Is Belize Safe To Visit In 2024? Your Guide To Belize Travel Safety

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 bought 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 will have to take some additional security precautions, although. Staying secure in Belize requires you to transcend the same old “test normal journey recommendation and ebook primary journey insurance coverage.” The nation has fairly a number of situations 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. In the event you take the precise precautions you may 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 could know.

Journey Advisories: Formally Talking, Is Belize Protected?

Formally talking, Belize is feasible to go to and never barred as a “pink 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 case you go to Belize.

The US Travel Advisories for Belize recommend that you simply train elevated warning all through the nation, escalating its issues particularly for Belize Metropolis. It advises that you simply “rethink journey”, marking 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 clever to take excessive security precautions when touring all through Belize.

The Canada Travel Advisories for Belize are fairly much like the US advisories. Belize on the whole has an Train a excessive diploma of warning warning on account 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, on account of gang and drug-related violence, together with murders and shootings.

Vacationers shouldn’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 travel advisories for Belize echo an virtually equivalent sentiment. They advise that Belize has “one of many highest homicide charges on the 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 harmful 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 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 fairly nasty mixture of crime scattered all through the nation, significantly in Belize Metropolis, which is liable to gang-related violence. It has an general crime index of 53.15, notably increased 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.

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 town heart 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 usually underfunded and lack the capability to really punish or react to many prison instances.

Native authorities and retailers are overrun. Your finest technique of safety from petty crime is superb journey insurance coverage.

On a barely completely different be aware, you must just be sure you are sticking to the precise aspect of native legal guidelines, like holding an IDP in case you hire a automotive and avoiding any unlawful medicine.

Pure Disasters in Belize

Belize has a foul rep in terms of pure catastrophe threat. The nation has a shoreline that opens onto the Caribbean Sea, so you must 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 latest historical past, just a few warnings a number of years again.

We advocate making an attempt to not journey throughout these months or a minimum of subscribe to climate warning alerts. On common, the nation experiences seven hurricanes a yr, so it pays to keep away from the season fully.

How To Keep Protected 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 a listing of the way to remain secure in case of pure disasters. Listed below are a number of suggestions you should use to maintain secure within the face of disasters like flooding and hurricanes:

Climate in Belize

In fact, the easiest way to grasp the chance of seasonal pure disasters is to grasp the climate in Belize. Understanding the nation’s climate breakdown by season can actually assist decrease the dangers of journey.

General, you must 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 Might. Temperatures sit between 70 and 90 levels Fahrenheit all yr spherical.

We’ll take a better look, although.

5 Ideas For Staying Protected in Belize

As talked about, journey insurance coverage alone received’t minimize it when visiting Belize. A good 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). Nonetheless, as a normal rule, it’s essential to construct on the fundamentals with extra specialised methods to remain secure 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 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?

It’s best to by no means resist a mugger. So, as an alternative, provide an alternate that doesn’t actually impression you.

2. Don’t Scrimp on Transportation

There are such a lot of nations the place you may minimize 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 had been safer and sooner. That is non-negotiable in Belize, particularly in terms of issues like night time buses.

3. Depart Your Luxurious Vogue Sense At House

Flashy jewellery and even significantly eye-catching outfits would possibly look superb, 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, gown 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. In case you are uncertain whether or not you’re feeling assured taking lively 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 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 finest to keep away from the height hurricane threat months.

You must also take into account that rainier and low season months appeal to fewer vacationers. This implies fewer crowds and extra remoted vacationer areas, which may really put you at extra threat of opportunistic crime. It’s a little bit of a catch-22 when heavy crowds tempt pickpocketing. Nonetheless, on the whole, peak months are higher to keep away from being remoted for extra violent crimes.

Is Belize Protected for Households?

We’d say that areas like Caye Caulker and Ambergris Cay are secure 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 secure for households. Simply take into account that it could be a greater vacation to take with older youngsters who you may clarify primary security precautions to.

For households with out that pre-existing journey expertise, we advocate selecting a distinct place to go to. Save Belize for a bit of later after you’ve had a number of observe runs.

Is Belize Protected 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 a fantastic hostel scene for making new associates. Skilled solo vacationers are sometimes much more 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 finest skilled in a gaggle to restrict the chance of muggings and extra sinister crimes like sexual assault. You possibly can ebook issues like group excursions and guided day journeys that can assist you keep secure 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.

Is Belize Protected to Take Public Transportation?

Public transportation is comparatively secure 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 inexpensive approach to get round. Be a bit of conscious of pickpocketing, altercations, and bag snatching, however in any other case, this technique of public transportation is secure.

At night time, throw all that out the window. It’s best to keep away from public transportation at night time in any respect prices, because it creates a a lot increased threat for violent crime. Get a registered taxi as an alternative, or keep away from pointless night time journey.

The most secure approach 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 grow to be your subsequent finest good friend. You undoubtedly desire a registered taxi driver, because it affords an additional safety layer. It’s a good suggestion to take a look at the Government Of Canada’s suggestion on public transport.

You may as well hire a automotive and drive round Belize in non-public automobiles comparatively simply. Nonetheless, you must train a excessive diploma of warning at night time, ideally avoiding all nonessential journey after darkish. You must also 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 pay attention to the chance of armed robberies at locations like site visitors lights in city areas or opportunistic crime on distant roads.

Are Medical Services Protected in Belize?

Medical services in Belize are blended. There are two forms of services: private and non-private hospitals. Personal hospitals are usually a greater possibility as they’re higher funded, in order that they have higher medical provides and extra to spend money on adequately educated professionals. Nonetheless, entry to both might be severely restricted, particularly in case 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 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 selected, area of interest kind of remedy or remedy obtainable on speedy 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 Protected? High FAQs

We’ll go away that query as much as you—do you’re feeling assured utilizing all the data above to plan a secure journey? Belize receives nearly a million visitors 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 accountability to your security, and everyone knows some nations make this more difficult than others. Belize is difficult however not unimaginable. We adore it.

Listed below are a number of 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 Degree 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 Degree 3 space (“marked as rethink journey”) however much less clearly marked areas for secure tourism. It is dependent upon the place you intend to journey.

Is Belize or Costa Rica safer?

Costa Rica is marginally safer, as it is just 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 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 may expertise probably the most storms and hurricanes, which might 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 Protected To Journey In?

No, Belize isn’t a historically secure place to go to. Nonetheless, 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 yr are you going?

For these prepared to take water-tight security precautions, Belize vastly rewards your additional efforts. There’s no denying the nation is gorgeous. We’ve a perfect one-week itinerary right here in case you’d like some inspiration.

Keep secure and luxuriate in. One of the best security precaution is data, and we hope you might have a unbelievable time.