Nowhere on earth will you find a friendlier people than the people of Belize. From the moment you arrive, you will feel as comfortable in this small Caribbean country as you do in your own hometown.

The people of Belize have an array of traditions and customs that represent more than 10 diverse cultures. This is truly a melting pot of colorful personalities, making the 314,000 residents of Belize the country’s greatest resource on the tourism front. The Belizean people are comprised of a harmonious combination of Maya, Mestizo, Creole, Garifuna, East Indian, Mennonite, Arab and Chinese, as well as a number of European, American and other expatriates, a combination which has resulted in one of the happiest and most peaceful countries in the region and a widespread reputation as one of the friendliest tourist destinations in the world!

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English remains the official language in Belize, but the most diverse language in Belize is Kriol (Belizean Creole), with other cultural languages spoken such as Garifuna, Mandarin and Spanish.

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English is the official language of Belize but Kriol is the language that all Belizeans speak.

This Caribbean lilt encompassing shortened English words, emphasized phrases and manual gestures will likely be your first introduction to communicating in Belize. It will also start you on a bit of a linguistic adventure. Spanish, African-based Garifuna, Maya, Kekchi, Mandarin, German – these are just a few of the tongues you will encounter on your Belize vacation.

Our Kriol is recognized by linguists as having all the distinctive rules and lexicon of the contact languages found in many parts of the world which were colonized by European powers. It borrows words from English, African languages, Moskito Indian and a smattering of Spanish and Maya. No doubt it will also pick up terms from Chinese and other newly arrived immigrant groups as it evolves.

If at first you don’t understand, listen carefully and ask them to speak slowly, in no time you will be getting the gist of it and even trying a phrase or two.

“Good morning” might sound:

• 'Gud Mawnin’ - Creole

• 'Buiti Binafi' - Garifuna

• 'Buenos dias' - Spanish