Where Is Belize – Location And Geography

Belize is on the Caribbean coast of northern Central America 17°15′ north of the equator and 88°45′ west of the Prime Meridian on the Yucatán Peninsula. Central America is the isthmus that connects North America with South America. The country shares a land and sea border on the north with the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, a land border on the west with the Guatemalan department of El Petén, and a sea border on the south with the Guatemalan department of Izabal. It is about two hours by air from Miami or Dallas-Fort Worth. It is a two-day non-stop drive through Mexico from the Texas border. The land border crossing with Mexico is at Chetumal City. The Rio Hondo between Belize and Mexico has several informal border crossings including La Union and San Francisco Botes. Like other countries in Central America, Belize time is on the Central Standard Time Zone. See our page on Current Time In Belize.

From Central America, Belize is a one-day drive from Guatemala City, or a half-hour boat ride from the Izabal Department in Guatemala that features the beautiful tourist city of Puerto Barrios. Belize is also located next door to Honduras. A two- hour boat ride from Punta Gorda, Toledo district will land you at Puerto Cortez, Honduras. Commuter flights connect Belize to Chetumal City, Cancun, and Merida in Mexico, Flores City near UNESCO World Heritage Maya Site Tikal in Guatemala, and San Pedro Sula in Honduras.

To the east of Belize is the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean; the second-longest barrier reef in the world flanks much of the 386 kilometers (240 mi) of predominantly marshy coastline. Belize Map below is by Google Maps.

Land Area

The area of the country totals 22,966 square kilometers (8,867 sq. mi), an area twice the size of Jamaica, and slightly larger than El Salvador or Massachusetts. The abundance of lagoons along the coasts and in the northern interior reduces the actual land area to 21,400 square kilometers (8,300 sq. mi). Being such a small country, with a small population of 397,483 (2022 census) it is no wonder most people ask: Where Is Belize?

The land area of the country extends about 280 kilometers (170 mi) north-south and about 100 kilometers (62 mi) east-west, with a total land boundary length of 516 kilometers (321 mi). The undulating courses of two rivers, the Hondo and the Sarstoon define much of the course of the country’s northern and southern boundaries. The western border follows no natural features and runs a north-south imaginary line through lowland forest and highland mountainous plateau. This area is officially known as the adjacency line between Belize and Guatemala, the latter having a centuries-old territorial claim on the former British colony. English is the official language of Belize, followed by Spanish. The Adjacency Zone is administered by the Organisation of American States (OAS).

The north of Belize consists mostly of flat wetlands and coastal plains, in places heavily forested. The flora is highly diverse considering the small geographical area. The south contains the mountain range of the Maya Mountains.

Three of only four coral atolls in the Western Hemisphere are located off the coast of Belize. One of the natural wonders of the world, the Great Blue Hole is located here.

The highest point in Belize is Doyle’s Delight at 1,124 m (3,688 ft.). But Victoria Peak is the choice of hikers and mountain climbers. The Caribbean coast is lined with a coral reef and some 450 islets and islands known locally as cayes (pronounced “keys”). They total about 690 square kilometers (270 sq. mi), and form the approximately 320-kilometre (200 mi) long Belize Barrier Reef, the largest in the Western Hemisphere and second only in the world after Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

Flight Time To Belize

The flight from New York, NY to the Belize International Airport typically takes about 4 hours and 11 minutes. This estimate is based on an average commercial airliner speed of 500 mph (805 km/h or 434 knots) and includes an additional 30 minutes for take-off and landing. Actual flight times may vary depending on wind conditions. Keep in mind, this only accounts for time in the air. You’ll need to consider extra time for taxiing on the runway, as well as potential airport delays due to weather or equipment issues.

Other flight times to Belize

The total flight duration from Houston, TX to Belize is 2 hours, 25 minutes.

The total flight duration from LAX to Belize is 4 hours, 50 minutes.

The fastest direct flight from Toronto to Belize City takes 4 hours and 50 minutes. The flight distance between Toronto and Belize City is 1,874 miles (or 3,016 km).

The total flight duration from London, United Kingdom to Belize is 10 hours, 59 minutes.