Page 209 - Central America

tions somewhat invalid. At the end of October, the weather does
become cooler, and from November to February, it is pleasant
with occasional light showers of rain. Average humidity is 85 per-
cent.

T he population of approximately 200,000 people consists of a
mixture of Creole, Garifuna, Mestizo, Spanish, Maya, English,
Mennonite, Lebanese, Chinese, and Eastern Indian. Due to racial
harmony and religious tolerance, all of these different elements
have mixed and blended successfully, and Belize has gained a
widespread reputation for its friendly people. English is the of-
ficial language, but Belizean Creole is what you will hear spoken
in the streets. Spanish is also spoken widely. The Belizean dol-
lar is tied to the U.S. dollar at two BZ$ to one US$. Credit cards
and traveler’s checks are accepted at major hotels and resorts
(although most charge a service charge when using credit cards).
U.S. dollars are used as readily as Belize dollars almost every-
where.

D iving Levels - Belize offers all ranges of diving - from shore
diving in shallow water to the Great Blue Hole at over 200
feet deep. The barrier reefs offer excellent diving for beginners
such as at Hol Chan Marine Park (recently expanded to include
Shark-Ray Alley) a few miles south of Ambergris Caye. Many dive
sites offer a range of dives from beginning to experienced.