Prostitution laws in Belize
In Belize, selling and buying sex in private are not offences, but the activities around them are. Under the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act (Cap. 98, Revised Edition 2020), keeping or managing a brothel, or knowingly letting premises for use as one, is punishable on first conviction by a fine of up to BZ$500 or six months; a male person who knowingly lives on the earnings of prostitution, and anyone who loiters or importunes in a street or public place for prostitution, faces a fine of up to BZ$100 or six months, rising to twelve months on a second conviction. A 'common prostitute' who loiters in public for prostitution to the annoyance of others commits a separate petty offence. No offence aimed specifically at advertising sexual services was found.
Legal model
Legal, organisation banned. Selling and buying are legal, but brothels, procuring and organising are criminal offences.
Exchanging sex for money in private is not an offence for either party, but the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act criminalises keeping or managing a brothel and letting premises for one (s. 15), a male person living on the earnings of prostitution (s. 18), and loitering or importuning for prostitution in a street or public place (ss. 4(1)(ix) and 18(1)(c)).[1]
At a glance
| Question | Status | In short |
|---|---|---|
| Selling sexual services | Restricted Breach: criminal offence | Selling sex in private is not an offence. Loitering about or importuning any person in a street or other place for prostitution is a summary offence (fine up to BZ$100 or six months on first conviction); a 'common prostitute or night-walker' loitering in public for prostitution to the annoyance of others commits a petty offence (fine up to BZ$200 or two months).[1] |
| Buying sexual services | Legal | No provision making it an offence to pay an adult for sex was found in the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act. Its soliciting offence in s. 18(1)(c) is not limited to sellers and could reach a client who importunes in public.[1] |
| Brothels and managed venues | Illegal Criminal offence | Keeping or managing a brothel, assisting in its management, knowingly permitting premises to be used as one, or letting premises knowing they will be so used is a summary offence: fine up to BZ$500 or six months on first conviction, BZ$1,000 or twelve months on a later one. A 'brothel' includes any place where people resort for 'illicit intercourse'.[1] |
| Third parties profiting (procuring / pimping) | Illegal Criminal offence | A male person who knowingly lives wholly or in part on the earnings of prostitution commits a summary offence (fine up to BZ$100 or six months; twelve months on a later conviction). A man who lives with or is habitually in the company of a sex worker and has no visible means of subsistence is presumed to do so unless he proves otherwise.[1] |
| Advertising sexual services | Restricted | No offence specifically targeting advertisements for sexual services was found. The Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act penalises selling or publicly exhibiting obscene printed matter (s. 4(1)(x)), and the soliciting offences cover importuning in streets and public places.[1] |
The law in detail
Selling sexual services
Selling sex in private is not an offence. Loitering about or importuning any person in a street or other place for prostitution is a summary offence (fine up to BZ$100 or six months on first conviction); a 'common prostitute or night-walker' loitering in public for prostitution to the annoyance of others commits a petty offence (fine up to BZ$200 or two months).[1]
Note. The Criminal Code (Cap. 101) was not checked for further provisions.
Checked 30 October 2026
Buying sexual services
No provision making it an offence to pay an adult for sex was found in the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act. Its soliciting offence in s. 18(1)(c) is not limited to sellers and could reach a client who importunes in public.[1]
Confidence: medium. Some secondary sources state that buying is illegal in Belize; no statutory basis for that was found, but the Criminal Code (Cap. 101) and the 2013 trafficking and child-exploitation acts were not reviewed.
Checked 30 October 2026
Brothels and managed venues
Keeping or managing a brothel, assisting in its management, knowingly permitting premises to be used as one, or letting premises knowing they will be so used is a summary offence: fine up to BZ$500 or six months on first conviction, BZ$1,000 or twelve months on a later one. A 'brothel' includes any place where people resort for 'illicit intercourse'.[1]
Checked 30 October 2026
Third parties profiting (procuring / pimping)
A male person who knowingly lives wholly or in part on the earnings of prostitution commits a summary offence (fine up to BZ$100 or six months; twelve months on a later conviction). A man who lives with or is habitually in the company of a sex worker and has no visible means of subsistence is presumed to do so unless he proves otherwise.[1]
Confidence: medium. Procuring offences in the Criminal Code (Cap. 101) and the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Act were not checked; the Summary Jurisdiction offence is worded for male persons only.
Checked 30 October 2026
Advertising sexual services
No offence specifically targeting advertisements for sexual services was found. The Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act penalises selling or publicly exhibiting obscene printed matter (s. 4(1)(x)), and the soliciting offences cover importuning in streets and public places.[1]
Confidence: low. Inference from the absence of a specific provision; the Criminal Code, broadcasting and electronic-communications laws were not reviewed.
Checked 30 October 2026
Key legislation
| Law | What it does here | In force |
|---|---|---|
| Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act, Chapter 98, Revised Edition 2020 (showing the substantive laws as at 31 December 2020) Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act, Chapter 98 (Revised Edition 2020) s. 4 · s. 15 · s. 18 | Contains the brothel-keeping offence (s. 15), living on the earnings of prostitution (s. 18) and the loitering and soliciting offences (ss. 4 and 18).[1] |
Sources
- Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act, Chapter 98, Revised Edition 2020 (showing the substantive laws as at 31 December 2020). Law Revision Commissioner of Belize (copy hosted by GEF Islands), 31 December 2020. legislation · accessed 30 October 2026