ObtuseAngler,

Wow! Have I ever had a different experience than what you speak of. I'm up and down the beach at all times of the day of evening. OK, I'm not one to be hanging out really late, but at least in my experience, I've never felt threatened. In any place, US or Belize, one has to exercise some caution, so hanging out with questionable people half the night could very well be a problem, anywhere. I'm an early riser, so take off up and down the beach at Amergris by sunrise, on my own. Nothing but totally nice folks have I met. My husband and I have been all over Belize. I hope one day to live there several months of the year. Re the inland areas, again, I've never felt threatened. Now, needless to say, one probably should take some care in Belize City, as one does in any city, but a sensible person probably won't be in trouble. I've been to lots of places in Central America, and never felt safer than in Belize.