Safety and Security

Hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world visit Belize safely every year, but Belize is rated high for crime.  Domestic gang members and other criminals have used fragmentation grenades and firearms to settle disputes. Neither U.S. citizens nor other foreign nationals are known to have been the victims or targets of terrorist activity in Belize.  No areas are closed to travel but visitors should exercise caution, particularly in southern Belize City and remote areas along Belize’s borders.

To stay connected:

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program for up to date important safety and security announcements.
• Follow the Bureau of Consular Affairs on Twitter and Facebook.
• Bookmark the Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution.
• Follow the U.S. Embassy in Belize on Twitter, Facebook, and visit the Embassy’s website.
• In the event of an emergency, contact us at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the United States and Canada, or via a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries.
• Take some time before traveling to consider your personal security and check for useful tips for traveling safely abroad.

CRIME: Although the majority of reported criminal incidents occur in Belize City, particularly southern Belize City, crime may occur anywhere including tourist destinations such as San Pedro Town (Ambergris Caye), Caye Caulker, San Ignacio, Dangriga, Corozal, and Placencia. Much of the violent crime in Belize occurs on the south side of Belize City, home to several street gangs.  Law enforcement and security forces are allowed to conduct warrantless searches of personnel and property in “crime ridden” areas.  A lack of capacity, resources,and training impedes the ability of the police to effectively investigate crime and apprehend serious offenders.  As a result, the majority  of crimes remain unresolved and unprosecuted.

Crime, including violent crimes such as armed robbery, home invasions, shootings, stabbings, murders, and sexual assaults, remains high.  Tourists at resorts and on the roads and river ways, and in the Teakettle/Camalote/Roaring Creek corridor just outside of Belmopan, have been targeted.  Incidents of crime (such as theft, burglary, home invasion, purse-snatching, and pick-pocketing) increase during the winter holidays and during spring break, but can occur anytime of year.  Sexual harassment and/or assault of persons traveling alone or in small groups have been reported.  There have been several sexual assaults on U.S. citizens leaving night clubs, and even during daylight hours.

There has been a significant increase in homicides in other areas of Belize, most notably Cayo District and Ambergis Caye, in the past several years. Robberies, home invasions, sexual assaults and daytime assaults are committed across Belize. Victims, including U.S. citizens, have mainly been targets of opportunity.  Violent crimes are not common in tourist areas, but U.S. citizens have been assaulted in Caye Caulker and San Pedro, including reports of sexual assault.

We encourage U.S. citizens to exercise caution and good situational awareness in all their travel activities.  Visitors should travel in groups and only during daylight hours.  Avoid wearing jewelry or carrying valuable or expensive items.  Visitors to tourist attractions should travel in groups and remain at the main plazas at Maya ruins and the central areas.  Although there are armed guards stationed at many of the archeological sites, armed criminals have been known to prey on persons walking alone or in small groups from one site to another.  While many victims of theft are unharmed and only robbed of personal belongings and cash, victims who resist have suffered injury.  U.S. citizens who become victims of a robbery should report it immediately to the nearest police station as well as notifying the Embassy.

Do not leave valuables unattended in vehicles, hotel rooms, or on the beach.  Consider leaving high value items, such as cameras and other electronics, at home.  Women’s handbags should be zipped and held close to the body.  Men should carry wallets in their front pants pocket.  Cash transactions should always be handled discreetly; avoid openly displaying money in public.

Theft of credit card information or funds committed against patrons of tourist destinations happens frequently in some areas of Belize.  Belize is not “PCI Compliant” (PCI – Payment Card Industry) with the Point of Sale credit card swipe machines used at hotels.  This means that when a receipt is printed out from a credit card machine, it does not delete the first 12 numbers of the credit card number, instead printing the numbers, making it easy for someone such as a server at a restaurant, a cashier at a store, or a front desk clerk at a hotel to record the numbers for making unauthorized charges against the card.  It is believed that several credit card fraud rings are currently active in Belize, particularly in San Pedro.

“Confidence scams” also occur in Belize, especially in resort areas.  While there is no indication U.S. citizens are specifically singled out because of their nationality, tourists in general are particularly vulnerable to these crimes, resulting in visitors being pick-pocketed or robbed.  More serious crimes have included armed robbery, physical assault, and being swindled out of large sums of money from fraudulent real estate and land sales or other business deals.

There have been reports of fraud committed against expatriates who have attempted to purchase land in Belize.  Many expats have reported being the victim of scams in which land is purchased that either did not exist or was legally owned by other parties.  It has been reported that Belizean authorities have not been proactive in investigating these crimes and enacting measures to ensure that they do not occur in the future.

Drug use is common in some tourist areas, but you should not buy, sell, hold, or take illegal drugs under any circumstances.  Tourists arrested with illegal drugs may be detained until trial, and if convicted, face lengthy prison sentences in Belize.  Belize classifies marijuana as an illegal drug for which a conviction of possession of even small amounts could result in heavy fines or imprisonment. Belize does not recognize the medical use of marijuana as permitted in some U.S. states, and U.S. citizens can be charged, fined or serve time in jail for possession of an illegal substance.

Do not buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are these items illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local laws. 

Possession of a firearm or ammunition requires a license from the Government of Belize.  An individual charged merely with possession of an unlicensed firearm, or unlicensed ammunition, is subject to imprisonment without bail and charges in the Belizean Supreme Court.  Several U.S. citizens have received stiff prison sentences for possessing small quantities of ammunition.

VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.  The Consular section can:

• Replace a stolen passport.
• Help you find appropriate medical care if you are the victim of violent crimes such as assault or rape.
• Put you in contact with the appropriate police authorities, and if you want us to, contact family members or friends.
• Help you understand the local criminal justice process and direct you to local attorneys, although it is important to remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.  

The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Belize is 911.

Please see information for victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.