The Central American nation of Belize has achieved a significant milestone in its tourism recovery, with official data for 2025 confirming sustained growth across both overnight stays and cruise passenger arrivals. According to statistics released by the Belize Tourism Board (BTB), the country welcomed 551,698 overnight visitors during the year, representing a modest yet meaningful 0.8% increase over 2024 figures.
This incremental growth signals more than mere recovery, with BTB officials characterizing the performance as evidence of market stabilization at elevated post-pandemic levels. Notably, overnight arrivals have now surpassed pre-COVID benchmarks, standing approximately 10% higher than comparable 2019 statistics, indicating the sector has transitioned into a new phase of expansion.
The cruise segment demonstrated particularly vigorous performance, with 967,214 passengers arriving in Belizean ports throughout 2025—an impressive 8% year-over-year increase. While still trailing the record-breaking 1 million passengers recorded in 2019, the numbers represent a remarkable recovery from the pandemic low of 210,214 recorded in 2021.
BTB leadership attributes this success to coordinated efforts across Belize’s tourism ecosystem, emphasizing that strategic investments in infrastructure and visitor experiences have been instrumental in maintaining growth momentum. The data suggests Belize is successfully consolidating its position as a preferred Central American destination while building resilience against market fluctuations.