Safety in Belize

In the tourist towns. San Ignacio and Caye Caulker are calm places. Locals are used to foreigners and friendly with them, provided you behave decently and pick no fights.
Belize City. The city has a mixed reputation, particularly the south side after dark. Do not linger, and move between terminals in official taxis during daylight.
Theft and scams. Petty theft happens, so never leave valuables unattended on a beach. Stay alert in market crowds and ignore pushy street helpers offering dubious goods or services.
Nature. The sun at this latitude is brutal and serious burns happen even under cloud. Hiking in the jungle, use strong repellent and closed shoes against insects and snakes.
In the water. Snorkelling on the open reef, follow your guide's instructions exactly. Currents can carry even a strong swimmer away from the boat quickly, so never skip the life jacket for the sake of a photo.
Police and help. Law enforcement can be slow, but tourist areas have dedicated patrols. Carry a copy of your documents and leave the passport and main funds in the hotel safe.
Advisories. Check your own government's travel advice before booking, and make sure your insurance covers diving and caving if those are on the itinerary.

Belize is Central America's only English-speaking country, with a barrier reef and Maya ruins. The tourist areas function, but violent crime in the country is high.

Belize City. A high-crime city, especially the south side. A tourist has no business there beyond transit. Nobody walks.

San Pedro and Caye Caulker. Island destinations and markedly calmer. The main complaints are theft from beaches and rooms.

Taxis. Licensed ones with green plates only. Agree the price in advance.

Excursions. Diving the Blue Hole, the ruins of Caracol, the ATM cave. Operators are many and quality varies. Check licence and insurance, diving and cave tours especially.

Currency. The Belize dollar is pegged to the US dollar at two to one. US dollars are accepted everywhere.

Drugs. Cannabis is decriminalised up to 10 grams on private property, but selling and possessing larger amounts are illegal. Belize is a transit country and screening is strict.

Weapons and ammunition. Importing them is a criminal matter.

Drones. Permission is required.

Maya antiquities. Exporting artefacts is a criminal offence. The ATM cave (Actun Tunichil Muknal) is closed to photography after a tourist damaged a skull with a dropped camera. The rule is strictly enforced.

Marine reserve. The barrier reef is a UNESCO site. Collecting coral and shells is prohibited, and lobster and conch are seasonal.

States of emergency. Declared in parts of Belize City over gang activity.

Hurricanes. The season runs June to November.

Roads. Nobody drives between towns at night.

Vaccinations. None mandatory; a yellow fever certificate is required from arrivals out of endemic countries. Hepatitis A and typhoid are advised.

Malaria. Minimal risk, mainly in remote southern areas.

Dengue. Present year-round.

Water. Treated in tourist areas and San Pedro, but visitors are better off with bottled.

Diving. The Blue Hole is a deep dive requiring experience and certification. A hyperbaric chamber is available in San Pedro, which matters.

Caves. Cave tours and cave tubing require a licensed operator: rising water in caves after rain is dangerous.

The sea. Reefs, fire coral and rays. Swim shoes are needed.

Healthcare. Belize City has private clinics. Anything serious means evacuation to the US or Mexico. Insurance is needed.

Emergency number is 911.

Belize has one of the region's highest homicide rates, but the violence is concentrated in Belize City and gang-related.

Tourist police. Operating in San Pedro, San Ignacio and Placencia. Foreigners are treated attentively — tourism is critical to the country.

Reporting theft. Reports are taken and certificates issued. English is official.

Do not resist a robbery.

Geography. Ambergris Caye (San Pedro), Caye Caulker, Placencia, San Ignacio and Hopkins are tourist places with a police presence. Belize City is not.

At night. The island areas are calm, but unlit stretches are best avoided.

What actually matters. Belize's main risks are Belize City, unprepared diving, and caves in the rainy season. The island and western tourist zones are safe.

Emergency number is 911.