'s coverage map produced by Speedtest:
SIM Card Price – Smart! Belize
You can get a Smart! SIM card for 15 BZD in Smart! stores. During promotions, you sometimes get 10 BZD credit and 1 GB of data. Smart! SIM cards are not Belize City-Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (BZE).
- Find out how much SIM cards cost in every country, including data-only SIM cards and tourist SIM cards, offered by each mobile operator + information about starter benefits (lookup tool)
Short-term visitors and travelers can also take advantage of the Smart! Tourist SIM card.
The following Smart! Tourist SIM cards are available:
| Price | Credit | Data | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 BZD | 11 BZD | Unlimited | 25 SMS | 24 hours |
| 45 BZD | 35 BZD | Unlimited | 130 SMS | 7 days |
Smart! has no eSIMs – not even for postpaid customers.
Note that the Belizean mobile operators require your identification (passport) for (future) eSIMs and physical SIM cards.
Therefore, if you wish to get an eSIM for Belize (without personal detail capturing), you can get the Belize (Cho!) eSIMs from Airalo (1 GB/7 days – top-ups are available).
The Airalo links will automatically get you the available Phone Travel Wiz exclusive offers – a code is unnecessary.
- Check out my Airalo eSIM reviews
Airalo introduced an eSIM for Latin America (Central- and South America): Latamlink eSIM. The Latamlink is following the popular Eurolink eSIM for 39 European countries and the fairly new Asialink eSIM for 13 Asian countries.
The Latamlink eSIM comes in four variants: 1 GB/7 days, 2 GB/15 days – very popular with PTW readers, 3 GB/30 days – most popular with PTW readers & 5 GB/30 days – very popular with PTW readers to be used in Belize and 18 other Latin American countries:
Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in May based on data up to the 17th of May (2023 data only).
- Argentina
- Belize 1
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- French Guiana
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Mexico
- Nicaragua
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Uruguay
- Venezuela 1
1 on 3G only
With the Latamlink eSIM, you can save a lot of money by skipping the initial SIM card costs per country you visit in Latin America!
TIP: check out my Best Belize eSIMs Compared guide for an in-depth comparison of several eSIMs for Belize (including ones not mentioned above).
- Find out about the best local eSIMs, local travel eSIMs & regional travel eSIMs for every country (lookup tool)
Be aware that there is no VoLTE nor VoWiFi with Smart!.
Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Smart! Belize
Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Smart! Belize
Smart! has only one data-featured prepaid plan: Mobile Data. It is, as the name suggests, a data-only bundle.
You can activate Mobile Data plan by calling the Activation Code:
| Price | Data | Validity | Activation Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.25 BZD | 165 MB | 24 hours | 638 |
| 2 BZD | 340 MB | 24 hours | 638 |
| 4 BZD | 680 MB | 3 days | 638 |
| 7 BZD | 1250 MB | 3 days | 638 |
| 14 BZD | 2500 MB | 7 days | 3282 |
| 25 BZD | 4500 MB | 15 days | 3282 |
| 40 BZD | 7200 MB | 30 days | 3282 |
| 60 BZD | 11 000 MB | 30 days | 3282 |
| 110 BZD | 20 500 MB | 40 days | 3282 |
| 160 BZD | 32 000 MB | 40 days | 3282 |
APN/Internet Settings – Smart! Belize
- Name: smart
- APN: smart.com.bz
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
The Preferred Way to Stay Connected When Traveling in Belize
Getting a SIM card from Digi or Smart! would do you well when considering a Belizean SIM card.
Local Prepaid SIM Cards in Other American Countries
Visiting other countries in the Americas? Check out my Caribbean SIM card buying guide, covering other American nations, such as:
Going to other places around the world? Then you should also check out my sim card buying guides for other destinations around the world.
Next Steps to Enhance Your Travel Experiences
Looking for the next steps to enhance your phone travel experiences? Here is what to do:
Support Phone Travel Wiz
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Your support helps me keep producing impartial content by eliminating the need to recommend international SIM cards as the best local SIM card (but some of them CAN be useful).
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Check Out My Resource Page
Looking for the best companies and gadgets to enhance your travel experience?
Check out my travel resources page for the best companies to use when you travel!
Save money with international SIM cards, on plane tickets, bus rides, cruises & accommodation.
Besides that, I also list services and items I use to make my life easier – and I believe they will help you too!
Start Your Own Online Business – Make Money While Traveling
Do you want to learn how I started an online business that allows me to generate income while traveling?
In my starting an online business guide, I tell you which tools, services & products I have for this site and my YouTube channel.
If I can start a business about something I am passionate about (phone travel), then you can do it too!
Learn About Your Phone Travel Options
You can buy local prepaid SIM cards, international SIM cards, mobile hotspots, or roam internationally.
Each of these options has its pros and cons. Learn more about them, and find the best option for you.
Phone Travel Tips, Tricks & Hacks
I have written many articles with tips and hacks to save money on mobile costs while abroad. You surely want to check them out!
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A lot of useful videos are uploaded multiple times a week, and you do not want to miss out on them!
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