Study
Language
Travelers in Belize usually don’t need to use anything other than English to get by, but the topic of language is an interesting one in Belize. In addition to English, there are three different Mayan languages (Yucatec, Mopan and Kekchi), Garifuna (which has roots in African and Caribbean languages), and Creole/Kriol. The last is the subject of a campaign to get it recognized as a language in its own right, rather than just an English dialect. For more information, look for the Bileez Kriol Glassary an Spellin Gide in bookstores in Belize, or visit www.kriol.org.bz.
With the influx of immigrants from other Latin American countries, Spanish is also widely spoken in Belize. If you cross the border into Guatemala, Spanish is spoken almost exclusively (with the exception of tour operators and upscale hotels).
