Anyone here driven to Belize?

[Mirielle]

My best friend suddenly decided she'd like to live in Belize and has decided at the end of the month to drive from the east coast ALL THE WAY to Belize. Anyone here driven there, and if so, what was the experience like?

 

[sonnyjane]

My best friend suddenly decided she'd like to live in Belize and has decided at the end of the month to drive from the east coast ALL THE WAY to Belize. Anyone here driven there, and if so, what was the experience like?

Not even remotely advised due to safety issues at this time.

 

[sonnyjane]

Have your friend read these lengthy travel advisories for Mexico: https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/mexico-travel-warning.html

and the "Safety and Security" section about Guatemala: https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/guatemala.html

I'm not one to be afraid of traveling in general, and I've spent time in Mexico and Central America, but right now the murders, kidnappings, and carjackings are no joke, especially (not to sound sexist) for a woman driver.

 

[js]

We are seasoned cruisers and out of all the ports we have been to on our sailings, Belize is my absolute least favorite.
So no, I have never driven there and as a woman and a mom of a 22 year old dd, I would HIGHLY discourage it.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

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.

 

[sonnyjane]

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.

WHERE you were specifically in Mexico matters immensely. The roads you take to get from US to Belize through Mexico put you right in the middle of places with advisories like this current one:

"Defer all non-essential travel to Tamaulipas. Throughout the state violent crime, including homicide, armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, extortion, and sexual assault, pose significant safety risks. State and municipal law enforcement capacity is limited to nonexistent in many parts of Tamaulipas. Violent conflicts between rival criminal elements and/or the Mexican military can occur in all parts of the region and at all times of the day. Violent criminal activity occurs more frequently along the northern border. Organized criminal groups sometimes target public and private passenger buses traveling through Tamaulipas. These groups sometimes take all passengers hostage and demand ransom payments. In Tamaulipas, U.S. government employees are subject to movement restrictions and a curfew between midnight and 6 a.m. Matamoros, Reynosa, Nuevo Laredo, and Ciudad Victoria have experienced numerous gun battles and attacks with explosive devices in the past year. The number of reported kidnappings in Tamaulipas is among the highest in Mexico."

 

[ford family]

We have been to Belize three times recently whilst cruising and have enjoyed all of the visits.
I think the problem is driving through Mexico (no need to pass through Guatemala) whereas once in Belize you are relatively safe.
There have been a number of television programmes recently (House Hunters International?) with people buying property in Belize either as a holiday home or permanent residences.
Looks good and, of course, English is one of the main languages.

ford family

 

[sonnyjane]

We have been to Belize three times recently whilst cruising and have enjoyed all of the visits.
I think the problem is driving through Mexico (no need to pass through Guatemala) whereas once in Belize you are relatively safe.
There have been a number of television programmes recently (House Hunters International?) with people buying property in Belize either as a holiday home or permanent residences.
Looks good and, of course, English is one of the main languages.

ford family

You are correct, looks like GoogleMaps has them going up and over Guatemala. Still worth knowing the situation there though. My friend was in Belize recently for her honeymoon and wanted to take a tour into Guatemala to see some ruins. Her resort told the not to cross the border without armed guards. They went to the beach instead lol. And I agree with you, once in Belize they are probably good to go - it's just the drive to get there that I advise against.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

There are ways to avoid dangerous areas while still staying on main and paid highways, just do your research. As I said we travelled all over the country and getting to some places we had to go through some areas that were unsavory, so we went around. Does it take longer? Yes, but I would rather have been safe than sorry.

 

[pumpkinmomma]

i wouldn't recommend it. We vacation in Mex and feel very safe in the tourist areas, but driving through the country is a different thing altogether.

Could she sell her car and most of her belongings to finance the move instead?

 

[Kitty 34]

My best friend suddenly decided she'd like to live in Belize and has decided at the end of the month to drive from the east coast ALL THE WAY to Belize. Anyone here driven there, and if so, what was the experience like?

and you're asking a Disney site??? I might find more sites that would be more accurate in the concerns you ask.........just saying. Good luck.

 

[sunshinehighway]

Does she like her head? If she does maybe she should think twice.

 

[sonnyjane]

Does she like head? If she does maybe she should think twice.

Ehhhh?

 

[sunshinehighway]

Ehhhh?

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

 

[sonnyjane]

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.

 

[JaxDad]

I had some friends who drove to Belize, and as far as I know they made it okay. Of course, I haven't actually heard from them...

 

[sunshinehighway]

I had some friends who drove to Belize, and as far as I know they made it okay. Of course, I haven't actually heard from them...

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

 

[Mirielle]

and you're asking a Disney site??? I might find more sites that would be more accurate in the concerns you ask.........just saying. Good luck.

Yes, I am. I don't NEED to find sites that are "more accurate" as I am not the one planning or carrying out this adventure. My friend is an adult and has researched on her own. I was merely curious as to whether anyone here had driven to Belize. People have offered interesting info which I've enjoyed reading.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

WHERE you were specifically in Mexico matters immensely. The roads you take to get from US to Belize through Mexico put you right in the middle of places with advisories like this current one:

"Defer all non-essential travel to Tamaulipas. Throughout the state violent crime, including homicide, armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, extortion, and sexual assault, pose significant safety risks. State and municipal law enforcement capacity is limited to nonexistent in many parts of Tamaulipas. Violent conflicts between rival criminal elements and/or the Mexican military can occur in all parts of the region and at all times of the day. Violent criminal activity occurs more frequently along the northern border. Organized criminal groups sometimes target public and private passenger buses traveling through Tamaulipas. These groups sometimes take all passengers hostage and demand ransom payments. In Tamaulipas, U.S. government employees are subject to movement restrictions and a curfew between midnight and 6 a.m. Matamoros, Reynosa, Nuevo Laredo, and Ciudad Victoria have experienced numerous gun battles and attacks with explosive devices in the past year. The number of reported kidnappings in Tamaulipas is among the highest in Mexico."

I've driven into & out of Tamaulipas more than 100 times, none in the past 15 years though. Tremendous shame what's gone on there

 

[Flight]

and you're asking a Disney site??? I might find more sites that would be more accurate in the concerns you ask.........just saying. Good luck.

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?