Belize?

[Flyfish1]

We are going to Costa Rica with the kids in January and DW and I are considering an extension of another week or so. We will be on the West Coast of Costa Rica with the kids. So, we are considering a weeklong extension to the East Coast or flying up to Belize. Anyone have any experience with Belize? Any safety concerns? Good places to stay?

 

[Felisia]

I have just returned from 3 weeks in Belize, in Placencia and San Pedro. My 4th trip or so as I have friends there. But honestly, I will not return. Poor value for money; hotels and food not up to par. No great beaches to speak of, unless you include day trips by boat to secluded islands. American tipping culture pervasive (for medium food/service). San Pedro is OK for a week is you scuba dive but really no reason to visit Belize. However loads Canadians there escaping their winter.

 

[Flyfish1]

I have just returned from 3 weeks in Belize, in Placencia and San Pedro. My 4th trip or so as I have friends there. But honestly, I will not return. Poor value for money; hotels and food not up to par. No great beaches to speak of, unless you include day trips by boat to secluded islands. American tipping culture pervasive (for medium food/service). San Pedro is OK for a week is you scuba dive but really no reason to visit Belize. However loads Canadians there escaping their winter.

Wow - that's a good honest answer. Thank you. Doesn't sound all that great.

 

[Montecfo]

We enjoyed Caye Caulker here a couple of years ago. It is very chill, not expensive and fun. Easier to get to than the more famous Ambergris Caye (Where San Pedro is located).

Lots of really nice sand but there are bulkheads, not beaches. But still fun. all the streets are sand, you just walk. All very easy.

Snorkel trips nearby are fun but no snorkeling from the beach which is our favorite.

Caye Caulker is totally safe. As far as the mainland I would look at travel advisories closely.

East Coast of Costa Rica is in my list to visit. A bit harder to get to.

 

[Flyfish1]

Hmmm...thanks . Rethinking Belize although they have great flyfishing...lol
My wife would kill me if I may her go flyfishing again.

 

[Surewhitey]

Best snorkeling in my life off Caye Caulker. We still talk about the rum punch there. A week is a long time on the island though.

 

[anethum]

I spent a few days in interior Belize last year, which is probably very different from the most touristy coastal Belize. I arrived overland from Guatemala and continued overland into Mexico. I found it interesting culturally and the people were friendly.

I crossed into Belize near San Ignatio, then later went north to Orange Walk. I departed Belize by crossing into Mexico near Chetumal. I went on a very pretty boat excursion from Orange Walk upriver to an interesting Mayan site. There are several nature sites in western Belize which can be visited. If you're in western Belize, it's worthwhile going on a daytrip excusion to Tikal nearby in Guatemala, an enormous and very impressive Mayan site in a gorgeous tropical forest with lots of animals. I enjoyed it much more than the Mayan sites in the Mexican Yucatan.

I ate quite well in local places and prices were very reasonable.

 

[Flyfish1]

I spent a few days in interior Belize last year, which is probably very different from the most touristy coastal Belize. I arrived overland from Guatemala and continued overland into Mexico. I found it interesting culturally and the people were friendly.

I crossed into Belize near San Ignatio, then later went north to Orange Walk. I departed Belize by crossing into Mexico near Chetumal. I went on a very pretty boat excursion from Orange Walk upriver to an interesting Mayan site. There are several nature sites in western Belize which can be visited. If you're in western Belize, it's worthwhile going on a daytrip excusion to Tikal nearby in Guatemala, an enormous and very impressive Mayan site in a gorgeous tropical forest with lots of animals. I enjoyed it much more than the Mayan sites in the Mexican Yucatan.

I ate quite well in local places and prices were very reasonable.

Thank you. I'l look into it. Appreciate your input !

 

[Surewhitey]

I spent a few days in interior Belize last year, which is probably very different from the most touristy coastal Belize. I arrived overland from Guatemala and continued overland into Mexico. I found it interesting culturally and the people were friendly.

I crossed into Belize near San Ignatio, then later went north to Orange Walk. I departed Belize by crossing into Mexico near Chetumal. I went on a very pretty boat excursion from Orange Walk upriver to an interesting Mayan site. There are several nature sites in western Belize which can be visited. If you're in western Belize, it's worthwhile going on a daytrip excusion to Tikal nearby in Guatemala, an enormous and very impressive Mayan site in a gorgeous tropical forest with lots of animals. I enjoyed it much more than the Mayan sites in the Mexican Yucatan.

I ate quite well in local places and prices were very reasonable.

I think we went to the same site. You could see Guatamala from the largest pyramid. Xunantunich Mayan Ruins

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

maps.app.goo.gl

We also went to the Belize zoo and a habanero farm tour. Mango habanero was killer.

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

maps.app.goo.gl

 

[erkevin]

Been many times; dove Lighthouse Atoll, the Blue Hole, and many other great dive sites. Have stayed on Ambergris and the mainland and visited some great Mayan sites.
These visits were 20+ years ago. From my current understanding, it is no longer as desirable as a place to go or retire. In fact, Belize City is considered a no-go zone.

 

[Flyfish1]

Belize City is considered a no-go zone.

Yes I read that travel warning. Might be changing plans. Maybe back to USVI , maybe Roatan, maybe just bail and go back to SW FL...but that seems like giving up.

 

[FlyingCircus]

We are going to Costa Rica with the kids in January and DW and I are considering an extension of another week or so. We will be on the West Coast of Costa Rica with the kids. So, we are considering a weeklong extension to the East Coast ....

We went to interior and then west coast of Costa Rica for 10 days in January/Feb on a very curated experience and absolutely loved it. Beautiful country, nice people, mucho wildlife & birds especially around the rivers. Have heard the east coast is stunning as well.

 

[Palmtree]

Belize is a dichotomy of experiences. No where on earth have I witnessed the sharp edge of where first world tourism rubs right up against third world living. Yes, it’s a beautiful country with friendly people and a wonderful bounty of natural resources. But sadly, it’s also a country that does not always mirror the glossy pictures in the travel brochures or as seen in my travel photos. There is poverty, spotty utilities, and few paved roads. The few villages that do have paved roads are tarnished with trash along every street. Not a lot of sandy beaches. Don’t misunderstand me. I’m not saying it’s a bad place. For some strange reason I like it. The people are so warm and friendly, but visiting here is different. It’s like meeting a beautiful girl at the bar wearing a worn dress. If she’s alone and willing to have a drink with you, then you have to expect she comes with baggage. You can either accept it, or slide on down the bar and ask for your tab.

 

[dukebound85]

I did not enjoy Belize. Outside the tourist areas, I did not feel safe and was harassed by locals asking for money routinely

 

[Lucie]

We own a beach rental home in Costa Rica, so I am very familiar with CR. I would recommend you spend the entire vacation in CR. The country has a varied landscape, from ocean to volcanos, to rain forests. Each beach is beautiful and different. The Atlantic coast is more Caribbean in both beaches and culture, while the Pacific coast has an Hispanic culture and so many beautiful beaches. You can rent a car or take shuttles from each area. CR has 2 airports, one on the Pacific Coast ( Liberia) and one in San Jose ( mid country). Many people fly into one and depart from the other to save driving.

I think you would enjoy the different areas and activities without the hassle of having to take a plane to a different country. Just my two colones [cr $)

 

[NoiseBoy]

I was in Belize City in December for a day as it was one of the ports of call for my Western Caribbean cruise. We had to use tenders to get to shore with the cruise ships staying pretty far out. I found the town and even the cruise port area to be shabby and run down. I walked to the local church and the main shopping street in town and I never felt unsafe, but it was the least clean place that I have visited on any of my 5 cruises. There is no reason to visit Belize City as a tourist. I can't comment on if there are other worthwhile places to visit in Belize.

 

[Sunset]

We only visited Belize as cruise ship tourists on 3 different cruise ships, taking a tour to some caves an hour drive inland, Ziplining, boating down a river, and seeing Altun Ha Mayan ruins.

What struck me was:
Razor wire and closed driveway gates/walls on houses in the town, tour guide said the way to tell the poor people from the rich people was the poor people had fewer bars on their windows as they couldn't afford enough. As we got farther out of the city we saw that.

The port was shabby, and the tour bus was a recycled school bus in poor shape.
The tour guide said the gov't abandoned Belize as the capital and moved to some other city, which probably helped in the decline of Belize city.

The day after one visit, news said a Canadian woman and her spouse were murdered in some field near the city.

I was really disappointed as I had over the years read articles how Belize was fantastic to retire to and it was supposed to be wonderful.

I decided we would not retire or even vacation in Belize mainland. We've so many other choices so why bother.

 

[1242Vintage]

Spent a week on Ambergris. No safety concerns on Ambergris. Got a golf cart for the week to explore and had very nice dinners. Was offered “special brownies” a few times at Hidden Beach. Politely declined.

At the airport when I was leaving I did get stopped by security in their attempt to get me to bribe them to let me thru. I didn’t pay and after 10 minutes was let go.

You can get to most of the Cayes with the ferry. But IF I were to go again I would use there little shuttle planes. I think it’s Island Air? Same for Costa Rica. Fly to San Jose and use the small planes to hop around the country if needed.

Have been to Costa Rica many times. Have driven thru the country, north to south and coast to coast. Amazing adventure on every mile. Now we
fly around the country. Favorite beach town is Tamarindo. But also enjoy the cloud forest, Drakes Bay and the volcano and warm waters in La Fortuna.

Picture is a few years back at Jaco beach, Costa Rica. I had my last work call that afternoon. Hung up and walked on out to the beach. This beautiful sunset was my reward.

 

[OK EE]

Are you a diver OP? If so, Belize has some of the best diving in the world. The only time I've been to Belize we stayed on a private dive resort island. It was shortly after COVID and we got a smokin' deal on the stay. We could never afford it now. I would love to go back.

We flew into Belize City and honestly it's a city like any other. We didn't spend a lot of time there and it didn't look like we missed anything.

 

[Flyfish1]

Are you a diver OP? If so, Belize has some of the best diving in the world. The only time I've been to Belize we stayed on a private dive resort island. It was shortly after COVID and we got a smokin' deal on the stay. We could never afford it now. I would love to go back.

We flew into Belize City and honestly it's a city like any other. We didn't spend a lot of time there and it didn't look like we missed anything.

Quite the opposite - I prefer to be in the boat holding a fishing rod! Actually, Belize does have fantastic fly fishing, but my wife won't tolerate going fishing with me much anymore.