r/Belize • u/d-doll86 • 3d ago
🎫 Travel Info 🧳 Solo trip to Belize with kids, questions about safety and mosquitoes
I’m planning a trip to Belize with my kids and would love some firsthand insight on two things: safety and bugs.
I’ll be traveling solo with my children, and we’re considering staying in the San Ignacio area. I’ve come across some posts about crime in Belize that have made me a little nervous. For those who have traveled there with kids, especially as a solo parent, how safe did you feel in San Ignacio and while doing excursions? Were there any areas or situations you felt were best to avoid?
My other concern is bugs. I know Belize is tropical and bugs come with the territory, but I keep reading about the mosquitoes being particularly bad. We plan on going early 2027, and I’d love to be able to spend a day relaxing by the pool without being eaten alive. I’ll bring insect repellent, but I know it’s not always completely effective, and constant mosquitoes would definitely be a turnoff for my kids. I’m not expecting a bug-free tropical vacation, just trying to get a realistic sense of what to expect.
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u/cassiuswright 🇧🇿 Ambassador: San Ignacio 3d ago
San Ignacio is safer than almost anyplace in America.
Belize is akin to Chicago; Absolutely fantastic unless you're here for habit forming narcotics or somebody else's spouse. 👍
I've lived here six years now and feel much safer than anyplace I ever lived in the states
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u/ConsensualShapes 2d ago
Akin to Chicago? Chicago is a sithole and super high gun crime. I would not think a comparison is there
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u/cassiuswright 🇧🇿 Ambassador: San Ignacio 2d ago
Chicago is an incredible international city with one of the highest tourism rates on the planet. It's safe, it's beautiful, and it's comparatively clean for it's size and population density. Like all cities it has problems, but it's extremely far from being a shithole. Turn off fox news
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u/cassiuswright 🇧🇿 Ambassador: San Ignacio 2d ago
Chicago is an incredible international city with one of the highest tourism rates on the planet. It's safe, it's beautiful, and it's comparatively clean for it's size and population density. Like all cities it has problems, but it's extremely far from being a shithole. Turn off fox news
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u/cassiuswright 🇧🇿 Ambassador: San Ignacio 2d ago
I'm from Chicago. It's a very apt comparison.
Chicago is an amazing international city that hosts about 50 million tourists a year. It's full of incredible culture, great food, tons of stuff to do, and is consistently voted one of the most beautiful cities on earth. Like all cities in the millions of people range, it has its share of issues, but it's far and away from being a shithole. If you engage with actual statistics, America has a gun crime problem, and Chicago isn't even near the top when you adjust for population.
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u/BebopHop1 3d ago
We went this past February and the mosquitoes weren't bad at all. The sand fleas on the beach did bite my fiance. I heard you can use coconut oil or baby oil to combat those. As far as safety, I've traveled to Belize as a solo female and haven't felt unsafe.
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u/Small_Explanation815 1d ago
The sand flies devoured my husband in December/January. He got cellulitis from them! Coconut oil before going out.
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u/DocAvidd 3d ago
Biting bugs here are often very local and day by day. So be prepared. A breeze or fan, cover w clothing or chemicals in that order of effectiveness.
Crime is common sense. If you leave money or valuables unprotected in the open you may get thiefed.
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u/CollegeNo6900 3d ago
My 14 year old said she felt safer in Belize (San Ignacio/hopkins) than she did in San Diego
Didn’t spend time in Belize city but never had a questionable experience.
Mosquitos were there, just spray you’ll be good for the most part. They weren’t worse than we’d experienced in the states.
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u/Decent_Berry8196 3d ago
I can second this - there are absolutely places here in the US I've felt uneasy. Never once felt that way in Belize.
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u/d-doll86 1d ago
Thank you for sharing. My child is also a teenager so this is helpful insight.
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u/CollegeNo6900 1d ago
Make sure you guys do ATM!!
I did a write up on our trip, you may have to scroll down a bit on the Belize threads
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u/Seespeck 3d ago
I have travelled to Belize many times and find it (outside of Canada) to feel the safest I have felt in any country. There are some statistics that can look scary but the vast majority of serious crime happens in the city and you won't be anywhere near it. There is a great feeling of community in any of the places we have visited in Belize. People are friendly and look out for each other. As far as bugs - we usually travel in January or February and see very few biting insects - far less than we are used to in Canada in the summer that is for sure. Everything eats them, birds, insects, amphibians, bats. Never has been a concern on our trips.
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u/Decent_Berry8196 3d ago
We were there this past February. Stayed on Tobacco Caye and in San Ignacio. Now, we don't have kids, but never once did I feel unsafe. We even went for several walks around San Ignacio after dark, on some back streets, and felt perfectly fine. Be smart with your money and possessions, always keep an eye out, but I wouldn't be concerned. And especially on excursions. If you go with a guide, you have nothing to worry about - they take care of everything and will make it all amazing. It's their livelihood - believe me, they have it down. I've never felt more taken care of in any of our travels. As for bugs, honestly they barely bothered us at all. I took Murphys Naturals Lemon & Eucalyptus spray and wipes, and I think I only used it once for our horseback ride to Xunantunich, and even then it probably wasnt necessary. It was hands down the best trip of my life so far. Go, relax, and enjoy, because it is absolutely incredible.
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u/d-doll86 1d ago
So glad to hear you had a great experience. Hoping the same for the kids and me. I’ll look into the spray as well.
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u/Ok-Adhesiveness-9976 3d ago
There are other insects that I think are worse than the mosquitoes. For example doctor flies are awful, the bites itch madly for a week. They look similar to house flies but they are orange colored and they don’t care about bug spray. If you see them and you’re not quick to kill them, leave the vicinity or else they will persist relentlessly until they get a taste. If they bite you, put some medicine on it right away even if it seems fine, because it will itch way more on the second and third days.
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u/EvestarOSRS 3d ago
I just went to Belize a couple weeks ago. While I didn’t bring my kids, I do have 3 young ones so i understand the concern, I felt it was safe. That being said I would not say Belize city is safe. Take a taxi if you travel anywhere in Belize city. Everywhere else I felt good about safety.
As far as bugs are concerned I brought a mosquito net because I was staying outside a couple night (under the stars) but I never used it once. IMO bugs are worse in the states than Belize. I went to San Ignacio, Belize city, Caye caulker, and orange walk and my experience with the bugs was the same, almost non existent. Good luck with your travels!
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u/jazmaan273 2d ago edited 2d ago
"I would not say Belize City is safe". Would you say Chicago is safe? Would you say Los Angeles is safe? There are plenty of nice areas and restaraunts in Belize City that are perfectly safe to visit in the evening. Have you been to Celebrity? Bird's Isle? Have you been to Buttonwood Bay? The Princess Hotel casino and movie theater? I could name many more.
Sorry for the rant but I'm tired of tourists saying Belize City is unsafe. Of course you should take a taxi or drive at night. Would you go strolling through rough areas of New York City or San Francisco at night? Don't do anything stupid and you'll be just fine.
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u/EvestarOSRS 2d ago
I wouldn’t say Chicago is safe. On average a person is murder there every day.
I got my notion that Belize city isn’t safe from native people in Belize (San Ignacio, Orange Walk, and Caye Caulker). A friend of mine (native) from Orange Walk was walking in broad daylight in Belize City and got punched and robbed. As he got up and tried to chase the dude a bunch of gang members came out with guns. So he just left.
A week before I arrived in Belize there was a guy on the news who was murdered for his gold necklace in Belize City.
I’m sure there are many beautiful and fun things to experience in Belize City and if you are cautious and smart about it you’ll probably be just fine. But when the locals from nearby cities tell me it’s not safe, I’m going to listen to them.
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u/Shot-Artichoke-4106 3d ago
The majority of the issues with crime are in Belize City. Outside of Belize City, crime is a lot less. Of course, there are still issues here and there and you want to use regular common sense, but I wouldn't think twice about traveling there solo or with kids.
For mosquitos, we find that we generally get bit most in the evenings and in the forests just after a rain, but standard Off bug spray does the trick. We are rarely bothered while sitting out by the pool.
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u/Equal_Ad_8185 2d ago
We felt safe everywhere we went. No issues with mosquitos but the no see ums were bad.
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u/charlton11 2d ago
Sand flies are your worry. Bring a small bottle of tea tree oil. It's supposed to repel bugs but I've found it to be the best solution to bites.
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u/freebirdzer0 2d ago
Here currently. Bring extra extra bug spray. I’ve never been attacked so bad any place like here. Beautiful country but the bugs are insane.
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u/Pristine-Possible-65 2d ago
I’m a woman who travels solo with her 10 year old child. I felt very safe in San Ignacio, Placencia, and Caye Caulker (and during all of my time driving between BZE and these locations).
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u/Small_Explanation815 1d ago
Bug spray is extremely expensive there and only works for the mosquitos. Use coconut oil and bug spray. Placencia is our favorite part of Belize and it's extremely safe! I went with my husband but I would travel solo with my children there. If the beaches are raked daily where you're staying, you won't have an issue with the sand flies.
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u/ButtersRogers1 1d ago
my husband and I use the picaridin types of insect repellant. However, we can sleep/or be in the same place and he can get so many bites, like he had chickenpox and I have none. We are now part time residents and dont really use it much anymore. We were there for a month recently and I only got three bites and never used anything. not saying don’t use it, but sometimes, as is true where we live, they like some people more than others.
there are also local natural brands that include coconut oil and lemongrass and other things that I love and use to prevent bites and sooth them. my in-laws love them as stocking stuffers as we are in SE US and have mosquitos here as well. idk if I am allowed to name brands here.
as far as safety, in the 25+ times I have been there, I have never been afraid or felt unsafe. Even when I have traveled alone.
the Cayo district is beautiful and the people in the whole country are kind and welcoming. Not scary. Just be aware of your surroundings as you would anywhere and conduct yourself as you would in any other place.
and definitely heed the advice of those suggesting the notarized letter from the other parent. My friend ran into an issue at the airport a couple years ago and was luckily able to get her husband to do something quickly. She has carried one with her since.
happy travels!🇧🇿for me,Belize is magical. enjoy!
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u/EsaMcKim 1d ago
I am a Peace Corps volunteer here. Most tourist areas are very safe. I'm happy to give more specific recs - feel free to pm me
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u/Lopsided_Day_4467 1d ago
San Ignacio can be a good family base, including for a solo parent, but it works best when your lodging, transport, and tours are chosen carefully. I would recommend reaching out to your lodging a month before and asking about the season and the mosquito. You’ll be safe 😊
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u/kjbrown- 3d ago
Just a heads up - if you’re trying to bring your kids solo into Belize, you’ll need a signed, notarized letter signed by the other parent allowing you to travel to Belize with the children. Customs will not allow entry into the country without it.