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. Principally, we completely perceive why you need to go to. Belize is in a league of its personal.
Sadly, you’ll need to take some further security precautions, although. Staying protected in Belize requires you to transcend the standard “test basic journey recommendation and guide primary journey insurance coverage.” The nation has fairly a couple of situations of crime, gang violence, and medicines, which might leak into vacationer areas.
On this information, we’ll put together you for staying protected in Belize. We simply returned from a go to to Cay Caulker, Ambergris Cay, and San Ignacio and felt actually protected. In the event you take the proper precautions you’ll be able to get pleasure from 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’ll want to know.
Is Belize Secure? A Fast Abstract
We all know that not everyone has the luxurious of time. In the event you’re in a rush, try these important bullet factors for a fast overview of security in Belize.
Belize experiences a notably excessive crime fee for violent crime, together with murder, sexual assault, and armed theft.
Belize has a variety of gang violence, which sometimes ends in shootings in public locations.
The border areas, Caracol, and Belize Metropolis (notably 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.
Highway 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 “crimson 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 in the event you 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 Degree 3 zone regardless of the remainder of Belize securing a milder Degree 2 warning.
The US advisory acknowledges that gang violence in Belize Metropolis tends to happen beneath the Haulover Creek River and barely crosses into vacationer areas. Nonetheless, 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 smart to take excessive security precautions when touring all through Belize.
The Canada Journey Advisories for Belize are fairly much 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’s 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 simple to be caught within the crossfire.
The UK journey advisories for Belize echo an virtually an identical 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 lots of crimes stay unsolved.” Just like the US and Canada advisory, they notably 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 rising threat of sexual assault and rape, too, warning in opposition to solo journey and venturing down quiet streets.
Violent Crime in Belize
As you now know, Belize has a reasonably nasty mixture of crime scattered all through the nation, notably in Belize Metropolis, which is vulnerable to gang-related violence. It has an general crime index of 53.15, notably greater than the US at 49.34 and the UK at 47.61. Most regarding is the truth that this crime score has elevated over the previous three years. Crime in Belize is frequent, and sadly, it looks like it’s going to remain.
The most typical 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 focus on 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 usually function out of vacationer areas, affected areas are shut sufficient to the town heart that unsuspecting vacationers might wander into bother, or battle might 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 final consensus with the Belizean police is that they’re usually underfunded and lack the capability to truly punish or react to many felony circumstances.
Native authorities and retailers are overrun. Your finest methodology 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 proper aspect of native legal guidelines, like holding an IDP in the event you hire a automobile and avoiding any unlawful medicine.
Pure Disasters in Belize
Belize has a foul rep relating to pure catastrophe threat. 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, notably from August to October.
These months are fraught with hurricanes and extreme storms. As a knock-on impact, Belize usually experiences flooding and sea degree rises. There’s the specter of tsunamis, however there has by no means been one in current historical past, just a few warnings a couple of years again.
We suggest making an attempt to not journey throughout these months or no less than subscribe to climate warning alerts. On common, the nation experiences seven hurricanes a 12 months, so it pays to keep away from the season solely.
How To Keep Secure in Belize in Case of Pure Catastrophe
In the event you determine to go to Belize throughout this high-risk interval, we’d recommend visiting pre-armed with an inventory of how to remain protected in case of pure disasters. Listed below are a couple of suggestions you should use to maintain protected within the face of disasters like flooding and hurricanes:
1. Have an Evacuation and Shelter In Place Plan
It’s smart to have a plan to evacuate (this might be journey insurance coverage to get compensation if it’s important to guide an early flight dwelling or a “go-bag” to evacuate to a unique area in Belize). You also needs to 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 very best floor (in case of flash floods) are. Figuring out this structure will assist you 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 firms just like the Nationwide Hurricane Middle Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration.
Climate in Belize
In fact, one of the simplest ways to know the chance of seasonal pure disasters is to know the climate in Belize. Figuring out the nation’s climate breakdown by season can actually assist decrease the dangers of journey.
Total, it is best to know that Belize has a subtropical local weather, largely cut 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 Might. Temperatures sit between 70 and 90 levels Fahrenheit all 12 months spherical.
We’ll take a more in-depth look, although.
Spring: March to Might
March to Might in Belize is usually dry, with temperatures between 75 and 90 levels Fahrenheit. Might is the warmest selection, 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 might discover a drop with all of the winds. That is when Belize has its highest dangers of hurricanes and floods. We’d suggest giving it a swerve.
Fall: October to November
Fall continues to be a bit of iffy, with frequent rain regardless of the drop within the threat of hurricanes. Temperatures hover at round 75 to 85 levels Fahrenheit, however it is best to nonetheless count on a slight chill within the blustery coastal areas. Just a few vacationers trouble visiting presently of 12 months, because the rain may cause flooding and, usually, doesn’t make for a pleasing 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 of earlier than disappearing. Nonetheless, January and February are notoriously dry and are the months when tourism picks up once more.
Temperatures are delicate, between 70 and 80 levels Fahrenheit, however the barely cool, drier climate is good for sightseeing. A win is a win, proper?
5 Suggestions For Staying Secure in Belize
As talked about, journey insurance coverage alone gained’t lower it when visiting Belize. An effective way to remain protected is to tick all of the fundamentals (journey insurance coverage will be extra useful than ringing 911 if a digital camera will get swiped). Nonetheless, as a basic rule, you should construct on the fundamentals with extra specialised methods to remain protected in Belize.
1. A Spare Pockets is Your Greatest Buddy
When visiting Belize, carrying a spare pockets with outdated (or lesser-used) playing cards and unfastened money is a superb thought. That is largely for if you’re touring within the bigger cities. Mugging can get everybody. There’s no assure you gained’t fall foul of this unfortunate crime, so why not be ready?
You must by no means resist a mugger. So, as a substitute, supply another that doesn’t actually influence you.
2. Don’t Scrimp on Transportation
There are such a lot of international locations the place you’ll be able to lower prices by taking public transport. Belize isn’t considered one of them. Skip low-cost transportation and all the time select the safer choices. We opted for personal transfers which have been safer and sooner. That is non-negotiable in Belize, particularly relating to issues like night time buses.
3. Go away Your Luxurious Vogue Sense At Residence
Flashy jewellery and even notably eye-catching outfits would possibly look superb, however we’d advise leaving them at dwelling. You need to keep away from drawing consideration to your self with something designer or expensive-looking. As a substitute, costume down and make your aim to mix, not catch eyes.
4. If In Doubt, Skip Belize Metropolis
Belize Metropolis is by far the riskiest place within the nation. If you’re uncertain whether or not you are feeling assured taking energetic security measures, simply skip it. There are simpler locations to remain protected in Belize, like Caye Caulker. It’s simple 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 adjustments on a month-to-month foundation regardless of its general dry versus moist season. It’s finest to keep away from the height hurricane threat months.
You also needs to needless to say rainier and low season months entice fewer vacationers. This implies fewer crowds and extra remoted vacationer areas, which might really put you at extra threat 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
Hearth 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 protected for households with travel-savvy dad and mom. If you’re an skilled traveler and are spending the cash to remain in extra-secure, beautifully-located lodging with respected excursions and transfers, Belize is protected for households. Simply needless to say it might 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 suggest selecting a unique place to go to. Save Belize for a bit of later after you’ve had a couple of observe runs.
Suggestions:
Take lodging significantly when touring as a household, and chorus from scrimping on safety or location.
Select your vacation spot in Belize fastidiously, choosing historically “protected” 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. In the event you’ve had loads of solo journey expertise, you’ll discover it manageable, and there’s an incredible hostel scene for making new buddies. Skilled solo vacationers are sometimes much more acutely aware of security precautions than these in a bunch, so Belize can really be higher suited to solo journey in that sense.
Nonetheless, as a basic rule, Belize is finest skilled in a bunch to restrict the chance of muggings and extra sinister crimes like sexual assault. You may guide issues like group excursions and guided day journeys that can assist you keep protected whereas touring to Belize alone. If visiting solo, keep away from non-essential journey at night time, take care in rural areas, and don’t take pleasure in extreme alcohol consumption.
Suggestions:
Take group excursions the place doable and keep away from strolling alone at night time.
Select well-located lodges or hostels.
Is Belize Secure to Take Public Transportation?
Public transportation is comparatively protected in Belize, however be ready for an intense expertise. So-called rooster buses are brightly painted public buses working in suburban and concrete areas. They’re usually packed however an affordable strategy to get round. Be a bit of conscious of pickpocketing, altercations, and bag snatching, however in any other case, this methodology of public transportation is protected.
At night time, throw all that out the window. You must keep away from public transportation at night time in any respect prices, because it creates a a lot greater threat for violent crime. Get a registered taxi as a substitute, or keep away from pointless night time journey.
The most secure strategy to get round Belize is by registered taxis, which you’ll acknowledge from inexperienced license plates. Uber doesn’t exist right here, so inexperienced license plates will undoubtedly turn out to be your subsequent finest pal. You positively desire a registered taxi driver, because it affords 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 non-public automobiles comparatively simply. Nonetheless, it is best to train a excessive diploma of warning at night time, ideally avoiding all nonessential journey after darkish. You also needs to be ready for normal police checkpoints, the place you should show a type of ID and your Worldwide Driving Allow. Be conscious of solely ever utilizing official border crossings and concentrate on the chance of armed robberies at locations like visitors lights in city areas or opportunistic crime on distant roads.
Are Medical Services Secure in Belize?
Medical services in Belize are combined. There are two forms of services: private and non-private hospitals. Personal hospitals are usually a greater choice as they’re higher funded, so that they have higher medical provides and extra to put money into adequately skilled professionals. Nonetheless, entry to both might be significantly restricted, particularly in the event you’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 thought to fly dwelling. That is notably the case if the hospital doesn’t have a particular, area of interest sort of remedy or remedy out there on quick demand. Belize’s finest hospitals are nice for minor accidents, however in case you have a extra major problem, it might be advisable to hunt remedy elsewhere.
Is Belize Secure? High FAQs
We’ll go away that query as much as you—do you are feeling assured utilizing all the data above to plan a protected journey? Belize receives almost 1,000,000 guests annually, the overwhelming majority of whom journey the nation with no points. It’s all about selecting locations the place you really feel snug taking accountability to your security, and everyone knows some international locations make this more difficult than others. Belize is difficult however not unimaginable. We like it.
Listed below are a couple of frequent 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 Degree 4 areas (marked as “don’t journey”) however has a clearer space for protected tourism in Cancun and alongside the Mayan Riviera shoreline. Belize has just one Degree 3 space (“marked as rethink journey”) however much less clearly marked areas for protected tourism. It will depend on the place you intend to journey.
Is Belize or Costa Rica safer?
Costa Rica is marginally safer, as it’s only marked as Degree 2 by the US Journey Advisory. In distinction, Belize Metropolis is marked as a Degree 3. Nonetheless, each Belize and Costa Rica are flagged for violent crimes, together with sexual assault. It’s finest to method each international locations with elevated warning.
When to not go to Belize?
August and October are the worst occasions to go to Belize. These are the months when you’ll be able to expertise essentially the most storms and hurricanes, which might be harmful. It’s smack in the course of hurricane season.
What’s the most secure a part of Belize?
Caye Caulker and San Pedro are the darlings of Belize, two areas identified for being comparatively “protected” throughout the nation.
So, Is Belize Secure To Journey In?
No, Belize isn’t a historically protected place to go to. Nonetheless, 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 may have? What are the present updates, and what time of 12 months are you going?
For these prepared to take water-tight security precautions, Belize vastly rewards your further efforts. There’s no denying the nation is gorgeous. We’ve got a excellent one-week itinerary right here in the event you’d like some inspiration.
Keep protected and luxuriate in. The perfect security precaution is data, and we hope you may have a improbable time.