New flights from the US to this small but beautiful Caribbean country

Bordered by Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, Guatemala and the Caribbean Sea, Belize is a small country that has historically been overlooked by holidaymakers in the region, despite having the same turquoise seas, fascinating ancient ruins and a culture that is just as vibrant.

That’s changing quickly as momentum grows: 550,000 visitors are expected to attend this year. While that may not seem like much, it will certainly have an impact on a country with a population of 411,000.

Whether to be paradisiacal, largely public-free beaches or its centuries-old history, more and more Americans are choosing Belize as a destination. If you’ve been waiting for the right time to book those tickets yourself, there may be no better time than now.

As the Belize Tourism Board put it himselfRapidly improving connectivity between Belize and the United States makes traveling there “easier than ever,” starting with Spirit:

New flights from Florida to Belize

On the hunt for a gold mine before yesterday’s news, low-cost carrier Spirit is betting big on Belize this year and launching new direct flights to the Caribbean state.

Spirit will provide service Philip SW Goldson International Airport (BZE), the main gateway to 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 affordable $85.

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

JFK flights return this winter (with increased frequency!)

If you live on the East Coast, you also have reason to celebrate:

JetBlue has confirmed that they will improve service from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to BZE, from one flight per week every Saturday, to three times a week on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

Round-trip fares typically average $270, although single tickets can start as low as $105 during promotions. Any advice? Keep an eye on JetBlue’s website for deals.

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

From the west coast

For all the West Coasters out there, unfortunately neither Spirit, nor JetBlue, nor any of the budget airlines have announced plans to serve Belize: However…

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

These are certainly not as affordable as a Spirit or JetBlue ride, but they are still reasonably priced considering the flight distance and lower demand from the West Coast, with base return fares varying from $412 to $580 subject to dates and seat availability.

What to see in Belize

• Blue hole: a gigantic sinkhole in the sea, which is best seen from above during a helicopter flight or during a snorkeling tour
• Cockscomb basin: a jungle-like haven for jaguars, howler monkeys and exotic birds
• Caye Caulker: a small Caribbean island famous for its white sandy beaches and blue-green colored seas
• Caracol: one of the best preserved Mayan cities, dominated by a historic pyramid
• Altun Ha: yet another Mayan site, with a history dating back to 900 BC
• Belize City: the country’s largest urban center, home to the slave-built St. John’s Cathedral

Staying safe in Belize

Americans are being urged to do this by their own government are exercising ‘heightened caution’ in Belizemainly due to higher crime levels in ‘some areas’.

Although the country as a whole poses relatively few risks, especially if you take the usual precautions such as booking guided activities with reputable providers and following the tourist trail, armed robberies, petty crime and even murders still occur.

This is especially noted in Belize City, the largest city in Belize, and more specifically, even on the south side of the city. This is one area The U.S. Department of State advises Americans to avoid visits because local law enforcement may not have the resources and training to “respond effectively” when needed.

When traveling through Belize, you can adhere to the following rules of conduct reduce the risks significantly:

• Stay aware of your surroundings
• Avoid walking or driving at night
• Never physically resist robberies
• Be extra vigilant when withdrawing cash from ATMs or visiting banks
• Avoid showing unnecessary signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches or jewelry in public

Read more about the new entry requirements for Americans who want to visit Belize for tourism here.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior head writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60 countries to his name (and is currently weaving stories from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.