Belize declared a 30-day state of emergency on October 31, 2026, in parts of Belize City, Belize District, and Cayo District after a sharp rise in violent crime. Global Affairs Canada added the emergency to its Belize travel advisory on November 3, 2026. Cruise ships from several lines are still scheduled to call at Belize City this month, and no itinerary changes have been reported so far.
What the Alert Says
According to the Government of Canada’s Belize advisory, which was last updated on November 3, 2026 the state of emergency applies to parts of Northside Belize City, parts of Southside Belize City, areas of Ladyville in Belize District, Cotton Tree and Unitedville in Cayo District, and the Coastal Highway between La Democracia and Hope Creek.
While the emergency is in effect, security forces can restrict freedom of movement, conduct searches and seizures, and detain persons of interest. The advisory doesn’t give an end date. Thirty days from October 31st would run to about the end of November.
Canada’s advice for travelers in the affected areas is to expect more police and military presence, carry valid identification, stay alert, plan for possible transportation delays and disruptions, follow local media for updates, and comply with instructions from local authorities.
Two separate advisories were already in place before the emergency. Canada advises travelers to exercise a high degree of caution across Belize because of high levels of violent crime. It also advises avoiding non-essential travel to Southside Belize City, south of the Haulover Creek River, because of gang and drug-related violence, including murders and shootings.
What the U.S. State Department Says
The U.S. State Department’s Belize advisory is at Level 3, Reconsider Travel, and was issued on March 12, 2026. It cites crime. The version we reviewed doesn’t mention the October state of emergency, and we haven’t found a U.S. Embassy security alert about it. The embassy did issue one in May after an earlier state of emergency, according to Greater Belize Media, telling U.S. citizens to comply with local authorities, monitor official updates, and stay alert.
The advisory says violent crime, including sexual assault, home invasions, armed robbery, and murder, occurs across the country, and much of it is gang-related. It notes that police have limited resources, most crimes go unsolved, and emergency medical services are often unavailable or delayed. It also says tourists are sometimes targeted at resorts, on roads, and on rivers.
For Southside Belize City specifically, the advisory says to reconsider travel and notes that violent crime is concentrated there. U.S. government employees are strongly discouraged from going to the area between Haulover Creek Canal and Fabers Road.
The advisory also has guidance aimed at cruise passengers. A passport book is required to enter Belize by sea, though passengers on a cruise that departs from and returns to the same U.S. port may instead show an original or certified birth certificate with a raised seal, plus a government-issued photo ID for travelers 16 and older. It warns that excursion boats may lack life jackets and may not be covered by accident insurance, and it recommends enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and buying travel insurance that covers medical evacuation.
Cruise Ships Scheduled to Call in November
A look at upcoming port schedules shows 27 cruise ship visits to Belize City in November across multiple lines. Cruise ships typically tender guests ashore and drop off at the Fort Street Tourism Village in eastern downtown Belize City, which is near some of the affected areas. Here are the scheduled calls it lists:
| Cruise line | Ship | November dates |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Caribbean | Mariner of the Seas | 4 |
| Royal Caribbean | Enchantment of the Seas | 17, 26 |
| Royal Caribbean | Radiance of the Seas | 18, 25 |
| Carnival | Carnival Dream | 4, 17 |
| Carnival | Carnival Liberty | 5, 11, 18 |
| Carnival | Carnival Venezia | 12 |
| Carnival | Carnival Miracle | 26 |
| Carnival | Carnival Legend | 26 |
| Margaritaville at Sea | Islander | 5, 16 |
| Viking | Viking Mars | 7, 19 |
| Holland America | Rotterdam | 7, 27 |
| MSC | MSC Poesia | 10 |
| MSC | MSC Explora 1 | 22 |
| Princess | Star Princess | 11, 25 |
| Celebrity | Celebrity Summit | 11, 25 |
| TUI Cruises | Mein Schiff 1 | 13, 27 |
The November 10th MSC Poesia call remains on the schedule, however, as we reported, MSC canceled the sailing after the U.S. Coast Guard detained the ship in Miami.
For cruisers with an upcoming Belize call, the practical guidance in the advisories is the same regardless of cruise line: carry valid identification, allow extra time for getting around, and watch for updates from the cruise line and local authorities.
