BELIZE PRACTICALITIES

Facts and Figures

Formerly known as British Honduras, Belize borders Mexico and Guatemala and it is 174 miles long and 68 miles wide.

Area: 22,965 sq. km (8867 sq. miles)

Population: (1995) 216,000

Population density: 9.4 per sq. km

Capital: Belmopan (Belize City is far larger)

Passport/Visa requirements

Passport valid for six months beyond intended stay. Return ticket required. British nationals do not require a visa. Other passport holders should contact the Trips office for information.

Geography

Coastal strip is low and swampy, with mangroves, salt and freshwater lagoons and some sandy beaches crossed by rivers. In the south and west lies the heavily forested Maya mountain range. 65% of the country is forested. The border area near Guatemala is more scenic than the rest of the interior. The world’s second largest coral reef (after the Great Barrier Reef, Australia) lies offshore, dotted with a number of beautiful islands (Cayes).

Climate

Subtropical with a brisk prevailing wind from the Caribbean Sea. High annual temperatures and humidity. Dry and hot climate from January to April, with rainy season from June to September.  Belize can be affected by hurricanes, which are most likely to occur during the months of September and October.

Language

English is the official language but 75% speak mainly “Creole” English, barely understandable to untrained ears. Spanish is widely spoken in the north and west and you will probably hear some Mayan languages too.

Money

Currently is the Belizean dollar (Bz$), set at Bz$2 = US$1. Always make certain from the start that you know which currency you are expected to pay.  This is often the cause for confusion. All notes should read CENTRAL BANK of Belize. Refuse notes saying Government of Belize or any referring to British Honduras. Quarter (25c) dime (10c) and nickel (5c) are all common expressions. Cost of living is high compared to other Central American countries.

In Belize City, all banks will advance money on Visa cards. Try Belize Bank (US$0.50 commission per traveller cheque for Amex, but big charges for Visa and Mastercard transactions). Most hotels and lodges accept Visa and Mastercard.

Religion

60% are Roman Catholic, 35% Protestant.

Time

GMT -6 hours

Electricity

110/220 volts AC, 60 HZ. American style two pin plugs.

Brief History

Classic Maya settlements from the 4th to 9th century AD abound in the south and central regions, when the population was thought to be ten times what it is today and the area was closely linked with Maya settlements around the whole Peten area. Following the decline of the Classic Maya and their movement towards the Yucatan peninsula, the Belize area continued to be active, especially in the north. It wasn’t until 1506 that the first Europeans, two Spanish sailors, Pinzon and de Solis, are recorded as sighting the Belize mainland. They didn’t land. In 1511 a small group of Spanish sailors came ashore after being shipwrecked off Jamaica and were harshly treated by the Maya tribes. Cortes marched through the south of the country on his epic journey from Veracruz in 1525. Spanish rule was challenged when black slaves from Jamaica were sent there to cut logwood by the British. The British government failed to claim the territory but the settlers claimed title by conquest.

Mexico and Guatemala’s independence from the Spanish in 1821 brought with them sovereignty claims over Belize, but they were rejected by Britain. In 1859, under threat of attack from the US, Guatemala agreed to recognise the Belizean borders in return for Britain’s financial help to construct a road from Guatemala City to Belize City. Britain’s failure to comply with this condition and arguments over boundary drawing has resulted in animosity between Britain and Guatemala that continues to this day. In 1871 the British established Belize as a Crown colony and period of relative calm and wealth followed, peaking during the First World War when demand for forest products grew. After the Second World War, returning Belizean troops were disillusioned with the poor living conditions and social change became inevitable. In 1952 a violent national strike caused moves to be made for free elections and in 1954 the People’s United Party (PUP) won power, bringing with them a measure of self-government. The festering dispute with Guatemala over sovereignty delayed full independence until 1981, when, unwilling to wait any longer for a resolution, the PUP secured Belize’s independence, with Queen Elizabeth II as the Head of State. The last British troops were withdrawn in 1994.

Natural History

Belize has such a variety of landscapes within its small area that it is justifiably recognised as on of the prime regions of the world for flora and fauna. The lowlands provide superb wetland habitats for wading birds, turtles, crocodiles, manatee and jabiru storks. In the forested areas, howler monkeys, ocelots, jaguars and tapir can be found at the numerous reserves and sanctuaries. On the coast, sharks, stingrays, barracudas, dolphins and the rainbow like parrot fish are just a few of the species that abound.

Music

A vital combination of Caribbean and Latin American rhythms mixed with traditional Maya instruments. Most of what you hear will be reggae or punta, a rapid fire rhythm that sparks local people, young and old, into a fascinating, body-writhing dance.

Getting Around

Driving: The key thing to beware of is the unusual procedure for turning left. Cars turning left have to give way not only to oncoming traffic but also to following traffic too. Many drivers pull to the far right hand side of the road to wait for a gap to turn left across the road...many accidents are caused by this!  However outside of Belize City there is little traffic, and it is generally quite slow.

Essentials

Shopping

Belize has fewer crafts to offer than its neighbours and many of those available add to the destruction of the coral reef, so think hard before buying. These include black coral and turtle shell jewellery. Turtles are now protected and you will fall foul of the UK customs if you try to bring turtle products back with you. Baskets, woodcarvings, slate, stone and paintings can all be purchased from the National Handicraft Centre in Belize City, near the market on the river. Opening hours are roughly (Creole time is “when I feel like it”) 8-noon and 3-8pm. Lunch from noon to 1pm is a national institution and nothing interferes! Wednesday and Saturday are potential half-days and Friday can be cut short too.

Generally, most European goods are available though luxury items are relatively expensive.

Airport Departure

Ask your hotel to reconfirm your flights 2 days before departure.  Although some airlines say there is no need to do this, they may change their schedules without warning, so you need to check the times are the same.   Departure tax of US$25 must be paid at the airport.  Transit passengers who have been in he country less than 24 hours do not have to pay.

Communications

The mail service in Belize is very good. The main post office  is on the north side of the Swing bridge in Belize City (open 8am-noon & 1-5pm). Air mail takes about 8 days to Europe.

Most towns have a telecommunication centre to call from.  Otherwise you can use a phone card.  The hotels all have telephones and most have email but charges may be quite high, so check before phoning.

Useful numbers:

From Belize to the UK: 00 44 + UK area code less the 0 + number

To Belize from abroad: international code is 501

International operator: 115

Directory Enquiries: 113

Fax machines are available at all the BTL offices and many hotels.

Media

There are no daily newspapers: major newspapers are Amandala, The Guardian, The Reporter and The Belize Times are all weekly publications (Friday). BBC World Service is on Mhz 17.82, 15.22, 9.590 and 7.325. American shows dominate the two TV channels, 7 and 11.

Food and Drink

Fresh seafood, especially red snapper and grouper, is superb in Belize and reasonably cheap. Beans and rice form the basis of most meals, served with beef or chicken. There are few vegetables though most meals come with a side-dish of plantain (cooking bananas). Coconut cream, herbs and spices are used to add flavour. Chinese restaurants can be found everywhere and their food is good and fairly priced. Snack foods are normally Mexican in origin, including tacos and empanadas.  Due to the English influence, it is possible to get tea, and bacon and eggs for breakfast!

What to pack

Belize is hot all year, and humid most of the time, so lightweight cottons and linens are the most comfortable, although synthetics dry quicker.  Bermuda shorts and T-shirts or short sleeved shirts are the norm, with a dress or long trousers for evening restaurant visits.  Take some walking shoes or trainers with a rugged sole for jungle trails, and sport sandals are useful for the rivers and boat trips.  You will need insect repellent for the jungle and mangrove swamps on the coast, and there can be sandflies on the beaches.  Binoculars are needed for wildlife, and a lightweight waterproof, and some plastic bags for your gear if going in to the jungle.  If hiring a car take your UK driving licence. You may like to take your own mask and snorkel, although the beach hotels do provide a selection that you can use.

Warning

Belize City has earned itself a reputation as a crime capital and while the dangers are probably overstated, you should take extra care there against petty crime.

Orange Walk also has a bad name for crime, so extra caution is advised there too.