We are excited to announce that Belize’s Philip Goldson International Airport will reopen Saturday, August 15th. To date, Belize has done an incredible job controlling Covid-19 with NO active Covid-19 in the entire country. The only positive Covid tests over the past two months have related to repatriated cruise ship employees and an occasional border jumper, all of whom have immediately been quarantined.

Formulating a safe and functional plan to reopen Belize’s tourism has been a laborious process, and a robust plan to ensure Belize remains Covid-free and visitors are fully protected is now in place. With no active Covid-19 and a strong reopening plan, Belize is surely one of the World’s safest locations to visit. Of course, Turneffe Flats is an ideal location for social distancing.

Turneffe Atoll, Belize, saltwater fishing, Aardvark Mcleod

As part of the reopening plan the Belize Tourism Board has introduced the Gold Standard Program for resorts allowing only all-inclusive resorts who meet a rigid set of standards to accept guests. Turneffe Flats has been a leader in the reopening process and will be one of the first such-recognized resorts. From the time of your arrival to boarding your departing flight, they will ensure that your safety and enjoyment are our top priority.

Visiting Belize will require several common-sense steps. A corner-stone of the reopening plan is testing. For immediate entry through the airport, guests will need to produce a negative Covid-19 PCR test result obtained within 72 hours of the beginning of their trip. Travelers arriving without a test result will be tested at the airport, and a negative test will also allow immediate entry.

Turneffe Atoll, Belize, saltwater fishing, Aardvark Mcleod

Pro-active contact tracing will be another key part of the reopening plan. Guests will need to download a Contact Tracing App and enter pertinent health information, their Gold Standard Resort destination (Turneffe Flats), and their Covid-19 test result. This App will trace movements in Belize providing invaluable contact tracing information should someone become symptomatic or test positive. Although some may be considered the App somewhat intrusive, it will only trace movements while in Belize.

 Additionally, Turneffe Flats has instituted an array of measures to ensure that your stay is safe and comfortable. They have added an outdoor bar area and a variety of other changes to address the new reality.  In-room dining will be available for those not comfortable sitting in the dining room.

Turneffe Atoll, Belize, saltwater fishing, Aardvark Mcleod

To address financial concerns related to new reservations, they have instituted the following Covid-19 risk-free reservation policy.  They recognize that those interested in visiting Turneffe Flats during upcoming months may be concerned about added financial risk related to Covid-19. They have, therefore, adopted the following Covid-19 Reservation Policy offering financial security for reservations made between now and January 15th. 

The new Reservation Policies apply to NEW reservations confirmed between May 1, 2020 and January 15, 2021. For reservations made during this period, the following guidelines will apply.

•             A 25% deposit is required to confirm your reservation.

•             Final Payments is due 30 days before the beginning date of your trip.

•             Should you be prevented from traveling due to COVID-19, your trip will be re-booked at full credit, or alternatively, all funds (deposit and final payment) will be refunded, minus a $100 cancellation/processing fee. These cancellation options will be available up to 14 days prior to the beginning of a trip. Within 14 days of your trip, standard Cancellation Policy will apply.

Turneffe Atoll, Belize, saltwater fishing, Aardvark Mcleod

Our Covid-19 Resesrvation Policy applies only to cancellations due to COVID-19 preventing clients from traveling to Turneffe Flats. For cancellations due to other reasons, our standard Cancellation and Deposit Policy applies.

Turneffe’s fish have not seen a fly and the reefs haven’t been touched for five months, so things should be better than ever.

If you are interested in travelling to this or any other destination within our portfolio why not contact Peter McLeod or call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.