Belize is a beautiful chameleon of a country, changing its colours to suit your mood. If you long for adventure, you’ll find mysterious ruins, hidden caves, dizzying zip-wires and the world’s second largest barrier reef. If you yearn for relaxation, there’s enough luxury to satisfy the most demanding traveller – from superb spa retreats to exclusive fine dining.
Capital city
Belmopan
Currency
Belizean dollar (in BZ$2, BZ$5, BZ$10, BZ$20, BZ$50 and BZ$100 notes)
Cuisine
Spicy and soulful – refried beans with cheese, curried chicken, tortillas and beef stew are some of the country’s favourites.
Tipping etiquette
It’s not expected, but polite to do so. 15% is the norm.
Saying hello
Most people in Belize speak English, so you could simply say “hello”, or in the morning use the Belizean Kriol “gud maanin”.
Belize is in the tropical region of Central America and has two main seasons: the dry spell is from December to April and is the least humid time of the year. The rainy season runs from June to November but it’s also the quietest time to visit – so you could have the beach all to yourself.
To get a true feel for Belize’s ancient sites – and see the wildlife at it’s most active – visit at sunrise or sunset.