8 Things to Know Before Visiting Belize

Editor's Note: This story originally appeared on Live and Invest Overseas.

When traveling to Belize, embrace the country and the way of life it offers.

Hey, it’s our No. 1 Caribbean retirement destination.

Following is everything you need to know before you go.

1. English Is the Official Language

Belize being English-speaking does have its advantages. Paperwork and official forms can be completed with ease. Being able to talk with everyone you meet means you can ask locals for advice.

It also allows you to socialize more easily. In some countries expats are often stuck with other expats until they learn the local language. That isn’t a problem in Belize.

2. Belize Is Safe

Some small areas of Belize City suffer from a drug trade, gangs, and the activities that come with those cultures. However, those are localized neighborhoods. Avoid them.

Otherwise, Belize is one of the safest places on Earth and far-removed from 21st century troubles.

3. Transportation

Belize has an abundance of shuttles to take you between the airport and all of the major towns.

However, to take a shuttle from the airport, you’ll need a confirmed advance reservation. This is because the taxis have priority when it comes to walk-up passengers at the airport.

Private shuttle services are inexpensive in Belize, and the exchange rate is favorable to U.S. dollars. And, because you will have booked ahead, there will be no surprise shuttle charges.

If your hotel offers a shuttle service for an extra charge, shop around before committing.

4. A Public Bus or Private Shuttle Is a Great Way to Get Around

In the major cities and towns of Belize, you’ll find bus depots. In rural areas, you’ll find bus stops, or you can just flag down the driver as the bus approaches.

If you plan to get around Belize by bus, you may want to hire a taxi to take you from the airport to the nearest bus depot first.

Although the taxi ride seems expensive at first, keep in mind that it includes all the people in your group, whereas the bus charges per person.

Gas is expensive in Belize, and that is reflected in the price of transportation. Once you get to the bus depot, you may be able to pay in U.S. dollars if you have them, but you may get a better exchange rate if you exchange your money first.

Expect to pay less than $6 for most bus routes, most being significantly less.

One or two routes, for example, between Belize City and Dangriga to the south, which is about a three-hour ride, may cost $9.50 or more per person. By contrast, a similar route by taxi could cost as much as $50 per carload.

5. No Mickey D’s in Belize

U.S. fast-food favorites like McDonalds, KFC and Burger King have conquered the world. But not Belize. People here prefer home-cooked, locally sourced foods.

You can pick up a burger or fried chicken of course. But it will probably be served with patacones (fried green plantain) or rice rather than french fries.

Despite being fairly close to the U.S., you can’t buy American fast food anywhere in Belize. If you can’t live without your weekly fast-food fix, you won’t make it in Belize.

In short, don’t worry. There are plenty of other overseas location options where you can still get your favorite drive thru.

6. The Weather Is Great

Average year-round temperatures are in the mid-80s, and when it does rain here, it’s mostly warm showers.

Rainy season extends from June to November, but, even during those months, skies are sunny more than they’re not.

The reliable sunshine makes for happy, healthy living and also a great growing environment. Many living in Belize grow their own vegetables in small kitchen gardens, and everywhere the landscape is lush.

7. An Outdoor Enthusiast’s Playground

With its barrier reef (the second-longest in the world), rivers, sandy coast, offshore islands, Mayan ruins, and inland rainforest, Belize offers every kind of adventure you can imagine.

Thanks to a developed infrastructure of in-country flights (the only infrastructure in Belize that could be described as “developed”), you can hop around from one landscape to another easily and quickly.

You can spend the morning snorkeling on the reef offshore Ambergris Caye, then hop a flight to Cayo for an afternoon of cave tubing on a rainforest river.

8. Queues Have Their Own Speed

Likewise, a slower pace affects paperwork, deliveries and just about everything else you can think of. In Belize a stress-free life is the top priority which means not rushing and not worrying about the small stuff.