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Basics For Travelers To Belize
- By Bobby Castro
- Published 12/23/2011
- Destinations
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Bobby Castro
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Basics For Travelers To Belize
Belize is not always fun in the sun, paradise found twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. There are some concerns that newcomers to Belize must learn to be safe in the islands and be able to enjoy what the country offers. Some of these unwritten rules are as follows:
1. Do not sit under a coconut tree where coconuts hanging from them are colored brown. Many locals say that brown coconuts means they are ready to fall and unwitting individuals get conked on the head often getting knocked out in the process, aside from the embarrassing snide remarks from the locals.
2. Insect repellant and long pants at sunrise and sunset are musts. These are the times mosquitoes are most active. One local product to help assuage the itchiness is Rainforest Remedy, the Belizean antidote to itchiness and avoid malaria, a known problem in the area.
3. Get Vaccinated. It is better to be medically prepared to prevent any untoward incidents where medical attention is needed in the midst of a celebration. So get your vaccine shots before setting foot in the country. Having the right stuff means being prepared for the worst.
4. English not Spanish. Belize was once known as British Honduras and was an English colony and not a Spanish colony. English is still widely used throughout the country. Some creole though is spoken in the country, owing to its slave trade history.
5. Be respectful of the local wildlife. When snorkeling, don't touch the corals or pick other wildlife or even throw your trash without care. The Belize Barrier Reef is the second largest reef in the world and reef systems are the most fragile ecosystems in the world.
6. Wipe bottle lips. When drinking beer from the bottle, it would be good tradition to wipe the lip of the bottle before taking a gulp. It can lessen the possibility of ingesting dirt or harmful bacteria.
7. Leave techie objects behind. Laptops, phones, PDAs, Blackberries and other gadgets need to be left behind. There is a saying in the country, "When you're in Belize, you're at ease."
8. Do wear lightweight clothes. The heat and the humidity of Belize mandates that clothing be made of natural fibers and have many changes as possible brought. Tropical must haves include flip-flops, shorts, swimsuit and shades. For a more formal occasion, a nice shirt and pants would suffice.
Do remember that as a tourist, you are considered a wealthy foreigner and thus become a target for scams and other shenanigans. Being safe in Belize is easy, so long as you come prepared and ready for the days ahead in the beach under the sun.
1. Do not sit under a coconut tree where coconuts hanging from them are colored brown. Many locals say that brown coconuts means they are ready to fall and unwitting individuals get conked on the head often getting knocked out in the process, aside from the embarrassing snide remarks from the locals.
2. Insect repellant and long pants at sunrise and sunset are musts. These are the times mosquitoes are most active. One local product to help assuage the itchiness is Rainforest Remedy, the Belizean antidote to itchiness and avoid malaria, a known problem in the area.
3. Get Vaccinated. It is better to be medically prepared to prevent any untoward incidents where medical attention is needed in the midst of a celebration. So get your vaccine shots before setting foot in the country. Having the right stuff means being prepared for the worst.
4. English not Spanish. Belize was once known as British Honduras and was an English colony and not a Spanish colony. English is still widely used throughout the country. Some creole though is spoken in the country, owing to its slave trade history.
5. Be respectful of the local wildlife. When snorkeling, don't touch the corals or pick other wildlife or even throw your trash without care. The Belize Barrier Reef is the second largest reef in the world and reef systems are the most fragile ecosystems in the world.
6. Wipe bottle lips. When drinking beer from the bottle, it would be good tradition to wipe the lip of the bottle before taking a gulp. It can lessen the possibility of ingesting dirt or harmful bacteria.
7. Leave techie objects behind. Laptops, phones, PDAs, Blackberries and other gadgets need to be left behind. There is a saying in the country, "When you're in Belize, you're at ease."
8. Do wear lightweight clothes. The heat and the humidity of Belize mandates that clothing be made of natural fibers and have many changes as possible brought. Tropical must haves include flip-flops, shorts, swimsuit and shades. For a more formal occasion, a nice shirt and pants would suffice.
Do remember that as a tourist, you are considered a wealthy foreigner and thus become a target for scams and other shenanigans. Being safe in Belize is easy, so long as you come prepared and ready for the days ahead in the beach under the sun.