Belize – meaning muddy waters in Spanish, is known for its majestic beaches, the Belize Barrier Reef & various caves like the ATM cave.
There are also plenty of museums to visit, resorts to chill at & snorkeling and scuba diving locations – all instagrammable activities and locations!
Before you host a 1-hour live stream, you should know that social media apps consume a lot of data.
This is not an issue if you have a large data plan or, even better, an unlimited data plan; those allowances often do not apply when abroad.
And to make matters worse, international roaming rates are often insanely high, making it expensive.
If you do not watch out, you will come back home bankrupt.
Okay, roaming probably will not bankrupt you, but the costs are high.
So how to stay connected when traveling abroad in an affordable way? By using local SIM cards, like a Belizean one.
That way, you can enjoy local rates, which are almost always lower than international roaming.
So how much do SIM cards cost in Belize?
You can get a Belizean SIM card for 15 BZD (7.40 USD) from Smart or 22.50 BZD (11.15 USD) from Digi (formerly DigiCell) in their stores. Tourist SIM cards are sold from 20 BZD (9.90 USD) to 45 BZD (22.30 USD). SIM cards are not sold at Belize City-Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (BZE).
Those prices are not too bad.
Sure, it can be cheaper in other places throughout the Americas, but it could also be much worse *cough* The Falkland Islands *cough*.
But there are quite some things to know before buying a SIM card in Belize.
In this guide, I will go over everything you need to know about buying a SIM card in Belize. Let's do this.
Original publication: 29th of December 2019. Last updated: 1st of March 2024.
Table of Contents
What is the Best SIM Card in Belize?
So, who are all these mobile operators and what options are available for you?
Belize has two mobile operators offering prepaid services that are easily accessible to travelers:
- Digi by Belize Telemedia Limited/BTL (formerly DigiCell)
- Smart! by Speednet
Anyone 18 years old or older living in or visiting Belize can buy a Belizean SIM card without restrictions.
- Find out which countries have SIM card registration regulations and what is required from you (lookup tool)
Where Can You Buy a Belizean SIM Card (+Prices)?
You can get a Belizean SIM card in Digi and Smart! stores.
You can expect to pay the following for Belizean SIM cards:
- Digi Belize (formerly DigiCell): 22.50 BZD
- Smart! Belize: 15 BZD
The following Belizean mobile operators also have SIM cards targeting tourists:
- Digi Belize (formerly DigiCell): 20 BZD
- Smart! Belize: 20 BZD & 45 BZD
(Travel) eSIMs for Belize
In recent years, (travel) eSIMs have become extremely popular.
Especially after Apple made iPhones (14- & 15 series) sold in the United States eSIM-only, forcing its users to use eSIMs – even when abroad.
As a result, the adoption of eSIM technology by mobile operators worldwide rose impressively quickly.
Currently, no Belizean mobile operator offers eSIMs to prepaid customers.
In my Belize eSIM buying guide, I analyze various eSIM options of eSIM providers I have tested extensively worldwide.
Surprisingly, travel eSIMs can be cheaper than a Belizean SIM card or eSIM in specific scenarios.
Moreover, Latin (Central- and South) America-wide and global eSIM options are also available at competitive prices (without having to deal with expensive international roaming rates).
In this Belize SIM card buying guide (the one you are reading), I will stick to the local SIM cards and eSIM, but you can read my Belize eSIM buying guide for more information about travel eSIMs covering the country.
But here is a quick overview already + applicable discount codes if you are interested in purchasing a travel eSIM for Belize:
Here are some discount codes to sweeten the deal:
- Airalo: MAR15 for 15% off (if you have never bought an Airalo eSIM before). Otherwise, MAR10 for 10% off (for existing users) – only the first 3000 users can redeem either discount code)
Once again, check out my Belize eSIM buying guide to learn more about these eSIM options.
The eSIM guide is as comprehensive as this SIM card buying guide, but it solely focuses on travel eSIMs (while the guide you are reading focuses on local SIM cards and eSIMs for prepaid users (where applicable).
Belizean Prepaid SIM Cards Explored
Below, I will guide you through Digi Belize (formerly DigiCell) & Smart! Belize, and go through:
- Background information
- Mobile coverage
- SIM card types, prices & availability
- Recharge/top-up information
- Combo plans, data plans & special packs (such as social media packs)
With that said, let's see what Belize offers us.
Digi Belize (formerly DigiCell)
Digi Belize, just Digi and formerly DigiCell Belize, not to be confused with Digi in Malaysia, is the largest mobile operator in Belize.
Digi used to have a monopoly until Smart! Belize entered the market.
While Digi is still more expensive than Smart!, it still has the fastest speeds in Belize.
Digi uses the following frequencies:
- 2G: 850 MHz & 1900 MHz
- 3G: 850 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 17) & 1900 MHz (Band 2)
- VoLTE: No
- VoWiFi: No
This is what you will learn about Digi:
* Coverage
* How to Get a Digi SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings
Coverage – Digi Belize (formerly DigiCell)
Digi has the best coverage in Belize.
However, reception may be lacking in rural areas. Sometimes, you will have no coverage at all.
Below is Digi's coverage map produced by Speedtest:
SIM Card Price – Digi Belize (formerly DigiCell)
You can buy a Digi SIM card for 22.50 BZD with 10 BZD credit and 1 GB of data (valid for 10 days) in Digi stores. Digi SIM cards are not Belize City-Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (BZE).
Dial *100# or call *100 to access the Digi menu.
- Find out how much SIM cards cost in every country, including data-only SIM cards and tourist SIM cards, offered by each mobile operator + information about starter benefits (lookup tool)
Short-term visitors and travelers can also take advantage of the Digi Tourist SIM card.
It costs 20 USD (or 40 BZD) and features 5 BZD credit, 4 GB of data, 300 local minutes & 300 local SMS – all valid for 14 days. The SIM card itself gets deactivated after 21 days, and it cannot be extended.
The thing is… this offer vanished from the Digi website when I updated this guide in April 2022.
If you know this offer is still available or not, let me know.
It will be a while before I revisit Belize, so I cannot confirm this myself yet 🤐.
Digi has no eSIMs – not even for postpaid customers.
You can consider getting a travel eSIM for Belize, which can, in specific scenarios, be cheaper than getting a SIM card from Digi.
Especially if you get a Latin (Central- and South) America-wide eSIM (for when you visit at least two or more supported Latin American countries) or a global eSIM (for frequent travelers visiting multiple continents).
In my Belize eSIM buying guide, I analyze various eSIM options of eSIM providers I have tested extensively worldwide.
But I will introduce them here quickly:
- Airalo: Cho! (Belize only), Latamlink (19 countries in Latin America) – use code MAR15 (15% off – first-time users only) or MAR10 (10% off)
Once again, check out my Belize eSIM buying guide to learn more about these eSIM options.
For now, I will continue with Digi.
Be aware that there is no VoLTE nor VoWiFi with Digi.
Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Digi Belize (formerly DigiCell)
Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Digi Belize (formerly DigiCell)
Digi has four data-featured prepaid plans:
- Digi After Dark (combo)
- All In One Bundles (combo)
- PrePaid Data Plans
- PrePaid Data Only Plans
I will list all the prices in BZD (Belize Dollar).
To convert BZD to your currency (let's say CAD – Canadian Dollar) with up-to-date exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.
Click on the links above to jump to the plan you are interested in.
Digi After Dark Plan – Digi Belize (formerly DigiCell)
The Digi After Dark plan are combo bundles with data (without 5G NR access), minutes & SMS. For 1 night (between 20:00 and 6:00), costing 1.99 BZD.
Dial *100# to activate Digi After Dark.
Price | Data | On-Net Minutes 1 | Validity |
---|---|---|---|
1.99 BZD | 3 GB | Unlimited | 1 night (20:00 – 6:00) |
1 +unlimited on-net SMS
All In One Bundles – Digi Belize (formerly DigiCell)
The All In One Bundles are combo plans with data (without 5G NR access), minutes & SMS.
You can activate All In One Bundles by dialing *500#:
Price | Plan | Data | Local Minutes 1 | Validity |
---|---|---|---|---|
3 BZD | S-Bundle | 350 MB | 30 minutes | 3 days |
6 BZD | M-Bundle | 750 MB | 60 minutes | 5 days |
9 BZD | L-Bundle | 1500 MB | 90 minutes | 10 days |
1 +”unlimited” 10 000 on-net SMS
PrePaid Data Plans – Digi Belize (formerly DigiCell)
The PrePaid Data Plans are, as the name implies, data bundles (without 5G NR access).
The following PrePaid Data Plans can be purchased by dialing *100#:
Price | Plan | Data | Validity |
---|---|---|---|
1 BZD | XS Plan | 130 MB | 6 hours |
2.50 BZD | S Plan | 330 MB | 1 day |
5 BZD | M Plan | 680 MB | 3 days |
12 BZD | L Plan | 1700 MB | 7 days |
20 BZD | L+ Plan | 3000 MB | 15 days |
35 BZD | XL Plan | 5500 MB | 30 days |
45 BZD | XXL Plan | 7500 MB | 30 days |
69 BZD | Work From Home Data Plan | 25 600 MB | 30 days |
PrePaid Data Only Plans – Digi Belize (formerly DigiCell)
The PrePaid Data Only Plans are, as the name implies, data bundles (without 5G NR access).
The following Prepaid Data Only Plans can (initially) only be activated in Digi stores:
Price | Plan | Data | Validity |
---|---|---|---|
28.11 BZD | Entry Plan | 4.5 GB | 1 month |
44.99 BZD | Small Plan | 8 GB | 1 month |
78.74 BZD | Medium Plan | 15 GB | 1 month |
APN/Internet Settings – Digi Belize (formerly DigiCell)
- Name: digi
- APN: data
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
Smart! Belize
Smart! Belize, just Smart, is the smaller mobile operator in Belize.
It entered the Belizean market to end Digi Belize's (formerly DigiCell) monopoly.
Smart! is popular among the Belizean youth because of its youth-specific postpaid plans.
Smart! uses the following frequencies:
- 2G: N/A – never had it
- 3G: 850 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 700 MHz (Band 13)
- VoLTE: No
- VoWiFi: No
This is what you will learn about Smart!:
* Coverage
* How to Get a Smart! SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings
Coverage – Smart! Belize
Smart! has good coverage throughout Belize.
Smart!'s 4G/LTE coverage is still lacking, but it has 3G reception in the more populated areas in Belize.
It is not recommended going with Smart! if you plan on visiting rural Belize.
Below is Smart!'s coverage map produced by Speedtest:
SIM Card Price – Smart! Belize
You can get a Smart! SIM card for 15 BZD in Smart! stores. During promotions, you sometimes get 10 BZD credit and 1 GB of data. Smart! SIM cards are not Belize City-Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (BZE).
- Find out how much SIM cards cost in every country, including data-only SIM cards and tourist SIM cards, offered by each mobile operator + information about starter benefits (lookup tool)
Short-term visitors and travelers can also take advantage of the Smart! Tourist SIM card.
The following Smart! Tourist SIM cards are available:
Price | Credit | Data | Local SMS | Validity |
---|---|---|---|---|
20 BZD | 11 BZD | Unlimited | 25 SMS | 24 hours |
45 BZD | 35 BZD | Unlimited | 130 SMS | 10 days |
Smart! has no eSIMs – not even for postpaid customers.
You may want to get a travel eSIM for Belize, which can be cheaper than getting a SIM card from Smart! (in some cases).
Especially when getting a Latin (Central- and South) America-wide eSIM if you do not stay in just Belize or a global eSIM valid for up to a year if you want one eSIM to work practically worldwide.
My Belize eSIM buying guide analyzes various eSIM options of eSIM providers I have tested extensively worldwide.
Here is a quick introduction to them:
- Airalo: Cho! (Belize only), Latamlink (19 countries in Latin America) – use code MAR15 (15% off – first-time users only) or MAR10 (10% off)
For more information, such as the prices and data allowances, check out my Belize eSIM buying guide.
But let's continue with Smart! for now.
Be aware that there is no VoLTE nor VoWiFi with Smart!.
Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Smart! Belize
Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Smart! Belize
Smart! has two data-featured prepaid plans: Mobile Prepay Plans (combo) & Mobile Data (data only).
I will list all the prices in BZD (Belize Dollar).
To convert BZD to your currency (let's say CAD – Canadian Dollar) with up-to-date exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.
Prepay Plans – Smart! Belize
The Mobile Prepay Plans are combo bundles with data (without 5G NR access), minutes & SMS.
The following Mobile Prepay Plans are available, which can be activated on the website or on the Smart! app:
Price | Plan | Data | On-Net Minutes | Off-Net Minutes | Local SMS | Validity |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
35 BZD | Flex Jr | 1 GB | 150 minutes | Shared with on-net minutes allowance | 130 SMS | 30 days |
60 BZD | Choice | 8 GB | Unlimited | 600 minutes | Unlimited | 30 days |
90 BZD | Select | 27 GB | Unlimited | Shared with on-net minutes allowance | Unlimited | 30 days |
Mobile Data – Smart! Belize
The Mobile Data plans are, as the name implies, data bundles (without 5G NR access).
You can activate Mobile Data plans by calling the Activation Code:
Price | Data | Validity | Activation Code |
---|---|---|---|
1.25 BZD | 165 MB | 24 hours | 638 |
2 BZD | 340 MB | 24 hours | 638 |
4 BZD | 680 MB | 3 days | 638 |
7 BZD | 1250 MB | 7 days | 638 |
14 BZD | 2500 MB | 7 days | 3282 |
25 BZD | 4500 MB | 15 days | 3282 |
40 BZD | 7200 MB | 30 days | 3282 |
60 BZD | 11 000 MB | 30 days | 3282 |
110 BZD | 20 500 MB | 40 days | 3282 |
160 BZD | 32 000 MB | 40 days | 3282 |
APN/Internet Settings – Smart! Belize
- Name: smart
- APN: smart.com.bz
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
The Preferred Way to Stay Connected When Traveling in Belize
Getting a SIM card from Digi or Smart! would do you well when considering a Belizean SIM card.
Going to other places around the world? You should also check out my SIM card buying guides for other destinations worldwide.