Belize is attractive. We should always know; we simply returned from a two-week journey. The mainland is roofed in a dense, tropical jungle, whereas offshore, it has the Belize Barrier Reef—an acclaimed spot to scuba dive and snorkel. As if that wasn’t sufficient, you’ve additionally received the historical past of Mayan ruins to expertise at websites like Altun Ha. Mainly, we completely perceive why you need to go to. Belize is in a league of its personal.
Sadly, you have to to take some additional security precautions, although. Staying secure in Belize requires you to transcend the same old “test common journey recommendation and guide primary journey insurance coverage.” The nation has fairly a number of cases of crime, gang violence, and medicines, which may leak into vacationer areas.
On this information, we’ll put together you for staying secure in Belize. We simply returned from a go to to Cay Caulker, Ambergris Cay, and San Ignacio and felt actually secure. For those who take the suitable precautions you’ll be able to take pleasure in this nation worry-free like we did. So, don’t rule out scuba diving and sightseeing Mayan ruins simply but; right here’s what you want to know.
Is Belize Secure? A Fast Abstract
We all know that not everyone has the posh of time. For those who’re in a rush, take a look at these essential bullet factors for a fast overview of security in Belize.
Belize experiences a notably excessive crime price for violent crime, together with murder, sexual assault, and armed theft.
Belize has a variety of gang violence, which often leads to shootings in public locations.
The border areas, Caracol, and Belize Metropolis (significantly the inner-city area of Southside Belize Metropolis) all expertise a excessive crime density.
Belize has a variety of pure disasters like hurricanes, so guests ought to take warning when touring throughout hurricane season.
Street requirements in Belize are thought of poor by worldwide requirements.
There have been incidents with water actions ensuing from poor security procedures and measures.
Journey Advisories: Formally Talking, Is Belize Secure?
Formally talking, Belize is feasible to go to and never barred as a “purple checklist nation” or “don’t journey” space by the USA , Canada or the UK. As a substitute, it’s broadly suggested to take elevated warning for those who go to Belize.
The US Journey Advisories for Belize recommend that you just train elevated warning all through the nation, escalating its considerations particularly for Belize Metropolis. It advises that you just “rethink journey”, marking the town as a Stage 3 zone regardless of the remainder of Belize securing a milder Stage 2 warning.
The US advisory acknowledges that gang violence in Belize Metropolis tends to happen beneath the Haulover Creek River and infrequently crosses into vacationer areas. Nevertheless, as an entire, it advises that dangers are excessive, particularly given the historic crime within the metropolis.
The advisory emphasizes that violent crimes like sexual assault and armed theft can – and do – happen in daylight, even in public areas. It’s sensible to take excessive security precautions when touring all through Belize.
The Canada Journey Advisories for Belize are fairly just like the US advisories. Belize usually has an Train a excessive diploma of warning warning as a consequence of excessive ranges of violent crime all through the nation. There may be additionally a warning to Keep away from non-essential journey to Southside Belize Metropolis, south of the Haulover Creek River, as a consequence of gang and drug-related violence, together with murders and shootings.
Vacationers mustn’t even enterprise to this a part of Belize metropolis. Gang warfare is admittedly prevalent right here, and it’s straightforward to be caught within the crossfire.
The UK journey advisories for Belize echo an virtually equivalent sentiment. They advise that Belize has “one of many highest homicide charges on this planet” and trace at insufficient policing, saying that “police capability is proscribed and plenty of crimes stay unsolved.” Just like the US and Canada advisory, they significantly emphasize the damaging nature of journey round Belize Metropolis, particularly the Southside.
The UK advisory additionally warns of muggings throughout Belize, together with San Pedro, Caye Caulker, Placencia, and San Ignacio. It highlights the growing danger of sexual assault and rape, too, warning towards solo journey and venturing down quiet streets.
Violent Crime in Belize
As you now know, Belize has a fairly nasty mixture of crime scattered all through the nation, significantly in Belize Metropolis, which is liable to gang-related violence. It has an total crime index of 53.15, notably larger than the US at 49.34 and the UK at 47.61. Most regarding is the truth that this crime ranking has elevated over the previous three years. Crime in Belize is widespread, and sadly, it looks like it’s going to remain.
The commonest crimes in Belize are:
Dealing of medicine
Theft from property, which incorporates lodges and vacationer lodging
Sexual assault
Homicide and grievous bodily hurt
Verbal or bodily abuse
Muggings and armed theft
Furthermore, there are considerations over policing, too:
Corruption and bribery
Lack of inefficiency of police response
We’ll talk about police effectiveness in a second, however many crimes go unsolved. Corruption could also be concerned in your police interactions, though you’ll be able to nonetheless name 911 for help from native authorities in an emergency.
Belize Metropolis experiences a disproportionate quantity of gang-related violence and crime, so guests ought to train a excessive diploma of warning. Whereas gang members sometimes function out of vacationer areas, affected areas are shut sufficient to the town middle that unsuspecting vacationers could wander into bother, or battle could spill over.
The remainder of Belize nonetheless requires you to train warning, with excessive ranges of theft and opportunistic crime, a few of that are violent.
Police in Belize
Onto the police in Belize, as promised. Effectively, you already know that the overall consensus with the Belizean police is that they’re usually underfunded and lack the capability to truly punish or react to many legal circumstances.
Native authorities and shops are overrun. Your finest technique of safety from petty crime is great journey insurance coverage.
On a barely completely different observe, it is best to just remember to are sticking to the suitable facet of native legal guidelines, like holding an IDP for those who hire a automobile and avoiding any unlawful medication.
Pure Disasters in Belize
Belize has a nasty rep on the subject of pure catastrophe danger. The nation has a shoreline that opens onto the Caribbean Sea, so it is best to train warning throughout hurricane season, between June and November, significantly from August to October.
These months are fraught with hurricanes and extreme storms. As a knock-on impact, Belize usually experiences flooding and sea stage rises. There may be the specter of tsunamis, however there has by no means been one in current historical past, just a few warnings a number of years again.
We advocate attempting to not journey throughout these months or a minimum of subscribe to climate warning alerts. On common, the nation experiences seven hurricanes a 12 months, so it pays to keep away from the season totally.
How To Keep Secure in Belize in Case of Pure Catastrophe
For those who resolve to go to Belize throughout this high-risk interval, we’d recommend visiting pre-armed with a listing of how to remain secure in case of pure disasters. Listed below are a number of ideas you should use to maintain secure within the face of disasters like flooding and hurricanes:
1. Have an Evacuation and Shelter In Place Plan
It’s sensible to have a plan to evacuate (this could possibly be journey insurance coverage to get compensation if it’s important to guide an early flight residence or a “go-bag” to evacuate to a unique area in Belize). You must also have a shelter plan, checking forward of time together with your lodging to see what help they provide.
2. Know The Space
Do some primary analysis on the realm you’re staying in beforehand. You must know the place the closest police stations, hospitals, and sensible locations like the best floor (in case of flash floods) are. Realizing this format will allow you to in case of emergency when each minute issues.
3. Subscribe to Alerts
Subscribe to alerts from the US Embassy in Belize, native media, and disaster-related alerts from corporations just like the Nationwide Hurricane Middle Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration.
Climate in Belize
In fact, one of the best ways to know the danger of seasonal pure disasters is to know the climate in Belize. Realizing the nation’s climate breakdown by season can actually assist decrease the dangers of journey.
General, it is best to know that Belize has a subtropical local weather, largely break up right into a dry and wet season. The wet season lasts from June till November, coinciding with its hurricane-prone season. The dry season runs from February till Could. Temperatures sit between 70 and 90 levels Fahrenheit all 12 months spherical.
We’ll take a more in-depth look, although.
Spring: March to Could
March to Could in Belize is generally dry, with temperatures between 75 and 90 levels Fahrenheit. Could is the warmest alternative, whereas late March to early April is the busiest time with all of the spring break crowds.
Summer time: June to September
That is Belize’s official moist season. Regardless of temperatures sitting at their highest between 80 and 90 levels Fahrenheit, coastal areas could discover a drop with all of the winds. That is when Belize has its highest dangers of hurricanes and floods. We’d advocate giving it a swerve.
Fall: October to November
Fall continues to be a bit iffy, with frequent rain regardless of the drop within the danger of hurricanes. Temperatures hover at round 75 to 85 levels Fahrenheit, however it is best to nonetheless anticipate a slight chill within the blustery coastal areas. Only some vacationers hassle visiting right now of 12 months, because the rain could cause flooding and, usually, doesn’t make for a nice keep.
Winter: December to February
Winter marks the start of the dry season—hooray! December is all the time a gradual begin, with the rain dragging its ft a bit earlier than disappearing. Nevertheless, January and February are notoriously dry and are the months when tourism picks up once more.
Temperatures are gentle, between 70 and 80 levels Fahrenheit, however the barely cool, drier climate is right for sightseeing. A win is a win, proper?
5 Ideas For Staying Secure in Belize
As talked about, journey insurance coverage alone received’t lower it when visiting Belize. An effective way to remain secure is to tick all of the fundamentals (journey insurance coverage will be extra useful than ringing 911 if a digital camera will get swiped). Nevertheless, as a common rule, you should construct on the fundamentals with extra specialised methods to remain secure in Belize.
1. A Spare Pockets is Your Finest Good friend
When visiting Belize, carrying a spare pockets with outdated (or lesser-used) playing cards and unfastened money is a superb concept. That is largely for in case you are touring within the bigger cities. Mugging can get everybody. There’s no assure you received’t fall foul of this unfortunate crime, so why not be ready?
You must by no means resist a mugger. So, as an alternative, provide another that doesn’t actually affect you.
2. Don’t Scrimp on Transportation
There are such a lot of nations the place you’ll be able to lower prices by taking public transport. Belize isn’t one among them. Skip low-cost transportation and all the time select the safer choices. We opted for personal transfers which have been safer and quicker. That is non-negotiable in Belize, particularly on the subject of issues like evening buses.
3. Go away Your Luxurious Vogue Sense At House
Flashy jewellery and even significantly eye-catching outfits may look wonderful, however we’d advise leaving them at residence. You need to keep away from drawing consideration to your self with something designer or expensive-looking. As a substitute, gown down and make your objective to mix, not catch eyes.
4. If In Doubt, Skip Belize Metropolis
Belize Metropolis is by far the riskiest place within the nation. In case you are uncertain whether or not you’re feeling assured taking energetic security measures, simply skip it. There are simpler locations to remain secure in Belize, like Caye Caulker. It’s straightforward sufficient to chop it out of your itinerary.
5. Do Your Season Analysis
Lastly, do your season analysis. As you realized within the part above, Belize’s local weather modifications on a month-to-month foundation regardless of its total dry versus moist season. It’s finest to keep away from the height hurricane danger months.
You must also remember that rainier and low season months entice fewer vacationers. This implies fewer crowds and extra remoted vacationer areas, which may really put you at extra danger of opportunistic crime. It’s a little bit of a catch-22 when heavy crowds tempt pickpocketing. Nonetheless, usually, peak months are higher to keep away from being remoted for extra violent crimes.
Belize Emergency Numbers
Police (Countrywide): 90/911
Fireplace and ambulance (Belize Metropolis solely): 90
Police (Belpoman): 822-2222
Is Belize Secure for Households?
We’d say that areas like Caye Caulker and Ambergris Cay are secure for households with travel-savvy mother and father. In case you are an skilled traveler and are spending the cash to remain in extra-secure, beautifully-located lodging with respected excursions and transfers, Belize is secure for households. Simply remember that it could be a greater vacation to take with older kids who you’ll be able to clarify primary security precautions to.
For households with out that pre-existing journey expertise, we advocate selecting a unique place to go to. Save Belize for a bit later after you’ve had a number of apply runs.
Ideas:
Take lodging severely when touring as a household, and chorus from scrimping on safety or location.
Select your vacation spot in Belize fastidiously, deciding on historically “secure” areas like Caye Caulker.
Is Belize Secure for Solo Vacationers?
Belize is a little bit of a problem for these visiting solo, however equally very rewarding. For those who’ve had loads of solo journey expertise, you’ll discover it manageable, and there’s an amazing hostel scene for making new associates. Skilled solo vacationers are sometimes much more acutely aware of security precautions than these in a gaggle, so Belize can really be higher suited to solo journey in that sense.
Nonetheless, as a common rule, Belize is finest skilled in a gaggle to restrict the danger of muggings and extra sinister crimes like sexual assault. You’ll be able to guide issues like group excursions and guided day journeys that will help you keep secure whereas touring to Belize alone. If visiting solo, keep away from non-essential journey at evening, take care in rural areas, and don’t take pleasure in extreme alcohol consumption.
Ideas:
Take group excursions the place attainable and keep away from strolling alone at evening.
Select well-located lodges or hostels.
Is Belize Secure to Take Public Transportation?
Public transportation is comparatively secure in Belize, however be ready for an intense expertise. So-called hen buses are brightly painted public buses working in suburban and concrete areas. They’re sometimes packed however an inexpensive option to get round. Be a bit aware of pickpocketing, altercations, and bag snatching, however in any other case, this technique of public transportation is secure.
At evening, throw all that out the window. You must keep away from public transportation at evening in any respect prices, because it creates a a lot larger danger for violent crime. Get a registered taxi as an alternative, or keep away from pointless evening journey.
The most secure option to get round Belize is by registered taxis, which you’ll be able to acknowledge from inexperienced license plates. Uber doesn’t exist right here, so inexperienced license plates will undoubtedly turn out to be your subsequent finest buddy. You positively need a registered taxi driver, because it presents an additional safety layer. It’s a good suggestion to take a look at the Authorities Of Canada’s suggestion on public transport.
You may as well hire a automobile and drive round Belize in personal automobiles comparatively simply. Nevertheless, it is best to train a excessive diploma of warning at evening, ideally avoiding all nonessential journey after darkish. You must also be ready for normal police checkpoints, the place you should show a type of ID and your Worldwide Driving Allow. Be aware of solely ever utilizing official border crossings and concentrate on the danger of armed robberies at locations like site visitors lights in city areas or opportunistic crime on distant roads.
Are Medical Amenities Secure in Belize?
Medical amenities in Belize are combined. There are two varieties of amenities: private and non-private hospitals. Non-public hospitals are usually a greater choice as they’re higher funded, in order that they have higher medical provides and extra to spend money on adequately skilled professionals. Nevertheless, entry to both will be severely restricted, particularly for those who’re staying in rural areas.
We’d recommend checking the place your nearest hospitals are earlier than visiting. Guarantee you’re up-to-date with all of your vaccinations and routine well being checks earlier than departure. And be sure you have good journey insurance coverage if it turns into a greater concept to fly residence. That is significantly the case if the hospital doesn’t have a particular, area of interest kind of remedy or remedy obtainable on fast demand. Belize’s finest hospitals are nice for minor accidents, however if in case you have a extra major problem, it could be advisable to hunt remedy elsewhere.
Is Belize Secure? Prime FAQs
We’ll go away that query as much as you—do you’re feeling assured utilizing all the knowledge above to plan a secure journey? Belize receives almost one million guests every year, the overwhelming majority of whom journey the nation with no points. It’s all about selecting locations the place you really feel comfy taking accountability in your security, and everyone knows some nations make this more difficult than others. Belize is difficult however not unimaginable. We find it irresistible.
Listed below are a number of widespread FAQs to assist clear the query of “do you have to, shouldn’t you” up.
Is Mexico or Belize safer?
Mexico and Belize are roughly on a par. Mexico has some Stage 4 areas (marked as “don’t journey”) however has a clearer space for secure tourism in Cancun and alongside the Mayan Riviera shoreline. Belize has just one Stage 3 space (“marked as rethink journey”) however much less clearly marked areas for secure tourism. It will depend on the place you intend to journey.
Is Belize or Costa Rica safer?
Costa Rica is marginally safer, as it is just marked as Stage 2 by the US Journey Advisory. In distinction, Belize Metropolis is marked as a Stage 3. Nevertheless, each Belize and Costa Rica are flagged for violent crimes, together with sexual assault. It’s finest to strategy each nations with elevated warning.
When to not go to Belize?
August and October are the worst instances to go to Belize. These are the months when you’ll be able to expertise probably the most storms and hurricanes, which will be harmful. It’s smack in the midst of hurricane season.
What’s the most secure a part of Belize?
Caye Caulker and San Pedro are the darlings of Belize, two areas recognized for being comparatively “secure” throughout the nation.
So, Is Belize Secure To Journey In?
No, Belize isn’t a historically secure place to go to. Nevertheless, there are ranges to the dangers you are taking; are you planning a visit to Southside Belize Metropolis or Caye Caulker? Are you visiting on a tour? Or are you going solo? How a lot journey expertise do you’ve got? What are the present updates, and what time of 12 months are you going?
For these keen to take water-tight security precautions, Belize vastly rewards your additional efforts. There’s no denying the nation is gorgeous. Now we have a good one-week itinerary right here for those who’d like some inspiration.
Keep secure and luxuriate in. The perfect security precaution is data, and we hope you’ve got a implausible time.