Belize - Security

Security for Yachts visiting Belize

Overall Crime and Safety:

The US State Department and UK FCO both have travel advisories for Belize, but emphasize that most general travel (tourism) to Belize is incident-free. Still, you should take precautions against street crime. There have been occasional violent incidents against tourists.

Specific areas of concern:

The George Street and Kraal Road areas of Belize City are particularly dangerous due to gang violence and gun crime.

Maritime Issues:

In February 2021 several piracy events were reported against local fishermen in the cays and coast of Belize. Outboard engines, fish and electronics were taken. In 2022 a yacht on passage from Panama to Belize reported two suspicious vessels off Honduras apparently trying to intercept the yacht's course (more details below in links).

There was a particularly violent attack on a charter catamaran in 2012 in the Pelican Range of Cayes. Take caution when anchoring here or avoid the area. Whilst the Pelican Range of Cayes have seen a few security incidents against yachts in the past, this is the first violent attack against a yacht in Belize that was reported to Noonsite and nothing has been reported since.

Reported Incidents in last 5 years:

• Panama to Belize: Suspicious Activity off Honduras - November 2022
• Belize: Pirates Target Local Fishermen Along the Coast - February 2021
• Belize, Dangriga: Burgled While Asleep - March 2020
• Belize, Placencia Harbor: Night Boarding and Theft - February 2019

For more reports see Belize Security Reports.

Last updated:  May 2024