Hi I have a good friend who is considering a trip to Belize. She is wondering if it is a safe country for families to vacation. I personally have never heard anything bad about the country, but I figure the expert travelers here would know what the latest good or bad is there. Thanks!

It's been safe for me! Our trip stories and photos are here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections

Thanks so much! I am going to bookmark your trip blog and send it to her!! really appreciate it!

My husband and I travelled to Belize last summer and never felt unsafe. We didn't travel out on our own though. We were picked up at the airport by a driver and each excursion was with a guide. But that wasn't due to safety issues, but for convenience. We found the people to be very friendly and we had a wonderful trip. I would go back in a second and I would definitely bring our kids for a family vacation.

Also, I've pasted my list of safety precautions below from a previous thread (actually, several previous threads).
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Sometimes I travel alone, sometimes with one or more of my kids and/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

No Spanish needed in Belize, though!

I'm a single mom and took my 14 year old with me to Belize. We stayed in Belmopan and San Pedro. The people of Belize are very nice and humble. There were no "call outs" like in the Bahamas. There, the men were a little too friendly and forward. Belize is a very safe country.

Thanks to all who have responded, especially hopefullist's blog link!
My friend read the blog and she is ready to go! They loved Costa Rica and so I think this will be another great adventure trip for them. I appreciate all the safety tips too and will pass them on to my friend. Belize sounds like a destination that hasn't been tainted by the world yet and still has it's own charm. I am thinking this may be a good destination for us in the future!
Thanks again so much!

I would stay out of Belize City (Ladyville), it's a hole. San Pedro, San Ignacio are nice, IMO. I saw many tourist families in the Maya Mountains country (not so many on Ambergris; I think its not beach swimming friendly for kids so much as a diving jump off spot for adults).