Ultimate Belize Travel Guide

Must-try Foods and Drinks in Belize

Belize might be small in size, but it´s big on flavor! The Belizean cuisine is a rich confluence of diverse cultures including Maya, Mestizo, East Indian, Afro-Caribbean, and more. This guide untangles the colorful culinary tapestry of Belize and unveils the must-try foods and drinks when exploring this tropical paradise.

Foods

Belizian cuisine is wildly unique with authentic flavors of heritage and culture. Each dish on our list tells a delicious story of Belize’s rich culinary heritage.

1. Garnaches: A staple Belizean snack item, garnaches are fried corn tortillas layered with refried beans, shredded cheese, cabbage, and pepper sauce. It’s a delightful burst of flavors in each bite!
2. Pibil: Pibil is a Mayan cooking technique. For Cochinita Pibil, pork is slow-cooked in a pit with achiote and sour oranges, yielding rich and tangy flavors. Often wrapped in banana leaves, Pibil is not just a meal, it’s an experience!
3. Fry Jacks: No meal seems complete without these fluffy, fried pieces of dough. Usually served at breakfast, these Belizean biscuits can be enjoyed sweet with jam or honey, or savory stuffed with eggs and beans.
4. Sere: A creamy, comforting coconut-based seafood chowder. Typically served with coconut rice and fried plantains, sere is the perfect choice if you’re craving a taste of the Caribbean Sea.
5. Rice and Beans: This quintessential Belizean dish is often cooked in coconut milk giving it a rich flavor. Served with meat, plantain, and a side salad, it’s a wholesome meal loved by locals and tourists alike.
6. Caribbean Lobster: If you are there during lobster season you are in for a treat! You can find stands grilling these up along the beach and in many restaurants. They usually season it with a nice caribbean seasoning and serve it with butter. It is so good! They are also a lot cheaper than in the states.

Drinks

Indulgence in Belize also extends to drinks, from local brews to traditional non-alcoholic beverages. Here are a few refreshments that add to the tropical flavor of your Belize journey.

1. Belikin Beer: The national beer of Belize, Belikin, is a brew one shouldn’t miss. Coming in several variations like Stout, Lager, and the seasonal ‘Sorrel Stout’ and ‘Chocolate Stout’, it captures Belize’s spirit perfectly.
2. Seaweed Shake: It might sound unusual, but this is a beloved local beverage. Prepared with seaweed, milk, vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon, it brings a unique richness and creaminess. It’s also believed to have several health benefits!
3. Belizean Rum: Experience the depth of Belizean rum, especially the local favorite, One Barrel Rum. Sip on it neat or enjoy in cocktails, either way, this rum is sure to add some Caribbean warmth to your trip.
4. Cashew Wine: Traditionally brewed in Belize, this exotic wine is delightfully sweet and flavorful. The longer it’s aged, the stronger the nuances of the cashew come out, making it a unique tasting experience.
5. Soursop Juice: A refreshing juice squeezed from the tropical Soursop fruit. Lightly sweet and slightly tart, it is the perfect refreshment for a sunny afternoon in Belize. Not to mention, it’s packed with health benefits!