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]]>

Episode 18: Healthcare in Belize — The Realistic Picture

Healthcare is one of the top concerns for anyone considering Belize long-term. Today we're giving you the realistic picture.

Myth of the Week:

"Belize has terrible healthcare. I'd never get treated there."

That's wrong. Belize has competent doctors and nice facilities for routine and moderate care. Where it falls short is specialized care, emergency trauma, and complex procedures. It's not terrible—it's limited. There's a difference.

David's perspective: "When I need open heart surgery, I want a surgeon who does so many procedures he can perform mine with his eyes closed. Due to Belize's small population, a heart surgeon might only do one to three procedures a month."

What Healthcare Is Available:

• Public hospitals in major towns (Belize City, Belmopan have the largest)
• Private hospitals and clinics throughout the country, including tourist areas like San Pedro, Placencia, and Cayo
• Pharmacies well-stocked with many medications available without prescription

For routine care: Checkups, minor injuries, common illnesses, dental—you can get good care locally at reasonable prices. A doctor visit might be $50-75 BZD. Basic bloodwork, X-rays, minor procedures—all available.

Where It Falls Short:

• Specialists: Limited oncologists, cardiologists, neurologists. For serious diagnosis, you're likely traveling.
• Emergency trauma: Facilities and response times aren't what you'd find in a major U.S. city.
• Complex surgeries: Available in some cases, but many expats choose to go abroad for anything significant.
• Medical equipment: Some diagnostic equipment isn't available locally.

What Expats Actually Do:

Most use a hybrid approach:

• Routine care locally: Checkups, minor issues, prescriptions
• Medical tourism for bigger stuff:
  • Mérida, Mexico — Popular choice, 3-4 hours from Belize, excellent hospitals, lower cost than U.S.
  • Guatemala City and Chetumal are also options
• Fly back to U.S./Canada for major procedures
• Telemedicine: Increasingly used for consultations with specialists abroad

Listener Question: What Kind of Health Insurance Should I Have?

International health insurance: Companies like Cigna Global, IMG, GeoBlue offer plans covering you in Belize and abroad. Costs vary by age and coverage—maybe $200-$600/month for decent coverage.

Belize local insurance: Available but limited in scope. Good for routine care, may not cover medical evacuation or treatment abroad.

U.S. Medicare: Does NOT cover you outside the U.S. Don't rely on it.

Medical evacuation coverage: CRITICAL. Emergency transport to a better facility can cost $50,000+. Get evac coverage.

Many expats combine international insurance with high deductibles and pay out-of-pocket for routine care (since it's affordable locally).

Prescription Medications:

• Many medications available over the counter at much lower cost than the U.S.
• Pharmacies generally well-stocked
• Some specialized medications may need to be imported or obtained on trips abroad
• If you're on critical medications, bring a good supply and have a backup plan

Real examples: David pays US$9/month for generic Lipitor and US$12/month for generic Flomax in Belize.

How to Plan:

1. Get international health insurance with evacuation coverage — non-negotiable
2. Identify your Plan B medical destination — Know where you'd go for serious care (Mérida, Houston, Miami, wherever)
3. Build relationships with local providers — Find a good GP and dentist
4. Stay on top of preventive care — Don't wait until something is serious
5. Budget for medical travel — It's part of expat life here

Bottom Line:

Healthcare in Belize is adequate for daily life and minor issues. For serious care, you need a plan. That's not a deal-breaker—it's just reality. Plan for it and you'll be fine.

Connect:

📧 david@1stchoicebelize.com
🏠 RE/MAX 1st Choice Belize]]>