Belize lacks accessibility regulations and many buildings are on stilts or have uneven wooden steps. You won't see many ramps for wheelchair access and there are very few bathrooms designed for visitors in wheelchairs. More difficulties for wheelchair users come from the lack of footpaths, as well as plentiful rough and sandy ground.
With assistance, bus travel is feasible, but small planes and water taxis might be a problem. Not to put too fine a point on it — Belize is a very challenging destination for visitors with limited mobility. But while Belize definitely lacks accessible travel facilities it has no shortage of extremely helpful locals who are generally more than willing to lend a hand to assist travelers with special needs in getting around.
There are a number of useful organizations and websites for travelers with disabilities, though there's little information that is specific to Belize:. Global Access Disabled Travel Network www. Mobility International www. Bargaining is not common in Belize with the notable exception of outdoor souvenir markets, where everything is negotiable. When business is slow, it's possible to obtain a discount on hotel rooms, golf-cart rentals and other tourism services, although this is usually limited to a quick back-and-forth rather than hard-edge bargaining.
Belize has fairly high levels of violent crime, but most areas frequented by travelers are safe and by taking basic precautions visitors are unlikely to experience any serious problems. The most likely issues for travelers involve opportunistic theft, both while out and about, and from hotel rooms.
Official information can make Belize sound more dangerous than it actually is, but for a range of useful travel advice including information on healthy traveling you should consult the travel advisories provided by your home country's foreign-affairs department. A few countries have embassies in Belize. Many others handle relations with Belize from their embassies in countries such as Mexico or Guatemala, but may have an honorary consul in Belize to whom travelers can turn as a first point of contact.
