New Flights Launching From The U.S. To This Tiny But Gorgeous Caribbean Country

Bounded by Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, Guatemala, and the Caribbean Sea, Belize is a tiny nation that’s been historically overlooked by vacationers to the region—despite having the same turquoise seas, fascinating ancient ruins, and a culture that’s just as vibrant.

That’s quickly changing as momentum builds: this year, it is expected to hit 550,000 visitors. While that may not sound like a lot, it will definitely prove impactful for a country of 411,000 people.

Whether for its paradisaical, largely crowd-free beaches or its ancient history, more and more Americans are choosing Belize as a destination. If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to book those tickets yourself, there might not be a better time than now.

As the Belize Tourism Board put it themselves, the rapidly-improving connectivity between Belize and the United States makes traveling there ‘easier than ever’, starting with Spirit:

New Flights From Florida To Belize

Chasing a gold mine before it’s yesterday’s news, low-cost carrier Spirit is banking heavily on Belize this year, and launching new direct flights to the Caribbean state.

Spirit will be servicing Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE), the main gateway into Belize, from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) in Florida, starting November 21, 2025.

Flights will operate three times a week on Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and introductory one-way fares, at the basic level, start from a shockingly economical $85.

This will provide Floridians with an alternative to Miami when flying to Belize: currently, the only available option is through MIA with American Airlines, and round-trip tickets average $330.

JFK Flights Returning This Winter (With Increased Frequency!)

If you’re based in the East Coast, you also have reason to celebrate:

JetBlue has confirmed they will be enhancing service from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to BZE, from one flight a week every Saturday, to three-times-weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.

Round-trip fares typically average $270, though one-way tickets can start as low as $105 during promotions. A piece of advice? Keep an eye on JetBlue’s website for deals.

For now, JetBlue’s flights are still the only available Belize-bound flights leaving from New York, so residents of the Big Apple and its satellite cities are certain to appreciate the connectivity boost.

From The West Coast

Now, to all the West Coasters out there, sadly, neither Spirit, nor JetBlue, nor any budget carrier for that matter, has announced plans to service Belize, however…

United Airlines is set to resume its popular seasonal service from both Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO) on December 20, available once a week on Saturdays.

Those are definitely not as affordable as a Spirit or JetBlue ride, but they’re still reasonably priced given the flight distance and lower demand emanating from the West Coast, with basic round-trip fares ranging from $412 to $580 depending on dates and seat availability.

What To See In Belize

• Blue Hole: a giant marine sinkhole, best seen from above in a helicopter ride, or on a snorkeling tour
• Cockscomb Basin: ja ungle-like sanctuary to jaguars, howler monkeys, and exotic birds
• Caye Caulker: a small Caribbean island famous for white-sand beaches and teal-colored seas
• Caracol: one of the best-preserved Mayan cities, dominated by a landmark pyramid
• Altun Ha: yet another Mayan site, with a recorded history as far back as the year 900 B.C.
• Belize City: the country’s largest urban center, home to slave-built St. John’s Cathedral

Staying Safe In Belize

Americans are urged by their own government to exercise ‘increased caution’ in Belize, particularly due to elevated levels of crime in ‘some areas’.

While the country as a whole is relatively low-risk, particularly if you’re taking the usual precautions, such as booking guided activities through reputed operators and sticking to the tourist path, armed robbery, petty crime, and even murder still take place.

This is particularly noted in Belize City, the largest city in Belize, and more specifically, even the south side of the city. This is the one area the U.S. Department of State advises Americans to avoid visiting, as local police may lack the resources and training to ‘respond effectively’ when needed.

When traveling around Belize, adhering to the following set of behaviors can greatly reduce risks:

• Staying aware of your surroundings
• Avoiding walking or driving at night
• Never physically resist robbery attempts
• Being extra vigilant when taking cash out from ATMs or visiting banks
• Not displaying unnecessary signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches or jewelry in public

Read about the new entry requirements for Americans planning to visit Belize for tourism here.