'Twas the day before Christmas throughout Belize City.

Seein' is Belizen, Belize, Central America

Photos & story by Debbie Stock

When you visit Belize, Seein' is Belizen', as the locals say. It's a sunny winter holiday but looks like summer as people wander shirt-sleeved, shopping at outdoor markets for everything from kids' toys to fresh flowers & fruits in celebration of Christmas.

"Gud Mawnin," says a vendor—did he say "Good Morning?" You'll hear familiar words in English (the country's official language,) spoken like never before. Kriol is the language that Belizeans speak, mixing English with a Caribbean lilt, and cleverly compressing words or parts of words into phrases.

In the western Caribbean approx. 800 miles as the crow flies from Tampa, FL (or a two hour flight,) tropical trees swayin' in the breeze give way to vast ocean vistas. The small, proud country of around 400,000 people from a melting pot of cultures welcomes tourists with warmth and hospitality. 

Belize on Central America coast, is a tropical region said to have only a few stop lights! Nearly half of Belize is covered by rainforest, a dense ecosystem that serves as the "lungs" of the planet. Under government protection, there are national parks, animal sanctuaries and wilderness areas featuring more than 500 species of birds, monkeys, keel-billed toucans, Baird's tapirs (Belize's national animal), ocelots and jaguars, and over 4,000 flowering plant species. The air of the rainforest is thick with wild, tropical scents that attract birds ranging from tiny swallows to enormous Harpy eagles with a wing span that can reach up to 6.5 feet.

Tourists can visit Belize rainforests and experience zip lines, cave tours and other activities in the amazing surroundings. The longest cave tubing float, River of Caves, is over 7 miles underground. With only your headlamp to light your way you float on inner tubes, traveling past side windows that filter the jungle light. As stalactites loom from above you swirl around stalagmites jutting from the river, float past underground waterfalls then into the crystal cathedral, an ancient Mayan  spiritual center.

Belize's official language, English, makes the country an ideal vacation getaway, especially during the dry season, late-November to mid-April. Average yearly rainfall in the Toledo district is 118 inches while Belize City is around 70 inches. With an average daytime high in the 80s F., Belize feels pretty muggy when it rains.

On my very brief visit to Belize City the day before Christmas, the weather was as pleasant as a summer breeze, and spirits were high as locals prepared for the holiday.
 

My first stop in the city was a special show held at the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel. The performers were talented Garifuna, descendants of an Afro-indigenous population exiled during the 18th century from the Caribbean island of St Vincent, now settled in Belize. Over a dozen dancers and musicians graciously donned costumes the day before Christmas to perform.

With colorful lighting, costumes and lively beats their dances told the country's cultural stories beginning with the Maya Civilization, 1500 B.C. After an hour-long show, the performers walked into the audience and were greeted with a standing ovation.

My next stop would be Old Belize Cultural and Historical Center, next to Kukumba Beach and Cucumber Marina.

You can fly to Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) with the flight taking about 4.5 hours.  Flight distance from Los Angeles to Belize City is 2177 miles.