When North America is shivering through yet another long, cold winter, Belize is enjoying perfect beach weather. The Christmas season is one of the best times to visit this charming Caribbean nation and stay at a Belize resort, enjoying some much-needed sunshine along with lots of holiday fun.
If you’re thinking of rewarding yourself with a Belize vacation this Christmas, here are five amazing things you can experience:
1 – Christmas Foods
As a former British colony, there are lots of amazing delicious drinks and foods to enjoy during the Christmas vacation. Along with some hot cross buns, you should definitely try rumpopo, the Belizean version of eggnog. Other popular foods include ham with pickled onions and hot peppers, tamales, roasted pork and gravy, and white relleno soup.
2 – Christmas Bram
In Belize, people definitely honor the “reason for the season.” One of the most popular traditions is called Christmas Bram. Similar to caroling, Bram is a Creole tradition involving celebrants singing, playing musical instruments, and dancing as they wend their way through the streets to spread Christmas cheer.
3 – Midnight Mass
The majority of people in Belize are practicing Christians, so the midnight Mass (called “Misa de Gallo” in some parts) is an essential part of Christmas. Protestant churches, too, also hold joyous Christmas services across the country.
4 – Kwanzaa/Boxing Day
A combination holiday that’s an amalgamation of British and African-American traditions, December 26 is also an important part of the Christmas holiday period for many people in Belize.
5 – Jankunu and Charikanari
Centuries ago, when the Garinagu people of Belize were enslaved, they developed a unique tradition called the Jankunu Dance. Participants don elaborate costumes and masks that were designed to secretly mock their European overlords. Today, Jankunu is a loud and boisterous affair that involves singing and dancing in the streets to the beat of traditional drums.
The Charikanari is a combination piece of theater and musical performance that has ancient roots in African culture. Involving a large crowd of street musicians and performs, the Charikanari dance is similar to a play that depicts the story of a hunter searching for a humorous “two-foot cow” character.
If you’re ready for an amazing Christmas in Belize, book your travels with the Belize Boutique Resort and Spa. Located just a short distance from the international airport, the resort has a number of all-inclusive Christmas vacation packages.
