Cruising To Belize: Exploring The Country's Safety Record And Travel Experience

Belize is a small country in Central America, known for its lush rainforests, ancient ruins, and pristine beaches. The country offers a blend of blue waters, green mountains, and colourful wooden houses. While Belize has been gaining popularity as a cruise destination, safety concerns have also been raised. Belize City, the usual docking point for cruise ships, has been flagged as an area to be cautious in, particularly after dark. However, with common sense and awareness of your surroundings, tourists can feel safe in Belize. The country boasts a wide range of attractions, from the Belize Barrier Reef to the mysterious Mayan ruins, making it an enticing destination for adventurous travellers.

Crime and safety in Belize City

Belize is a popular eco-tourism destination, with its beautiful jungles and islands attracting many visitors each year. However, while the Caribbean islands of Belize are considered some of the safest places to visit, crime can be a severe problem in this Central American nation. The US State Department and the Canadian government suggest travellers exercise increased caution in Belize due to crime. Violent crime, including sexual assault, home invasions, armed robberies, and murder, is common during daylight hours and in tourist areas. Belize has consistently been named one of the worst five countries in the world for homicides by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime.

Belize City, in particular, has been assigned a Level 3 Travel Advisory by the US State Department, which recommends that citizens reconsider travel to the area. Historically, much of the country's violent crime occurs in the Southside of Belize City and is gang-related. Travellers are advised to avoid this area at all times. Gang violence is a significant issue in Belize City, and the local police often lack the resources and training to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. Most crimes remain unresolved and unprosecuted.

Scams and theft are also common in Belize, especially in tourist areas. Cruise ship visitors have been targeted by criminals offering to sell them drugs and then setting them up for arrest and demanding payment of a substantial fine for their release. Purchasing illegal drugs in Belize will subject visitors to heavy penalties and jail time.

Despite these issues, many travellers enjoy safe trips to Belize, especially in the Caribbean islands off the coast, which have much less frequent and generally non-violent crimes. However, it is essential to exercise caution and follow safety guidelines when visiting Belize, especially when in Belize City.

Belize's natural wonders

Belize is a country rich in natural wonders, from its rainforests and ancient ruins to its turquoise waters and white sand beaches. Here are some of the natural wonders that make Belize a captivating destination:

The Belize Barrier Reef

The Belize Barrier Reef is a natural wonder that stretches along the country's coastline and is the second-longest continuous barrier reef in the world. It offers some of the best snorkelling and scuba diving opportunities, with a diverse array of coral and marine life. The reef also protects the coastline from erosion and helps mitigate the impact of hurricanes.

Mayan Ruins

Belize is home to ancient Mayan ruins that tell a story of a mysterious past. Xunantunich and Caracol are notable sites, featuring step towers and other archaeological wonders nestled within untouched jungles. These ruins provide a glimpse into the ancient Mayan civilisation and their reverence for nature.

The Great Blue Hole

The Great Blue Hole is a thousand-year-old limestone formation with a fascinating history. It is believed that its roof collapsed, and rising sea levels later engulfed it, creating the unique structure seen today. Scuba diving into the sinkhole reveals an array of exotic marine life, with deeper waters home to stranger creatures.

Jungles and Waterfalls

Belize boasts lush jungles and rainforests, home to a diverse range of wildlife. The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area with rugged, forested mountains. It is known for its healthy jaguar population and is also home to other wildcat species, tapirs, coati-mundis, and an array of bird species. The Mayan King Waterfall in southern Belize is another natural wonder, with tranquil pools and natural showers created by cascading streams.

Atolls and Cayes

Belize is surrounded by over 300 small islands, or cayes, that offer a range of experiences. From the hustle and bustle of Ambergris Caye to the secluded feel of smaller, uninhabited cayes, each provides a unique perspective. The country also boasts three mid-ocean atolls: Turneffe Island, Lighthouse Reef, and Glover's Reef. These sparsely developed formations provide a sense of adventure, isolation, and romance.

The Belize Barrier Reef

In addition to its barrier reef, the Belize Barrier Reef system also boasts three distinct Caribbean atolls: Turneffe Atoll, Glover's Reef, and Lighthouse Reef, which is home to the Great Blue Hole. A large portion of the reef is protected by the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, which includes seven marine reserves, 450 cayes, and three atolls. In 1996, the reserve system was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO due to its vulnerability and ecological importance.

Despite protective measures, the reef remains under threat from oceanic pollution, uncontrolled tourism, shipping, and fishing. Other threats include hurricanes, global warming, and the resulting increase in ocean temperatures, which causes coral bleaching. Scientists claim that over 40% of Belize's coral reef has been damaged since 1998, with mass-bleaching events occurring in 1995 and 1998.

Mayan ruins and history

Belize was once the heartland of the ancient Maya Empire and is home to the largest number of ancient Maya ruins in Central America. The ancient Maya civilisation spanned several millennia and, at its height, the empire's large cities housed hundreds of thousands of people.

The Maya civilisation began to break apart between 600 and 900 AD for unknown reasons, and their cities were swallowed up by the jungle. By the time the Europeans arrived on the continent, the Maya were almost gone. However, their legacy remains in the form of sacred temples, pyramids, advanced science, agriculture, mathematics, palaces, and other structures.

• Altun Ha: A major ceremonial and trade centre during the Classic Period, Altun Ha is located 31 miles north of Belize City. The site features two large central plazas and pyramids, as well as a reservoir built by the Mayans. The most significant find at Altun Ha is the Maya Jade Head, representing the Mayan Sun God, Kinich Ahua. This is the largest jade object ever discovered in the Maya civilisation.
• Caracol: Located in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, Caracol is the largest Maya site ever excavated in Belize. It features majestic temples, including the Canaa pyramid, which is the tallest man-made structure in Belize. Caracol was once one of the most powerful cities in the Maya world, home to about 120,000 people.
• Cahal Pech: Cahal Pech, which means "place of ticks" in modern-day Maya, was the royal acropolis-palace of an elite Mayan ruling family. The site includes seven plazas, temples, residential buildings, ball courts, an altar, and a sweat house, all situated on just two acres. A royal burial chamber was discovered here, containing shell and bone ornaments, pottery, obsidian blades, and jade objects.
• Xunantunich: Xunantunich was the first Maya site to open to visitors in 1950. It is located near the village of San Jose Succotz and can be reached by ferry. Xunantunich was once a prosperous city state during the Classical Maya era, home to 200,000 people. The site features six plazas, over 25 temples and palaces, and a new museum.
• Lamanai: Lamanai, which means "submerged crocodile" in Maya, is one of the oldest continuously occupied Maya sites in Belize. It is situated 24 miles south of Orange Walk Town and features ruins as well as a spectacular jungle setting near the New River Lagoon.
• Nim Li Punit: Located in the Toledo District, Nim Li Punit features the longest stela in Belize, as well as a collection of intricately carved stone columns (stelae) with Maya hieroglyphs and pictures.
• Lubaantun: Lubaantun, which means "Place of the Fallen Stones," is a Late Classic ceremonial centre in southern Belize. Unlike other ruins in Belize, Lubaantun was built without mortar. The large pyramids and residences are made of dressed stone blocks carefully cut to fit together.

Belize's cuisine

Breakfast

Breakfast in Belize often includes bread, flour tortillas, or fry jacks, usually homemade and paired with various cheeses, refried beans, eggs, and tea or coffee. Fry jacks, a traditional Belizean dish, are deep-fried flour dough pieces that can be shaped like circles or triangles. They are typically served with refried beans, sausage, bacon, and eggs, though they can also be enjoyed with honey or syrup.

Midday Meals

Midday meals in Belize offer a variety of options, ranging from lighter dishes like rice and beans to heartier fare such as stew chicken and garnaches (fried tortillas with beans, cheese, and diced onion sauce). One notable midday meal is chimole, also known as "Black Dinner" for its dark appearance. It is made with chicken, boiled eggs, vegetables, and black recado (achiote paste). This dish has its roots in Mestizo culture but is now widely enjoyed by people from all backgrounds in Belize.

Rural Meals

In rural areas, meals may be simpler, with the Maya relying heavily on recado, corn, and maize, while the Garifuna favour seafood, cassava, and vegetables. Cassava, in particular, is a staple in Belizean cuisine and is used in a variety of dishes. It is often grated, rinsed, dried, salted, and pressed into flat cakes called "bammy," which are then fried and dipped in coconut milk. These cassava cakes are commonly served as a side dish with breakfast or fish dishes.

Snacks and Appetizers

Belize boasts a wide range of delectable snacks and appetizers. Panades, for example, are deep-fried corn tortillas folded in half and filled with smoked fish, beans, chicken, or cheese. They are typically topped with 'Cortido', a sauce made from white vinegar, onions, salt, and habaneros, adding a spicy kick. Another popular snack is salbutes, tiny fried corn tortillas topped with a mix of cabbage, chicken, avocado, and locally made hot sauce.

For those with a sweet tooth, wangla, powderbun, cakes, pies, and potato pudding are common desserts. Additionally, Belize offers a variety of sweet treats made with coconut, such as coconut pie, tarts, coconut crust, tablata, cut-o-brute, and trifle.

Main Staples

Rice and beans are a staple in Belize and are often served with meat and a salad or coleslaw. The type of meat can vary, including seafood options like fish, conch, and lobster, as well as game meats such as iguana, deer, peccary, and gibnut. Other ground foods like cassava, potatoes, cocoa, and plantains are also commonly enjoyed. Fresh juice or water typically accompany meals, though soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, such as homemade wines made from berries, cashew, sorosi, grapefruit, and rice, are also popular.

Belizean cuisine offers a delightful mix of flavours and influences, reflecting the country's rich cultural heritage. From hearty midday meals to sweet treats and refreshing beverages, there is something for everyone to enjoy on a cruise to Belize.

Frequently asked questions