Is it safe to withdraw cash in Belize or not?
In Placencia, the ATM by the dock was already out of service by 9 PM. Staff at the nearby shop said outages happen often, especially at night. Didn’t feel unsafe, but I learned to plan my cash needs earlier in the evening.
I used a Heritage Bank ATM in San Ignacio after dark. The area was calm, and the machine worked well with my foreign debit card. No issues, though I made sure to finish quickly and get back to my guesthouse.
While on Caye Caulker, the only working ATM was inside a store that closed early. I couldn’t withdraw after 8 PM. Most tourists carry USD or get Belize dollars during the day. Nighttime ATM use in Belize's islands is rarely an option.
In Belize City, I withdrew cash from an Atlantic Bank ATM near Swing Bridge around 9:15 PM. The area wasn’t too busy, but there were still cars and a security guard nearby. Locals warned me to avoid downtown ATMs at night - not because of guaranteed danger, but because theft can happen fast.