Tips on Dining

Belizean cuisine is a mix of Caribbean, Mexican, African, Spanish, and Mayan culinary influences. Belize's strongest suit is its seafood. Fresh fish, lobster, shrimp, and conch are widely available, especially at the beach and island destinations. Rice and beans are another major staple, served as an accompaniment to almost any main dish. Often the rice and beans are cooked together, with a touch of coconut milk.

Belizeans tend to eat three meals a day, in similar fashion and hours to North Americans. Breakfasts tend to be served between 6:30am and 9am; lunch between noon and 2pm; and dinner between 6 and 10pm. Most meals and dining experiences are quite informal. In fact, there are only a few restaurants in the entire country that could be considered semiformal, and none require a jacket or tie, although you could certainly wear them.

I have separated restaurant listings throughout this guide into three price categories based on the average cost per person of a meal, including tax and service charge. The categories are Expensive, more than $25 (£13); Moderate, $10 to $25 (£5.30-£13); and Inexpensive, less than $10 (£5.30). (Note, however, that individual items in the listings -- entrees, for instance -- do not include the sales or service taxes.) Keep in mind that there is an additional 10% GST tax, and a 10% service charge is often added on. Belizeans rarely tip, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't. If the service is particularly good and attentive, you should probably leave a little extra.