Agencies Responsible for regulating drones in Belize
Belize Department of Civil Aviation (BDCA)
UAS Laws – General rules for flying drones in Belize
The Belizian agency responsible for drone safety, BDCA, has provided several internet-accessible details on flying for fun or work. The highlights are enumerated below. For more details go to the link above.
Are drones allowed in Belize?
According to BDCA, drone use is only allowed for commercial operations in Belize, subject to CAAB regulations. Read on for more details.
Here are the most important rules to know for flying a drone in Belize:
Belize has strict regulations regarding the use of drones. Currently, only commercial users are permitted to bring an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) into Belize if they have been contractually obliged by a Belize-based company or organization.
Unfortunately, using a camera drone to capture vacation memories in Belize is not currently possible. However, after a change in the law, it should be possible to introduce a drone into Belize for private purposes in the future.
Drone operations are generally not permitted within Belize without prior approval from the BDCA.
Note For Foreign Operators
Kindly note that Belize is currently only accepting applications for Drone authorizations from international drone operators commissioned for works/services from an approved local business/organization in Belize.
Drone operators providing services in Belize will need to meet the following process and application requirements prior to entering Belize (with their drone device/s):
- A letter of request/intent shall be submitted to the Director of Civil Aviation (stating the purpose of the works and services being provided by the drone operator/s) from the said business/organization that has commissioned these services in Belize; this must be emailed to the Department of Civil Aviation at the address info@civilaviation.gov.bz and dayne.vasquez@civilaviation.gov.bz. This letter must state the arrival date of the drone operator/s and the location/s of drone operations to be conducted by the drone operator/s in Belize. Additionally, the following shall be submitted:
- A copy of the drone operator/s identification card (a government-issued ID card, i.e., passport, etc., from the applicant’s country or residency).
- A letter of approval for works by the Belize Film Commission.
- A completed copy of the Drone Application Form
- The Department of Civil Aviation will analyze the request.
- The operator/s will then need to visit the Aeronautical Information Service (AIS) office on the first floor of Philip Goldson International Airport to pay a $30.00 BZE Currency fee for the PERMIT.
- The drone operator/s will need to take this receipt to the Department of Civil Aviation, where the drone operator/s will receive the Authorization Letter and Permit for entrance and operations in Belize.
(The Government of Belize currently prohibits the temporary importation of drones for recreational/personal usage. The Government of Belize is currently developing requirements and regulations for recreational drone travelers to Belize. This process will allow all travelers to Belize to operate their devices after meeting the necessary requirements under the Laws of Belize.)
Notes for recreational drone pilots flying for fun in Belize
Not allowed currently. See above.
Notes for operating Commercial Drone Services in Belize
For Belizean Drone Operators:
For Belizean Drone Operators:
- Complete the Drone Application Form
- Copy of government-issued ID (Passport, Social Security)
- The operator/s will then need to visit the Aeronautical Information Service (AIS) office on the first floor of Philip Goldson International Airport to pay a $30.00 BZE Currency fee for the PERMIT.
Note: Drone authorizations are not issued for areas near 0 to 3 miles of an aerodrome (airstrips). Such places are Ladyville, Placencia, Caye Caulker, and North of San Pedro without written approval from the department.
Useful published information on flying drones in Belize
Here is a sample of what you might expect if you follow the drone laws and fly in Belize…
NOTE: Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (SUAS), Small UAS, Remote Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS), unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), and drone are interchangeable terms unless specified. Model Aircraft, toy, remote-controlled, and RC aircraft may be covered by the same regulations unless specified.
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Traveling with a Drone?
Click here to read our Comprehensive Guide For Traveling With A Drone.
NOW ITS YOUR TURN
How do we go about reporting illegal use of a drone to peep in my bedroom window yesterday? Some tourists came to the subdivision to supposedly take drone footage of land they recently bought. Instead the drone was flying over my house and looking in windows.
We recommend you contact your local law enforcement
We are sad to find we will not be able to capture some of our travel experiences with our drone. This is the first trip in years we’ll not have a drone with us. For each destination we have always checked the local laws, applied and obtain any necessary permits, followed all regulations and captured many wonderful images. Since we are SUCBA divers, many have been from liveaboads, like the current trip scheduled this year. As noted we’ll miss this portion of the documentation for ourselves, family and friends. Through we will capture videography, photos and more above and below the water. Looking forward to the adventure, including a tour of some Mayan archeology during this visit.
Hoping some update might accommodate a future visit.
When you are in Belize, you should give feedback to the tourism groups there. If they get enough feedback maybe they will loosen the regulations for visitors
the emails listed for Belize are incorrect. The website seems to have been updated with a new name and corrected mispelling…
A letter of request/intent shall be submitted to the Director of Civil Aviation (stating the purpose of the works and services being provided by the drone operator/s) from the said business/organization who has commissioned these services in Belize; this must be emailed to the Department of Civil Aviation at the address info@civilaviation.gov.bz and dayne.vasquez@civilaviation.gov.bz.
Thank you, Parker. Updated