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Best Belize Travel Tips: A Bucket Lister’s Guide to the Things You Really Need to Know Before You Go
Looking for Belize travel tips to make sure your adventure is the trip of a lifetime? You’re in the right place.
So you’ve booked your spot on a dream trip to Belize (go you!) and now the countdown’s on.
White sand beaches, ancient Maya ruins, jungle adventures, and snorkelling in the bluest water you’ve ever seen? Oh yes, it’s going to be epic.
But before you go full Indiana Jones or channel your inner mermaid, we’ve put together a little cheat sheet of essential Belize travel tips to help make sure your adventure goes down in history, not the local jail log.
Belize travel tips #1: Speak the language like a local (or at least try your best!)
Belize is a bit of a Caribbean curveball when it comes to language — English is the official language! Yep, you read that right. It’s the only country in Central America where English is the main language, which makes life a bit easier for us travellers from the UK.
BUT before you get too excited, there’s also creole patois spoken widely, and giving it a go might just earn you some brownie points with the lovely locals.
Try these phrases:
- “Tenk yu” (Thank you)
- “Weh di go aan?” (What’s going on?)
- “Mi deh yah” (I’m here / I’m good)
- “Big up yuhself” (Respect! You’re awesome!)
You don’t have to be fluent, or even get it right first time, but trying a few creole phrases will likely win you smiles all round. Just don’t panic if you don’t understand everything—creole is fast, musical, and full of character!
Want to put your best creole to the test in beautiful Belize? Click HERE to find out more about our adventure itinerary.
Belize travel tips #2: Currency and tipping: don’t get short-changed
The currency in Belize is the Belize Dollar (BZD), and here’s the handy bit: it’s pegged at 2 BZD to 1 USD. So if something costs 20 BZD, that’s $10 USD. By our standards, that’s reasonably easy maths! What’s more:
- US Dollars are widely accepted, but try to carry smaller denominations too (some places might not have change for your crisp Benjamin).
- When paying in USD, double check if the price is listed in USD or BZD before handing over any cash. Confusing the two can cost you!
- Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory. Around 10% at restaurants is standard, and a bit extra if the service was great. Tour guides and drivers? Tip them a few bucks if they made your day awesome.
Want more Belize travel tips? Click HERE to find out when’s the best time to go, HERE for visa rules, and HERE for the best places to include in your Belize itinerary.
Belize travel tips #3: Getting around on buses, boats – and barefoot!
Belize is small, but mighty. Getting around can be part of the fun if you embrace the local rhythm.
- Local buses (aka “chicken buses”) are colourful, chaotic, and crazy cheap. Great for budget travellers and people-watching.
- Want something faster? Private shuttles and domestic flights are perfect if you’re short on time.
- Island hopping? You’ll be floating on water taxis to get to Caye Caulker or Flores Island. Be sure to book in advance if you’re travelling on weekends or holidays, things can get busy when school’s out.
- And of course, walking barefoot around the islands is basically a national sport. You’ll see what we mean.
(When you travel to Belize with the Bucket List Company, we’ll sort your private transfers and water taxis for you – the only thing for you to take care of is your international flights, and packing your suitcase! Click here for the full Belize itinerary.).
Belize travel tips #4: Be chill, be kind
Belizeans are some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet. Honestly, the laid-back vibes are unmatched. But here’s how to stay on everyone’s good side:
- Greet people properly. A simple “Good morning”, “Good afternoon”, or even just a smile goes a long way.
- Time is flexible. Don’t stress if things run a little “Belize-time” (aka, err, late). Relax, you’re on island time now.
- Dress respectfully in villages and towns. Swimwear is for the beach, not the streets.
Always ask before taking someone’s photo, especially in rural or indigenous communities.
Belize travel tips #5: Wondering what to wear? We say go tropical chic meets jungle practical…
Pack light, breathable clothing — it’s hot and humid in Belieze, with a side of sudden rain. (Click here for a month-by-month breakdown of the weather in Belize so you can work out when’s your best time to go.)
- Think cotton, linen, and quick-dry fabrics.
- A swimsuit or two is a must, but also bring a cover-up or T-shirt for walking around.
- Sturdy shoes are essential if you’re heading into the jungle or climbing ruins (but don’t forget your flip flops too).
- Bug spray and a hat will save your soul in the rainforest.
- If you’re visiting temples or churches, opt for something that covers shoulders and knees.
Belize travel tips #6: What to eat
Belizean food is a glorious melting pot of Caribbean, Latin, Maya, and African influences. Nomnomnom.
Must-tries include:
- Rice and beans with stew chicken – a national dish, and so good.
- Fry jacks – fluffy fried dough served with eggs, beans, or jam for breakfast. Unreal.
- Hudut – a Garifuna fish stew served with mashed plantains. Better than it sounds.
- Conch ceviche – fresh, citrusy, and the ultimate beach snack. Simply delicious.
Oh, and don’t leave without trying a Belikin beer or a rum punch. You’ll thank us later.
Picturing yourself on a Belizean beach with a Belikin beer? Let’s make it happen: click here for the itinerary you need.
Big no-nos: What not to do in Belize
No list of Belize tips is complete without taking you through the definite no-nos you need to know if you want to avoid awkward moments or worse…
- Don’t wear camouflage clothing. It’s illegal in Belize for civilians and can get you into trouble. Not worth packing.
- Don’t be loud or aggressive. Belizeans are relaxed and polite — leave the drama at home (and if booze tends to see you, err, less relaxed and polite than usual, consider going for a soft drink instead).
- Don’t flash your cash or valuables. Petty theft can happen, so keep it low-key and street smart.
- Don’t ignore marine rules. If you’re diving or snorkelling, respect the reefs and never touch coral or marine life.
Like the sound of snorkelling with manatees and exotic tropical fish? Of course you do. Click here for our fabulous Belize itinerary, snorkelling opportunities included.
Best Belize tips for reducing your costs and improving your experience – you knew this was coming…
Let’s be real – travelling independently sounds romantic until you’re knee-deep in bus timetables, overpriced tours, and “meh” meals that cost more than your flight. That’s where we come in. When you travel to Belize with The Bucket List Company, you get:
- Group rates: Accommodation, excursions, transfers — when we book for a group, we get the good stuff at better prices. That means you stay in cool, well-located places without blowing your budget.
- No hidden costs or tourist traps: We’ve done all the groundwork. You won’t get stung by surprise fees or sketchy tours. Our itineraries are packed with authentic, tried-and-tested experiences — no dodgy detours.
- Expert guides = fewer mistakes: Our local guides know exactly where to go, what to eat, how much to pay, and when to go. You get insider tips and skip the classic rookie errors (like paying double for water taxis…ouchy).
- Likeminded travel buddies included: Solo traveller? No problem. Our small groups are full of like-minded adventurers, so you’ll arrive solo and leave with new travel besties (slashing your costs as you go)
More time having fun, less time planning: We’ve done the logistics. You get to focus on the good stuff — snorkelling with nurse sharks, jungle hiking, eating too many fry jacks — while we sort the transport, timings, and local know-how.
Ready to Belize It?
From barefoot beach bars and sunset sailing to ancient jungle cities and giant marine sinkholes, Belize is a destination you’ll never forget. Respect the culture, try the food, learn a few local phrases, and go with the flow. Basically: be kind, be curious, and be ready for adventure, and you’ll have an awesome experience, one you’ll never forget.
Already picturing yourself on a hammock with a coconut in hand? Same. Let’s tick this one off your Bucket List.
Click to check out our Belize itinerary, throw any questions you’ve got in our direction, and let’s do this. If you don’t book it now… will you ever?
