Belize
Cultural Discovery on a Belize Tour
English-speaking and Creole dominated, Belize has more in common with its Caribbean island neighbors than its bordering Spanish-speaking countries. With a laid-back ambiance of swinging hammocks, large swaths of impenetrable jungle, and an underwater world of twisted corals, neon fish, and gentle manatees, Belize is a tropical treasure.
Located in the Yucatán Peninsula, Belize is bordered by Mexico to the North and Guatemala to the West, and the Caribbean Ocean to the East. Although small in size (9087 square miles), it offers a multitude of activities and sights. Belize is one of the most premiere diving destinations in the world, as well as one of the best places in the Americas to see the elusive Jaguar and other large jungle animals. In a single day, visitors can snorkel in the morning and visit ancient Mayan ruins deeper in the interior. Inhabited by the Maya for centuries and colonized by English buccaneers and escaped African slaves later, Belizean food offers spicy Creole creations, standard English corned beef, and the Mayan delicacy of the fried paca (a small jungle rodent).
Biologists, environmentalists, and other travelers to Belize fall in love with its lack of commercial development. The entire country only contains two paved roads, which can make getting around difficult, but is an experience on its own. Prices for food, hotels, and souvenirs are higher as in most out of the way places, but it\'s worth it! The best idea is to just relax and let yourself fall into the slow rhythm that is Belize.
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 fascinating mixture of shamanism and Christianity.
The official language of Belize is English, but many other languages are also used. Along the coast, you\'re most likely to hear Creole spoken. A colorful variation of English, if you listen carefully, you might notice a familiar word or two - maybe! Spanish is the main language in towns that border Guatemala to the west and Mexico to the north, and it\'s possible to run into several other languages such as Mayan, German, Chinese, Lebanese, and Arabic.
Sample Local Cuisine on a Belize Tour
Belizean cuisine is extremely varied and it combines Caribbean, Mexican, Spanish and Mayan cuisines. The basis of Belizean cuisine is provided by rice and beans cooked with coconut milk and bathed with gravy from stewed meat. The Belizean cuisine is based on some precise ingredients such as beans, rice, tomatoes, chilies and exotic fruits. The tomatoes are essential for the salsas and the dips. Chilies utilize both dried and fresh and they are found in a wide range: chipotle, haberano, mulato, cascabel or serrano. The exotic fruits are used for garnishes, sauces or desserts and include coconuts, papayas, pineapples or bananas.
Belize cuisine varies from north to south. In the north region Belizean cuisine is very similar to Mexican cuisine and it has borrowed various ingredients from their northern neighbors. In the southern region the dishes are more similar to Spanish cuisine which offered their delightful ingredients like nuts, diverse spices, cocoa and seeds. The best sauce for the seafood is the Belizean hot sauce, which is also added to chicken or pork. Belizean cuisine offers a large variety of seafood such as lobster, shrimp served with a variety of breads such as coconut bread, cassava bread or carrot coconut bread. Numerous dishes are served with rice and beans.
Attention to detail is important in the Belize cuisine. Using the right amount of spices is essential – either for spicing up the taste or for coloring the dish. The visual attractiveness of the dish is also important, with an emphasis placed on a balance between colors and proportion. Each traditional dish has a special cooking method, which is more or less general in all of Belize’s regions. Meat is one of the main elements of most Belize dishes and cured and smoked hams are often parts of delicious dishes.
Belize Weather
A Belize trip offers a subtropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. Temperatures annually range from 50-95°F, with a mean annual temperature of 79°F.
November through May is the dry season and is a cooler time of year. In the tropics it is not unusual to have rain in the dry season - it just falls in shorter spurts. The driest months are February and March, and the temperature then peaks in April and May. The mountains are cooler than the rest of the country, especially in the evenings. Out on the Cayes you will enjoy tropical breezes wafting through the palm trees, providing natural air conditioning! Temperatures along the coast are in the 70-80\'s (20°C - 30°C) for most of the dry season, but can reach into the 90\'s during April and May. Water temperatures along the barrier reef range from the mid-70s to the mid-80\'s.
From June through December brings hot and humid weather. The amount of rainfall varies widely from north to south, from 40-60\" in Corozal to 160-190\" in Punta Gorda. Belize lies in the hurricane belt - these have often come later in the season, between August and the end of October. We do not offer any trips during this time because of extreme weather conditions.
Belize Politics
Belize\'s political framework is a parliamentary representative democratic monarchy, whereby the Prime Minister is the head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the Parliament of Belize. The party system is dominated by the People’s United Party and the United Democratic Party. Constitutional safeguards include freedom of speech, press, worship, movement, and association. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. Jurisprudence is based on English common law.
As head of state, Queen Elizabeth II is represented in Belize by a governor general who acts on the advice of the prime minister and the cabinet.
The National Assembly of Belize consists of a House of Representatives and a Senate. The 31 members of the House of Representatives are popularly elected to a maximum five-year term of office as of the 2008 general elections.
Members of the independent judiciary are appointed. The judicial system includes local magistrates grouped under the Magistrates\' Court which hears less serious cases, the Supreme Court, which hears murder and similarly serious cases, and the Court of Appeal, which hears appeals from convicted individuals seeking to have their sentences overturned. Cases may under certain circumstances be appealed to the Privy Council in London. However, in 2001, Belize joined with most members of CARICOM to campaign for the establishment of a \"Caribbean Court of Justice\". The country is divided into six districts. The Supreme Court holds hearings from January to December of each year, starting in Belize City and then going to the districts; Magistrates\' Court hears cases on most weekdays.
A special Family Court has been set up to hear cases regarding child maintenance, domestic violence and spousal abuse, and other similar cases. This court is located in downtown Belize City. A Quick Trial Court processes selected cases especially speedily.
The Belize Defense Force (BDF), established in January 1973, consists of a light infantry force of regulars and reservists along with small air and maritime wings. The United Kingdom continues to maintain the British Army Training Support Unit Belize (BATSUB) to assist in the administration of the Belize Jungle School. The BDF receives military assistance from the United States and the United Kingdom.