The Philip Goldson International Airport (IATA: BZE) is Belize’s main airport and the only international airport in the country. It is located in Ladyville, a village/suburb that is 10 miles northwest of Belize City, and can be reached in 20 minutes by car.
See also: Belize entry requirements and Belize departure & border exit fees
The airport, also known as PGIA, is dedicated to the memory of Hon. Philip Stanley Wilberforce Goldson, a Belizean activist and politician that died in 2001. The airport is owned by the Government of Belize and the Belize Airports Authority.
COVID-19 update: Belize reopened to international tourism on October 1, 2020.
International and Domestic Flights
In 2018, the Philip Goldson International Airport received over 5,000 international and 26,000 domestic flights, serving approximately 1.1 million passengers. Currently, 11 international and two domestic airlines operate from the PGIA with scheduled flights to the USA, Canada, Latin America, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Europe.
International airlines flying to Belize
| International Airlines | USA |
|---|---|
| Alaska Air | Seatle & Los Angeles |
| American Airlines | Miami, Dallas, Charlotte & Los Angeles |
| Delta Air Lines | Atlanta & Minneapolis |
| Frontier Airlines | Denver & Orlando |
| Southwest Airlines | Houston & Denver |
| Sun Country Airlines | Minneapolis |
| United Airlines | Houston, Chicago, Newark, Denver, Los Angeles |
| International Airlines | Canada |
|---|---|
| Air Canada | Toronto |
| WestJet | Calgary & Toronto |
| International Airlines | Latin America & Mexico |
|---|---|
| Copa Airlines | Panama City |
| TAG Airlines | Flores & Guatemala City |
Domestic airlines in Belize
| Domestic Airlines | Belize |
|---|---|
| Maya Air | All domestic airports |
| Tropic Air | All domestic airports + Cancun, Guatemala City & Roatan |
Along with the Philip Goldson International Airport (BZE), there are 10 other main domestic airports in Belize
| Airport | Code |
|---|---|
| Belize City Municipal Airport | (TZA) |
| Belmopan Airport | (BCV) |
| Caye Caulker Airport | (CUK) |
| Corozal Town Airport | (CZH) |
| Dangriga Airport | (DGA) |
| Orange Walk Airport | (ORZ) |
| Placencia Airport | (PLJ) |
| Punta Gorda Airport | (ORZ) |
| San Ignacio Town Airport – Maya Flats Airstrip | (CYD) |
| San Pedro Airport | (SVH) |
BZE Departure Fees
The Belize departure tax for international tourists at PGIA is US$55.50 and it is BZ$35.00 for Belizeans. Belizean citizens do not need to pay the additional airport development and conservation fees that tourists must pay.
| Breakdown of Airport Fees | USD |
|---|---|
| Service Fee | $15.00 |
| Security Fee | $1.25 |
| Baggage Fee | $1.25 |
| Airport Development Fee (tourist only) | $18.00 |
| Belize Conservation Fee (tourist only) | $20.00 |
Airport Map of PGIA
The Philip Goldson International Airport terminal building is approximately 110,000 sq ft. The building contains Terminals 1 and 2, International Arrival and Departure Halls, a Domestic Arrival Hall, restaurants, bars, snack outlets, gift/ souvenir shops, duty-free shops, a bank, and various other services.
Outside the terminal building, there are car parking lots and often a sea of Belize City taxis waiting to pick up passengers. There is also a Rental Services Center containing car rental, telephone, and travel agency services. A less known fact is that street food stalls can be found near the exit at the corner of Car Park A.
Hotels near the Philip Goldson International Airport
For anyone wanting to stay near the international airport, Belize City is only 20-30 minutes away by car and it has many great hotel options.
Top Hotels in Belize City
- The Great House Inn
- Radisson Fort George Hotel & Marina
- Best Western Plus Belize Biltmore Plaza
- Ramada by Wyndham Princess Belize City
- Villa Boscardi
Transportation options at the airport
When arriving to Belize, there are a couple options to get to your destination from the Philip Goldson International Airport. One is taking ground transportation and the other is taking a domestic flight.
Ground transportation
Since taxis are parked outside of the PGIA exit doors, many people decide to take taxis due to convenience. Taxis are typically used to travel to Belize City (US$25 per trip) to either go to the water taxi terminal or bus terminal. Shuttles and private car transfers are also offered by hotels and private companies.
Domestic flights
With local airlines, such as Tropic Air offering daily domestic flights to locations across Belize, flying is often the quickest option to getting to your destination. And an added bonus is enjoying the beautiful scenic views of Belize and perhaps having a once-in-your-life-time experience of flying in a small passenger plane.
FAQ
It typically takes about 30-45 minutes to get through Belize customs at the Philip Goldson International Airport. However, processing during the high tourist season may be extended to over an hour, depending on the number of flights arriving around the same time.
Check with your airline about suggested airport arrival times, but typically it is recommended to arrive 2 hours prior for an international flight and 1.5 hours prior for domestic travel.
The Philip Goldson International Airport (BZE) is approximately 10 miles northwest of downtown Belize City. It typically takes 25 to 30 minutes to get there by car.
