Belize City has a shockingly high crime rate

Belize's murder rate is extraordinarily high, at 40 killings per 100,000 persons, owing to its small population of roughly 335,000 people. This routinely places it in the top ten (third in 2016) of countries with the highest number of murders per capita. Travelers should be aware, however, that virtually all of these are tied to drug trafficking and gang violence, and many occur in and around Belize City. Because the Overseas Security Advisory Council warns about pickpockets and frauds, tourists and ex-pats should constantly take caution and avoid specific places, especially at night.

Even while tourism is an important element of the Belizean economy, it is not always the safest location in the world. Indeed, all forms of violent crime are on the rise, particularly in metropolitan places such as Belize District. Unfortunately, Belize has routinely ranked among the top ten nations in the world for murder rates. The major reasons for growing violence are drug and people trafficking, as well as the gangs that perpetrate them. While this is a tragedy, it also implies that tourists in Belize are reasonably safe. You're unlikely to be a victim of these crimes unless you're a gang member or a Belizean citizen caught in the crossfire.