We
returned from Belize over two weeks ago. The country made a huge
impression on us and we hope to return soon. The locals were so friendly
and accommodating, very laid back. I
could make a very long list of facts and idiosyncrasies I picked up on the
trip, but I will keep them at around 25 as usual. Visit the country if you
can!
1.
Belize
is the only English-speaking country in Central America. It was a British
colony until 1981.
2.
Though
English is the official language, Spanish is increasingly popular, especially
since Spanish-speaking neighbors surround Belize.
3.
Kriol
(Creole) is spoken widely on the island as well. Derived mainly from English,
it also incorporates Native American and African languages.
4.
The
Belize Barrier Reef is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second largest
coral reef in the world.
5.
Snorkeling
is the biggest tourist attraction in the country.
6.
Belize
uses its own dollar, but US dollars are also accepted everywhere. Two Belize
dollars equal one US$.
7.
The
country is the most expensive tourist destination of the Central American countries,
a 3rd World country with 1st world prices!
8.
Gas
is over US $5 a gallon!
9.
Be
sure to pay for what you can in cash and you will usually avoid the high 12.5%
tax.
10. Europeans and people from the US are
buying up property and retiring in Belize due to the ease of setting up
accounts and real estate laws.
11. Belizean
folklore tells of a 3-foot tall, evil dwarf called El Duende. The thumb less
dwarf is said to hang out in the forest and punish any children who kill
animals.
13. Belize is the smallest and least
populated country in Central America. It
is also the least densely populated.
14. Belize has hundreds of cayes (small islands)
off the coast.
15. ‘Go Slow’ is the motto is Caye Caulker.
The small island of dirt roads and no autos is very laid back and relaxed.
16. Ambergris Caye is the most developed
and ‘touristy’ of the cayes.
17. Belize is a beautiful country with
miles of coastline. Unfortunately, many
of the beaches have a lot of trash. Some
locals claim it comes from other countries like Mexico and Guatemala. Others say that cruise ships dump it close to
the shoreline.
18. Over a quarter of Belize territory is
environmentally protected, second only to Costa Rica in Central America.
19. Guatemala has a long feud with Belize
and claims the country rightfully belongs to them.
20. Lobster season closes from mid-February
to mid-June. We just missed it!
21. The
former capital Belize City was nearly completely destroyed by Hurricane Hattie
in 1961! After hurricane Hattie, the capital city was moved to Belmopan. With
just over 12,000 inhabitants Belmopan is the smallest capital city in the
World!
22. There are a number of Mayan ruins in
Belize and most of them have yet to be fully excavated.
23. Belize has 6 districts, similar to
our 50 states.
24. There
is no McDonalds, Burger King, Starbucks or KFC in the entire country of
Belize! Yay!
25. Coconuts have so many uses in the
country, especially the oil which is used to cook many dishes.
26. It is illegal to hunt and eat iguana
eggs, but many locals continue to do so.
27. Minimum wage is only $1.50 US an
hour.
28. The Mennonites have purchased a
significant amount of land in Belize.
They are well known for their dairy products and farming techniques in
the country.
29. It seems a Chinese family owns every
supermarket!
30. Sargassum, a type of seaweed, washes ashore
more and more often according to locals.
They use a pitchfork and wheelbarrow to remove it all and it takes a
long time!
31. Apparently, there is a shortage of
sand in the country because so many resorts are being built and using it to
make beaches. The country now imports
sand!
32. The alcoholic drinks (like rum punch)
tend to be a bit stronger than most places and make you do something like the
girl below.
33. Jaguars, the national animal of
Belize, are endangered. However, the country also has the only jaguar reserve
in the world.
