Anyone here driven to Belize?

[NewRVLady]

We've driven to and within Mexico with no issues, but only stay on paid highways, even though they are expensive and at times very crowded. However, I don't know anything about South America. There are safety issues in some parts of Mexico but it all depends on what you are doing and where and when. We just came from 3 months of travelling Mexico and was me a 4ft 10 woman with 3 children who are very white. My husband joined us for 3 weeks but that was it. Did I ever feel unsafe?! NOPE, not even once. Crossing the border took the longest, but we went on a very busy day and time, so that was our fault. We drove from Northern Illinois.

So - do you homeschool?
Was this an educational trip?
My mom had a friend who had a second home in Mexico and visited there a few times- but this was like 20 years ago - nowadays it is just too scary

 

[piccolopat]

Please also make sure your friend knows that auto accidents in Mexico are both civil and criminal offenses. Does she really want to risk going to prison for a fender bender as well as risking her life and safety if she runs into any of the notorious gangs?

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

So - do you homeschool?
Was this an educational trip?
My mom had a friend who had a second home in Mexico and visited there a few times- but this was like 20 years ago - nowadays it is just too scary

Yes, we homeschool and the trip was just an experience and of course there were educational parts of it, but we are with a curriculum that must be finished in a certain amount of time, so we just brought all the school books with us and still conducted classes as normal, we were just in unique places doing our work! On the top of a mountain, on the beach, on a cross country bus, in a park overlooking the church where Mexican independence was born...on and on it went

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

I have met some people from Belize, they were super cool. That being said, I think flying would be a better option. Driving somewhere far away, just sounds scary. So many things could go wrong, just sounds too dangerous.

 

[Mirielle]

There is a tremendous amount of experience from people from all over the world on this site. Why would you not tap into that experience?

Yes, that's what I thought. I've been surprised by the many experiences people here have had.

Please also make sure your friend knows that auto accidents in Mexico are both civil and criminal offenses. Does she really want to risk going to prison for a fender bender as well as risking her life and safety if she runs into any of the notorious gangs?

Oh my!

 

[LiveYourLife]

Ehhhh?

It was half joking. Mexican drug cartels tend to cut off heads and leave them in public places as warnings

I figured that's what you meant but you omitted a very important word.

Omg....i didn't notice! I can't stop laughing

I just laughed so loud I scared the dogs! Hilarious!!!

 

[MamaLema]

There is a group of 15-20 people in our church that drive down to El Salvador or Guatemala every year from Canada. They take 4 big trucks of donations. Once they brought down 4 ambulances to donate filled with supplies. They ask for police escorts in the most dangerous parts. Police are happy to oblige because of the nature of what they are doing.

I would not recommend driving down to Belize without prior experience. It's just asking for trouble.

 

[anniemae]

She wouldn't be driving alone would she?????

 

[momz]

Has your friend lost her mind?!

 

[Mirielle]

Rather than try to persuade (again) my friend to not "drive" to Belize, I plan to show her this thread and let her see how others view her idea. Thank you all for your kind help!

 

[lovemygoofy]

I would make sure to tell your friend to check her insurance and if she needs to purchase other insurance for outside US travel

Also, I would make sure she had another plan when her car is stolen or all her possessions. It doesn't matter if locked in the trunk or hidden in the back seat
what will she do without her things? In addition how is going to to along the route? Credit Card? Cash? Have a backup plan for that too..

 

[gwynne]

I would make sure to tell your friend to check her insurance and if she needs to purchase other insurance for outside US travel

Also, I would make sure she had another plan when her car is stolen or all her possessions. It doesn't matter if locked in the trunk or hidden in the back seat
what will she do without her things? In addition how is going to to along the route? Credit Card? Cash? Have a backup plan for that too..

And I would add she needs to make sure she is very able and well supplied in the car repair department. Road are very rough and pretty deserted in places.