Is It Safe to Travel to Belize in 2026?
Belize - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Last updated: · Source: U.S. Department of State
Belize is a country on the north-eastern coast of Central America. It is bordered by Mexico to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and Guatemala to the west and south.
Is It Safe to Travel to Belize in 2026?
Belize is currently rated Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution by the U.S. Department of State. Exercise increased caution in Belize due to crime, particularly in certain areas. Isolated incidents of violent crime can occur even during the day and in tourist areas, especially on the south side of Belize City.
Key concerns cited in the advisory:
- crime
The overall security situation has been worsening recently. Contributing factors: Crime remains a significant concern in Belize, with violent incidents occurring even in tourist areas., Local police lack the resources and training to respond effectively to serious crimes..
Traveler Impact
Solo travelers face significant risks from street crime, particularly in the south side of Belize City, where violent incidents can occur even during the day.
Business travelers may encounter operational disruptions due to crime and limited police resources, particularly in high-risk areas like the south side of Belize City.
Families with children should be cautious, as healthcare access is limited outside major urban areas, and the risk of crime remains a concern even in tourist zones.
Remote workers can find suitable environments in urban areas with decent connectivity, but should avoid traveling after dark due to safety concerns.
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of State, the CDC, the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators, and Freedom House. All sources are updated regularly and cross-referenced to provide a composite safety picture for Belize.
Regional Safety Breakdown
▶Level 3 — Reconsider Travel1 region
▶Southside Belize City
Reconsider travel to Southside Belize City due to crime. Violent crime in Belize City mostly happens in the south side of the city. It is often connected to gang activity. U.S. government employees are strongly discouraged from travel to the south side of Belize City from the Haulover Creek Canal continuing south to Fabers Road due to the danger of crime.
Belize has 1 distinct regions with varying advisory levels. Risk conditions differ significantly by area.
Travel insurance for Belize
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Mobile data in Belize
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▶Safety and Stability Ratings
Threat Severity (0-10 scale)
Belize has an overall threat severity of 4.5 out of 10. Crime risk is rated 6.0/10, terrorism risk 0.0/10, and kidnapping risk 0.0/10.
Governance Indicators (World Bank, percentile)
Political Stability▶
Measures the likelihood that the government will be destabilized or overthrown by unconstitutional or violent means, including politically-motivated violence and terrorism. Higher percentile means greater stability.
Rule of Law▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which agents have confidence in and abide by the rules of society, including the quality of contract enforcement, property rights, the police, and the courts, as well as the likelihood of crime and violence.
Control of Corruption▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which public power is exercised for private gain, including both petty and grand forms of corruption, as well as capture of the state by elites and private interests.
Government Effectiveness▶
Captures perceptions of the quality of public services, the quality of the civil service and the degree of its independence from political pressures, the quality of policy formulation and implementation, and the credibility of the government's commitment to such policies.
Regulatory Quality▶
Captures perceptions of the ability of the government to formulate and implement sound policies and regulations that permit and promote private sector development.
Voice & Accountability▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which a country's citizens are able to participate in selecting their government, as well as freedom of expression, freedom of association, and a free media.
Data from World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators (2023).
Freedom Status: Free — scored 87/100 by Freedom House (2024). View full freedom profile →
▶Entry Requirements and Health
Entry Information
Visa
Check embassy for details
Currency
Belize Dollar (BZD)
Language
English
Notable restrictions:
- drug possession illegal including medical marijuana
- e-cigarettes prohibited
Vaccinations
Recommended:
Active health notices:
- watchGlobal Measles: Measles cases are rising in many countries around the world. All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, according to CDC's measles vaccination recommendations for international travel.
Vaccination data sourced from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Consult a travel health professional before your trip.
Common Questions About Traveling to Belize
▶What is the current travel advisory level for Belize?
▶Is it safe to travel to Belize right now?
▶Do I need a visa to visit Belize?
▶What vaccines do I need for Belize?
▶Is Belize safe for solo travelers?
▶How bad is crime in Belize?
More Belize Data
Free — 87/100 on the Freedom House index.
Governance indicators including rule of law, corruption control, and regulatory quality.
View all 195 countries color-coded by advisory level.
Read the full advisory on travel.state.gov.
Access this data programmatically. Free tier available.
On-demand country risk PDFs from 6 government sources.