Belize Airline Information
It is always handy to know where you are landing and a bit about local airline policies. A good example of this is my mom’s first visit, her travel agent had her island hopper booked two or more hours after her arrival. I wrote back and told her it was clear that the person handling her arrangements had never been to Philip Goldson International Airport and that based on her arrival time there was no way she needed that much time to clear immigration and customs and make her connecting flight to Ambergris Caye.
In this day and age with the worldwide web, there is so much information out there in bits and pieces. I wanted to pull it all together for you and give you lots of information in a couple of places. So between the information below and the bold blue links, you will find answers to almost all your flight related questions.
Don’t forget, after your International flights are booked you can save 10% on your Tropic Air flights in Belize using the December code; cenote but you better act fast. Coming January 2018 the coupon code structure will be changing. While I am not at liberty to tell you exactly how just yet, I will say if you still want to save cash, now is the time to book (no matter when you plan to fly).
Below is some useful information about Tropic Air operations and policies to help you take the guesswork out of your first trip and still useful if this is not your first Belizean adventure.
Checking in and Connecting Flight Policies
When booking your local flight from International Airport (BZE) to anywhere in Belize, allow 1 hour to give you time to clear immigration, then customs. On the odd chance you get stuck in long-lined line slowdown, taco Tip #13 will help.
When returning to Belize International Airport, it’s recommended that your flight time allows at least three hours before your international flight departing from Belize. This is to ensure that you meet the check-in window requirements of carriers such as American, Delta, Southwest, COPA, United and WestJet, as well as provide enough time for security screening for your final destination. Look below the Delayed Flight Procedures section (midway on the page) for more detailed information on reasons behind the 3-hour rule and why it is a good idea to follow it (even though it seems in excess).
In-country (Belize Domestic) Flight Check-In
You are required to check-in at the Tropic Air ticket counter at least 20 minutes prior to scheduled departure. Not doing so could result in the loss of your seat and/or ticket.
International Flights Check-In
You are required to check-in at the Tropic Air ticket counter in the Belize International Airport, at least 1 hour prior to your departure time for your international flight (Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico) with Tropic Air. Failure to do so may result in the loss of your seat and/or ticket. Specific international destinations Tropic flies to: Flores, (with codeshare connection to Guatemala City) Roatan, and Cancun.
Cancellation and Flight Change Policy
Cancellation must be made 24 hours in advance of the scheduled flight. Any refunds will follow the fare rules printed on your ticket and fees may apply. Changes to any part of your itinerary must be made a minimum of 24 hours in advance for international or 2 hours in advance for domestic flights. Some ticket classes (seat sales, for example) may not be changeable or require a fee/ticket difference in order to be processed. Changes can be requested by phone (+501) 226 2626, via email at reservations@tropicair.com or in person at any of their stations.
Reservations Contact Options
Reservation lines are available daily 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM Belize time (GMT -06:00) and can be reached at the following phone numbers:
Central Reservations (501) 226-2012 or 226-2626. Reservations (WhatsApp Only) (501) 622-5857, Honduras Reservations (504) 2290-1885, Toll Free (USA & Canada) 1-800-422-3435, Toll Free (Belize) 0-800-4-TROPIC (487-6742) or by emnail reservations@tropicair.com
Individual Tropic Air Station Contacts
Belmopan (501) 822-0919, Belize City International (501) 225-2302, Belize Municipal (501) 224-671, Cancun (521) 998-886-0547 or 998-347-9564, Caye Caulker (501) 226-0040 Corozal (501) 422-0356, Dangriga (501) 522-2129, Flores & Tikal (502) 7926-0348 or 5460-8058, Orange Walk (501) 322-2191, Placencia (501) 523-3410, Punta Gorda (501) 722-2008, Roatan (504) 2290-1885 / 9957-3670, San Ignacio (501) 833-3950, San Pedro (501) 226-2012 or 226-2626. For cargo Inquiries call (501) 223-4851.
Baggage Policies
Domestic Flights Baggage Allowance
Each passenger travelling domestically in Belize is allowed 1 carry-on and 2 checked bags. Due to space constraints, your second bag may be taken on a space-available basis and could be put on the next flight. Please note if your bag skips a flight (or in rare cases two) it is for safety reasons that it is being rescheduled. Small planes have a weight restriction and over weight planes result in low and slow lift-off.
Domestic Checked Baggage
The checked bags shall have a size limit of 62 linear inches or 157 cm with a width limited to 30 inches or 76 cm and a height of 15 inches or 38 cm. It does not happen often, however when it is really busy, excess bags may be transferred to a space available status.
International Flights Baggage Allowance
Tropic Air permits each passenger traveling on international flights, 1 carry-on and 1 checked bag. Due to weight or cargo restrictions, any other bags may be carried on a space available basis and you may be charged a fee.
International Checked Baggage
The complimentary checked luggage shall have a size limit of 62 linear inches or 157 cm with a width limited to 30 inches or 76 cm and a height of 15 inches or 38 cm, and may not exceed 50 lbs or 23 kg. Your second bag is $35 USD, with the same size and weight allowance, and may be carried on a space available basis. Excess bags are subject to a cost of $35 USD each and should not exceed 50 lbs or 23 kg. Baggage exceeding that weight subject to additional $35 USD per bag. Extra luggage will usually make the flight but will be carried on a space available basis.
Domestic and International CarryÂ-on
Tropic Air allows one small carry-on per passenger. Examples of allowable carry-on are personal bags such as a purse or a small backpack. Maximum weight of these items cannot exceed 15 lbs or 6.8 kgs, and due to limited cabin space, all carry-ons must fit on your lap. If your carry-on is larger than the above requirements then it must be checked-in.
Oversized Baggage
Please note that while Tropic Air will endeavor to move all bags for their passengers, due to cargo hold limitations, most bags that exceed 62 linear inches (157 cm) in total dimensions may not be able to be transported at all. Tropic Air will not be responsible for these bags getting to your final destination. In this case, using a water taxi to transport your goods while you fly is the best option.
Baggage Liability
In general Tropic Air assumes no liability and their baggage handlers do a great job and I have never felt my luggage was ever at risk. A real life example of why: A vacationers baggage filled with credit cards, favorite beach clothes and $1,600USD was returned to San Pedro Airport from 2 weeks of unknown travels and with teamwork the owner was found (click link above for the full story.) Tropic Air staff was commended for doing their part getting the bag back to its owner with full contents intact two weeks after it was lost. Rosie, from Sunrise Realty was also instrumental.
- It is recommended you do not pack valuables or irreplaceable articles in checked baggage. Items such as tech toys, jewelry, medicine, cash and anything of importance are all better in carryon.
- Make sure your luggage is sturdy and not overstuffed as there is no compensation for the luggage failure, a common issue for shoppers. Luggage failure is often characterized by one or more of the following: broken straps, lost wheels or splitting of seams on zippers or broken closures (from trying to defy the luggage laws of space). 😀
- Should compensation or the loss or damage to a bag and its contents be required, it will is based on shipping weight and the airline. The decision may also be reached through applicable government and or International Air Transport Association (IATA) rules.
Flight Sales
Since the two sales have passed I moved them to the bottom of this post. They are still useful to give you an idea of what recent cheap flights Belize have been going for. Plus two useful low flight price finder options and the picture at the bottom make it worth scrolling through.
Black Friday Flight Deals
When it comes to holiday shopping, Black Friday has always rated for scoring deals. It only makes sense that the airlines would start cashing in on the popular shopping day with seat sales for those who are looking to cash in on a low-cost tropical trip.
Calling all Torontonians and those in close enough proximity for it to make sense.
There is a WestJet “Black Friday” direct flight seat sale on right now, from YYZ to BZE (Toronto to Belize) for $429.94 CAD, return. Not quite as good as this 2017 $69 Southwest Seat Sale, but still worth mentioning.
More About WestJet
WestJet flies seasonally to Belize and the flights from Toronto run three times per week on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. This particular low fare is for the Wednesday flight down the last week of January, with the return on Friday nine days later – As always prices are subject to change lets hope that means a drop for interested people.
WestJet also has a really cool “direct flight” checker; so if you prefer the convenience rather than a cheap fare, you can find it on the WestJet nonstop flight schedule. Just use the drop down menu to change the departure/arrival locations. If it is a cheap flight you want check their low fare finder. (WestJet image courtesy of Perkopolis)
Black Friday Seat Sale Deals Increase
Air Canada (who begins their non-stop flights from Toronto to Belize on December 15, 2017) sent out their notice for the Black Friday sale just prior to my publishing this post, so I thought I’d mention it as well. One-way flights start at $282.00 CAD. These flights must be booked by November 26, 2017 11:59 Mountain time and are for travel dates (Friday only) between January 12 and April 13, 2018. You can see that one and all the other places included in the sale on the Air Canada website.
Encouragement
Sometimes we all need a push to book that trip. Here is an arm twister should you need it. A sunset picture below from sightseeing in San Pedro, an easy to read write up with a mix of popular and off the beaten path tour ideas (all close to home base) as well as 4 easy selfie options and a few more great pictures.
If the deals listed above do not apply to you, click through and find screenshots and details for a couple of good options to check cheap flights, (Google Flights and Matrix Airfare Search.)
