Belize is called one of the most original states of Central America. It is a small, quiet country, 20% of whose economy is in the tourism sector. As for the tour operators themselves, they characterize Belize as an almost ideal destination for “rest for body and soul.” The fact that this small state has already become a favorite vacation spot for Western psychologists and psychotherapists speaks for itself.
Why go?
Tropical Belize has a well-developed sector of beach and active recreation. This Caribbean destination is increasingly chosen by fans of wellness practices and yoga tours. Among foreign tourists, Belize is popular as a center for water sports: here you will be offered windsurfing, diving, kayaking, rafting. Special mention should be made of relaxation on the white beaches of Belize under palm trees, walking eco-tours (the country is famous for its rich tropical vegetation), as well as excursions to the surviving ruins of monuments of the ancient Mayan civilization – including the pyramids.
General information
- Belize is a country in Central America, washed by the Caribbean Sea to the east.
- The capital is the city of Belmopan.
- The official language is English, which makes Belize an even more attractive destination for tourists from around the world.
- Religion. More than half of the local population (62%) are Catholics. Another 30% consider themselves Protestants.
- Time zone: UTC -6. The difference with the Russian capital is -9 hours.
- The national currency is the Belize dollar (BZD), which in turn is equal to 100 cents. Currently, banknotes from 1 to 100 dollars are in circulation.
- Geography and biomes. A significant part of the country’s territory is occupied by lowland plains with numerous lakes and lagoons. Mountains can be found in the south of the country, where the smallest percentage of the population lives. The maximum height of the Mayan mountain range in this place is 1122 m. A significant area is covered by tropical rainforests with a wide variety of valuable tree species. Mangrove forests stretch along the Caribbean coast.
- Climate and weather. The trade wind climate provides Belize with very little seasonal variation. The average monthly temperature throughout the year is about +26-27°C. From May to July inclusive, there is a pronounced rainy season. The dry period lasts from January to May.
Customs regulations and restrictions
It is prohibited to import or export antiques and antiques (with the exception of written permission from the relevant organizations). It is not permitted to export unprocessed corals (as well as any products made from them), sea shells, or turtle shells from Belize. The import and export of any national currency is not restricted by the state authorities for tourists.
When is the best time to go?
The high tourist season traditionally lasts from December to May. During these months, there is a minimum amount of precipitation, and the lowest humidity levels are also noted. This period is popular among tourists also because many travelers prefer to “escape” from the cold winter to hot tropical countries. At the same time, it should be taken into account that December-May are also the busiest months for tourist infrastructure. For this reason, it is better to book hotels or accommodation for visiting Belize during the high season in advance.
It is not advisable to fly in June-November, as there is a high probability of strong hurricanes in coastal areas at this time.
Currency exchange
We recommend entering Belize with US dollars, as this currency is in free circulation, along with the national currency. You can also exchange currency in most local banks, hotels, and the international airport lounges. There are exchange offices on the streets. You can pay with a Visa or MasterCard in most establishments and large stores. At the same time, not all ATMs accept cards from foreign banks. The only bank that works with all types of cards is Barclays.
Beaches
The local beaches with their white sand and spreading palm trees can be called an ideal place for relaxation. The most popular beaches are in the areas of Hopkins Village, Ambergris Key, Placencia. The best places for snorkeling can be found on the island of Caye Caulker and in San Pedro.
Resorts and attractions
The most exotic places that tourists who go on holiday to Belize want to see are the islands of Ambergris Caye and San Pedro, the Barrier Reef, and three coral islands. These are typical tropical resorts with a mild climate, rich greenery and an amazing underwater world.
Travelers who are fascinated by the heritage of the Mayan civilization will find much of interest in Xunantunich, Lamanai, and Cueyo. In Cahal Pech, you can see unique Mayan arches. In Altun Ha, there are ancient tombs skillfully decorated with jasper and sea shells.
Of no less interest to tourists is the former capital of the state, Belize City, which houses a museum with numerous Mayan relics. Here you can also see St. John’s Cathedral, which is considered the oldest Anglican church in Central America. A little to the south of Belize City, the only jaguar reserve on the planet has been created, located on a total area of more than 40 thousand hectares. Despite the fact that tourists can freely visit the reserve, the chances of seeing a jaguar during the day are practically zero.
Entertainment and recreation
Belize resorts offer almost all types of water recreation, including diving and snorkeling (in this area of the Caribbean Sea you can find more than 70 types of corals and hundreds of species of colorful fish of all colors and sizes). In recent years, eco-vacation has become widespread, including all kinds of practices and health activities, as well as observation of tropical flora and fauna in their natural habitat. Tourists are also offered sea fishing, numerous excursions to cultural and historical attractions, horseback riding and hiking.
National cuisine
Despite the fact that Belizean cuisine does not have a distinct national character, local restaurants offer guests a variety of dishes to suit every taste. The main products that Belizeans use to prepare their dishes are rice, beans, chicken, fish and seafood. In addition, local cuisine is rich in spices and herbs, which are used here in very large quantities. Typical dishes are vegetable soup with sea snails sopa de concha, rice with beans and chicken, and ceviche – sea fish and snails cooked with onions and fresh herbs. Almost every establishment serves a wide variety of juices from fresh tropical fruits.
Souvenirs and shopping
Belize is a country famous for its artisans. Local markets offer a wide variety of souvenirs made from mahogany, bamboo and jade. It is also worth bringing back jewelry and accessories made from silver, which is relatively inexpensive in Belize. The list of popular gifts from Belize also includes local rugs and handmade lace.
Transport
The most popular and cheapest form of transport is buses, local and tourist. The so-called chicken buses, which are quite numerous on the streets of Belize, have a special flavor. The cost of travel on a tourist bus is from $25, while a trip on a chicken bus will cost only $0.5. Suburban buses are divided into regular (making a large number of stops along the entire route), and express buses, stopping only in large settlements.
Ferries are another key form of transport, although they operate on only a few routes (including the route from Belize City to Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker). The country also has domestic air service, which is mainly carried out by light aircraft.
Safety
Belize has earned a reputation as a fairly safe country. Although street crime and fraud are common, crimes against foreign tourists are rare (at least compared to other Central American countries). You should not visit remote areas and city districts alone, especially at night. It is also not recommended to visit regions near the border without a guide.
Medicine
Medical care for foreign tourists in Belize is paid (including emergency medical care). For this reason, before traveling, it is important to take care of purchasing an insurance policy that, if possible, covers all possible insurance cases. No vaccinations are required to enter the country.
Communication and Internet
There is stable coverage throughout almost the entire country, which is provided by the local telecommunications company Belize Telecommunications. Most Russian mobile operators provide roaming services in Belize. If you want to buy a local SIM card, you can do so at most gas stations, as well as in many stores. Wi-Fi (almost always free) is available in almost all hotels, including the most budget ones.
Useful facts
- Most shops and shopping malls are closed on Saturday and Sunday. Large shopping malls may be open on Saturdays.
- Tips in many Belizean establishments are already included in the bill and amount to 10-15% of the check amount.
- Most electrical networks use 110V voltage. There are 220V networks. In hotels and apartments, you can find three types of sockets – A, B and G.