Episode 18: Safety and Security in Belize — The Real Story
Safety is the elephant in the room. People want to know: Is Belize safe? Today we're giving you an honest, nuanced answer—not the tourism board version and not the sensationalized headlines.
Myth of the Week:
"Belize is dangerous. I saw it has a high crime rate."
The reality: Belize does have crime statistics that look alarming at the national level, but those numbers are heavily concentrated in specific areas of Belize City—areas tourists and expats don't go. The tourist areas and expat communities where people actually invest have a very different safety profile.
Breaking It Down by Area:
Belize City Southside: Yes, there's gang-related crime, drug activity, and violence. Most tourists never go there—and there's no reason to.
Tourist areas (San Pedro, Placencia, Hopkins, Corozal, Cayo): You're not anywhere near the problem areas. Issues here include petty theft, opportunistic crime, and occasional property crime—similar to beach towns anywhere.
Expat communities: Generally very safe. David knows people who don't lock their doors in some areas. (He doesn't recommend that, but it shows the reality.) Strong community awareness.
Crimes to Actually Be Aware Of:
- Petty theft: Don't leave valuables visible in cars or on the beach. Lock up when you leave.
- Property crime: Empty homes can be targets. Good management, cameras, dogs, and caretakers prevent this.
- Scams: Some people try to take advantage of foreign buyers—hence the emphasis on due diligence and working with reputable professionals.
- Opportunistic crime: Walking alone drunk at 3am with expensive jewelry isn't smart anywhere, including Belize.
Violent Crime Toward Tourists and Expats:
It happens, but it's rare in the areas where investors and expats live. When it does happen, it often involves specific circumstances—disputes, robberies gone wrong, being in the wrong place. Random violence against tourists is not common.
That said, take reasonable precautions like anywhere else in the world.
Listener Question: Is It Safe for a Woman to Travel Alone in Belize?
Generally yes, with normal precautions. Many solo female travelers and expats live here comfortably.
- Stick to tourist areas
- Use registered taxis
- Be aware of your surroundings
- Don't accept drinks from strangers
The same advice you'd follow anywhere. The beach towns are welcoming and the expat community is supportive.
How Expats Protect Their Property:
- Caretakers or property managers: Someone checking on the property regularly deters problems
- Cameras: Everywhere now
- Guard dogs: Some people use them, often in combination with other measures
- Good relationships with neighbors: Community watch is real here—people look out for each other
- Basic security: Locks, lighting, cameras—nothing extreme
- Insurance: Proper coverage for theft and damage
- Don't flaunt wealth: Driving the flashiest car and wearing expensive jewelry attracts attention anywhere
How Does Belize Compare?
Belize is safer than some Central American countries and comparable to many Caribbean destinations. It's not as safe as some parts of the U.S. or Canada, but it's not the war zone that headlines suggest.
Context matters: In 2024, Belize had around 120 murders total. The majority were domestic, gang, and drug related. With a population of about 425,000, that's approximately 21.7 murders per 100,000 people.
For comparison: St. Louis, Missouri—the most dangerous U.S. city—has a homicide rate of 54.4 per 100,000 residents.
Bottom Line:
Belize is safe enough for hundreds of thousands of tourists annually and thousands of expats living full-time. Use common sense, take reasonable precautions, invest in areas with good track records, and don't believe everything you read online—good or bad.
Connect:
📧 david@1stchoicebelize.com
🏠 RE/MAX 1st Choice Belize]]>
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