Totally, absolutely, completely, off-topic!

[Chris C]

Has anyone here on the board been to Belize?

My Dad is taking the entire family on a 7-day cruise to the Caribbean in February and one of the stops is Belize. My girlfriend and I wanted to spend the day casually browsing around town. But I heard today it's recommended that tourists stay away from the town and just go on the side excursions..................saying it's unsafe to wander the streets of Belize. Any comments?

[toypusher]

Never been there!

[Guy]

Dear Chris,

I was down there for the first time in the 70's and it was really bad for Americans. It has not gotten much better. For more than thirty years it was on the State Dept.'s List for being unsafe. Keep to the side excursions, unless you plan on going scuba diving. The diving there is pretty awesome and the dive boats cater to ALL DIVERS.

[Chris C]

Thanks, Guy. I don't dive and have been warned against taking those "we'll train you dive in 30 minutes or less" sort of training sessions most tourists get. I'll probably just stay onboard the ship and enjoy the amenaties. Besides, we have a 750 square foot suite for just my girlfriend and myself, with all the trimmings, so I'm sure we'll find plenty to do there.

[s4son]

we have a 750 square foot suite for just my girlfriend and myself,

Gosh Chris, that's big enough to build a teardrop in!

Scott F.

[Larry Messaros]

I've also heard to stay in groups. Never alone. The more the better.

[Coca Cola Teardrop]

Never been there Chris.
Hope you guys have a great time and be safe. I'll be in your town Feb 10,11,12. Will have the Cola Cola teardrop with me. My cargo trailer is full to the rim so I'm using the teardrop as a cargo trailer too. Should be good exposure with the for sale sign in it.
Have fun.
Linda

[gman]

That's in New York Right? kinda by Yonkers?

[Arne]

We were told the same thing in New Orleans (pre Kartina)... I suspect most large towns/cities with a lot of poverty would have the same warning.

[Laredo]

Never been to Belize.

Depending where you live you can take basic diving classes (takes about six hours total) for under $100. They can teach you to snorkel for less, faster; if there are Boy Scout Explorers in your town they probably know where to find an instructor.

[Steve_Cox]

Has anyone here on the board been to Belize?

Chris, it isn't safe to wander around anywhere in the world, without being selfaware....

Belize is over 90% Christian, if that is any indication of how safe it is... (make your own conclusion) The official language is English, although you would probably get to hear some Mayan dialects. This is one of the most laid back countries in the world. The food is wonderful, the people are some of the nicest you would ever find anywhere. Drink bottled beverages, sanitation is not a high priority there. But the people are generally clean.

Belize has more in common with the islands of the Carribean than with the political volatility of its Central American neighbors. They have never had a political coup. Spanish and British influences still remain.

The least expensive way to get around Belize is by bus. Buses run regular schedules and they are clean, roomy and efficient.

This trip would give you an opportunity to visit Mayan Ruins, visit with Menonite missionaries,(there are still about 8% of the population they haven't converted to Christianity yet) see incredible wildlife and beautiful exotic plants and trees. And about boat trips to the reef, You would want to get into the water, snorkeling is a great way to see the reef and it's inhabitants, and you don't have to worry about scuba diving.... and believe me, it is a whole other world under the surface of the water, it is simply a must do thing if you have traveled that far... The underwater visibility is beyond compair....

Just you mentioning it, makes me want to go back, I spent several months In Belize and Guatamala a few years ago. Stayed long enough to make friends with some of the local people, friendships I'll never forget. Ahh, memories of the Rio Dulce, El Golfete and Lake Izaba.

Oh well, just my perspective.

Steve

[Steve_Cox]

Forgot to mention the most important part....

LISTENIN TO BRUKDOWN MUSIC WHILE DRINKIN' CARIBBEAN COCONUT RUM AND ICE COLD BELIKIN BEER...


Dats Duh Best

[Guest]

Find out if the ship has wireless internet... Gonna havta have your fix.

[madjack]

Chris, you might want to check out this site...
http://travel.discovery.com/destination ... rview.html
madjack

[Ira]

A lot of the cruise ships have web cams on them. If yours does, and you post the ship, which particular web cam (aft pool, disco, pool bar, etc.), and a date and time...

You can make a lot of people here jealous by being in front of that webcam in shorts and a tea-shirt, pina colada in hand, in the middle of February!