As in many other Central American and Caribbean cultures, the Belizean clock is not as rigidly precise as it is in other parts of the world. “Nine o’clock a.m.” is not necessarily a moment in time that occurs once a morning, as it is a general guideline that could extend an hour or two in either direction (usually later). Creoles say, “Time longa den da roop, mon” (“time is longer than the rope”), which means the same as the Spanish “Hay mas tiempo que vida” (“there is more time than there is life”)—both of which boil down to the unofficial motto of Caye Caulker: “Go slow!”

A great deal of patience is required of the traveler who wishes to adapt to this looser concept of time. Buses generally leave when they are scheduled, but may stop for frustratingly long breaks during the journey. Don’t use Belize Time as an excuse to be late for your tour bus pickup, and don’t get angry when your taxi driver stops to briefly chat and laugh with a friend.