Belize | |
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Regional and minority languages | Kriol Spanish Mayan German Garifuna Chinese |
Technically Central America is the Southernmost portion of the North American continent. So if anything you could say that Belize is in North America. Of course no one really considers Central America to be part of either continent.
Geography. Belize is located in Central America and it is bordered to the north by Mexico, to the south and west by Guatemala and to the east by the Caribbean Sea.
Belize – Level 4: Do Not Travel. Do not travel to Belize due to COVID-19. Exercise increased caution in Belize due to crime. … Violent crime – such as sexual assault, home invasions, armed robberies, and murder – are common even during daylight hours and in tourist areas.
English
You must have a U.S. passport valid for the length of your stay, proof of an onward or return ticket, and sufficient funds to cover the cost of the length of stay. If you enter Belize by land, you will be charged different fees depending on whether your stay is less than or more than 24 hours.
Belize was granted independence from Britain in 1964, and became “Belize” in 1973. However, according to the CIA World Factbook, border disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed Belize’s actual independence until 1981. Today, it is still a Commonwealth country.
Belize dollar
Based on the latest U.S. Census, the number of Belizeans in the United States is approximately 160,000 (including 70,000 legal residents and naturalised citizens), consisting mainly of Kriols and Garinagu.
Civil liberties are mostly respected. Government corruption is a concern, as is the high rate of violent crime. Authorities have been slow to address persistent problems of police brutality and human trafficking within the country’s borders.
Some of the most pressing issues that currently challenge Belize institutions include illegal harvesting of flora and fauna, illegal hunting, illegal logging, looting of the extensive cave system, and the increase in the introduction of invasive species.
The average income in Belize is lower than neighboring Caribbean countries like the Bahamas, but the laid-back approach to life, combined with lower costs, make it an excellent place to retire.
Belize is safer than Mexico, because the small nation is so dependent on tourism that they have to make strides to keep visitors safe.
And though Belize’s cost of living is comparably lower than that of the U.S., its costs vary per area. However, you may very well be able to survive with a monthly budget between $1,200 and $1,500.
Belize is relatively expensive compared to other countries in Central America. Little is produced and the country depends on import. Looking back, the prices were still doable for us. Belize is a bit known as the Benidorm of the United States and therefore there are many expensive hotels.
Greeting someone: English | Belize Kriol |
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What is your name? | Weh yu nayhn? |
What’s up? Hello (informal) | Weh di go aan? |
Good morning. | Gud maanin. |
Religion, Language, and Food
The majority of Belizeans are Roman Catholic. However, due to the heavy British influence, Belize has a larger Protestant population than any other country in Central America. The Maya and Garifuna practice their own mixture of traditional shamanism and Christianity.
The Belize dollar, abbreviated BZ$, is the official currency of Belize. It is pegged to the U.S. dollar at a ratio of 2 Belize dollars to 1 U.S. dollar. Both currencies are acceptable at almost any business or establishment around the country.
Remember, there are no chain fast food restaurants in Belize. However, some of these road side stands that sell many items are called “fast food,” meaning they serve “grab and go” food and snacks for a few dollars, and do not have restrooms.
There’s little opportunity for non-essential shopping in Belize, and there are no big chain stores. You won’t be able to shop at Wal-Mart, Costco or Sam’s Club. This is a small country where life is simple. You’ll find everything you need, but probably not everything you might want.
No mega-grocery stores or malls!
You can go to Sam’s Club in Mexico, and to many other stores equal to those in the US, even Walmart, but not in Belize.
Belize operates on Central Standard Time (CST), i.e., Chicago. … Tap water in all Belize locations is not necessarily safe to drink and we recommend you NOT do so. Most restaurants provide bottled water.
Direct non-stop flights to Belize are available with United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines and Alaska Airlines. Direct non-stop seasonal (Nov to Apr) flights to Belize are available with Sun Country Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Frontier Airlines .
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