Should we really avoid Belize City entirely?

I would avoid Belize City because (in order of what I consider importance):
1 There is really nothing to do there, especially after dark.
2 Having a car is a liability in the City. The traffic is terrible, many one way streets, secure parking is rare.
3. Safety. This is really part of the car problem. In a taxi or even on foot you can avoid "bad" areas. With the one way streets, you can end up at the end of a blind alley with scary characters eying you. The security of the car when parked during the day or over night is another issue.
Assuming the place you want to stay at in the mountains is in the Cayo area, I would take the "Burrel Boom cut off" off the Northern Highway, bypass Belize City and spend the first night at the Tropical Education Center at the Belize Zoo.
For a stopping place on the return trip, you could visit Lamani and spend the night in Orange Walk or cross the border into Mexico and spend the night at Bacalar, a much cheaper option.

There are no touristy areas in Belize City except for the airport, ferry terminal and bus station as everyone gets the hell out. Irregardless of the neighbourhood you're in, you can't go out at night.

But if you don't mind a couple nights in the hotel, watching tv or whatever it is honeymooners do in hotel rooms, then you'll be fine.

Not all cars can be taken across the border so check that out first. Insurance is another issue. Belize City is probably the worst place to stay. Anywhere else would be better. As in most developing countries, the largest cities always have most of the crime and grime. Your car would be at risk but it is even nasty just to walk around after dark. Look at your route and try to go straight through the city during the daytime. Never book a room in advance. There is only about a 30% occupancy rate during the best of times. It is foolish to commit to a room beforehand when there are always so many empty ones.

You could take the Burrell Boom Road from the Northern to the Western hywys and stay at Black Orchid Lodge, on the Belize River, in between the two hywys and avoid Belize City. Dnest Inn and the Great House are two nice places to stay. If you want a pool, look at Biltmore or Radisson in Belize City. If you stay in the city, make time to visit the Museum of Belize. Have a good local meal at Neri's.

How is the crime where you live? Terrible news stories, eh? Are you moving? There is almost no city in the world I would be afraid to visit if I really wanted to see it. There are just some places I would be more careful in than others. Don't let fear control your life.

Everyone on travel forums had warned me not to go when I wanted to visit San Salvador in El Salvador. They warned me when I went to Haiti that sure death awaits. Nothing ever happened except I had a wonderful time. I was aware that crime rates were high and kept alert but not paranoid. I am richer by far having gone places not so affected by mass tourism. I hope that you enjoy your trip to Belize. Of course, if you don't want to see Belize City, that is another situation.

Nobody here is promoting fear except the US State Department and Homeland Security.
We are simply saying don't act like an idiot.

Edited by: Greggo

JSJeck-Do you live in Belize? How much time have you spent here? I question your advice when you describe South Side Belize as both beautful and dangerous. Is your company Mongo Bay based in Belize or have an office here?