Enter Belize

In each interview, we ask the same 10 questions of a local Belizean person.

What is your name?  My name is Jorge David De León Castillo, also known as Lion.

Where are you from?  I was born in San Benito, Petén, Guatemala, but I say I am from Cayo, San Ignacio, and I currently live in the Nazarene Area, Benque Viejo Town.

What’s your age? I am 47 years old.

What do you do for work? I am a Tour Guide – I am here to serve.

What’s your favorite thing about Belize? The Maya cities and their culture.

What are the biggest changes you’ve seen? The biggest changes I’ve seen in Belize are the improvements in the roads, especially the government paving roads that lead to archaeological sites.

What do you hope/wish for Belize?  I hope for more investment and development at the different archaeological sites. I want to see more buildings exposed so tourists from around the world will want to visit and learn about our culture.

How has tourism impacted your life?  Tourism has allowed me to provide for my family, give them a better lifestyle, and travel with them.

What do you look forward to?  Going out to different Maya cities and teaching visitors about our amazing present and ancient culture, and the day we can visit archaeological sites to watch the sunset and sunrise.

What are 3 words to describe Belize?  Blessed, diverse, unbelizable.

Lion is based in Benque Viejo and offers tours throughout Belize and Guatemala. He can be reached through his company Lion Adventure Tours.