Culture and Customs of Belize

Arts, crafts and architecture

Arts

Crafts

Architecture

Museums

Customs and traditions

Local traditions

Etiquette

Dress and behavior

Sensitive or taboo topics

Languages

English is the official language of Belize, even though it is the mother tongue of less than 10% of the population. That said, two-thirds of the country's inhabitants can express themselves more or less well in English, making it the most widely spoken language ahead of Spanish (60% potential speakers), which is mainly spoken in the mainland part of Belize and at the borders with other countries. In reality, a majority of Belizeans are bilingual in these two languages.

Among other languages, Creole (locally called kriol) also plays an important role, with around 45% of people able to use this language, which is quite close to English. Other languages related to the origins of the inhabitants follow, such as Mayan dialects (10% potential speakers), Garifuna (3%), or German spoken by the Mennonites (3%). As for French, it is absent from the country.

Glossary

A few local words or expressions useful to know while traveling:

Festivals and celebrations

Major events and public holidays

January 1: New Year's Day.

March 9: Baron Bliss Day.

Easter.

May 1: Labor Day.

May 24: Commonwealth Day.

September 21: Independence Day.

October 12: Pan American Day.

November 19: Garifuna Settlement Day.

December 25: Christmas Day.

December 26: Boxing Day.