A beautiful country covered 60% in lush forests, with 450 offshore islands to explore, deep cave system, beautiful corals, Caribbean coastline, and vibrant culture – is what sums up Belize. In spite of being authentically mesmerizing, Belize has seen a decline in tourism over the years due to its border tensions with Guatemala and rising drug and human trafficking through Belize to Mexico. This has made the country more prone to violence and has led to the birth of numerous gangs, illegal activities, and inter-gang rivalries.
Even then, we cannot entirely discard Belize from being one of the most coveted tourist places with untouched coral reefs, impressive marine life, white sandy beaches, pristine waters, and excellent snorkeling, scuba diving, and other underwater activities. There is also fishing and boating for those who like it more relaxed and laid back. The country is also abuzz with the reflections and imprints of the ancient Mayan civilizations that will have anyone inquisitive about the history, stories, and traditions of the earlier centuries.
More so, the country has a very vibrant and mixed culture of the Latin and the Caribbean that gives the place a unique charm and attracts visitors from all over the world. The country is a famous vacationing spot for backpackers, honeymooners, and dive enthusiasts, who like to take something on the edge and travel with interest. That said, the major problem of the country is the increasing gang fights, even though these fights do not aim to harm any tourists and are confined to only the gang members or a contradicting party but even then the violence in the city is something that alarms the visitors. Pickpocketing and hotel thefts are the only common crimes that are committed against visitors; even then Belize has a bad reputation.
In all, it is safe to travel to Belize provided you take personal charge of your security and are alert. Moreover, a few handful of tips ensure you have a safe and wonderful experience in the beautiful country of Belize.
- Avoid isolated areas
- Be aware of your surrounding even while in the crowds
- Do not go by your own in areas unknown
- Get travel insurance
- Keep all security numbers handy
- Don’t wear a lot of jewelry or flashy items
- Don’t attract unnecessary attention
- Mind your own business
- Always be careful of your belongings
- Avoid going out at odd timings – late nights or early mornings
- Do not get into a fight with locals
- Avoid expressing any political or contradictory views publicly
- Avoid public transportation at night
- Be careful while taking public transportation
- Don’t get involved with drugs
- Stay in the tourists’ parts of the country
In all, LatinOFare would still suggest you read and research more before booking your flight tickets and also consult your travel agent on your decision to visit Belize.
