The +501 country code is for Belize, the only English-speaking country in Central America. Formerly known as British Honduras until independence in 1981, Belize sits between Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the west, with the Caribbean Sea along its eastern coast. About 430,000 people live here across a country roughly the size of Massachusetts. Unlike its Caribbean NANP neighbors, Belize has its own country code (+501) and uses 7-digit local numbers with no area codes. You will likely call tour operators (the Belize Barrier Reef is the second largest in the world), real estate agents (Belize is popular with American and Canadian retirees), or family members in Belize City, Belmopan, or the cayes.
Quick answer: Belize uses country code +501 with 7-digit local numbers. The full international format is +501-XXX-XXXX. There are no area codes and no trunk prefix. Landline numbers start with 2, and mobile numbers start with 6. Belize is on Central Standard Time (CST, UTC-6) year-round with no daylight saving.
How to call Belize: quick reference
Belize has its own country code (+501), so dialing follows the standard international pattern: your exit code, then 501, then the 7-digit local number. No area code needed since the entire country uses a flat numbering plan.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada mobile | +501 [local number] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-501-[local number] |
| UK | 00-501-[local number] |
| Australia | 0011-501-[local number] |
| Germany | 00-501-[local number] |
| France | 00-501-[local number] |
Understanding Belize phone numbers
Belize uses a flat 7-digit numbering system with no area codes. The full international format is +501-XXX-XXXX. The first digit of the local number tells you whether it is a landline or mobile.
Mobile numbers
All mobile numbers in Belize start with 6. Common prefixes include 600-631 and 660-670. A typical mobile number looks like +501-6XX-XXXX. Mobile numbers were originally 7 digits and remain so.
Landline numbers
Landline numbers start with 2. The second and third digits roughly indicate geography, though this is not a formal area code system:
| Prefix | Area |
|---|---|
| 22X | Belize City |
| 23X | Belize District (rural) |
| 24X | Cayo District (San Ignacio, Belmopan) |
| 25X | Stann Creek District (Dangriga) |
| 26X | Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker |
| 27X | Orange Walk District |
| 28X | Corozal District |
| 29X | Toledo District (Punta Gorda) |
Mobile carriers in Belize
Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL)
BTL is the dominant telecommunications provider, handling both fixed-line and mobile service. It was nationalized by the government in 2009 after a long dispute with its previous owner, Innovative Communication Corporation. BTL operates the only landline network and one of two mobile networks. Its mobile brand is DigiCell. 4G LTE coverage is available in Belize City, Belmopan, San Pedro (Ambergris Caye), and along the main highways. Rural areas and the deep south (Toledo District) have spottier coverage.
SMART (Speednet Communications)
SMART is the second mobile carrier, operating since 2003. It is privately owned and competes with BTL's DigiCell on price. SMART also offers 4G LTE in urban areas. It does not provide landline service. Coverage in remote areas and smaller cayes is more limited than BTL's network.
Don't confuse +501 with nearby codes
Belize's +501 code can be confused with other Central American and Caribbean codes that start with 50X.
| Code | Country | How to tell apart |
|---|---|---|
| +502 | Guatemala | Belize's western neighbor - one digit apart |
| +503 | El Salvador | Also Central America, +503 vs +501 |
| +504 | Honduras | Another 50X neighbor to the south |
| +505 | Nicaragua | Same 50X range, farther south |
The Guatemala (+502) confusion is the most likely since the two countries share a border and many people travel between them. Belize is 501, Guatemala is 502. One digit difference.
Time zone considerations
Belize uses Central Standard Time (CST, UTC-6) year-round. It does not observe daylight saving time. This means during US winter, Belize is on the same clock as Chicago and Dallas. During US summer (when the Central US shifts to CDT, UTC-5), Belize is one hour behind.
| Your location | Time difference | When it's 9am in Belize City |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (winter/EST) | +1 hour ahead | 10:00 AM |
| US East Coast (summer/EDT) | +2 hours ahead | 11:00 AM |
| US Central (winter/CST) | Same time | 9:00 AM |
| UK (winter/GMT) | +6 hours ahead | 3:00 PM |
| Central Europe (winter/CET) | +7 hours ahead | 4:00 PM |
| Japan | +15 hours ahead | 12:00 AM (next day) |
Communication in Belize
Business hours
Most businesses in Belize operate Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Banks are typically open 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with some branches closing for lunch. Government offices follow similar hours. In tourist areas like San Pedro and Placencia, restaurants and tour operators keep longer hours and often work weekends. Expect slower responses on Sundays, as much of the country takes a genuine day off.
Communication style
English is the official language, but Belize is genuinely multilingual. Kriol (Belizean Creole) is the most widely spoken language in daily life. Spanish is common in the north near the Mexican border and in the west near Guatemala. Garifuna is spoken along the southern coast. Maya languages (Mopan, Kekchi, Yucatec) survive in rural villages. For business calls, English works everywhere. The communication style is relaxed and friendly. People take time for pleasantries before getting to the point.
Network quality
Cell coverage is decent along the coast and in towns, but drops off quickly in the jungle interior and smaller cayes. Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker have good coverage. The Mountain Pine Ridge area, some parts of the Toledo District, and remote jungle lodges may have no cell signal at all. Internet-based calling (WhatsApp, Viber) is popular partly because traditional call rates are high within Belize. If you are calling a jungle lodge, they may only be reachable via landline or satellite phone.
The Belizean diaspora
Where they went
The United States has the largest Belizean population outside of Belize itself. Los Angeles has a particularly concentrated Belizean community, along with New York, Chicago, Houston, and Miami. Many Belizean Kriol speakers settled in LA in the 1980s and 1990s. Canada and the UK also have Belizean communities, though smaller. The reverse migration is notable too: thousands of Americans and Canadians have retired to Belize, especially to Ambergris Caye, Placencia, and the Cayo District, and they call back home regularly.
Why they call
Belizean families maintain close ties across borders. September celebrations (Independence Day on September 21 and St. George's Caye Day on September 10) and Christmas are peak calling periods. Remittances from the US are a significant part of the Belizean economy, and calls often accompany money transfers. The retiree community generates steady call traffic to the US and Canada for financial matters, healthcare coordination, and keeping up with family.
Dialing examples
Calling a Belize City landline from the US
You want to call a hotel in Belize City. The local number is 223-4000. From a US mobile, dial +501 223 4000. From a US landline, dial 011-501-223-4000.
Calling a mobile in San Pedro from the UK
Your friend on Ambergris Caye has the mobile number 610-5678. From the UK, dial 00 501 610 5678, or on a mobile, +501 610 5678.
Calling Belmopan from Germany
You need to reach a government office in the capital, Belmopan. Their number is 822-2222. From Germany, dial 00 501 822 2222, or on a mobile, +501 822 2222. Wait - note that Belmopan landlines start with 8, not 2. Some newer landline prefixes in Belmopan use 822, which breaks the "landlines start with 2" rule. Always use the full number as given.
Calling within Belize
Local calls use just the 7-digit number: 223-4000. There is no trunk prefix and no area code to add. Calls between any two points in the country use the same format.
Common mistakes to avoid
Confusing +501 with +502 (Guatemala)
Belize is +501; Guatemala is +502. One digit sends your call to a different country. This is the most common mistake, especially since many people visit both countries on the same trip. Guatemala also uses 8-digit numbers (not 7), so if a number has 8 digits, you probably have a Guatemalan number.
Adding an area code that doesn't exist
Belize has no area codes. The number format is simply +501 followed by 7 digits. Do not insert any additional digits between +501 and the local number. The geographic prefixes (22X for Belize City, etc.) are part of the local number, not a separate area code.
Expecting good signal everywhere
Belize has large areas with no cell coverage: the interior jungle, remote cayes, and parts of the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. If you are trying to reach someone at an eco-lodge or on a dive trip, they may be out of range. Try calling during evening hours when people return to areas with coverage, or call the lodge's landline.
Forgetting the time zone gap with Europe
Belize is UTC-6 year-round. If you are calling from Europe, there is a 6-7 hour difference depending on the season. A 5:00 PM call from London arrives at 11:00 AM in Belize, but a 9:00 AM call from London hits Belize at 3:00 AM.
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country uses the +501 code?
The +501 code is for Belize, an English-speaking country in Central America on the Caribbean coast, bordered by Mexico and Guatemala.
How many digits are in a Belizean phone number?
Belizean local numbers are 7 digits. The full international format is +501 followed by 7 digits, for a total of 10 digits including the country code.
What time zone is Belize in?
Belize uses Central Standard Time (CST, UTC-6) year-round with no daylight saving. During US winter it matches Chicago time; during US summer it is one hour behind Chicago.
Does Belize have area codes?
No. Belize uses a flat 7-digit numbering system. The first few digits of the local number hint at the geographic region (e.g., 22X for Belize City, 26X for the cayes), but these are part of the phone number, not a separate area code you need to dial.
Why is cell coverage bad in parts of Belize?
Belize has dense jungle interior, many small islands (cayes), and a low population density outside of a few towns. Cell towers are concentrated along the coast and main roads. Remote lodges, the Mountain Pine Ridge area, and smaller cayes may have no signal.
See also: Honduras (+504) | Nicaragua (+505) | All country codes