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Posted By: Slim Scuba Island Safety - 04/12/03 01:37 AM
I am deciding if San Pedro will be right for my next "solo" holiday. Are there many (or any) of you who travel to Ambergris Caye alone?
I am a young female who comfortably and freely travels throught the caribbean. I have not been to Central America yet...Thanks.
Posted By: Pedro1 Re: Island Safety - 04/12/03 01:41 AM
This is me being serious -I met my future wife here and she has been coming for over 10 years-her name is Tina and read Dobermans trip report-no problems if you are sensible.
Posted By: seashell Re: Island Safety - 04/12/03 01:55 AM
I am often not sensible and sometimes even insensible. So far so good.

If you've been travelling all over the Caribbean by yourself, then you already know what to watch out for. Oh yeah, and I'm sure you are wise to the landsharks too.
Posted By: klcman Re: Island Safety - 04/12/03 01:57 AM
da dum......da dum
Posted By: Marie Re: Island Safety - 04/12/03 01:59 AM
The only problem I have ever heard of was this year. I guess a couple guys goosed a girl late at night. Other than that, but nothing. I don't live there, just visit, so have missed much, but I do go most every year. Keep listening to this post to find out more.
Posted By: Pedro1 Re: Island Safety - 04/12/03 02:03 AM
I am sure a guy called Benchley was arrested for molestation and if memory serves correctly got a huge no. of years in the local nick-is my memory correct?/
Posted By: Chloe Re: Island Safety - 04/12/03 02:07 AM
I have traveled and vacationed in San Pedro alone. Being a lady sure kept me safe. I never once felt uneasy. I walked from the Palace Casino or Fido's to Sunbreeze every night about midnight, except when the power went out all over town I took a taxi back, only fear was falling in a pothole. Check in with your resort/hotel front desk daily, so they know you are safe.
Posted By: Pedro1 Re: Island Safety - 04/12/03 02:16 AM
Chloe you are in the chair -your "ring a friend"has gone;your"ask the audience"has gone;the "50/50" has gone there are no four choices but you still may get the million dollars and the question is "Who wrote Jaws"
Posted By: Chloe Re: Island Safety - 04/12/03 02:22 AM
Pedro! I did not use my "call a friend", so I am using it now....................... ring ding ding..........MARIE...answer the Question for me. Marie we could win here.
Posted By: Hey Jude Re: Island Safety - 04/12/03 02:24 AM
Slim Scuba,

Not a problem. I am a single woman and made the trip down to San Pedro alone. Spent 5 days there before I was joined by some other friends. Even walked downtown for dinner and back to my accomodations after dark. No one bothered me at all. Of course, I did have my wits about me and I am a US Marine. So perhaps I projected a "don't even try it" attitude. I really think you will find San Pedro safe and relaxing. The local people are friendly and very helpful.

I assume you like to dive as well. Let me recommend a little family run dive operation that I used the whole time I was there. Did 11 tanks with them.

I went with Coral Beach Dive Shop which is on the pier next to Shark Bar. First, let me tell you about an overnighter to the outer cayes and atolls. The 50 ft boat we went out on has bunk beds and was a very cool experience. The boat Offshore Express II is actually the boat used in the filming of Cocoon.

We dove 3 tanks the first day at Turneffe, Long Caye, and Half Moon Caye. Stayed overnight moored up at Half Moon Caye which was like a private tropical paradise. The next morning we headed to Blue Hole and had already surfaced by the time the first boat from AC (Amigos Del Mar)had arrived. We headed for Turneffe for our last dive and then back to AC.

The crew was a family operation. Alan Forman is a PADI Platinum Dive Instructor and has personally trained his dive masters. His son Clive captains the boat and is a dive master. Drury, another son, catchs fish along the way and assists as a crew member. Norma & Dalcia are two daughters that manage all of the cooking and bedding and all of the guests on the boat comfortable.

The trip cost us $250 US for the dives, all meals, and accommodations. We left Tuesday at about 0630 and were back well rested with a siesta on the return trip by 1630 on Wednesday. The food served was plentiful and excellent.

Here is a website that goes into a little detail on the trip.

http://www.coralbeachhotel.com/

Alan doesn't own this hotel anymore, but does have the dive shop going. I highly recommend this dive shop for local diving as well. Alan Jr., the grandson, who runs one of their other boats Offshore Princess is an excellent dive master for local checkout dives.

--Hey Jude
Posted By: Pedro1 Re: Island Safety - 04/12/03 02:31 AM
Your 30 seconds is up
Posted By: B_b_f_b Re: Island Safety - 04/12/03 02:37 AM
You will feel so incredibly safe there! Not only that, you will meet so many wonderful people there. Like myself. smile smile smile smile
Posted By: NYgal Re: Island Safety - 04/12/03 02:57 AM
>>shaking head...laughing...waiting...silent<<

AND, darn it's a difficult job. laugh
Posted By: Marie Re: Island Safety - 04/12/03 03:23 AM
Pedro, my dear, I get your humor, and love your dogs, but maybe think a minute what people think when you say these things.
Posted By: Slim Scuba Re: Island Safety - 04/12/03 03:40 AM
Hey Jude,
Alan Forman's operation looks great.
It's exactly what I want to encounter.
Thanks.
Posted By: dbdoberman Re: Island Safety - 04/12/03 01:30 PM
Peter Benchley, and what were you playing for, Chloe? hahaha

Slim, It really felt safe while I was visiting, but I understand that females travelling alone have reasons to ask about safety. I did see the lovely Tina, and she is a knockout, walking without a care through the streets of SP. The only concern she had was to get to Cholos in time to meet Peter! wink If you read this board you will notice a large number of folks who have returned to AC year after year. Quite a few are single ladies. If there were any concerns for safety, I don't think they would be flocking back.
Have a great time, your are gonna love it! smile
Posted By: Marie Re: Island Safety - 04/12/03 01:32 PM
Excellent point, Dobbie.
Posted By: o jackie Re: Island Safety - 04/12/03 01:53 PM
I have never had a problem at all. I am going on my 4th trip this May and that is the least of my concerns, actually, I have no concerns. I feel safer there, then I do at home. Just use common sense and you will be fine.

Plus alot of the hotels have security, I know the one that I stay at has excellent security. Plus, it seemed to me that more police were patroling the beach, this last time. Maybe cuz it was Christmas.

Jackie
Posted By: Hey Jude Re: Island Safety - 04/12/03 02:13 PM
Slim....glad to help. I enjoyed it there and will be back.

For Pedro....since my clock is wound a bit tighter than yours, I still have a few seconds left. I referred Slim to a local business that I enjoyed and accommodated me as a single diver since her handle is "scuba". I am a woman who travelled alone to San Pedro....and your experience is?

Pedro...something you wanna tell us about yourself?
--Hey Jude
Posted By: klcman Re: Island Safety - 04/12/03 02:49 PM
laugh
Posted By: Marie Re: Island Safety - 04/12/03 03:18 PM
So, back to her point...unless you do stupid things and hang out with awful people, you should be just fine. God knows, horrible things occur in this world, but I would be surprised if it did in Belize. God knows it might, but I haven't seen it. I'm quite a walker and I'm traveling all hours of the evening and day. Never heard a thing but "Good Morning, Mum or Good Evening Mum" (as an aside, that makes me feel old, a Miss would work! But, Belizeans are incredibly respectful). Now, given if you are at a frisky place, there could be a problem, but I've never seen it, other than the issue I mentioned in another post that was said to me, but they were out late, at a 'festive' time. Belive me, you'd be as safe in Belize as you would be in Ohio, unless you are very careless. Of course, you should listen to other people on this post to see their opinions.
Posted By: Slim Scuba Re: Island Safety - 04/12/03 03:29 PM
I think this may be the most active message board on the planet! Thank you for your help.
Posted By: Pedro1 Re: Island Safety - 04/12/03 03:36 PM
For all those who do not know me I am witty,charming,debonair,great company,good looking,not in the least bit vain,have a wonderful sense of humour(which people miss 98% of the time),and have a fantastic girlfriend and the prettiest dog on the island.
Only two points of the above are 100% true
Posted By: dbdoberman Re: Island Safety - 04/12/03 03:40 PM
I have met the prettiest dog and the fantastic girlfriend, and I couldn't agree with you more Pedro, soooooooooooo........
Posted By: ckocian Re: Island Safety - 04/12/03 03:43 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Slim Scuba:
I think this may be the most active message board on the planet! Thank you for your help.
Also the most incestuous!!
Posted By: klcman Re: Island Safety - 04/12/03 03:50 PM
hah - is it better in the "South" ?
Posted By: Marie Re: Island Safety - 04/13/03 01:17 AM
Ok, I'm loving the dog (rub her belly for me until I get back in February), haven't met the girlfriend, unless she is the very attractive young lady working with you. Witty, true...now the other things I have to think about. Let me get back to you.
Posted By: Kra-Z-K Re: Island Safety - 05/02/03 08:18 PM
Slim Scuba:

I just returned from my solo vacation in ambergris caye in belize, it was my best vacation of my life! I felt safer than I do back home in Nevada! I am going again in June. Let me know if you want more info. I was there 7 days alone and was crying when it was time to go home!
KE
Posted By: akafiend Re: Island Safety - 05/02/03 10:24 PM
I'm a 37 year old female and I went by myself in February/March. I asked the same question on this board. I felt VERY safe, had a blast and would do it again, solo, in a heartbeat. In fact, I will probably go back again next winter. I walked all over the island, went to the bars, slept with my windows wide open, talked to everyone I came in contact with and had a ball. I never felt afraid at all, even if I was walking back to my hotel alone at night. I have to say that I was sensible - didn't flash a lot of money, didn't wear jewelry, didn't walk alone in the middle of the night to drunk to defend myself, etc. I would recommend AC to any woman for a solo trip.
Posted By: seashell Re: Island Safety - 05/03/03 12:16 PM
Well . . . sleeping with your windows wide open, may not have been the smartest thing to do . . .I've been advocating the safety of San Pedro (within reason) for some time now . . but I don't recommend that. Sorry.
Posted By: Beachy Re: Island Safety - 05/03/03 08:44 PM
If indeed you travel the Caribbean regularly as you say, then take it from me(and my wife) If you handled Jamaica or any Virgin Islands,Puerto Rico, in fact, all the St.'s then you may feel slighted by the men here. The occassional hiss hiss is all the shy boys of San Pedro can muster most often.
hiss hiss (what is that?)
Chris
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