Belize is beautiful. 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 same old “test normal journey recommendation and e-book fundamental journey insurance coverage.” The nation has fairly just a few 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 case you take the appropriate precautions you possibly can 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 it’s good to know.
Is Belize Protected? A Fast Abstract
We all know that not everyone has the luxurious of time. In case you’re in a rush, try these fundamental 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 numerous 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 numerous 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 Protected?
Formally talking, Belize is feasible to go to and never barred as a “crimson listing nation” or “don’t journey” space by the USA , Canada or the UK. As an alternative, it’s extensively 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 issues particularly for Belize Metropolis. It advises that you just “rethink journey”, marking 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 a complete, 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 clever to take excessive security precautions when touring all through Belize.
The Canada Journey Advisories for Belize are fairly just like the US advisories. Belize basically has an Train a excessive diploma of warning warning attributable to 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, attributable to 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 absolutely prevalent right here, and it’s straightforward to be caught within the crossfire.
The UK journey advisories for Belize echo an nearly equivalent sentiment. They advise that Belize has “one of many highest homicide charges on the earth” 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 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 susceptible to gang-related violence. It has an general 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 score has elevated over the previous three years. Crime in Belize is widespread, and sadly, it looks as if 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 issues 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 possibly can 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 town middle that unsuspecting vacationers could wander into hassle, 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. Nicely, you already know that the final consensus with the Belizean police is that they’re typically underfunded and lack the capability to truly punish or react to many legal instances.
Native authorities and shops are overrun. Your greatest technique of safety from petty crime is great journey insurance coverage.
On a barely totally different word, you need to just be sure you are sticking to the appropriate facet of native legal guidelines, like holding an IDP in the event you hire a automotive and avoiding any unlawful medication.
Pure Disasters in Belize
Belize has a nasty rep with regards to pure catastrophe danger. The nation has a shoreline that opens onto the Caribbean Sea, so you need 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 typically 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 just a few years again.
We suggest attempting to not journey throughout these months or at the least 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 Protected in Belize in Case of Pure Catastrophe
In case you resolve to go to Belize throughout this high-risk interval, we’d recommend visiting pre-armed with a listing of the way to remain protected in case of pure disasters. Listed below are just a few 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 clever to have a plan to evacuate (this may very well be journey insurance coverage to get compensation if it’s a must to e-book an early flight residence or a “go-bag” to evacuate to a special area in Belize). You also needs to have a shelter plan, checking forward of time together with your lodging to see what assist they provide.
2. Know The Space
Do some fundamental analysis on the world you’re staying in beforehand. It is best to 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 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 firms just like the Nationwide Hurricane Middle Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration.
Climate in Belize
After all, the easiest way to know the danger 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, you need to know that Belize has a subtropical local weather, principally 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 better 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 season: 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 suggest giving it a swerve.
Fall: October to November
Fall remains 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 you need to nonetheless anticipate a slight chill within the blustery coastal areas. Only some vacationers hassle visiting right now of 12 months, because the rain may cause flooding and, basically, doesn’t make for a pleasing keep.
Winter: December to February
Winter marks the start of the dry season—hooray! December is at all times 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 Suggestions For Staying Protected in Belize
As talked about, journey insurance coverage alone received’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 digicam will get swiped). Nevertheless, as a normal rule, it’s essential to construct on the fundamentals with extra specialised methods to remain protected in Belize.
1. A Spare Pockets is Your Finest Buddy
When visiting Belize, carrying a spare pockets with outdated (or lesser-used) playing cards and free money is a good concept. That is principally for if you’re 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?
It is best to by no means resist a mugger. So, as a substitute, supply an alternate that doesn’t actually affect you.
2. Don’t Scrimp on Transportation
There are such a lot of nations the place you possibly can lower prices by taking public transport. Belize isn’t one in all them. Skip low-cost transportation and at all times select the safer choices. We opted for personal transfers which had been safer and sooner. That is non-negotiable in Belize, particularly with regards to issues like night time buses.
3. Depart Your Luxurious Trend Sense At Residence
Flashy jewellery and even significantly eye-catching outfits would possibly 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 an alternative, costume 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 not sure whether or not you are feeling assured taking lively security measures, simply skip it. There are simpler locations to remain protected 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 discovered 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 greatest to keep away from the height hurricane danger months.
You also needs to remember that rainier and low season months entice fewer vacationers. This implies fewer crowds and extra remoted vacationer areas, which might really put you at extra danger of opportunistic crime. It’s a little bit of a catch-22 when heavy crowds tempt pickpocketing. Nonetheless, basically, 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 Protected for Households?
We’d say that areas like Caye Caulker and Ambergris Cay are protected for households with travel-savvy dad and mom. 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 protected for households. Simply remember that it might be a greater vacation to take with older kids who you possibly can clarify fundamental security precautions to.
For households with out that pre-existing journey expertise, we suggest selecting a special place to go to. Save Belize for a bit later after you’ve had just a few apply runs.
Suggestions:
- Take lodging critically when touring as a household, and chorus from scrimping on safety or location.
- Select your vacation spot in Belize fastidiously, deciding on historically “protected” areas like Caye Caulker.
Is Belize Protected for Solo Vacationers?
Belize is a little bit of a problem for these visiting solo, however equally very rewarding. In case you’ve had loads of solo journey expertise, you’ll discover it manageable, and there’s an excellent 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 normal rule, Belize is greatest skilled in a gaggle to restrict the danger of muggings and extra sinister crimes like sexual assault. You possibly can e-book issues like group excursions and guided day journeys that will help 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 bask in extreme alcohol consumption.
Suggestions:
- Take group excursions the place potential and keep away from strolling alone at night time.
- Select well-located lodges or hostels.
Is Belize Protected 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 sometimes packed however an inexpensive approach to get round. Be a bit conscious of pickpocketing, altercations, and bag snatching, however in any other case, this technique of public transportation is protected.
At night time, throw all that out the window. It is best to keep away from public transportation at night time in any respect prices, because it creates a a lot larger danger for violent crime. Get a registered taxi as a substitute, or keep away from pointless night time journey.
The most secure approach 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 greatest good friend. 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 advice on public transport.
You may also hire a automotive and drive round Belize in personal automobiles comparatively simply. Nevertheless, you need 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 it’s essential to show a type of ID and your Worldwide Driving Allow. Be conscious of solely ever utilizing official border crossings and concentrate on the danger of armed robberies at locations like visitors lights in city areas or opportunistic crime on distant roads.
Are Medical Services Protected in Belize?
Medical amenities in Belize are combined. There are two varieties of amenities: private and non-private hospitals. Non-public hospitals are typically a greater possibility as they’re higher funded, so that they have higher medical provides and extra to spend money on adequately skilled professionals. Nevertheless, entry to both may be critically 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 might be up-to-date with all of your vaccinations and routine well being checks earlier than departure. And ensure 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 sort of treatment or therapy out there on rapid demand. Belize’s greatest hospitals are nice for minor accidents, however when you’ve got a extra major problem, it might be advisable to hunt therapy elsewhere.
Is Belize Protected? 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 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 snug taking duty to your security, and everyone knows some nations make this tougher than others. Belize is difficult however not inconceivable. We find it irresistible.
Listed below are just a few widespread FAQs to assist clear the query of “must you, 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 protected 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 protected tourism. It is determined by the place you propose 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 greatest to method each nations 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 possibly can expertise probably the most storms and hurricanes, which may 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 “protected” throughout the nation.
So, Is Belize Protected To Journey In?
No, Belize isn’t a historically protected place to go to. Nevertheless, there are ranges to the dangers you’re 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 might have? 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 further efforts. There’s no denying the nation is gorgeous. We have now a excellent one-week itinerary right here in the event you’d like some inspiration.
Keep protected and luxuriate in. The very best security precaution is information, and we hope you might have a implausible time.
