Check out my Travel Advisory below issued early in this year.

Today,  August 19, 2013, I am changing my advisory to a Travel Caution.

We traveled through Belize City in March of this year (2013) and saw many signs of change for the better, especially regarding improvements in the infrastructure of the city’s core.

The vibe was better and the taxi drivers we talked to said that crime was down, except for gang on gang related crime.

So, it is still a city to be careful in. Don’t go out on your own at night. Definitely do not wander the streets after dark.. You don’t know the good areas from the bad so don’t take a chance. It’s no different from any city in the world.

Talk to your host about where you can enjoy yourselves and where you should stay away from.

You can enjoy Belize City for what it offers culturally and historically, just use your common sense. (See my blog on Belize City as a transition destination.)

Travel Advisory early 2013

Alarming News out of Belize City! The New Year has not begun well for Belizeans and visitors to Belize City. Gang warfare has plagued the City for years but recently erupted in violence with as many as 12 murders of rival gang members.

For that reason I cannot recommend visiting Belize City until law and order again prevails as it has before.

If you must travel to Belize City and are constrained by your shedule to stay overnight, I am idenifying (not recommending because I have never stayed there) the following mid-range hotels whose names were provided by a very knowledgeable former hotel-owner in Belize City:

D’Nest Inn in Belama, a quiet residential area 3 miles out of the City and 7 miles from the International Airport. 82-92 usd double occupancy.

Easy Inn on the Northern Hgwy, a few miles out of the City and 6-7 miles from the Airport. 65-75 usd.

Bakadeer Inn, in the City but not too close to the downtown near the Belize Museum.

Conningsby Inn, in the City, a well-established 12 room hotel in a relatively secure neighbourhood by the water front.

All these establishments can b googled. For higher end hotels, check out Best Western Biltmore between the Airport and the City, the Princess Hotel in the centre of the City and the Radisson Hotel by the water front.

FOR THE TIME BEING BELIZE CITY SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A ‘NEXUS’ DESTINATION. THAT IS, SOMEWHERE YOU GO TO GET SOMEWHERE ELSE.

THIS TRAVEL ALERT DOES NOT APPLY TO THE REST OF BELIZE BUT YOU SHOULD EXERCISE CAUTION AND COMMON SENSE WHEREVER YOU TRAVEL