Belize was Scary!

[h20lvr]

Been to Belize City twice. Went on the Cave Tubing/ATV tour with Yhonni and we also went on a tour to Alta Ha and the Maruba Spa. I have never felt unsafe. (Well only once on the back of the ATV with my husband driving like a mad man ) But then again, I think it's all about what you put out there, just say no thank you, keep walking and ignore them. Go on a tour, have a good time and see the Jungle, it is beautiful. I do not find these tour guys are any scarier then the annoying time share sharks in Mexico. Tourist are a target for crime in every major city and you just have to be street smart. Stay together, don't flash cash or jewelry, don't walk around like you are scared to death or stumble around the streets drunk and you should have a great time!

[Pirate's Cutie]

Been to Belize City twice. Went on the Cave Tubing/ATV tour with Yhonni and we also went on a tour to Alta Ha and the Maruba Spa. I have never felt unsafe. (Well only once on the back of the ATV with my husband driving like a mad man ) But then again, I think it's all about what you put out there, just say no thank you, keep walking and ignore them. Go on a tour, have a good time and see the Jungle, it is beautiful. I do not find these tour guys are any scarier then the annoying time share sharks in Mexico. Tourist are a target for crime in every major city and you just have to be street smart. Stay together, don't flash cash or jewelry, don't walk around like you are scared to death or stumble around the streets drunk and you should have a great time!

 

This is good advice. Street smarts are what's important, not corn fed.

[whaleship1]

I sailed to Belize back in December 2008 on the Norwegian Pearl. I remember leaving the port minding my own business and being aggressively hassled by many taxi/tour operators soliciting me to ride with them. This happens at pretty much all the islands as a cruise ship means revenue and income for these people. However, in Belize this hassling and aggressiveness seemed just as bad from my experiences in Dominica and Roatan. I eventually gave in and did a tour of Belize City, negotiated the price from $40 to $20, wasn't much to see around the city. The taxi driver did take me to see his neighborhood, his family, and his house. His house was pretty rundown and on stilts, many junked cars all around the neighborhood. His family and all the people I met in the neighborhood were very friendly and welcoming. The kids all gathered around and wanted to see the pictures I took on my camera!

 

I didn't have any issues feeling unsafe, I just kept thinking this was what its like being in a third world country. After he drove me back to the port, I again ventured out to the city to take pictures. I just kept using common sense as I walked. When I visit these port of calls I try to see the most of it before returning to the ship!

[crewsweeper]

My sister-in-law and I walked our own self guided tour of Belize City, starting at teh Tourist Village, going over the swing bridge down to St Johns and the Governors House then back over the swing bridge dow Queen Street to the ocean to the lighthouse and except for a few tour operators and horse carriage vendors rigth outside the entrance of the Tourist Village, we were only accosted by this "ferious" dog:D

 

Really everyone we met and spoke with or ask a question of were very friendly and helpful.

I see more rude and dangerous looking people in the local mall than in Belize City.

[jswrpw83]

I stayed in Belize this past summer on a family trip. We travelled quite extensively around the country and while I was fairly nervous from what I'd read before we went, I found it a lovely country with good people. Curious, polite and valued education.

 

I would not recommend walking around any major city (or port) looking like a tourist. Especially not any third world city. (We all know we'll be recognized as tourists but there's such a thing as making yourself a target.) Be smart by booking a reputable tour operator and be respectful. We had a wonderful time and are looking forward to our cruise stop in Belize this April.

 

I agree that the marketplace outside of Dunn's River Falls and Ocho Rios is scary, but found that by not having any purse on obvious display, not making direct eye contact, not engaging in conversation while walking purposefully worked fine. The peddlers usually don't waste time on someone who's not going to be stopping.

 

Awful things happen everywhere - I hope everyone has safe travels and enjoys meeting those raised in other cultures and countries. I'll be diving this trip but others will visit the Belize Zoo.

[hcat]

Apparently some tourists don't feel safe to even get past the aggressive hawkers. It's not fun when you feel as though your purse or wallet are going to be stolen.

 

Ugh--sounds alot like Nassau (gets worse each time-) and Pisa, Italy-- you have to walk the gauntlet of peddlers with their "junky" wares before you get to the Field of Miracles--very aggressive--touching you etc..hated it!!

[marshacher]

AzEileen - How do I contact Major Tom? Looking for a cave tubing trip for 2 grandsons and son-in-law. Thx.

[mom2two2]

We had a positive experience in Belize, it was one of the highlights for us. Now, we did not wander around alone or anything, but I wanted to copy and paste my reply to another post here because I was NERVOUS before we went and I would like to give my opinion to those who feel the same now.

 

Hi!

 

We just did the Lamanai tour a week ago. We sailed with RCCL on Jan 10 and one of our stops was Belize.

 

I was so nervous about this one. I had heard so many bad things. I needed not worry at all.

 

We did book through the ship, simply because of the duration of the excursion, I was nervous we would miss the last tender back otherwise.

 

While Belize does appear to be a poor country, we NEVER felt unsafe on our tour. Edgar was waiting right at the main building when you get off the tender with a sign and he whisked us all right onto an air conditioned coach. We rode for about an hour, through small villages etc. He did a great job telling us all about his country and pointing things out. He also handed out bottled water for us.

 

We got off the bus at a "station" on the river, there was a chance to stop and use the washroom and some small souveniers were for sale as well. We then boarded a little boat, piloted by Nate. Edgar accompanied us as well. Nate was just as great, slowing to see crocs and telling us about the birds and river and local area. We got off the boat at the Lamanai Reserve where women were waiting with a really nice lunch and drinks. We then were able to hike the ruins. Nate had so much information, he knew his stuff. It was something that I am so glad we did, despite the length of the journey. You should go.

 

I have heard not to wander around Belize City alone but honestly, we felt 100% safe on the guided tour. I would hate to think that we may have missed this.

 

Just my opinion....

[Jabee]

I grew up in Jackson, MS....#9 on the 2009 Crime Rate

I live 45 miles from Birmingham, AL....#7

and I am crusing from New Orleans, LA...#6

 

and i am supposed to be nervouse about Belize?

 

I did a Pyramid tour there on the NCL Sun from New Orleans,

and had a wonderful time. I am sure this trip will be nice also.

[diane.in.ny]

So my husband and I have decided to stay on the ship for Belize but daughter and sis-in-law want to take a Carnival excursion to the zoo. Should I be concerned about their safety and is it even worth it?

 

It's been a bunch of years since I've been to Belize but, at that time, the zoo was NOT worth it. I would suggest doing some checking before sending time and money on this tour.

[Tes_]

Last year we stopped there with NCL and did the cave tubing/zip lining with Major Tom.

 

On the hour drive out to the tubing location, we saw a lot of the place and it was indeed scary, even from the bus. There was just a different feeling about Belize that felt dangerous for a visitor. Unsubstantiated I know, but true for me none-the-less.

 

I will say though, that Major Tom's crew made us feel safe. It was a hardy group of young men that obviously knew what was going on and were ready to deal with a bunch of visitors and keep people away from us. I think what Major Tom was saying in his letter wasn't that he could prevent someone with a gun, but that his reputation there has earned him a respect that means his tours won't be threatened with guns in the first place.

 

Don't let the fear keep you from a respectable cruise tour. There is still great beauty and adventure to experience there. The zip lining was a blast and the cave tubing would have been great if we weren't literally getting dragged over the rocks due to the low water levels.

 

DH and I are going back this year and we haven't decided yet what we'll do, but I'm looking at that reputable snorkeling tour.

[Shep_Proudfoot]

It's been a bunch of years since I've been to Belize but, at that time, the zoo was NOT worth it. I would suggest doing some checking before sending time and money on this tour.

 

Personally, I liked the zoo. Belize has an amazing collection of native species for a country its size. It wouldn't totally be worth it on its own, but as a stop on what was mostly a boating tour up the Olde Belize River it was fine.

[elliebird]

What island did u visit? We have an excursion booked thru coral breezes where we go to caye caulker & 1/2 of us then go deep sea fishing and the other 1/2 go snorkeling to coral gardens and stingray alley. Is that what u did?

 

Went to Caye Caulker to beach and not snorkel with the group.

Big mistake on my part. There is NO beach there. It is a small, laid back island that some folks go for vacation but the only snorkeling is off the reef which you have to get to by boat.

[Chicken_Girl_Seattle]

Just returned from Belize and walked around for a few hours, ignored the people trying to get me to purchase their items. That pretty much happens everywhere. We stayed near the shopping, got a drink, ate a burrito, bought a few trinkets and went back to ship. I was more scared in Jamica leaving the Dunn Rivers falls, when they saw money they attacked my husband. I ran out and my husband ended up in a fist fight with 4 Jamicans. I ran back to my tour operators bus. Belize was Just as scarry as walking or driving in a bad neighborhood in th US. We :eek:Still had a little fun people watching.

 

I completely agree with you!! I actually felt safer in Belize than I ever have in Jamacia, and I was there weekly when I worked for HAL. Belize is just poor and with any city/country there are bad areas. So there's some trash big deal; at least I felt safe in Belize;

[Licarias]

I have to post in defense of Belize in this Thread.

 

My wife and I, while being Cruise newcomers, have traveled and worked extensively in Central America. From Belize City, to Belmopan, to Dandriga, I have never had a bad experience there. Are people desperate for your business? Yes, you would be too. Are they dangerous? In 99.9% of cases, no. Belize has too much invested in keeping the Cruise lines pulling in to have it ruined by petty crime and scam artists, and their policies reflect that.

 

I am being 100% honest, I would be more worried about being pick pocketed or scammed in Cancun or Cozumel than Belize because commercialism is so much more present there. Thieves go where the money is.

 

Just my 2 cents :)

[cruzwpj]

We took a tour to the monkey reserve. A very long drive to get there and it was kind of a joke. Yes we saw some monkeys and got some good pics but if I had to rate it from 1-10 it would be a 2-3. I would not recommend it.