World Country Guide

Social Profile

Food & Drink
There is a selection of restaurants which serve international, Chinese, Creole and Latin American food. Service and quality vary but the food is generally cheap. Bars are plentiful and local drinks include coconut rum mixed with pineapple juice. The local Belikin beer is worth sampling.

Nightlife
There is live dancing late in the evenings at Bellevue Hotel and quiet music at Fort George Bar overlooking the harbour. In addition, there are popular nightclubs throughout Belize that feature local bands at weekends.

Shopping
Handicrafts, woodcarvings and straw items are on sale. Jewellery in pink and black coral, and tortoiseshell (not to be imported to the USA) used to be good buys, but now there are severe restrictions on the export of these and some other goods in the interests of wildlife conservation. ‘In-Bond’ stores carry watches, perfumes and other duty-free purchases, but Belize is not comparable in size to other free ports in the Caribbean. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0800-1200, 1300-1630 and 1900-2100.

Special Events
For further details, contact the Belize Tourism Board (see Contact Addresses section). The following is a selection of special events celebrated annually in Belize:
Feb 9 San Pedro Carnival. Mar 25-28 Easter Fair, San Ignacio. Mar 26 Holy Saturday Cycling Classic. May 7-9 Cashew Festival. Jun 25-27 Lobster Festival. Aug 5-8 International Costa Maya Festival. Aug 12 Deer Dance Festival. Nov Garifuna Settlement Day, nationwide. Dec Boxing Day Celebrations, nationwide.

Social Conventions
British influence can still be seen in many social situations. Flowers or confectionary are acceptable gifts to give to hosts if invited to their home for a meal. Dress is casual, although beachwear should not be worn in towns. It may be inadvisable to discuss politics, particularly if of a partisan nature. Tipping: Few places add service charges, and 10 per cent is normal. Taxi drivers are not tipped.