stacy_chix

We have four nights booked in the Cayo District this June. will be travelling with our two teenage daughters, both blonde. When I chose Belize it was for the wildlife and the adventure. My family is very outdoorsy and we were looking forward to this trip. I Have since read postings and reports of violence and crime. Sadly, I have gone from so excited about being able to give our daughters an incredible experience before they go off to college, to very nervous. I really need some assurance about travelling into the remote areas of Belize. I want this to be fun, carefree adventure. There are so many other places in the world to visit that I feel like "why put our children in danger?" if we don't have to. As one traveler put it in an earlier post, i don't want to "sleep with my eyes open..." Can anyone who has been to Belize recently confirm or deny these reports? Anyone have an idea for a safe and secure jungle lodge? Too much to hope for?? ;-)

Fra_Diavolo

I think most of the reports of crime concern the road to Caracol, but that increased patrols have improved the situation. The road to Tikal in Guatemala was formerly a another hot spot but it is much safer these days.

We stayed at Chaa Creek two years ago and had no worries about security. From there it is easy to visit the Xunantunich ruins, various caves, hike, canoe, etc. We also did a one day trip to Tikal.

Finish up with a few days near San Pedro on Ambergris and I'm sure they'll enjoy the trip immensely. Note that it will be very hot in June.

stacy_chix

Thank you for your help. We are from Phoenix and used to the heat. Know it will be humid though. Appreciate the info about Ambergris!

hopefulist

We spent about a month of cultural immersion and awesome adventures in Belize with our kids (17, 18, and 20 at the time) in 2003. We loved every place we stayed and everything we did. We're heading back this summer and will share parts of our 3 weeks with our daughter and her husband, one grown son, and my husband's brother's family of 5 - can't wait!!

What remote areas were you planning to visit? Most of the Cayo is well on the beaten track and very safe. We also enjoy ending with some beach time (our family includes divers and fly fishers so blue water is like a magnet) but Ambergris wouldn't be on my list.

If you tell us more about your time frame, budget, and interests, we could advise you better. I often feel that feeling informed and confident is a big part of feeling safe. Our photos and travelogues are here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections

Belize is a GREAT idea - keep us posted!

belizeabeth

For the most part, Belize is still a very safe place to live and visit. Cayo has numerous lodges that are safe, secure and beautiful. I live in Hopkins Village, last year though for my birthday weekend I treated myself to lodging at Black Rock Lodge and loved the beauty and remoteness of it.

I think your daughters will have to face more dangerous realities on their college campuses than anywhere in Belize. Rest assured, Belize is a great choice to spend a family holiday.

If you have any questions about the South, feel free to ask.

flycatcher06

I took both my daughters to the spa at Maruba Jungle Spa and Resort and it was beautiful. I really thought it would be great to go back and spend some time there.

stotz

I just got back from Belize, spent four nights in the Cayo District and felt very safe. The people in Belize were friendly and helpful. We drove ourselves all over the place, including to Caracol (in the convoy, more about this in my upcoming trip report) and was comfortable.
Tikal, Guatemala, which is a common side trip from Belize, is not safe and I do not recommend going there at this time. We went with a private driver, which was fine, but another group that came behind us was robbed by bandits. Don't worry about the Cayo, just stay in a nice place.

hopefulist

Ew - I haven't heard reports about bandit attacks on that stretch of road for many years, too bad. Can you provide more information?

stacy_chix

Thanks to all who took the time to post on this subject. Love hearing about everyone's adventures and will have to stop 'inviting' trouble with too much internet searching. My girls are my world and I just want us all to have a safe and memorable adventure! We are still going. I am feeling so much more excited about the trip too. Will definitely share my experience here when we're back home. Thanks again everyone!

MrShort1

From my personal experience and observations is that it is very safe. Just a few words of advice. Don't volunteer all your travel plans to strangers (although we have got lots of good advice from local guides) don't wear jewelry( your not on a fashion show your on a vacation. My wife and I leave our rings at home and who cares what time it is), everyone has mp3 just don't display it openly as well as expensive accessories( we did use our good digital camera with numerour lenses) and lastly some of the locals we watched are Players who will try to befriend the foreign girls. No doubt these are nice people but don't give them an opportunity to take advantage of the situation and let your girls know this. We just finished a 3 weeks in Guatemala and a week in Caye Caulker.

bze2009

stacy_chix, I could have written your email! I too am planning to visit Belize (in May) and was so excited until I read many reports on the increase in crime in Belize. I am happy to hear that these writers have all had safe, good experiences.

We have are planning to take the bus from Cancun to Bze, has anyone done this and is it safe? Also, as it is our first time visting could anybody please recommend where would be the best places to visit. Many thanks in advance and all suggestions would be appreciated.

stacy_chix

Isn't that sad?? That you and I are having the same nervous feelings about such a great opportunity to see a beautiful, exotic location with our family? Just the times I guess. I hope that the postings here have alleviated some of those concerns for you. I am still hesitant, but do think I would feel that way about anywhere I went with my children in tow. Just me probably. Check out the forum on TripAdvisor.com - lots of thoughtful responses there too.....Happy trails...

hopefulist

bze2009 and stacy - I think being a bit nervous is actually a good thing when you're heading to a developing country with rampant poverty. We love Belize and look forward to our return visit this summer but I think you're much more apt to have a safe, memorable trip if you take into account how very drastically different your time in Central America will be than if you had chosen a US vacation. If you stay at high end, all inclusive places it might not be as different, but if you take the time to explore a bit, do some of your own cooking, and mix with locals on buses and in local restaurants and grocery stores you'll see what I mean. Life is different there and learning that is part of what traveling is all about, especially travel with kids.

It's good to research and talk about the differences before your trip so you'll appreciate them instead of being put off by them once you're on the ground. Talking about safety precautions in advance is good, too. I've posted my standard CA precautions on several threads recently; if you haven't seen them let me know and I'll post them again. Happy trails!

stacy_chix

Sorry don't know what CA precautions you're speaking of. Could you please post them again? I appreciate all your comments.

hopefulist

Here you go:

I'm heading back to CA for my 8th visit this summer, splitting 5-6 weeks between Guatemala and Belize.

Sometimes I travel alone, sometimes with one of my grown kids or my husband, sometimes with a group in tow. I don't feel overly paranoid but have never had a problem and would like to keep it that way.

Here are my concessions to safety when I travel in Central America:
:: I avoid the big cities as much as possible
:: I don't "party"
:: Where recommended I take specific transportation (Hedman Alas in Honduras, for example, or avoiding chicken buses on the mountain runs in Guatemala, taxis after dark)
:: I know where I am and where I'm headed
:: I don't wear jewelry (not even my wedding band) and try not to flash camera equipment or money around
:: Some trips I carry a “throw down wallet” with an expired card or 2 and the day’s cash in it
:: I keep important documents and cash under my clothes (except what I need for shopping, buses, etc. for that time period)
:: I ask locals about safety in an area - evenings, hiking, etc.
:: I travel really light so I don't feel vulnerable getting my bag off and on buses, shuttles, etc.
:: I continue to build skills in Spanish

bze2009

Many thanks hopefulist, that is practical, useful advice that I will take with me. Its nice to hear you talk so positively about CA and Bze.

stacy_chix, I hope these posts have somewhat eased your fears - they have certainly helped mine. I have no doubt that you and your family will have a wonderful trip.

crosscheck

We're headed to Belize next week with two teen boys (one also graduating). Staying at Caves Branch in the jungle, then Placencia. We usually rent a car in Central America, but this time we have opted for a driver. Will post a trip report when we return.

stacy_chix

Will be looking forward to reading about your adventures! Have a wonderful time ;-)

stacy_chix

Hopefulist,
Maya Mountain lodge, Table Rock Jungle Lodge or Chaa Creek? Have you stayed at any of those?

shillmac

Just returned from 4 days at Chaa Creek. It was amazing. Can't compare it to the others, but we were very pleased. It WAS a bit pricier than we would have liked, and a bit more than we thought necessary. Meals, for instance (although breakfast was included). However, they were excellent meals, so there you go. The grounds are lovely. The spa was excellent (the Coma 1.5 hour massage was fabulous, the facial not one of the better ones I've had). The tours were excellent--we did Tikal and Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM). The canoing was a blast (included in the price) and the weather was fabulous (not that Chaa Creek had anything to do with that). The birding--very intense--right there on the property. Will report when we catch our breaths!