My husband and I will be in AC the last week of March. We will be accompanied by our 17 year old daughter and her 18 year old girlfriend. The girls want to do their own thing and check out the local hangouts at night on their own. Safe? What time do the bars close? Thanks for your input.

[This message has been edited by Gigi (edited 02-01-2001).]

Gigi,
My husband and I rescued two girls your daughter's age from a pack of "wolves" while down there. They were not sure how to handle the situation, and my husband said if they had been his daughters, he would have wanted someone to step in, so we took them home. This was in a more remote area. They're were tons of teens at Fido's dancing when we were there. My teenaged son loved it. I think they would be fine as long as they were there. There were so many people there that were their age. Coming home alone in the dark, I may worry a little. You may want to have Dad go by and escort them home at 1:00 or whatever. During the day I wouldn't worry much at all. Very frinedly and safe. I may be a worry wort, but that's what Mom's are good for huh?
Debbie

Take the same precautions you would take at home. The bars are all friendly, but of course two girls 17 and 18 are targets for guys wherever they go in the bar scene. Some of the more cool scenes are Barefoot Iguana, Fidos, and Big Daddy's for dancing and music. Other good beach bars are BC's Beach Bar, Coconuts Beach Bar, The Purple Parrot at Ramon's Village, Pier Lounge at the Spindrift Hotel, etc.

The only suggestion I would venture to make is to make sure they travel to and from town by taxi or some other pre-arranged method. This is safe and a good way to travel in AC late at night.

If the girls were to stay until closing, they might end up walking home at 1, 2 or even later in the morning.

Having said all that, I am sure you will have no major problems. Belizeans are friendly and helpful. Crime is almost non-existent compared to home in the States or Canada and usually only consists of petty theft.

Make arrangements with a taxi driver to take them and pick them up. It might cost a little more to keep the taxi driver awake but it is worth every cent.

This is my take on the situation re: 17 and 18 year old girls but I'm sure that Sandshaker, Jesse, Lan, Chloe, or Choochoo might have some input here.

Enjoy your vacation and just use common sense where the girls are concerned.

**Jim

Sandcrab said it all in the first sentence and the last. We've had our "kids" (now 25 and 22) in SP several times without incident, but you need to be pretty alert. Alcohol is a bit more in the mix for them there than at home.

Most of the bars close at midnight and the discos (Big Daddy's, Tarzan's, Iguana's) close at 3AM on weekends.

Keep in mind, the drinking age in Belize is 18.

My daughter and her friends come with us a lot, and they go to barefoot iguana, and have a great time.

since age 15, they are 20 now...

they guys love them, but guys seem to love them everywhere.

[This message has been edited by Marty (edited 02-02-2001).]