Traveling to see some mayan temples for 2012,,,for the first time?

Is there a particular reason for choosing Belize?

Its not the first place I'd consider if your main goal is Mayan temples.......though of course you can visit Mexico or Guatemala from there,why not stay directly in the Yucatan or in Guatemala?

Anyway it is a safe enough place if you are careful and take the usual precautions (like anywhere in the region and indeed,almost everywhere in the world)

As for the money situation..one of the easiest way to get mugged (in any country) would be carrying around large amounts of cash.

You need a little cash for emergencies and a couple of ATM cards (plus a credit card,also for emergencies).

what guidebook have you bought or gone to the library and borrowed?

are you the tim'sters cousin?

You're going to want to fatten up a bit, for safety's sake.

In general, Belize is safe for tourists, but you can find trouble if you don't follow some common sense. There have been a few recent incidents where visitors have been relieved of their cameras & money (in Belize City, Caye Caulker & Corozal).

It is true that only $400 US is untaxed by Belize customs? How much would I be taxed for carrying more than that in cash?
You shouldn't be taxed at all. Just make sure you declare the amount you are carrying.

There are ATMs in all cities and major towns -- they accept Visa, Mastercard and some other ATM cards -- don't know about Chase. Confirm with your bank that the card will work here, and make sure they know the card will be used in each country you visit.

Ok well I am aware that the Yucatan would be the best place to see the Mayan temples, but Mexico is just too risky nowadays. I keep hearing stories about tourists murdered and even beheaded in Mexico. I know a lot of banditos hangout around the Yucatan area and they stop tours buses and rob/kill people at times. I have heard that Belize is by far safer than Mexico and it has Mayan temples as well. My Spanish is a little rusty as well and English and US dollars will get me a lot further in Belize than in Mexico. I will avoid carrying a lot of cash and I will check with my bank to see if I can use my ATM card there and in the countries I might travel to from Belize. Fattening up is near impossible for me because I have an insanely fast metabolism. I am starting to workout at the gym though haha. I am not timster's cousin and I will be purchasing either a Lonely Planet or a Rough Guide for Belize or Central America soon. Is there any advice people can give me before I embark on this journey? Are thin white males targets or violent crime and robbery in Belize as well? To any of the experts who have been there before...any reasonable and trustworthy guesthouses and tourguides you would recommend I travel with to see all the sights safely?

but Mexico is just too risky nowadays

Says who? Surely you must have some info to back this up, ie. reports of rampant crime against tourists... except you don't, since it is as safe as ever for travelers not involved in drug dealing. OTOH, you could easily find several recent reports of tourists being attacked in Belize, as happened to a boatful of them last month in Placencia.

No, skinny white males aren't an especially sought after target, unless they appear especially clueless. When you put it that way though, people are going to assume you're trolling or another user taking the piss, so you might want to ask better questions...

Look I am not here trolling and I am serious about a trip to Central America in the very near future. I really want to see some Mayan temples. Please forgive me. I have never been to Mexico or Central America...so please give me a break ok? I am merely asking people on here that may know because they have been. TripAdvisor mentions that the crime rate in the Yucatan area is about the same as France and that is it safe. US propaganda can really be annoying. I keep hearing "how dangerous" Mexico is everywhere I go. This article is really useful though: http://isitsafetotraveltomexico.com/ Since my main reason for the trip is for the Mayan temples...I might visit Mexico first and then cross over into Belize/Guatamala visa bus? Sorry for coming off as ignorant.

The stats on Yucatan are very important to keep in mind... far lower murder rates than most spots in the US. I think you're legit, you just have to realize that some people DO get a kick of making up accounts to ask safety questions in a strange/provocative way, so don't be surprised if people are wary.

Really, just my opinion, if the real reason of your trip is to visit Mayan temples... forget Belize. Focus on Tikal or Palenque, which are world-class, safe destinations that will absolutely blow your mind. You can find great smaller, simpler sites in Belize, but nothing near the scale of these. Yucatan is also teeming with both highly touristed and lesser known gems and is a third great option.

It's super easy to visit Palenque, enjoy San Cris, cross by bus/shuttle into Guate, visiting the various groups of living Mayan people along the way, and making it up to Tikal. Safe trip, very few, if any recent reports about attacks/robberies of tourists, and many times rewarding than a trip to Althun Ha.