The difference between coming to Belize with money, and living here without money, is substantial.
Belize has staggering statistics.
It has the highest incidence of HIV in Central America. It has twenty to thirty percent unemployment. The doctor per patient ratio is among the worst in the world. 30-40% of the population lives in poverty and is dependent on agriculture and fishing for subsistence. Crime is familiar. Infrastructure is minimal. A high birth rate is matched by a high infant mortality rate. Housing and public utilities sputter.
Still, people from worse economies in Guatemala and Nicaragua come to San Pedro Town to look for work.
San Pedro Town has the barrier reef, tourist accommodations, things to do, an influx of money. Ambergris Caye, economically, supports the rest of Belize on its long narrow shoulders.
As a tourist, good overcomes bad. As a resident, bad is what bites at your heels.
Visiting and staying here are different as dogs and cats.
4 Comments
alan
on November 12, 2015 at 4:06 pm
Wow, what a timely post….20 minutes ago I talked with HB and reminded him to check out your travel blog….that you were in Belize, not the tourists resorts Belize…but the real Belize! Have you seen or heard anything down there about robberies, stickups, kidnapping of Americans etc.? What about drug cartels? That is one reason I am reticent about going back to Mexico! Much like the USA…when the rule of law goes….so goes civilization!
Ambergris Caye, where I am, is a tourist destination. The people have been very nice and I have not felt unsafe. There is much of beauty here. If you are thinking of moving here though it makes sense to see the good and the bad sides so you can make the right choice for you. Belize City is reputed to be a rough area and there are even areas in San Pedro Town that should be avoided at night. As a tourist you enjoy the good things in a place and then go home. As a resident you have to work with bad things as well.
Well said I think! I never felt unsafe in Mexico..but I was also very aware and tried not to put myself in unsafe situations! Of course…like you…going to bed when the rest of the town was just getting started helped!
Wow, what a timely post….20 minutes ago I talked with HB and reminded him to check out your travel blog….that you were in Belize, not the tourists resorts Belize…but the real Belize! Have you seen or heard anything down there about robberies, stickups, kidnapping of Americans etc.? What about drug cartels? That is one reason I am reticent about going back to Mexico! Much like the USA…when the rule of law goes….so goes civilization!
Ambergris Caye, where I am, is a tourist destination. The people have been very nice and I have not felt unsafe. There is much of beauty here. If you are thinking of moving here though it makes sense to see the good and the bad sides so you can make the right choice for you. Belize City is reputed to be a rough area and there are even areas in San Pedro Town that should be avoided at night. As a tourist you enjoy the good things in a place and then go home. As a resident you have to work with bad things as well.
Well said I think! I never felt unsafe in Mexico..but I was also very aware and tried not to put myself in unsafe situations! Of course…like you…going to bed when the rest of the town was just getting started helped!
that is funny, but true!