Belize--what's the real story now?
 

Having visited Belize back when it was innocent British Hondurus, and once since it became Belize, I now hear all kinds of report of crack and crack-related problems and crime and danger. How seriously should I take this? I'm wanting to take family (2 teen boys included) back to this fascinating country unless truly dangerous.

Dee: Though I have heard only good things from people who went to Belize, I suggest you post this on the "Latin America" site and also do a search there as Belize is quite frequently mentioned.

I can tell you that a couple of years ago, 2 female coworkers were viciously assaulted in their 'locked' hotel room, and had to be airlifted back to the States for surgery, therapy, and rehabilitation.

Hi dee,

I also suggest going to the other forum.

From what I have heard, however, I woould not go to Belize.

I have a friend who went there and had to go to the doctor for getting bitten by fleas in the sand, but YIKES, Travelnut, your story take the cake!! I was only there a few hours as it was a stop on a cruise ship and I had no problems w/crime or fleas. Maybe that's the best way to see Belize, just as a port of call.

Two different sets of friends, both extremely hardy travelers, have warned me away from Belize, particularly Belize City.

Thanks,all, for your responses (and for reminding me -- duh -- that I was, afterall, in the Europe section). I posted also in the Latin American section so we'll see, but I'm rather shocked at what I'm hearing here. I will add that I wasn't expecting -- and for me, wouldn't want -- all inclusive resort luxury and security but rather the wildness of the undeveloped that first drew me to it. Been to Guatemala back when we were constantly being ordered off buses for inspection by young military with machine guns. (Ah, the immortal innocent days.) But are the outlying areas at least safe -- like Punta Gorda, Cayo? Belize City always was rough as hell, even back before drugs, like something from a cowboy movie, saloons and all.

dee,
I wouldn't give up completely on Belize.
Ambergris Caye is very nice, laid-back, and safe, with great scuba-diving.

My family and I went to Belize City last November on a Caribbean cruise. The tenders take passengers to the tourism village, which has shopping and a couple of cafes. After looking around, we decided to venture outside the tourism village. We were in for a real shock. There were very seedy looking characters offering tours and didn't want to take no for an answer. They just continued to walk next to us trying to sell their services. My 15 year old son kept saying, "Just don't make eye contact and keep walking."

The area is very run down. The last remnants of British colonism were in sorry shape. We saw some goverment offices, and they looked so nasty one would think they were abandoned except for the parked cars and people coming and going. Even the Radisson looked shabby from the outside.

We finally went back to the tourism village and booked a trip to the Mayan ruin Altun Ha with one of the tour operators there. We thoroughly enjoyed seeing the ruins, although our first choice was cave tubing, but that was cancelled due to flooding from rain.

I have never experience mosquitos like those in Belize. Since I'm very allergic, I doused myself with repellent, and that was not good enough. In total, I got 18 bites. I even had bites on my back, even though I had a shirt on that was not loose enough from them to crawl under.

So if you decide to go, please use caution.

I visited there with a journalist friends many years ago, and had a horrific experience akin to travelnut's coworker friends.
I will NEVER return to that country.

Other friends visited and had a decent trip.
I think the Latin America forum is the place to learn more.

I was in Ambergris Caye in Feb. with a friend, and we felt very safe (even walking around at night). On the day we were leaving, we hired a guide to pick us up at the airport and take us to the ruins and zoo. If I can find his card, I'll email his info to you. He was a licensed tour guide, and was very knowledgeable.

We (two 60-ish ladies) were in Placencia and San Ignacio in July . . . both places felt extremely safe. We flew from BC to Placencia and then took the buses from Placencia to SI, we had no problems. This was the first 6 days of 18 in Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador. We had a fantastic time!

I typed up my travelog and would be happy to send it to you if you want, email me at [email protected].

Please don't let people scare you off of visiting Belize.

Buen viaje,
Sandy (in Denton)

It's interesting that this question gets a much more positive spin in the responses on the Latin America board.