Is Belize safe? Opinions Please.

[Carnival_Fan]

All comments appreciated.

[cruiserssandr]

I felt safe there but you do need to get out of the port area to really appreciate the island.

[Winnterpeg]

Just got back from Belize on the NCL Dream. All of the shops along the pier are nice with tons to offer...and safe too. You can also go past the security area (don't worry you'll see it) for even BETTER deals on T shirts and other goodies. There's also a few great places to sit and have a margairita while you listen to great music. Dan

[tomko2]

My DH went on a horseride excursion while we were in Belize. I got bored with the shops at the pier and wanted to explore some of the city. There was a large security guard walking the perimeter behind the shops with a large dog which made me a concerned about wandering around town by myself. So I went to the taxi stand and talked to a few drivers; they offered tours of the town but I wanted to walk and got one of the female drivers to give me a walking tour. It was terrific. This young lady was very pleasant and pointed out the various places and explained their importance in Belize, e.g. the library, school and post office. It was a thoroughly enjoyable tour. My tour guide kept the vendors from pestering me and provided me with her personal insight to life in Belize.

[mikvie]

I felt safe there but you do need to get out of the port area to really appreciate the island.

Belize is a country, not an island.

[Zeno]

As long as you use common sense - yes it is safe. Belize City is not some where I am completely comfortable wandering around on my own BUT the area near the port is quite safe. Caye Caulker is fine to got to on your own. (You can get boats that go there where the tenders dock. If you are on an escorted tour of the city (like one person described) you will be fine. Also there are many interesting excursions available at this port (Mayan ruins, nature stuff etc). You will be fine if you take one of those. We did the Lamanai ruins on our first stop in Belize and loved the tour - it gave us a chance to see an interesting ruin and the countryside. Whatever you decide to do - don't stay on board the ship - Belize is an interesting port with a lot of possible things to do. If you are really nervous - just take one of the cruiseline's excursions.

[ob1rn]

In one word, NO! Don't get suckered in to Cucumber Beach. It is the biggest dump I have ever seen. The people of Belize in my experience were aggressive- I did not feel safe. Book an excursion through the cruiseline or don't get off the boat.

[mikvie]

I felt very safe in Belize. It is a beautiful country and the people were very friendly. It would be a real shame to stay on the ship and miss an opportunity to meet and learn about Belize and its people.

[Brownknee]

Before going to Belize earlier this month I did some investigating and found that Belize is not really that safe. There are many reports of tourists being robbed by bandits and also s** crimes against women. (Belizean women are also victims of these crimes.) Many of these crimes take place when in the company of a tour guide. There are reports of tour vans being pulled over and the tourists being striped of all their jewelry, watches, and money. Some of what I read made me wonder if some of these tour guides were involved in these scams. So what can you do..........

As this was our first trip to Belize we booked our shore excursion through our cruise ship. If you book an excursion on your own make sure it is with a reputable company. Research it on the internet and use recommendations from people on a message board such as this one or tripadvisors. Another precaution we took was taking off all our jewelry (including our wedding rings) and left them in the safe of our stateroom. Only took enough money to get us through our day. If you take the above precautions their is really no reason to worry. Shopping in the pier area is safe. If you venture off on your own just be aware of your surroundings and dont go in areas that make you feel uncomfortable. I loved Belize and hope to go back some day

[Brownknee]

Before going to Belize earlier this month I did some investigating and found that Belize is not really that safe. There are many reports of tourists being robbed by bandits and also s** crimes against women. (Belizean women are also victims of these crimes.) Many of these crimes take place when in the company of a tour guide. There are reports of tour vans being pulled over and the tourists being striped of all their jewelry, watches, and money. Some of what I read made me wonder if some of these tour guides were involved in these scams. So what can you do..........

As this was our first trip to Belize we booked our shore excursion through our cruise ship. If you book an excursion on your own make sure it is with a reputable company. Research it on the internet and use recommendations from people on a message board such as this one or tripadvisors. Another precaution we took was taking off all our jewelry (including our wedding rings) and left them in the safe of our stateroom. Only took enough money to get us through our day. If you take the above precautions their is really no reason to worry. Shopping in the pier area is safe. If you venture off on your own just be aware of your surroundings and dont go in areas that make you feel uncomfortable. I loved Belize and hope to go back some day

[sharecruises]

From everything I have read the pier area/tourist village is fine. Most of the guides seem ok. But there is a "logistics" problem in Belize.

 

Due to the reef, you really have to tender far out, 20 minute tender ride in...

and if you plan a beach day there is NO easily available beach from the pier.

 

Cucumber beach gets rotten reviews. This is just not a port where you can jump off and grab a quick safe cab to a beach. You have to get to a ferry, not a real pleasant walk, outside the tourist village, bothered by locals...then get a ferry that takes over an hour....you are backtracking

 

For water tours/sports it seems much better, and not much more expensive to take a ship tour : the tenders leave right from the ship and go direct to the cayes etc...you save time, effort

 

Tendering time cuts your trip really short...and ship tours do get priority

 

There is a good new review of the Miracle...where a lady had a good time but almost missed the ship due to a private tour.....the roads are bumpy, the sights worth seeing are a good distance from Belize City (which is shabby and unsafe by most accounts)....pretty scary to think of missing the ship! One of the vans they were in had a flat...at least with a ship tour they are on radios/or cell phones and can quickly get help, a new van, or let ship know

 

 

SHORT excursions on your own may be ok....ie, the "cave tubing" that people seem to like and push....the shorter tour of the Altun Ha ruins, or a zoo tour.....

 

but IF you want to do a "combo" tour, river and ruins...or the other ruins that are further off....or whatever...you really should consider a ship tour. The horseback riding thru smugger's run seems ok too

 

I would really suggest to avoid a place called Maruba spa...a fellow cc member was hurt badly there by their pet monkey and they are not helping her at all. Remember there is little recourse on ANY tour if you get hurt, even a ship tour is not "liable" ...but supposedly the ship will wait for you or in worse case reimburse your cost to get yourself to next port

 

Really take a look at the logistics and read some reviews of recent cruisers.

 

I think we all will be fine in Belize if we do our homework and use common sense and logic. We just need to remember this is not an "easy" port like Grand Cayman (I went all alone around there, felt like I was in Boca Raton LOL)...it is not an "easy" port like the Bahamas where you can walk to a lot of stuff or take a really quick taxi to a beach etc....

 

Belize seems to be a beautiful eco friendly country...but the port where we take a long tender into has NO good beachs, nothing much of interest right in the city....

 

I have read where the country of Belize IS in negotiations with ? Carnival I think to build a new man made port, like Turks/Caicos or Costa Maya....a 'created port" closer to cayes, ruins, stuff of interest...I think eventually that might be a better deal....I hear once you get out of the city the people are nice...

 

however at this point you are really tendering into a pretty run down, poor area with a lot of crime and not much interesting to see or do. People who advise others to merrily go into the city and get your own transport, backtrack, to beaches etc seem really unaware of the logistics needed here

 

It is hard to find info....I want to ONLY do the altun ha tour, not the river wallace...but can't find reviews for it?? I am leaning towards the ship tour, get off quicker, or toward the coral breeze tour.

 

Any info on altun ha much appreciated (more info on the caves not appreciated LOL>>> I have zero interest in them)

 

all of above is JMO combined with "research" by reading reviews <grin>

[LHP]

Inside the fence...VERY SAFE.

 

Outside the fence, I would only go with a tour (independent or ship)

 

Outside the fence and a long distance from the pier, I would only go with a ship excursion. (roads and equipment can both be questionable at times and the ship will wait for you if you are on a ship tour~~at least that is what they say)

 

Cave tubing seems to be the thing to do, followed closely by zip lining.

 

I believe the ruins are to far away to do comfortably with an independent tour and I have read many reviews that the history was nice but the visual ruins were a disappointment.

[sharecruises]

Inside the fence...VERY SAFE.

 

Outside the fence, I would only go with a tour (independent or ship)

 

Outside the fence and a long distance from the pier, I would only go with a ship excursion. (roads and equipment can both be questionable at times and the ship will wait for you if you are on a ship tour~~at least that is what they say)

 

Cave tubing seems to be the thing to do, followed closely by zip lining.

 

I believe the ruins are to far away to do comfortably with an independent tour and I have read many reviews that the history was nice but the visual ruins were a disappointment.

 

I agree about the longer tours....ship tour sounds safer.

 

I have heard good reviews of the Altun Ha ruins, they have a lot more buildings and are bigger than the ruins in Costa Maya. Costa Maya has only 3 excavated buildings and the "good tour" guides who give a good (but long) lecture....

 

I know you can climb at least one of the temples at Altun Ha

 

The river wallace part gets mixed reviews...some new ones say it is too hot etc....and if it rains, not pleasant. It is an open boat...and I don't like the idea of it, we go boating a lot and I think it sounds pretty boring and maybe too hot and tiresome

 

After reading about that bus that was attacked by muggers in Costa Rica....an ex marine, 70 years old killed the mugger, broke his neck ! that really does make one think...ouch

 

Safety in numbers...in a tour.....with a ship tour or a well known agency. I really wonder if the driver was "IN" on the mugging there in Costa Rica??

[bobobeagle]

I agree that you should go with the ship excursion. I have been on 6 cruises and this is the only port that I would not ventur out on my own. Last year we left the port and walked into town to a park which was filled with homeless people. There is also a lot of trash even near the Embassays. The port is surrounded by locked gates and barbed wire. There was a sign that you are leaving rhe aear at your own risk.

[dizneefreak28]

We were in Belize last June and had a great time! I felt very safe. We booked a horseback riding excursion through Smuggler's Run Plantation. We had such a great time. Trevor, our tour guide, took us through she city and gave us a tour. I have felt less safe the times we've gone to Nassau then I did in Belize. We are going there again in August and plan on booking Smuggler's Run for a tour of the ruins.

[sharecruises]

We were in Belize last June and had a great time! I felt very safe. We booked a horseback riding excursion through Smuggler's Run Plantation. We had such a great time. Trevor, our tour guide, took us through she city and gave us a tour. I have felt less safe the times we've gone to Nassau then I did in Belize. We are going there again in August and plan on booking Smuggler's Run for a tour of the ruins.

 

That is good to hear...please share your Smuggler's Run info?

which lunch did you have? I think Jim and I will each try one and share..they sound yummy

 

I am really thrilled that I have gotten hold of Trevor and will go with them to the Altun Ha ruins (via city), followed by their plantation for lunch and photo ops LOL>> they seem so nice and it seems the best way to see Belize is with a good private tour

 

Nacho and Cynthia get good reviews on cave tubing too

 

LHP met up with a nice gentleman named Gilly...he would be another good option

 

we need to share more info about GOOD private guides here..this is just not a place to rent a moped or a car and take off on your own

 

some of the latest ship excursion reviews to the ruins were NOT happy as the operators take them to a pretty crummy smelly "resort", not sure of the name of it..but not appealing

 

I am so delighted about Smugglers Run, I finally feel "good" about Belize again

 

I think the worst thing to do in Belize is to just walk off the tender and try to walk around the city yourself...it is just not that safe and really not interesting. There are some rough neighborhoods in any US city that tourists should stay out of ...this seems much the same

 

The beauty of Belize is outside of Belize City it seems...I get happy looking at the pics of the countryside, of Smugglers run, the ruins....

 

the pictures of the city??ummmmm....not thrilling

[wrinklesandme]

Sharecruises,

 

For someone who has not been to Belize yet, you sure have a lot of advice.

 

I've been twice and can't wait to go back. First time, we had to visit a dentist and we were dropped off in town. (long story, happy ending.) We could see the ship from where we were and decided to walk back. Since we were on the main street, we felt very safe.

 

It was interesting to walk into the local markets and stores. We enjoyed chatting with some of the locals and getting more information on the city. We were referred to a great restaurant for lunch. Wonderful food and company.

 

Yes, we were approached and asked to buy various items. We politely said no and went on our way. My kids, then 10 and 12, were excited to see the Swing Bridge that we had seen on TV beforehand.

 

As in any country, I would not go down a back alley or a side street that looked questionable. Heck, I live outside of Washington, DC and there are a lot of places I avoid there. But, I still go and visit the main sites.

 

We all need to remember that even though we are on vacation, our "radar" should not be on vacation too.

 

Belize and Belize City are lovely places. But, like anywhere, be aware of your surroundings and enjoy!

[Brownknee]

Wrinklesandme,

I agree with your post. Travelers just need to be aware of their surroundings and take necessary precautions. Once you have done that you need to enjoy yourself. Belize is a beautiful country.

 

Also I wanted to say to Sharecruise that I did not read the post on the cruise sponsored shore excursion to the ruins that got bad reviews. I can report though that on February 1st I took a cruise sponsored shore excursion to the Xunatunich ruins. This was an all day excursion which included lunch. The entire day was first class and we were taken to a resort called "Windy Hill" for lunch. It was a beautiful setting. If you would like more info on this you can google Xunatunich or look on another thread named "The Castle". I was happy we had booked through the ship as out tour got a late start as being tendered off the ship took a little longer that morning. We got back late but Carnival held the boat for us as promised.

[sharecruises]

Sharecruises,

 

For someone who has not been to Belize yet, you sure have a lot of advice.

 

I've been twice and can't wait to go back. First time, we had to visit a dentist and we were dropped off in town. (long story, happy ending.) We could see the ship from where we were and decided to walk back. Since we were on the main street, we felt very safe.

 

It was interesting to walk into the local markets and stores. We enjoyed chatting with some of the locals and getting more information on the city. We were referred to a great restaurant for lunch. Wonderful food and company.

 

Yes, we were approached and asked to buy various items. We politely said no and went on our way. My kids, then 10 and 12, were excited to see the Swing Bridge that we had seen on TV beforehand.

 

As in any country, I would not go down a back alley or a side street that looked questionable. Heck, I live outside of Washington, DC and there are a lot of places I avoid there. But, I still go and visit the main sites.

 

We all need to remember that even though we are on vacation, our "radar" should not be on vacation too.

 

Belize and Belize City are lovely places. But, like anywhere, be aware of your surroundings and enjoy!

 

Yes, I "know" a lot because I read reviews and correspond with recent visitors...

 

I am curious...IF you and your family had been attacked by armed muggers like the group were attacked in Belize....what good would your "radar" have done ?

Unless you are an ex marine or travel with one ? <wink>?

 

Maybe your expectations of a tour are different from mine...

while you were lucky and felt safe, walking around a rather run down city is not my idea of a nice tour

 

I think most opinions of Belize City agree...on other travel sights too.

Belize itself has spectacular reefs, ruins, jungles, and wildlife ..

but Belize City is just not a tourist mecca

 

 

 

[sharecruises]

Wrinklesandme,

I agree with your post. Travelers just need to be aware of their surroundings and take necessary precautions. Once you have done that you need to enjoy yourself. Belize is a beautiful country.

 

Also I wanted to say to Sharecruise that I did not read the post on the cruise sponsored shore excursion to the ruins that got bad reviews. I can report though that on February 1st I took a cruise sponsored shore excursion to the Xunatunich ruins. This was an all day excursion which included lunch. The entire day was first class and we were taken to a resort called "Windy Hill" for lunch. It was a beautiful setting. If you would like more info on this you can google Xunatunich or look on another thread named "The Castle". I was happy we had booked through the ship as out tour got a late start as being tendered off the ship took a little longer that morning. We got back late but Carnival held the boat for us as promised.

 

I am glad your excursion was good, I would book with Carnival for the longer ruin trips...they apparently do not offer Lamainai any longer thru the ship tho?

 

Excursions are really just locals who contract to the ships....the ships jack up the prices and they also take money from the local operator

sadly some of these excursions change over time

 

I have read many positive reviews of the River Wallace/Altun Ha tour...but the RECENT REVIEWS were not happy with the "tourist trap" part of the trip tho they liked the ruins...

 

seems they are taken to a really dumpy "resort" and did not enjoy it...probably the tour operator gets a big kick back from the resort

 

I think the private excursion with Trevor of Smugglers Run sounds a heck of a lot better IMHO

 

here are some recent opinions of the Carnival excursion in feb

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=9191425&postcount=65

 

From Altun Ha we got back on the bus for the ride to the boat ( the other group was arriving at Altun Ha from the bus from the boats as we left). There was little info on this part of the ride so we napped on the bus. Sadly, this is where we should have stopped our excursion. The boats were docked at this quaint little Belize resort. Where we were obligate to spend 45 minutes doing, um, nothing. There was a little homey restaurant where we paid $6 USD for an icecream sandwich. And the place reeked. It smelled like a chicken coop gone wrong and was nauseating. There were some outdoor chairs around a teeny pool, which was green. There were some vendors selling (and sampling) local wines, more trinkets and hot sauces. The hot sauces were the exact same ones we found later at the pier and much cheaper at the pier.

Finally Melanie rounded us up to load the boats. The boat was a speed boat with no seat cushions (the other boat did have cushions). We were packed in like sardines and Melanie ( a fluffy person) had to stand. Every time she moved, the boat shifted... a lot! We were missing one person, whose wife was kind enough to share LOUDLY with everyone that he was in the bathroom. Not sure how much he ate, but we waited for him for quite a while. His wife went back and forth twice to tell him to hurry up, and when he finally arrived at the boat Melanie tried to make him feel guilty. Why bother - if he had cared about making us wait he would have come out the first time the wife went to get him.

The boat ride is torturous. Painful. Uncomfortable. Melanie was pointing out some howler monkeys in the trees with a mirror, and then finally we picked up speed. Thank god. All of a sudden we come to a screeching halt, spinning the boat around. Mirror lady is shining in the trees, directing the driver closer and closer to land - "there, there - do you see?" Cameras were out, poised - "what, what?". Umm. It was a dead tree. Covered in sleeping bats. Alrighty then.

We picked up speed and then all of a sudden, someone points and we come to a halt. Was it an alligator? WHo knows? WHo cares? Our a$$es hurt and people are starting to ask how much longer we have.

After what seems like hell, literally, we arrive back at the pier. FOr the first time ever, we did not tip a tour guide. We were really pi$$ed off about the little kickback break at the boat area and I think she would have gotten thrown overboard if she had stopped to point out one more thing. It's a shame because the Altun Ha part was great. If we had known how painful the boat would be, we would have done the Altun Ha and city tour instead.

 

 

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=9255923&postcount=131

 

The thing that bothered me about the rest stop more than the smell was that it wasn't mentioned anywhere in anything that I had read, so we were not expecting to spend almost an hour doing nothing. I don't do well with boredom and hadn't brought along a book or anything to entertain myself. We weren't hungry and there really wasn't anything to do there if you weren't eating. I am prone to odor-induced migraines so I may be a little more sensitive than others, but it was unappetizing and didn't smell like grease to me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=9258324&postcount=133

 

We took this same tour four years ago. Sounds like this "little place" has not changed much, if at all. We were fortunate that we did the river part first. We went in March and it was really hot in the afternoon at the ruins. I agree that some mention re this stop should be included in the description of the excursion.

[dizneefreak28]

Sharecruises:

 

Our Smuggler's Run excursion was awesome. Cathy, Trevor's wife, made a homemade lunch. We had chicken, rice in coconut milk, fresh plantains, fresh key lime juice and homemade key lime pie. The food was delicious! It was just my brother, myself and Trevor and Cathy. They told us all about the history of Belize and gave us a tour of the plantation. Which is beautiful! I have pictures if you would like me to e-mail you some. And they were right there waiting when we stepped off the tender....and made sure we got back to the inside area of the port safely. I can't say enough good things about them! And I loved seeing Belize....I think it is a beautiful place.

[sharecruises]

Sharecruises:

 

Our Smuggler's Run excursion was awesome. Cathy, Trevor's wife, made a homemade lunch. We had chicken, rice in coconut milk, fresh plantains, fresh key lime juice and homemade key lime pie. The food was delicious! It was just my brother, myself and Trevor and Cathy. They told us all about the history of Belize and gave us a tour of the plantation. Which is beautiful! I have pictures if you would like me to e-mail you some. And they were right there waiting when we stepped off the tender....and made sure we got back to the inside area of the port safely. I can't say enough good things about them! And I loved seeing Belize....I think it is a beautiful place.

 

Thanks a bunch :)

 

Do tell about the plantation...it looks really nice, what sort of animals did you see? Some people saw their new foals ....wow

 

Yes, please give link or send pics to sharecruises@aol.com

 

The pictures look very beautiful ..thanks again!

[Brownknee]

Sharecruise,

 

Thanks for sharing the post on the Altun Ha Ruin. I had not seen it. That's what is great about these boards is that we can all share our opinion whether good or bad.

 

Like you, before my visit to Belize I also did my homework.

 

Where I agree with wrinklesand me is when he said, "Even when your on vacation your radar should not be". Many criminals look for a weak victim or someone who is off in a less populated area or off by themselves. I was in Aruba when Natalie Holloway went missing ( a reputable safe place until this incident). If you do your homework and are aware (have your radar on) of your surroundings you are helping yourself to not become a victim.

 

Taking precautions is another way. In doing my homework I found out that in Belize the most popular crime against tourists is being robbed. There are accounts of tour buses being pulled over at gunpoint. Interestingly many of these "Bandits" come over the border from Guatemala. The excursion we went on was near this border. We left all our jewelry in the safe of our stateroom. This way if we were to be robbed we would not lose our sentimental and valuable jewelry. There isn't always a retired 70 year old ex marine around!

 

I felt very safe in Belize and also in Aruba as well as Nassau. The only risk I took in Belize was climbing "the Castle at Xunatunich"! LOL

[wrinklesandme]

Hmm,

 

Crime can and does happen anywhere. My parents were mugged right in front of the Plaza Hotel in NYC! (And they are savvy world travelers with countless cruises and several visits to just about every continent.) No, you can not stop it all, but, keeping the radar up and not going into questionable places is the smart way to travel.

 

Don't want to get into a debate on all of this. I just don't like the idea of people writing about what they have not personally experienced. But, again, experience and perception are different too.

 

My experience in Belize City both times was very postitive. I'd hate for someone to not get off the ship because of somone elses negative perception.

 

I majored in Travel/Tourism and I guess I just have a completely different idea about travel. I really want to see this world we live in, warts and all. Isn't that what makes every place different and special?

 

My point is that there is good and bad about every city in this world, so just be aware of the bad and try to enjoy the good.

 

Enjoy!

[sharecruises]

Hmm,

 

Crime can and does happen anywhere. My parents were mugged right in front of the Plaza Hotel in NYC! (And they are savvy world travelers with countless cruises and several visits to just about every continent.) No, you can not stop it all, but, keeping the radar up and not going into questionable places is the smart way to travel.

 

Don't want to get into a debate on all of this. I just don't like the idea of people writing about what they have not personally experienced. But, again, experience and perception are different too.

 

My experience in Belize City both times was very postitive. I'd hate for someone to not get off the ship because of somone elses negative perception.

 

I majored in Travel/Tourism and I guess I just have a completely different idea about travel. I really want to see this world we live in, warts and all. Isn't that what makes every place different and special?

 

My point is that there is good and bad about every city in this world, so just be aware of the bad and try to enjoy the good.

 

Enjoy!

 

??? I NEVER ever said to stay on the ship....just that posts about "radar" and "dont go to questionable areas" are pretty meaningless when from many accounts the area outside the "fence" etc is pretty questionable, especially beyond the flea market area

 

I do question the "advice" some here give to just go out on your own and walk to the marina, get a ferry to the cayes etc....not only would it waste a lot of time, it is not even that much cheaper...and the walk to the marina can be dicey, miss the ship etc...

 

 

IMHO reading a lot of reviews, current reviews, asking questions, doing searches and reading other tourist /review sites can produce valid info.

 

If you read many reviews that say the same thing, why try to argue with it??

 

Belize seems to have many beautiful areas, cave tubing, ruins, eco adventures, cayes, snorkeling/diving at the reef etc....but the PORT CITY, Belize City does not get good reviews and it is pointless to say "radar"...just as it would be pointless to say that about various areas of many USA Cities...