The Backpacker’s
Belize Dictionary
You speak English. That doesn’t mean you’ll understand everything you hear in Belize. This is your unofficial guide to Belizean words, expressions, food, places, wildlife and everyday things you are likely to come across while travelling.
Things You’ll Hear
Mek We Go
PhraseA useful phrase to know when someone is ready to head off somewhere.
Weh Di Go Ahn?
PhraseA casual way of asking what is happening or what’s going on around you.
A Wah?
ExpressionShort, casual and useful when you’ve just heard something you didn’t quite catch.
Cho!
ExpressionIt can express annoyance, disbelief, frustration, surprise or simply “come on!” depending on the speaker and the tone.
Dah
Everyday speechYou may hear this used when someone is pointing something or someone out.
Mek
VerbYou’ll encounter “mek” in a number of Belizean expressions and in Belizean Creole speech.
Weh
Everyday speechOnce you start recognizing it, you’ll hear it throughout everyday conversation.
Go Slow
PhilosophyMost famously associated with Caye Caulker, where “Go Slow” has become part of the island’s identity.
Food & Drink
Fry Jack
BreakfastA piece of fried dough that’s commonly served with fillings such as eggs, beans, cheese or meat.
A classic Belizean breakfast and a very good way to start a day of travelling.
🔥 Backpacker verdict: Try one.Johnny Cake
StapleA traditional Belizean baked bread made with flour and often coconut milk or shortening.
You’ll find it at breakfast, with snacks, or alongside other local food.
🇧🇿 Belize classic.Garnache
Street foodA crispy fried corn tortilla topped with refried beans, cheese and often cabbage or other toppings.
💥 Cheap. Filling. Local.Salbute
Street foodA soft, puffy fried corn tortilla topped with ingredients such as chicken, cabbage, tomato and avocado.
🌴 Definitely worth trying.Panade
Street foodA fried corn-dough pocket traditionally filled with fish or other savoury fillings.
🍴 Roadside food worth hunting down.Hudut
Garifuna cuisineA traditional Garifuna dish made with mashed green and ripe plantain and served with fish in a rich coconut-based broth.
🇧🇿 Southern Belize essential.Sere
Garifuna cuisineA traditional fish soup made with coconut milk, fish and ground foods such as plantain or cassava.
🥥 Coconut + fish = Belize.Rice & Beans
Staple mealOne of the foundations of Belizean home cooking, usually served with stewed chicken, salad and other sides.
🍛 The Belizean classic.Gibnut
Wildlife / foodA large rodent also known as an agouti. The animal is famous in Belize for its association with local cuisine and for the nickname “Royal Rat.”
Belizean Life
Belizean Time
Cultural expressionA relaxed attitude toward time and schedules. It doesn’t mean nobody cares about being on time; it means life doesn’t always move according to a rigid timetable.
Go Slow
Island philosophyMost strongly associated with Caye Caulker, where it captures the island’s laid-back approach to life.
Kriol
LanguageBelizean Kriol is an English-based creole language widely spoken across Belize. You’ll hear it in everyday conversation throughout the country.
Garifuna
Culture & languageThe Garifuna are an Afro-Indigenous people with a rich cultural heritage found particularly along Belize’s southern coast.
Music, drumming, food, dance and language are important parts of Garifuna culture.
Dangriga
PlaceA coastal town in southern Belize and an important centre of Garifuna culture.
Punta Gorda
PlaceOften shortened to PG, Punta Gorda is the southernmost major town in Belize and a gateway to the Toledo District.
Getting Around
Public Bus
TransportBelize’s public bus network connects many towns and is particularly useful for independent travellers.
Water Taxi
Boat transportWater taxis are an important part of travelling around Belize, particularly when heading to places such as Caye Caulker and San Pedro.
Dory
BoatA small boat traditionally used by fishermen in Belize’s coastal communities.
Hokey Pokey
Water taxiA Belizean water-taxi service connecting destinations along the coast and islands.
Belize City
Main transport hubBelize’s largest city and an important transport hub for buses, water taxis and flights.
Wildlife
Sloth
WildlifeBelize is home to the brown-throated three-toed sloth. They spend much of their time high in trees and can be surprisingly difficult to spot.
Howler Monkey
WildlifeOne of Belize’s most recognizable jungle animals. You may hear a howler monkey long before you see one.
Toucan
BirdBelize’s national bird is the keel-billed toucan, famous for its enormous colourful bill.
Jaguar
WildlifeBelize is home to jaguars, although seeing one in the wild is rare. These powerful cats are mainly associated with protected forests.
Manatee
Marine wildlifeBelize’s coastal waters, rivers and lagoons provide habitat for the West Indian manatee.
These gentle marine mammals are protected and sightings are a special experience.
Whale Shark
Marine wildlifeThe world’s largest fish visits Belizean waters, particularly around Gladden Spit and the Placencia area during seasonal aggregations.
Don’t Just Nod — Know What They’re Saying
You don’t need to master every Belizean expression. Knowing a handful will make conversations easier and travelling around the country a lot more fun.
Your Belize Test
How far have you progressed from confused traveller to someone who knows what’s going on?
Still Confused?
That’s okay. You’re in Belize. Go slow. Ask someone. Have a laugh. You’ll figure it out.
“Surely, of all the wonders of the world, the horizon is the greatest.”