Belize is beautiful. We must 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 protected in Belize requires you to transcend the same old “test common journey recommendation and guide primary journey insurance coverage.” The nation has fairly just a few situations of crime, gang violence, and medicines, which may 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. When you take the correct 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 should know.
Is Belize Protected? A Fast Abstract
We all know that not all people has the luxurious of time. When you’re in a rush, take a look at these primary 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 sometimes ends in 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.
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 “pink checklist nation” or “don’t journey” space by the USA , Canada or the UK. As a substitute, it’s extensively suggested to take elevated warning in case you go to Belize.
The US Journey Advisories for Belize recommend that you simply train elevated warning all through the nation, escalating its considerations particularly for Belize Metropolis. It advises that you simply “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 under 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 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 normally has an Train a excessive diploma of warning warning because 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, because 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 basically prevalent right here, and it’s simple to be caught within the crossfire.
The UK journey advisories for Belize echo an nearly an identical 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 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 reasonably nasty mixture of crime scattered all through the nation, significantly in Belize Metropolis, which is vulnerable 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 score has elevated over the previous three years. Crime in Belize is frequent, and sadly, it looks as if it’s going to remain.
The commonest crimes in Belize are:
Dealing of medication
Theft from property, which incorporates accommodations 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 usually function out of vacationer areas, affected areas are shut sufficient to 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. Properly, 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 felony circumstances.
Native authorities and retailers are overrun. Your finest technique of safety from petty crime is superb journey insurance coverage.
On a barely totally different notice, you must just be sure you are sticking to the correct facet of native legal guidelines, like holding an IDP in case you lease a automotive and avoiding any unlawful medication.
Pure Disasters in Belize
Belize has a foul rep in relation to 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 typically experiences flooding and sea stage rises. There’s 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 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 completely.
How To Keep Protected in Belize in Case of Pure Catastrophe
When 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 protected in case of pure disasters. Listed here are just a few ideas you need to use to maintain protected 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 you must guide 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 along with your lodging to see what assist they provide.
2. Know The Space
Do some primary analysis on the world 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. Understanding this format will aid 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
After all, one of the best ways 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 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 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 usually dry, with temperatures between 75 and 90 levels Fahrenheit. Could is the warmest selection, 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 of iffy, with frequent rain regardless of the drop within the threat of hurricanes. Temperatures hover at round 75 to 85 levels Fahrenheit, however you must nonetheless count on a slight chill within the blustery coastal areas. Only some vacationers trouble visiting at the moment of 12 months, because the rain may cause flooding and, normally, 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 sluggish 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 Ideas For Staying Protected in Belize
As talked about, journey insurance coverage alone received’t minimize 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 common rule, you need 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 previous (or lesser-used) playing cards and unfastened money is a good concept. That is largely 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?
You must by no means resist a mugger. So, as an alternative, provide an alternate 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 minimize prices by taking public transport. Belize isn’t one in all 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 relation to issues like night time buses.
3. Depart Your Luxurious Vogue Sense At House
Flashy jewellery and even significantly eye-catching outfits may 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 a substitute, 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. If you’re 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 simple 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 also needs to needless to say 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, normally, 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 Protected for Households?
We’d say that areas like Caye Caulker and Ambergris Cay are protected for households with travel-savvy mother and father. 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 could be a greater vacation to take with older youngsters who you’ll be able to clarify primary 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 of later after you’ve had just a few follow runs.
Ideas:
Take lodging critically when touring as a household, and chorus from scrimping on safety or location.
Select your vacation spot in Belize rigorously, 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. When you’ve had loads of solo journey expertise, you’ll discover it manageable, and there’s an ideal hostel scene for making new associates. Skilled solo vacationers are sometimes much more 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 common rule, Belize is finest skilled in a bunch to restrict the chance 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 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.
Ideas:
Take group excursions the place attainable and keep away from strolling alone at night time.
Select well-located accommodations 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 usually packed however an inexpensive strategy to get round. Be a bit of aware 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. You must 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 strategy 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 undoubtedly need a registered taxi driver, because it gives an additional safety layer. It’s a good suggestion to take a look at the Authorities Of Canada’s suggestion on public transport.
You too can lease a automotive and drive round Belize in personal autos comparatively simply. Nonetheless, you must 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 need to show a type of ID and your Worldwide Driving Allow. Be aware of solely ever utilizing official border crossings and pay attention to the chance 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. Personal hospitals are usually a greater choice as they’re higher funded, so that they have higher medical provides and extra to spend money on adequately educated professionals. Nonetheless, entry to both will be critically 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 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 selected, area of interest kind of treatment or remedy accessible on instant demand. Belize’s finest hospitals are nice for minor accidents, however you probably have a extra major problem, it could be advisable to hunt remedy elsewhere.
Is Belize Protected? Prime FAQs
We’ll depart that query as much as you—do you are feeling assured utilizing all the knowledge above to plan a protected journey? Belize receives practically 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 duty to your security, and everyone knows some nations make this more difficult than others. Belize is difficult however not inconceivable. We find it irresistible.
Listed here are just a few frequent 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 relies on the place you intend to journey.
Is Belize or Costa Rica safer?
Costa Rica is marginally safer, as it’s only marked as Stage 2 by the US Journey Advisory. In distinction, Belize Metropolis is marked as a Stage 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 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 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 Protected To Journey In?
No, Belize isn’t a historically protected 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’ve gotten? 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 additional efforts. There’s no denying the nation is gorgeous. We’ve got a good one-week itinerary right here in case you’d like some inspiration.
Keep protected and revel in. The perfect security precaution is data, and we hope you’ve gotten a incredible time.