Belize
Meetings in Belize are generally informal and business visitors should not expect to find their local counterparts in suit and tie. In Belize City, Belmopan, and the district capitals, the normal business attire is just an open-collar business shirt or a Guayabera shirt. Normal business hours for the private sector are from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Government follows the same schedule except that on Fridays government offices close at 4:30 p.m. appointments are preferred and punctuality is encouraged and appreciated.
Crime is a growing concern. The incidence of crime against tourists at resorts, on the roadways and river ways, including violent crimes such as armed robbery, shooting, stabbing, murder, and rape, is on the rise, with dramatic increases during holidays. Several victims who resisted when confronted by criminals have received serious injuries, including gunshot wounds. Although most incidents are in Belize City, crime occurs in all districts including tourist spots such as San Pedro, Caye Caulker, and Placencia.
Rather than traveling alone, use a reputable tour organization. Travel in a caravan consisting of two or more vehicles, and stay on the main roads. Ensure that someone not traveling with you is aware of your itinerary. Do not explore back roads or isolated paths near tourist sites; and remember always to pay close attention to your surroundings. Travel on rural roads, especially at night, carries a higher crime risk. Widespread narcotics and human trafficking can make remote areas especially dangerous.
A recent spate of robberies has occurred on side roads in western Belize. One woman was sexually assaulted; another traveler was wounded when a bandit, firing randomly, shot the tourist in the arm. Tourists contemplating visiting the western area of Belize, specifically the Mountain Pine Ridge area of the Caracol ruins, should contact the resorts with which they have reservations and ask specific questions regarding security measures the resorts have put in place to ensure safety. The robberies continue despite a recent increase in the number of police and military units assigned to the area.
Over the past year, there has been sexual harassment and/or assault of females traveling alone or in small groups. One of these occurred after the victim accepted the offer of a ride from an acquaintance, while another occurred during an armed robbery at an isolated resort. One of these assaults resulted in the death of the victim.
Travel in groups and only in daylight hours, stay off the streets after dark, in urban and rural areas, and avoid wearing jewelry, or carrying valuable or expensive items. Do not leave valuables unattended, including in hotel rooms and on the beach. If you are carrying high-value items such as cameras, exercise especial discretion. Do not wear expensive jewelry on the street. Women’s handbags should be zipped and held close to the body. Men should carry wallets in their front pants pocket. Large amounts of cash should always be handled discreetly.
If traveling by taxi, use only vehicles with green license plates, do not get in a taxi that is occupied by more than the driver, and do not let the driver pick up additional fares.
Budget hotels are generally more susceptible to crime.
A lack of resources and training impedes the ability of the police to investigate crimes effectively and to apprehend serious offenders. As a result, a number of crimes against travelers go unresolved. Still, victims of crime should report immediately to the police all incidents of assault, robbery, theft, or other crimes. Tourists may contact the Belizean tourist police unit as well as the main police office for assistance. Travelers should also report crimes to their embassy.
Drug use is common in some tourist areas. Penalties for involvement with drugs are high. Although not common, there is evidence of the use of so-called date rape drugs, such as Rohypnol.
Most hotels in Belize are small establishments or bed-and-breakfast inns, however, several first-class hotels exist including the Radisson Fort George. There are also mountain lodges in the interior and resort hotels on the Caribbean coast.
Telephone IDD is available. Country code: 501. Outgoing international code: 00. Fax facilities are limited, but Belize telecommunications ltd. (BTL) public booth in Belize City and some government and company offices have facilities available.
Electricity is 110/220 Volts Ac, 60hz. American-Style 2-Pin Plugs
110 volts AC, 60Hz. American-style two-pin plugs.
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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.National specialties:
• Tacos, corn or flour tortillas, with shredded chicken, onions, cabbage and cilantro.
• Hot meat pies.
• Travelers will find it hard to spend a holiday in Belize without eating rice-and-beans. It is the national staple and some people eat it every single day. For a change of pace, switch to beans-and-rice. It is important to be clear when ordering in a restaurant
because beans-and-rice is where the beans are cooked separately and spooned with their own gravy over white rice.
• Another favorite is split peas and pigtail over rice.
• A lot of items are stewed: stewed fish, oxtail, beef, chicken or pork. There is even stewed lobster, when the season is open.
• Game meats are popular too, with Belizeans enjoying deer, hicatee, iguana or gibnut.
• Fried to a sweet golden brown, plantains make a tasty side addition to any meal. National drinks:
• Bars are plentiful and local drinks include coconut rum mixed with pineapple juice.
• The local Belikin beer is worth sampling.
• Travelers will also be able to order fresh orange, lime, watermelon or cantaloupe juice. Tipping:
Few places add service charges, and 15 per cent is normal.Nightlife
There is live dancing late in the evenings at Bellevue Hotel and quiet music at Fort George Bar overlooking the harbor. In addition, there are popular nightclubs throughout Belize that feature local bands at weekends.
