Hey, I'll be visiting San Pedro in a couple weeks and am wondering about the likelihood of having things stolen from me. Obviously, I will do my best to not tempt people with valuables but are most motel/hostel rooms safe to keep belongings in? What about being out at bars? Would it be bad to leave a backpack or camera or fanny pack at a table to go dance or use the bathroom?

I'm hoping to get a very safe and comfortable feeling in Belize as I hate to be constantly looking over my shoulder and worrying about something happening.


Well, thanks for any info. Can't wait to get there!

sp is fairly safe, but like anywhere else never leave your camera or wallet unattended at any time. You're just asking to get it stolen from a local or tourist for that matter.

Bigsky, Keep your stuff close to you at all times and you should have no problems. Don't leave valuables like camera, wallet, pocketbook (Not saying you carry one but just in case you do )etc. laying around. Leave any extra valuables you wont be needing that day (credit cards, money, passport, jewelry) in a safe @ your resort. I have never had any problems on Ambergris Caye (I have been there many times) But I always try to remember to lock up golf cart, bikes, even my boat & motor gets locked to the dock with a heavy cable, put valuables in a safe, etc. etc. You get the idea.

There is quite a lot of "petty theft" here, but with a little common sense you should be OK. Absolutely do not assume that your room is secure, because properties do get broken into. 2MNOT is about spot-on.

If you were out at a club at home, would you leave your still be surprised if either of those items were gone when you came back all sweaty from the dance floor?

Yep, I'd be really surprised. I don't live in a big city and people are pretty trustworthy around here. Wouldn't be surprised if there were a bunch of random pics on my camera though.

Thanks for the comments everyone!

I'm afraid the days you can reasonably expect something not to be taken in those circumstances are long gone in most places. A sporting club I belonged to from 1980 experienced its first theft in 1989. Prior to then people had left money, cameras etc lying around and nothing ever happened. Since 1989 that's all changed. As a child in the 1960's I didn't even own a bicycle lock, but left my bicycle unattended all over the place for days on end.

It's sad that the (western) world has changed so much. Is the general relaxation of criminal sanctions solely to blame? You know, the penalty being appropriate to the crime, and justice being rapid. Nowadays justice is so far removed from the offence that it ceases to be justice, and in any case the penalties are usually notional and fully divorced from the offence.

Pedro 2
You are so right! And it all starts in the home where adults are afraid of their own children and there are little or no consequences to bad behavior. When parents will not allow schools to discipline their children and teachers sometimes fear for their lives.
I’m happy to say that here in San Pedro any adult can still tell a child to stop doing something and not be afraid of being shot. I find that by asking “Does your mamma know you are doing that?” they usually stop.
Most of the crime here is one of opportunity – but even that is changing. However, I must say I am very impressed with the current police force. They have been responding quickly and solving many crimes.
I must add however, that not everyone wants them to enforce all crimes. (If you know what I mean?)

No, what do you mean? Which laws? Why?

seashell - sorry to post here, belongs in Chat but have lived in same neighborhood in NJ since 1974. Have never locked house, or cars, still don't.kids growing up left bikes, etc on curbs by street for years, never experienced a theft or heard of even one in this area. Maybe unusual but their are safe places (I know, safe till something happens, fortunately has not) Police blotters in area just lists of DUI's not much else.