Banks & Exchange Services in Belize City

U.S. dollars are accepted everywhere in Belize, but if you need to exchange another currency, you can do so at one of the five banks in Belize City: Alliance Bank, Atlantic Bank, Belize Bank, First Caribbean International Bank (formerly Barclays), and ScotiaBank. Most banks have their main offices on Albert Street in downtown Belize City, with smaller branches scattered around the city. Expect to be charged a 1%-2% fee if you exchange U.S. dollars. Fees for other currencies vary, but in general it's somewhat expensive to exchange currency other than U.S. dollars, even Canadian dollars, euros, and U.K. pounds. If you must convert currency, try the Belize Bank office at the international airport, or the main offices of banks in Belize City. Guatemalan and Mexican currencies can be easily exchanged at border areas.

The biggest employer in Belize—the Belize government—pays most employees on the 14th or 15th of the month, and on those days in particular banks in Belize are jammed, with customer lines often snaking around the outside of the building. Banks are also usually busy on Fridays.

Most banks in Belize City have ATMs, and, except for ATMs of Alliance Bank, all now accept cards issued outside Belize. If your ATM card has a Visa or MasterCard symbol, it will work in at least some Belize ATMs, and you can generally withdraw up to BZ$500 (US$250) a day. You get your cash in Belize dollars. With about 15 locations around the country, Belize Bank accepts foreign ATM cards on the CIRRUS, PLUS, and Visa Electron networks. Atlantic Bank ATMs accept foreign ATM cards with the Visa Electron symbol. First Caribbean branches in Belize City, Dangriga, and Belmopan, and all ScotiaBank ATMs, also work with non-Belize ATM cards. You should have a four-digit PIN. Try not to depend on ATMs for all your cash, as ATM systems may be down, or the ATMs may be out of cash. Most banks offer cash advances on credit cards issued by Visa and MasterCard for a fee ranging from BZ$10 to BZ$30.

Banks

Alliance Bank (Princess Margaret Dr. 223/5698). Atlantic Bank (Freetown Rd. 223/4123). Belize Bank (60 Market Sq. 227/7132). First Caribbean International Bank (21 Albert St. 227/7211). ScotiaBank (Albert St. 227/7027).