How bad of a crime problem truly exists in Belize for travelers and expats?
The travel.state.gov official site states violent crime is a real problem in the northern, western, and southern portions of Belize. Furthermore, it states that violent crime is common in tourist areas, during daylight hours as well as at night, and is also being experienced by expats in rural areas; the presumption being expats are targets due to assumed affluence. Are these statements about widespread crime in Belize true and accurate or are the claims exaggerated? The governmental site referenced above attributes much of the criminal activity to gangs. How prevalent is violence against travelers and expats in Belize, countrywide? If such violence is happening more often in certain areas, where are those areas?
Are there rural areas or small towns that are safe for expats to live in and travelers to visit and that have a competent police force? If so, where?
Thank you.
The travel.state.gov official site states violent crime is a real problem in the northern, western, and southern portions of Belize. Furthermore, it states that violent crime is common in tourist areas, during daylight hours as well as at night, and is also being experienced by expats in rural areas; the presumption being expats are targets due to assumed affluence. Are these statements about widespread crime in Belize true and accurate or are the claims exaggerated? The governmental site referenced above attributes much of the criminal activity to gangs. How prevalent is violence against travelers and expats in Belize, countrywide? If such violence is happening more often in certain areas, where are those areas?
Are there rural areas or small towns that are safe for expats to live in and travelers to visit and that have a competent police force? If so, where?
Thank you.
