Just How Safe is it in Belize for cruise tourist??

[RAIDERMOM]

I just read a disturbing article on this site (see below) regarding tourists being robbed and shot in Mountain Pine Ridge?? Is that near Belize City?

 

I will be visiting Belize in July and want to cave tube but I am now worried about my safety and the rest of the groups. Has anyone been robbed or threatened?

I really want to go on this trip, but not if there is any danger

 

Sometimes I get mad at myself for reading too much info and then I start to worry. Has anyone been robbed or know of anyone that this happened to

 

The post is:

News and Opinion Blog about Belize and the Caribbean Coast

 

LATE NEWS OF BELIZE AND THE CARIBBEAN COAST

 

By Lan Sluder

BELIZE FIRST

 

UPDATED 18 MAY 2006

TOURISTS ROBBED, ASSAULTED AND SHOT IN ANOTHER ATTACK NEAR CARACOL At least a dozen foreign tourists and three Belizean guides were jacked and robbed May 14 in the Mountain Pine Ridge near Caracol. Reportedly the assailants were six men of Hispanic descent, thought to be Guatemalans, armed with AK-47s and other weapons. An American tourist was shot -- he has been evacuated to the U.S. for treatment -- and there was, by some accounts, one rape of a female tourist and an attempted rape on another. One eyewitness claimed that the bandits shot to kill a Belizean guide, aiming for his head, but that the bullet hit the American tourist in the arm. This has not been independent confirmed. Belize Defence Forces were in the area but arrived too late to do anything. This is at least the fifth incident involving attacks on tourists in the Pine Ridge in the past year, and the third in the past month. The U.S. Embassy in Belize wardens have issued a statement warning against travel to the Pine Ridge until the situation is under control. Reportedly Belize Defence Forces will escort any tourist groups going into the Pine Ridge. The impact on the four lodges in the Pine Ridge -- Blancaneaux Lodge, Five Sisters Lodge, Hidden Valley Inn, and Pine Ridge Lodge -- is expected to be severe. Tourism in San Ignacio may also suffer, observers say. (May 16, 2006, updated May 18, 2006)

[RaMar]

This is very disturbing and I am quite concerned as to safety issues. We are supposed to be in Belize in August, and after reading this I will be happy if we skip it.

[zydecocruiser]

Not that close to Belize City. Not sure there are any cruise ship tours that go to that area.

 

 

[Zeno]

To the best of my knowledge, none of the cruiseship tours go to that area.

Safety issues near borders are not unusual in Central America. Personally I would not be concerned about going on any of the usual cruiseship tours in Belize.

[clackey]

Being from Arkansas, I see little differance between Belize and North Little Rock. There are places in both where you don't need to be unless your armed. The only differance is in Arkansas I AM ARMED. ;) When you leave the port area in Belize City look around. The houses have steel bars over the windows and the rock walls have broken glass imbedded into the tops.:eek: That tells you something. But I still don't see anymore to worry about than some places that I have been to in the USA. I'll go back to Belize in November and will have a great time, but I will have my eyes open.

[MSN-Travelers]

I just read a disturbing article on this site (see below) regarding tourists being robbed and shot in Mountain Pine Ridge?? Is that near Belize City?

 

I will be visiting Belize in July and want to cave tube but I am now worried about my safety and the rest of the groups. Has anyone been robbed or threatened?

I really want to go on this trip, but not if there is any danger

 

Sometimes I get mad at myself for reading too much info and then I start to worry. Has anyone been robbed or know of anyone that this happened to

 

You are in greater danger in the parking lot of your local shopping mall than you will be on an organized tour in Belize.

 

There is a large, walled, shopping area where the tender drops you off. There are very few local buisness outside the the cruise shopping area worth going to and they are no more than 100 yards away.

 

All tours, ship & independent, leave from this shopping area. The last place a tour guide will take you is somewhere where he (and you) will be in danger of attack. You are his/her livelihood and the local economy is dependent on you having a safe & enjoyable visit in their country. If danger exist in or near a port, the ship doesn't even stop. This happened in Turkey and South America when civil unrest or crime threatens passenger.

 

Reference the map posted above. The incident you reported took place on the other side of the country in a remote border region. Cruise ship passengers don't have time to travel to those distant locations.

 

The only negative information about Belize that has been reported here has come from people that strike out on their own, wander unfamiliar streets or get in private cabs and put themselves at the mercy of the driver.

 

Belize is a wonderful port and I wouldn't hesitate to get off the ship and take an organized tour.

[clackey]

You are in greater danger in the parking lot of your local shopping mall than you will be on an organized tour in Belize.

Belize is a wonderful port and I wouldn't hesitate to get off the ship and take an organized tour.

The KEY WORDS here are "organized tours". From what I've seen in Belize, a tour is the only way to see the good stuff. You can explore so much more with a knowledgable guide.

[Zeno]

You are in greater danger in the parking lot of your local shopping mall than you will be on an organized tour in Belize.

 

The only negative information about Belize that has been reported here has come from people that strike out on their own, wander unfamiliar streets or get in private cabs and put themselves at the mercy of the driver.

 

Belize is a wonderful port and I wouldn't hesitate to get off the ship and take an organized tour.

 

My sentiments exactly!

[DannyMac]

My wife and I have made three visits to Belize City and have walked around the city without any problems. You just need to be aware of your surroundings.

[mommabean]

So many cruises leave from Miami. Isn't anyone worried about being here? I'm a native Miamian. I live my life looking over my shoulder. And yes, I have been mugged, but only in Miami. Just once. I've witnessed others. And I'm not kidding.

 

If you are that worried, stay on the ship.

 

If you believe the news...don't set foot on a ship. Lock yourself in your house. ;) And turn on the alarm.

 

I will be in Belize in August and plan on doing something. I don't know what just yet.

[LHARTWICK]

Hello from Little Rock! I agree - there are places in the US that I wouldn't feel safe under any circumstances. As with any place, you just shouldn't venture out alone and always be aware of your surroundings. Just use your common sense. No place is 100% safe in today's world. We'll be visiting Belize in September!

[fireboat]

No one wants bad press. Too many people are looking to earn your dollars: the cruise line, the private operators, the Belize gov't. They will all look out for you. But you need to do your part. If you are not confident about it, don't wonder off by yourself. There good shopping at the port. There's posts where people have shopped in town under the supervision of the tour operators.

 

You are aware of the possibilities. Look to avoid the bad ones. What do you do when you go to the bad parts of your town? Same applies in Belize.

 

It's a great country and well worth experiencing.

[CajunGroover]

I have personally done the Cave Tubing trip and it is definately worth doing. Your tour group will meet you right as you get off the ship, and will escort you the whole way. You should book directly with the cruise ship. You can get same tour for slightly lower costs thru other tour companies, but when you book with ship, they keep track of all tours from ship, and make sure that all return safely to ship. Like the others said, just be aware of surroundings, and stay with your group! Most of all...stop worrying so much, relax and have fun!

[ShyGuy215]

So many cruises leave from Miami. Isn't anyone worried about being here? I'm a native Miamian. I live my life looking over my shoulder. And yes, I have been mugged, but only in Miami. Just once. I've witnessed others. And I'm not kidding.

 

If you are that worried, stay on the ship.

 

If you believe the news...don't set foot on a ship. Lock yourself in your house. ;) And turn on the alarm.

 

I will be in Belize in August and plan on doing something. I don't know what just yet.

 

Mommabean: I am sorry to hear about your experiences in Miami. I have been there a few times, never been mugged, but almost took a bullet in my rear end the last time I was there. That was enough for me. I won't even cruise out of Miami and chose the Miracle mainly because it departs from Tampa. Others...keep your eyes open, go with a reputable company that is praised on these boards, and have a good time. I am going cave tubbing with Yhony in July and can't wait.

[ForEternity]

I've never been to Belize on a cruise myself. My aunt, uncle, and cousins went and weren't that thrilled, but all they usually do in ports is find a beach and play sand volleyball. They did walk around downtown a bit and the boys (late teens at the time) were offered drugs.

 

I went there however on a missions trip in March of 2003. I LOVED it. We spent most of our time in Orangewalk, a small city, nothing to do there. We did spend one night on San Pedro island. Was absolutely wonderful. They have a sting ray/shark snorkling place from there. Also a nice downtown from what I heard from others in my group. Not sure if it would be worth it for just the day though, as it is an hour or two boat ride there and back.

 

One of the best things we did was a tour of the Mayan ruins. I have looked at shore tours for cruises before and I have seen this one listed. I'm going blank on the name, but if there is any interest, email me at foreternity7 (at) aol.com. We took a boat down the river, took maybe 45 min or so to get there. There are crocs (or alligators?) in the water, but we only saw a small one at the very end. A couple areas along the river w/ Mennonite farms, very interesting to see the people! The ruins were very cool to see. Great tour. Saw some monkeys there too! They also had a meal for us, although I don't know if that is normally part of the tour. We had a great time, really enjoyed it.

 

We did have a few hours one day to shop downtown. Didn't find much at all. We had a lot more girls than guys, so typically would have a few girls w/ one or two guys. All 17-18 years old. Had no problems with safety, but still be careful where you go. Some parts are worse than others.

 

Anyway, I think Belize is a great place to go. Perhaps part of my love for it is for the people, having been there on missions... But I certainly enjoyed the tourist parts as well. My recommendation would be the ruins if you like that type of thing.