Belize City Travel Forum

We have chartered a catamaran in Placencia to sail for 10 days after which we are taking 5 days for sightseeing. I have been reading a lot of bad press with respect to safety --- even the U.S. State Department doesn't have good things to say about the safety of its citizens travelling in Belize.

We are arriving at the airport in Belize and will be quickly taking a small plane to Placencia so we will not be spending any time in Belize City. Nevertheless, I am concerned about "pirates" while we are sailing (snorkeling, diving, beach hopping, sleeping at night, etc.). Should this be a concern?

Also, what would anyone suggest for sightseeing. By the sounds of it, it appears that 5 days might be too long of a time to do this. Where should we sightsee and what is of value to see?

There will be one man and three ladies (all family-ages 42 through 71)

Also, the company from which we are renting the boat indicates that we should buy all of our food from them (at a great premium, I might add). Does anyone have any input as to the benefit of this --- are there places to buy basic food (fruit, vegetables, bread, milk, water, eggs, etc. --- just the basics)? Also, is buying fish from the natives an option and plentiful? What I am asking is if it would be less expensive to buy from native places or from the charter company.

I would love to hear from anyone who has had a recent good or bad experience in Belize and especially from anyone who has chartered a sailboat there. We are chartering through TMM Yacht Charters. As a matter of fact, if any of you have rented from them, please let us know your experiences as well.

Any assistance that any of you can give us to allay our fears about this very exciting trip would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Belize City is not so bad. Doesn't stand out as really bad imo and you will not be there for a long time anyways.

I guess you are flying from the Municipal Airport in the City. The immediate area is fine, we went to that airport to go to Ambergis.

I have not heard about Pirate stories happening recently in the Caribbean (horn of Africa, yes, Belize, no).

In Ambergis, they had small grocery stores all over. I would imagine you would have plenty of options in Placentia too

Hi,

We were in Belize this past June, and also avoided Belize City (high crime). The rest of the country was safe, and we never experienced any problems. The grocery stores are fantastic, and if you're looking to go inland, I would suggest you visit the Community Baboon Sanctuary. Its situated on the edge of the jungle, and a family of wild Howler monkeys made frequent visits to the fruit trees that over hung our balconey on the bunglaow. Accomodations are inexpensive and very clean, the grocery store is down the road, the area is safe, and other tours are VERY affordable. Make sure to go on the canoe trip down the river (lots of wildlife to see & its beautiful). For more info you can check http://www.howlermonkeys.org/, and email to make arrangements.

Have a great trip,
Marny

From what I've heard, the safety issues (regarding the warnings by the State Department) are only in the Pine Ridge area and road to the Caracol archeological site, and only during dry season. Apparently the bandits in the area are really from Guatemala and they can't get across a river near the border during rainy season. Anyway, you shouldn't have any problems in the Placencia area. Just use common sense, as in any country. My guess is you'll probably get a better deal on groceries in a local store in Placencia than from the yacht company. There are some small grocery stores in Placencia and you shouldn't have any trouble getting supplies for the length of time you say. Sorry, don't know about buying fish - I stay away from eating that kind of stuff. But if you're on a boat anyway, why not bring some fishing gear?

5 days sight seeing? Not enough time in my opinion. Spent a week one trip and a weekend on a second trip and will go back again. Belize is a great place to visit! Try to get to the Cockcomb Basin Forest Reserve and Blue Hole National Park. Do some river tubing & caving around San Ignacio and try to see some Mayan ruins. Belize has a lot to offer and the people are very friendly & helpful - not pushy at all. You'll have a great time, I'm sure!

Most of what I've heard concerning bandits of one stripe or another are along the Guatemalan border, and even those reports are very few and far between. I haven't heard anything of concern as far as catamaran safety goes - apart from whatever criminal prices the company is charging for groceries. I can say with little hesitation that I've NEVER found it better to buy food directly from a company of that ilk, and that stores in Belize are cheap and plentiful.

As far as Belize City goes: I, like most, wanted to spend as little time there as possible, and it's not an attractive place by any means. But if you're just using it as a transport hub...well, it's not exactly Mogadishu. The State Department always urges an abundance of caution in Central America, but as long as you keep your eyes and ears open, you won't have any problems passing through.

Chris
Travel better. Travel Gator.
www.travelgator.com

Most of what I've heard concerning bandits of one stripe or another are along the Guatemalan border, and even those reports are very few and far between. I haven't heard anything of concern as far as catamaran safety goes - apart from whatever criminal prices the company is charging for groceries. I can say with little hesitation that I've NEVER found it better to buy food directly from a company of that ilk, and that stores in Belize are cheap and plentiful.

As far as Belize City goes: I, like most, wanted to spend as little time there as possible, and it's not an attractive place by any means. But if you're just using it as a transport hub...well, it's not exactly Mogadishu. The State Department always urges an abundance of caution in Central America, but as long as you keep your eyes and ears open, you won't have any problems passing through.

Chris
Travel better. Travel Gator.
www.travelgator.com

I met some folks who had just got off a bareboat charter on ambergris.They said the catamarans from TMM were in good shape.One thing they told me is that the charter company wants you to dock somewhere every night as opposed to gunkholing off on your own..I'm jealous-you're going to have a great time.The locals are very easy to deal with.
I would definatly buy local food.Some other sailing friends of mine report there is brisk trade in lobsters in exchange for cans of spam.Bring whatever nonperishables you have room for with you on the plane and barter with the local fisherman--CR

Why do you start your trip in Placencia? It could be easier to begin in BC or Ambergris?
Belize is a very dangerous place, so take care of whales, sharks and all sorts of dangerous fishes which are waiting for YOU and no one else...
In the country go to San ignacio -Xunantunich and Caracol- and Lamanai and Haltoun ha...Wonderful and peaceful, no pirats or guerilleros, but some crocodiles...
Have a nice trip