Comments on: Belize City: does it deserve its awful reputation?

By: J. Leo

J. Leo — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 02:42:41 +0000

One idea would be for the cruse ships to find another port until the existing conditions improve. I will be visiting this city this month and I can tell you that it is most likely I will not get off the ship.

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 21:40:49 +0000

My brother lives in Belize and having visited him and his family, I couldn’t agree more with your assessment of the city. I’m in awe of the tourists who pony up the money for a motorized tour of the city. There’s really nothing to see and the city lost its charm a long time ago (if indeed it had any to begin with).

For those flying (or sailing) to Belize for any length of stay, be sure to head out of Belize City. Go south or north to the cayes, or west towards the Guatemalan border. That’s were you’ll find the real richness of Belize.

By: islandmomma

islandmomma — Sun, 29 May 2011 18:28:40 +0000

Never ceases to amaze me that tourist boards the world over can’t seem to put themselves in a tourist’s shoes and take a look at what they look like to others. Ack, I know it isn’t true everywhere, just ranting on account of recent experiences. I had vague plans to go to Belize next year, so this was very useful!

By: Elle

Elle — Sun, 29 May 2011 17:50:08 +0000

I’ve been to Belize 3x now and each time I leave the city ASAP. I have not explored it on foot, however I’ve driven around and through it each time. Belize is a fantastic country, their tourism industry would benefit from cleaning up the city a little.

By: MaryAnne

MaryAnne — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 01:14:24 +0000

We were in Belize about 2 years ago and spent a couple days in Belize City and it was just fine. We had come in on slow chicken bus from Mexico. Lots of wandering around, had some great meals at Marva’s, met a lot of good hearted people, no hassles, no annoying touts, no scariness. I wouldn’t choose it as a place to live but it wasn’t anything like I had been warned (or maybe I was just used to cities that were similar- I’d spent the previous decade in Turkey and South Africa)

By: Andy Jarosz

Andy Jarosz — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 12:18:16 +0000

Thanks for the comments to all.
Jack, not sure what can be done but many places in the world have tackled similar social problems and I’m sure that with the right people in charge and the will to change Belize can succeed here as well (those are two mighty big caveats though!)
Michael, so much to see in Belize that I wouldn’t know where to start. The Cayes are a great spot for swimming and snorkelling/diving, and inland you have the jungle and caves to explore. Also the Garifuna culture in the south. It has a lot to offer as a small country.

By: Erin D.

Erin D. — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 10:44:29 +0000

Not all too surprised to see this — Belize City is rough and not somewhere I ever venture. I’ve been going to Belize once a year for pat 7 years and I’m much happier in other parts of the country. I usually stay on Ambergris Caye and do day trips back to the mainland.

By: Michael Olenick

Michael Olenick — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 02:16:31 +0000

Interesting view on Belize City. I am glad you ventured in even though you heard it was not worth the trip. I am planning a Central America trip this summer. Any suggestions?

By: Jack

Jack — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 23:29:58 +0000

Based on your description, I definitely would agree that the something needs to be done by the government to approve the appeal of Belize City if it hopes to attract tourists and sustain itself economically. Any ideas on what could be done?

By: Ted Nelson

Ted Nelson — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:08:21 +0000

Interesting analysis of the run down conditions that exist in Belize City. I like the fact that you tempered it with advice on places to go outside the city in the country that are much more pleasant.