soccersharon Posted September 17, 2012 #1 Share Posted September 17, 2012 Normally I'm not a nervous travel type. But, I have to admit to being a little nervous about our stop in Belize. We've booked a Carnival excursion (Altun Ha and Belize City tour) hoping we'd feel safer. We are traveling with our kids, which ups the nervous factor for me. To anyone who has traveled there very recently, please let me know what you experience was (the good, the bad, and the ugly). Thanks to everyone in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skrufy Posted September 17, 2012 #2 Share Posted September 17, 2012 DW and I have been to Belize two times and have taken two excursions into the countryside without any incidents. We have been told by excursion operators not to venture past the dock area or into the countryside by yourself. Excursions are the safe way to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nodogkisses Posted September 17, 2012 #3 Share Posted September 17, 2012 We were in Belize last summer and took an all day Carnival excursion and felt perfectly safe. I think you'll be just fine there. I actually am way more nervous going to Cozumel these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emelvee Posted September 17, 2012 #4 Share Posted September 17, 2012 We went to Altun Ha on our first cruise...I would only do a ship-sponsored excursion in this port. We enjoyed Belize - I know some don't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lastinga Posted September 17, 2012 #5 Share Posted September 17, 2012 We did cave tubing-not through Carnival-and had a great time! Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caribsun Posted September 17, 2012 #6 Share Posted September 17, 2012 We have booked excursions through the cruise lines and with independents with no issues while in Belize. Oh heck I get nervous going to Miami. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sargent_Schultz Posted September 17, 2012 #7 Share Posted September 17, 2012 Been to Belize a number of times. Done both cruise ship and independent tours. Last time was Nov, 11. Next time is in Nov of this year. No concerns. Belize does have issues, but most are not in tourist areas and the rest are not where most tourists venture. I'm not sure you can say the same about the US. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillian marie Posted September 17, 2012 #8 Share Posted September 17, 2012 It is no problem. Stay in the tourist areas or go on a tour. I wouldn't walk around in non protected areas but then I would not walk around in Chicago in some areas either. In fact I'd say you'd be safer in Belize than in some areas of Chicago. Use street sense, you'll be fine. My 5 yr old has been to Belize 3 times, at age 2,4, and this past May. We have taken ship tours and a private tour. If you are real concerned take ship tours. By the way my husband works often in Central America and he likes Belize. It is a nice country, there is crime yes, but we have lots of crime here too. It is a very poor third world country. Our tourism dollars are important for their economy. He'll be there for a month next yr. on a job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruzeluver Posted September 17, 2012 #9 Share Posted September 17, 2012 The cruise lines have done a thorough job of trying to convince cruisers that anyone wandering outside the "compound" in Belize is in grave danger. Now that couldn't be to keep you shopping at the compound stores from which they receive a kick-back or to get you to book excursions could it? ;) We have been twice and have had no problem walking around Belize City on our own, even with my young, petite sister-in-law. Some do not like to see others living in conditions worse than what they are used to or seeing a military presence and I think those are a lot of the ones put off by Belize City, but its really not bad at all. Yes, the locals will approach you (oh the horror!) and if they are selling wares will want you to look at them (terrifying ain't it?) but if given a chance most are very warm and friendly and want you to enjoy their city so get out and see it. Or you could just stay on the ship and wait for a more man-made, Disneyfied stop like a "private island" or St. Thomas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crusinfamof4 Posted September 17, 2012 #10 Share Posted September 17, 2012 We did Altun Ha last August, we had our two DSs with us, they were 12 & 14 at the time. It was ok, the tender was the worst part. We didn't really feel scared at any time. But our bus sort of broke down-the emergency door flew open several times, so we were on the side of the road alone for like 30+ minutes. We weren't nervous or anything. It is mainly country on the way to the ruins. You should be ok. Just be ready for the tender. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfjock27 Posted September 17, 2012 #11 Share Posted September 17, 2012 We went to Belize in April and did the Xunantunich Ruins tour through Carnival. It included a 2 hour bus tour through Belize. Never once did we feel unsafe. We found the locals to be friendly and helpful. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old sole Posted September 17, 2012 #12 Share Posted September 17, 2012 I consider us fairly adventurous and usually have no compunctions about exploring no matter where we are. Belize City is the ONLY place the little internal warning signs have kicked in (raised hairs on the back of the neck, etc). We were on a Carnival excursion, the Belize City Tour, and I wandered off a block or so during a stop at a Cathedral just to get some local "flavor". I started to feel very uncomfortable and turned right back around to rejoin the group. I heard Samantha Brown say the same thing on a show she did from Belize - reasonably safe, but always pay attention to what your senses are telling you and avoid those uncomfortable situations. She also turned around at one point while filming. I would have no issues with returning to Belize City and surrounding areas, but I would not do it on my own, only as part of a group. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare crewsweeper Posted September 17, 2012 #13 Share Posted September 17, 2012 The cruise lines have done a thorough job of trying to convince cruisers that anyone wandering outside the "compound" in Belize is in grave danger. Now that couldn't be to keep you shopping at the compound stores from which they receive a kick-back or to get you to book excursions could it? ;) We have been twice and have had no problem walking around Belize City on our own, even with my young, petite sister-in-law. Some do not like to see others living in conditions worse than what they are used to or seeing a military presence and I think those are a lot of the ones put off by Belize City, but its really not bad at all. Yes, the locals will approach you (oh the horror!) and if they are selling wares will want you to look at them (terrifying ain't it?) but if given a chance most are very warm and friendly and want you to enjoy their city so get out and see it. Or you could just stay on the ship and wait for a more man-made, Disneyfied stop like a "private island" or St. Thomas. I have to agree with you on this. If you walk outside the doors to the Tourist Village where the tenders dock, and walk across the street tot he crafts/flea market, you'll find, friendlier folks to deal with and lower prices for the same merchandise inside the TV. While the hawkers are a bit on the aggressive side they are not out to mug you. The immediate area around the TV is home to some upper scale hotels and several embassies. Granted that when taking a taxi or tour outside of Belize City you have to travel through some of the poorer section of BC and the countryside is, for the most part, very poor. I don't recall any reports of danger, muggings or murders to cruisers while in Belize City over the past few years. But I do recall that a young girl was killed by a gang related shoot out in St Thomas while she was on a cruise ship sponsored tour to what was supposedly a very safe place to be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Gail & Marty sailing away Posted September 17, 2012 #14 Share Posted September 17, 2012 Just be street smart... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iRICKATRON Posted September 17, 2012 #15 Share Posted September 17, 2012 me and my brother were in Belize last november and had no problems. did an non-carnival scuba excursion. went a small island great pics and served us rum punch. great day imo!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
092306 Posted September 17, 2012 #16 Share Posted September 17, 2012 We went to Belize in April and did the Xunantunich Ruins tour through Carnival. It included a 2 hour bus tour through Belize. Never once did we feel unsafe. We found the locals to be friendly and helpful. Hope this helps. We did this tour also and had the same experience. We felt safe on the tour. We didn't do any walking outside the port area in the city because it didn't appear to offer much and seemed a little sketchy. It's like touring any city, you just have to be aware and street smart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2two2 Posted September 17, 2012 #17 Share Posted September 17, 2012 We were in Belize not recently but I would say about 2009. We loved it. We heard all the things you did, even from the waiter at dinner. I was nervous getting off the ship. We had a ship booked excursion that went to Lamanai (and the New River) and it was fantastic. The tour guides especially were wonderful. Lots of information, warm and friendly. If we were ever to stop again I would book an excursion but would not hesitate to get off the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LHP Posted September 17, 2012 #18 Share Posted September 17, 2012 You should be fine.... the "warnings" about Belize are more directed to deter folks from just walking out of the gate and grabbing a taxi.... I have walked outside of the compound (and over to the hotel to use their Internet).... so any independent tours that are recommended here on the boards or the ship tours should be fine... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
golfb4cruzing Posted September 17, 2012 #19 Share Posted September 17, 2012 We hung out in the dock area, had a Bilikin, then did a bunch of shopping. How do they sell real Coach for so cheap?? LOL. Still looks good. I thought the shopping area was fine. Wouldn't go out of area on my own though. But that 's a lot of the islands as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie S. Posted September 17, 2012 #20 Share Posted September 17, 2012 Like others have said, the cruise ship wants to keep you in their complex so you'll spend your money there. I've been to Belize four times and three times walked outside the complex to the local dive shop and encountered very friendly, helpful people. That's about a half-mile walk. The fourth time we took a dive trip that picked us up from the ship, otherwise we would have done the walk again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrigley80 Posted September 17, 2012 #21 Share Posted September 17, 2012 I have been to Belize twice on a cruise........once in 2004 and again in December 2011. It was night and day how stuff had changed for the better in 7 years. In 2004 I was ready to get back on the ship after about 30 minutes :eek: because we saw people eating fire, a man with snakes draped all over him, and overall appeal of the downtown area. I throughly enjoyed myself in 2011. We went on a city tour with Belize Tours Unlimited and it was a great way to see how stuff had changed :) and then we went to THE WET LIZARD (which is a bar/restaurant on the boardwalk. Its right by where the cruise ship tenders come in). You have to make a stop here.....if anything just to see all the dollar bills on the walls and ceiling :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAPERBKWRITER Posted September 17, 2012 #22 Share Posted September 17, 2012 Not a place to freelance. I wouldn't go outside the fence surrounding the pier and would only do well respected guided tours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soccersharon Posted September 17, 2012 Author #23 Share Posted September 17, 2012 Thank you, everyone! I live in a big city, so I'm pretty street-wise (at least here). We are doing a Carnival excursion, so am *hoping* the likelihood of issues is a bit less. I am looking forward to this port and visiting Altun Ha. Not looking forward to seeing the poverty, but it is an opportunity for my kids to see how lucky they (we) are. Happy cruising everyone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lizjoemom Posted September 17, 2012 #24 Share Posted September 17, 2012 We did a cave tubing tour with VIV tours on our trip to Belize in August. I never felt unsafe at any point. Outside the gate there were plenty of people selling stuff, but I feel as though the Belizians are not pushy at all, tell them no thank you and they back off right away, not so in many other islands/countries. There were 7 of us ranging in age from 9 to 45 so dont worry about your kids, if you are with a tour you are definitely safe. I actually felt more nervouse in Camden NJ today when I took my son to the Aquarium!:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikel24m Posted September 17, 2012 #25 Share Posted September 17, 2012 We hung out in the dock area, had a Bilikin, then did a bunch of shopping. How do they sell real Coach for so cheap?? LOL. Still looks good. I thought the shopping area was fine. Wouldn't go out of area on my own though. But that 's a lot of the islands as well Thats funny we live a couple of hours from NY and my wife buys a Louis Vuitton big travel bag in Belize Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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