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

Hello everyone my name is Robert. I really want to see some mayan temples this summer or possibly as early as the end of May. I have never been to Central America. I am wondering if it would be safe for me (really thin, but decently tall, blonde white male) to travel around alone? Are muggings and other crimes common there? I will not be wearing fancy clothes, watches, etc. so I am not too worried, but I just thought I would ask. 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? I suppose I can keep the rest of my money on my Chase ATM card...if there are Chase ATMs in Belize? I also thought about a day excursion to Guatamala to see Tikal or a day excursion to Mexico to see Calakmul. Would visiting either one of these be dangerous with a tour group set up through a legit guest house or am I asking for trouble? Is Belize a safe country in general? I have tried to contact J&R Guesthouse about booking a room with them since they have good reviews and offer reasonable prices...but they haven't gotten back to me. I emailed them a few times...about a month ago haha. Anyway, this seems like the most useful travel forum on the internet. I hope there are some experts on here that can tell me a little bit about the country, how much money to bring if I will be there for a few weeks or so, most reasonable/trustworthy guesthouses and tour organizations, sightseeing recommendations? I would greatly appreciate any help.

Best Regards,

Robert

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.

That is a very nice blog, BTW, and helps get the important difference of "safe Mexico" and "sketchy Mexico" clear (pretty hard to do these days).

If you feel more comfortable heading to Belize... spend some time in Petén

Meh, Peten is definitely not in Belize (obv)... what's the point of "feeling more comfortable" going somewhere by denying that there were recent attacks against tourists there, and going to another country where they're supposedly "not"?

Not saying not to go to Belize, just that there's no point in basing a trip on misinformation, and that it's worth realizing which country is which (and that if the whole point of a trip is to see Mayan temples, Belize is a few rungs down on the ladder).

I think you have made a good choice. I would make sure you do at least a day trip to Tikal as that is the most spectacular site you will see. I would try to find a group going and take the tour since you have some safety issues. You will be fine then. There are also several other sites around San Ignacio. Cahal Pech, Xunantinich, the Vaca Caves along with other cave trips, and caracol. There is enough to keep you busy. Other sites include Altun Ha outside of Belize City, Laminai in the north, and Nim li punit and labutim in the south. I'm sure the spelling is incorrect but you get the point. I don't think your fear of Mexico is unrealistic. As far as safety. Don't carry a lot of money or flashy cameras, etc. In plain view when you are just walking around. I just put what I will need in a pocket and go. That way they can see what you have. Stay close to your hotel at nite. Use the same precautions you would use in any big city in the world. Try to get a room with a safe if at all possible. Use ATM's to get your money and don't get too much at once as you never know who is watching. I have never felt safety was an issue. heck, I'm living alone in Nicaragua and I feel fine. You'll be fine once you get there.

I don't think your fear of Mexico is unrealistic

That's just the problem... what does that mean? Are you talking from a drugs standpoint? Because fear of being attacked as a tourist is not realistic (though, for fear of sounding like a broken record, there have been a few recent flat out attacks on tourists lately in Belize).

Not saying that there's anything at all wrong with going there, but there IS something wrong with going there out of the certainty that it's much safer for a visitor than Mexico. Of course, if we're talking about getting involved with the drug trade, I'd probably suggest to do it in Belize...

For the record, my chinese wife is 48 kilos and only 5ft 4inches and was not fearful of being attacked at Tikal, Flores/Peten or anywhere else in Guatemala. Oh wait, take that back, she was attacked, at sunset, its was terrible, they came from all directions, it was hopeless, the mozzies were everywhere, and she got 6 bites, 2 on the foot, 2 on the leg, 1 on each arm, we reported it to the authorities and they went to investigate, we never hear anything back...police are worthless in these parts...

Why is it safer to stay in Belize and then drive over the border to see sights in Guatemala or Yucatan than it is to stay in those places?

And the sites in Belize really don't compare to those in the other 2 countries..........

If you want to stay in Guatemala, go ahead. My comment to this individual was to get with a group going to Tikal as he obviously has safety issues and would not do well walking across the boarder himself and getting a cab. I'm not sure I would do that alone. I didn't intend tomsay he shoukdn't stay there overnite. I was just saying don't miss it, do at least a day trip. There are some issues in Guatemala after all, just like everywhere else in the world. As for Mexico. A friend of mine was in Puerto Vierta and left a jewelry store. She got about 1/2 block and someone went in and killed the owner and robbed the place. This was in the middle of the day on a busy street. You'll have a hard time convincing her or me that there isn't a problem.

You'll have a hard time convincing her or me that there isn't a problem.

In the US, you mean, where this is a daily occurrence? At least you're equitable about it...

#17

This happened two or three times already in Italy this week (once in a jeweller's in Rome,two dead in a supermarket in Reggio Calabria....those are the ones I can remember)

Should i be thinking about moving to another country?

Would you suggest no tourists come to Italy?

I'm an American woman living in Belize and my husband is a tour guide, and I've been around nearly the whole country of Belize. I feel safe walking around so you should too. Just don't stay in Belize City. There are alot of skinny, white males traveling around Belize, especially in Placencia. You won't stand out. LOL! You don't have to declare any amount of $ under $10,000. I suggest going to the Mayan Ruin of Caracol. It's one of the largest in the Mayan nation and the biggest in Belize. I went there in January. It was worth the crazy 2 1/2 hours ride back and forth. After Caracol, no other ruins in Belize compare. I have connections to get some of the best prices of hotels and tours throughout Belize. Need help? Don't be afraid to ask.

You people really need it get a life. Last I knew, I was actually I entitled to have an opinion. When did that change?

You are entitled to have an opinion,and we are entitled to have one too.....or not?

Just happens that your opinion is different to others.....