Belize – Warm, Windy, Wanderlust-y?
Belize is properly situated in the sub-tropics, which means that our weather is mostly warm and windy. It is the kind of weather that is perfect for sailing, fly fishing, cruising, beach laying, and hammock rocking. Belizean weather is a mix of contradictions. It is both wet and dry, rainy and sunny, and cool but crispy. Cool from the sea and crispy from the sun. It is the kind of weather mentioned in every magazine article and by every social-media blogger who has ever visited the Jewel. The meteorological oxymoron is a part of Belize’s charm, and this year, voters will get to decide just how charming we really are. Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards returns this year for its 23rd year and edition. Last year, Belize won silver for “Best Emerging Destination,” but this year, Belize may earn one of its greatest tourism affirmations yet. This year, Belize has been nominated in Wanderlust’s ‘Most Desirable Country- Rest of the World’ category, and we are aspiring to take home the gold.
The Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards highlight top-tier destinations from across the globe. This year, the Awards will feature not only ‘the most desirable destinations’ but also the most desirable travel brands and tour operators. Wanderlust is the United Kingdom’s longest-running and largest travel magazine. The question is, what would qualify Belize as “The Most Desirable Country”? Most Belizeans might agree that between our stew chicken, coconut rice, fry jacks, and Orange Walk tacos, there is no denying that we deserve the gold medal. On the other hand, visitors would probably agree that most of the things Belizeans take for granted and consider normal are exactly the things that qualify Belize for that category. Our weather is one of those things; however, we are not the only country with warm and windy sub-tropical weather so what else could it be? Leaving Belize without the perfect tan is nearly impossible but better than sun-kissed skin, visitors often themselves seem to become warmer in a much more personal way. After only a couple of days in Belize, it is common for guests to be on a first-name basis with the receptionist at the resort, share jokes with the guide who took them snorkeling, and sing karaoke with the bartender who kept the cold Belikin beers coming. Before long, they too begin to expect and respond to the Belizean “good mawnin”, “good evenin” and “good night.” Belizean greetings are our way of telling someone that we see them- a custom already lost in so many places. Belize can make people want to be better and feel better. Visitors want to walk barefoot, crack open a coconut, exercise more, chat with the fruit vendor, and even sit at the little local spot and try their best at a few Kriol words. Belize is a gold medal contender for Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards ‘Most Desirable Country-Rest of the World’ because we are the best at inspiring visitors to be as natural as the environment and as warm as the weather. They may come for the sea and sun but they return for the people and culture.
With all that said, let’s not forget the sheer physical beauty of Belize’s landscape and the awesomeness of the natural environment. Our barrier reef, blue hole, cayes, caves, beaches, hiking trails, rivers, historical sites, Maya mountains, charming hotels, and cute restaurants in our quaint villages also qualify us. It is our clean air, fresh water, flora and fauna, our sustainable development practices, and overall, it is 8,866 sq miles of some of Mother Nature’s best work. The Belize Tourism Product is everything a traveler sees, hears, tastes, touches, and feels here. However, more than anything, the gold-medal winning product for any magazine in any category is the Belizean people. Belize is a litany of inexpressible physical and cultural experiences, that, combined, make us Warm, Windy, and Wanderlust-y.
Chat again later.
Jasmine Anderson
For the Belize Tourism Board