And yeah, absolutely, you're gonna get babysat from the word go. You'll be fine. I wouldn't worry about it a bit.
They run scams in every single tourist destination, most straight through the cops. It's been happening forever. My FIL just told a story about getting shook down by Mexican border cops for $250 between him and his 4 buds, and that was 50 years ago. The cab driver told the border guard that they cut the seats in his car which was patently and obviously untrue (the seats looked like they were wore out 20 years before they got in there.)
But they had to pay the money. Fortunately they scratched up enough to get shook loose.
You'll be isolated from any of that crap. Still, read up.
I'm headed to Belize in January and I'm reading two books to get ready for the trip. They outline all the kind of stuff to avoid, look out for, and what to avoid. Even if you're being babysat, it's no reason to not do your homework. Doing your homework would probably set your wife at ease, too. She won't think she's sending a blockhead to death's door.
