Belize is the only English speaking country in Latin America and the richest in the northern part of Central America. For its small size, it attracts almost as many tourists as its much larger neighbor. Belize just like its western neighbor has a very deeply rooted Mayan culture crossed with British and Creole influence. The local cuisine is a mixture of all three. Although Belize seems like a more English speaking visitor friendly nation it has some hazards tourists should beware of.

Traveling info

Everyone traveling to Belize is required to have a valid passport. Certain states will require a visa to enter with some requiring clearance in addition to the document. 97 states are exempt, among these are the USA, EU and most of the South American states. (list of countries and requirements in sources). Driving in Belize requires possession of international driving permit which is only valid for 3 months after entry. IDP cannot be used alone and must always be complemented by the original driving permit. Although Belize in an ex British colony, right-hand side of the road is used for driving.

Traveling hazards

Belizean roads are generally in somewhat poor condition. There are few road signs or markings. The roads are also crowned which means they are built high in the middle and sloped down to the sides with few barriers which mean that cars running near the edge may catch loose gravel and lose traction eventually tipping over. It is also important to stay vigilant on highways when crossing through towns as often speed bumps are not marked at all and may surprise an oncoming driver. These speed bumps also indicate a pedestrian crossing. Road services are limited and emergency numbers don’t always work properly. Hurricanes cause complete flooding of the coastal roads which also happen to be mostly unpaved. It is also important to stay focused on vehicles ahead as these commonly are not well maintained and often lack brake lights or indicators often signaling their intention of turning or stopping with hand signals.

Environmental hazards

The only large mammal that could pose danger in Belize is the jaguar. These large cats are hidden deep in Belizean rainforest and do not seek attention with humans which means it is highly unlikely to see one and even more unlikely to be attacked however if so the attack may be deadly. Other dangerous creatures include snakes, mosquitoes and spiders. Although mosquitoes seem more annoying than harmful, they may carry malaria, dengue or even Zika virus, therefore, it is vital to protect against their bites. There are several species of poisonous snakes among them is the coral snake or Fer-de-lance. When it comes to spiders the most venomous to be considered a threat is the brown recluse spider. These do not attack unprovoked. It is advised to check clothes and shoes before wearing them as these often wander into peoples houses. The waters of Belize are full of rather non-aggressive but dangerous creatures. Although swimming in Belizean waters is generally safe some visitors may encounter creatures such as the Portuguese man-o-war which is a jellyfish about 30 cm in length, however, its tentacles can reach up to 12 meters and their sting is extremely painful sometimes even incapacitating however rarely fatal. Other venomous creatures include the lionfish which has a very painful but non-fatal sting, stonefish aka the most poisonous fish in the world. An untreated sting of a stonefish may be fatal. If exploring the coral reef avoid picking up any shells, mollusk in them can be very poisonous and deadly for humans. It is advised to avoid swimming after dark, sharks although rare in the area are most active at that time and a chance of an attack is greatly increased.
Belize is affected by the Caribbean hurricane season that begins in early June and ends in late November. During that time heavy storms can greatly damage the coastal infrastructure of the country.

Health hazards

Visitors traveling to Belize from countries with a risk of yellow fever are required to present a proof of yellow fever vaccination upon entry. There are several other vaccines that are recommended but not required. These are routine vaccines, typhoid, rabies, hepatitis A and B vaccines. There have been reports of Zika virus in the region, pregnant women are advised to reconsider their travel or to practice increased vigilance when dealing with a mosquito bite, this also applies to malaria. Since both are transmitted through mosquito bites, visitors should use mosquito repellents and mosquito nets. Visitors should also visit their local general practitioner for medicine against malaria. The Belizean healthcare system is well established compared to other countries in the northern part of Central America however it is nowhere near close to the level of USA or EU systems. If getting treated consider visiting a hospital or clinic in Belize City as this is the area where facilities operate at the highest standard in the country. Private clinics may have a better quality of service but may be more expensive. When purchasing health insurance consider medical evacuation as the hospitals in Belize may not be fit to treat extreme emergencies. It is also advised to get a supply of any prescribed medicine before traveling to Belize as such medicine may not be available on the spot.
In case of an emergency dial 911.

Crime

When it comes to crime statistics and homicide rate Belize is in the tops in the world however violent crime does not affect tourists as much as it does affect the locals. Most homicides are attributed to drug gangs battling for territory. Although tourist areas are safe it does not mean that visitors can feel completely relaxed. If basic precaution steps are taken the holiday should stay trouble free. Best way to avoid trouble is to stay low key, wearing flashy jewelry and showing signs of wealth can attract potential thieves and robbers. It is advised to avoid using banks and ATMs, armed robbers pick their targets and follow them until reaching a rather secluded place, armed robberies or drive by snatching usually happens in such instances. It is best to use a hotel room safe to store money and valuables in. Wearing money belts also is helpful in preventing pickpocketing. Leaving valuables or bags unattended or inside cars usually results in goods being stolen with little to no help in retrieving them. The Belizean drug laws state that possession of up to 10 gram of marijuana is legal however exceeding such limit may result in fines or jail time. Possession of any other types of drugs is punishable.

Summary

Belize is certainly a place where English speaking tourists will have no problem in communicating as it is the only officially English speaking country in Central America. Although Belize is one of the smallest of CA nations it has some of the most significant Mayan structures to witness. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visas)
(Vaccines)