I though I should share this email with cayecaulker folk.
I planned a trip to Belize this month. Of course I really did not consider the full ramifications of such a trip before I planned the trip. Once I bought plane tickets I started to do more research. Of course I never should have done the research. Now I am aware that a long time resident of Caye Caulker was murdered in her home early this month. I am also aware that there is to be a replacement of the police force on Caye Caulker. I am now also aware of a sizeable number of thefts that have taken place on Caye Caulker. I also learned that malaria and deunge fever are contracted in the interior parts of Belize. There are other maladies that people contract in Belize.
Of course, I live in Houston, Texas where many people are murdered every year. We have our share of diseases. We also have wonderful birdwatching in this area.
So, I guess I am writing to you to ask you if you would advise me to stay somewhere other than Caye Caulker? Would some other island be safer at about the same price? I do not really fear for my safety. I will be traveling with my wife and children. The children are 15, 13, and 10. I want to come down there and feel comfortable. I want to know that my wife and children will be safe.
I do not know anyone in Belize. This is why I am seeking advice from several people that live there.
Many thanks for any assistance,
Any comments?

You will be fine. I felt very safe there. Stuff happens
everywhere. It is a wonderful place for your kids. We
have problems even in our affluent community in USA
where we live. Don't pass up this opportunity to enjoy
Caye Caulker!! I am a experienced tourist from Oregon
USA and have nothing to do with Caye Caulker other than
respect and fond memories. Go enjoy yourself and stop
the parents worry. I can't imagine any normal human being
not having a great time in Caye Caulker.

We chose Caye Caulker years ago and still think it's one of the safest places to be for our family.

I was born on CC a long time ago. I live in San Diego now and go to Belize frequently. As always when you travel anywhere take your safety very seriously. Get to know the local business owners etc who can give you good advice on what to do and where to go safely. Unfortunately bad things happen everywhere these days..Caye Caulker is still a great place to visit. Hope you go and enjoy!

We live outside Detroit and just returned from Ambergris Caye in September. Our teenagers did not want to go home. We felt safe. We loved the people, the surroundings. We cannot wait to return. Anywhere you travel you could come up against a bad situation. Safety is in numbers, but it can happen anywhere, at anytime. Be as cautious as you are in the city your live in.

Go on your trip, leave your worries behind and enjoy these beautiful islands and the wonderful people that live there. Wish we were just leaving instead of just returning!

Caye Caulker will be the last place in the world I return to.
I was sorry to hear about the murder. The people at Tropic Air were very pleasant. No beach, corrupt police department.
People entering your rental in the middle of the night. Corruption is everywhere in this world. I just happened to experience it in CC. It seemed like the ideal place to vacation but I was wrong. I know the residents don't want to hear it and I'll get many negative remarks. Who cares?????

Nobody should come to any place in Belize expecting to find "great" beaches. We don't have fantastic beaches, we have a living coral reef teeming with amazing sea creatures.

SCgirl....You should care...your vacations was not a pleasant one...there are people on the Caye dealing with what you experienced and trying to make a change...and this makes me think that nothing will be ideal to your negative thoughts....maybe if you made an informed decision and used the internet for positive reasons you would have known that Belize is all about jungle and reef....not beaches.......and Caye Caulker is safe and beautiful

Give me a break the "beaches" was something I just threw in.
It is really all about the crime that is not acknowledged.

I am the person that originally sent the message that started this thread. I really was looking for information from people that actually live in Belize. While I value opinions of others, it would be difficult for them to have the same amount of information as someone living in Belize. So, if you live in San Ignacio and can address the malaria/deunge fever question; or, if you live on Caye Caulker and would like to address the crime issue, I would love to hear from you. I am not going to change my plans. I will visit both locations. I just am looking for more information.

Peace,

Cleatus

You shouldn't change your plans. Although the murder was an absolutely awful event it is not the norm for Caye Caulker.

In regards to malaria and dengue - it is a true and credible concern and you should take the relevant precautions. If you choose not to take the pills (talk to your doctor) at minimum you should wear repellent and suitable attire to avoid being bitten.

Caye Caulker isn't for everybody, and if you decide it isn't for you then you can try the next island over, Ambergris Caye or move to another mainland location.

I am sure your family is going to have a memorable and enjoyable vacation if you come here with an open mind ready for some adventure and new experiences.

There is malaria and Dengue in Belize in certain areas. There is Lyme's Desease on the east coast of the US. There is Rocky Mountain tick fever in the rockies, Swine Flu is everywhere. The point is that is you let that all control your decisions, you would stay home and never go out.
CC is beautiful, although a bit laid back for my tastes. AC is a more active. Both are really safe if you use basic common sense.
If you have children, I can not imagine a better place to vacation with fun for all age groups. I even had my 89 year old Dad here for a while and he loved the bird watching and all the attention that the lovely Belizean people showed him.

You should not discount the travelers advice either. Sometimes residents (locals)view things a little less important and do not understand how the difference in living standards can affect a vacation.
That being said, my wife and I have been to both islands and the mainland many times. CC is a wonderful village with the most laid back people who are welcoming and friendly. AC has more activities, but also more visitors (not crowded though) There is obviously more to explore on AC because it is so much bigger. The mainland is yet another world alltogether. Beautiful and undeveloped (except a few cities). You must take precautions anywhere you go. We have never had any medical issues or felt unsafe, but we take precautions. We don't stagger around drunk at 2 in the morning, waving our wallets. I don't know what your kids enjoy, but have heard from many travelers that AC is more to the younger ones liking.
You are doing the right thing by asking questions. Relax, you will love this trip and plan another right after returning.

I am not the sort of person who would try to sugar-coat something as awful as the murder on CC. To the contrary, I have ticked off local politicians by being openly critical of (some aspects of) their response to that sad and gruesome event.
How do I feel about Caye Caulker at this moment? It is the most beautiful place I have ever seen. And rhe people are so welcoming and gracious that my wife and I will probably spend the rest of our lives here.
How safe is it? I walk the streets alone nearly every night carrying nothing but a book. I don't feel threatened by the people around me, I feel protected by the people around me.
I am skeptical about the politicians on this island (and everyplace else) but politicians on CC realize that it is in their own best interest to make CC as safe as is humanly possible. Whether they are motivated by morality or greed, EVERYONE on the island is committed to making Caye Caulker as safe as it is beautiful.

Well said.