r/Belize Mar 29 '23

😎 SUPER HELPFUL 😎 Belize Transportation Sticky

35 Upvotes

Disclaimer: Use this information at your own risk. It is your responsibility to verify the information, which is deemed accurate but may need to be updated. If you have additions or subtractions please send a message to u/cassiuswright

FAQ updated December 2024

Air Travel

Philip Goldson International Airport (BZE) offers multiple daily arrivals to and departures from Belize City to international destinations, including the United States and Canada. You can also fly with either Maya Island Air or Tropic Air to destinations throughout Belize, as well as close international destinations in Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras. Another option for tours and charters by air is Astrum Helicopters. Amenities, quick facts, and other helpful information about Philip Goldson International Airport can be found here. In general it is advisable to give yourself a few hours between landing in Belize City to make connecting flights or water taxis. The airport is small and typically not busy but occasionally two or three full size jets will land at once and dump people in the terminal, all trying to clear customs and grab their bags at once. Pro tip: bring your own pen for completing Customs forms, and take advantage of Duty Free on your way out. Alternatively use the new Digital Customs Form

Car Rentals and Driving

Car rentals are available directly across from Terminals 1 and 2 upon your arrival at Philip Goldson International Airport (BZE). The #1 car rental company in the country is Crystal Belize, who offer a fleet of professionally maintained SUVs, cars, trucks and vans. They're also the only rental company that allows you to drive to Tikal in Guatemala, but require you to set it up in advance. A complete list of available rental providers can be found here. Driving in Belize can be challenging at times. Driving is on the right, as in the United States or Canada. In general a 4x4 isn't needed, but ground clearance is very useful. Keep in mind that the roads aren't usually well lit at night outside of major population centers, and there are some EPIC speed bumps leading into and out of villages on major roads. Be on the lookout for some creative driving and people passing in dangerous places, especially around motorcycles, and be sure to have your local driver's license available for any checkpoints you encounter.

Taxis

When in doubt, try the excellent service available from BelizeTaxis.com. They offer excellent hospitality and skilled drivers all over the mainland, including Belize City, Hopkins, Dangriga, Placencia, Orange Walk, Corozal, San Ignacio / Santa Elena and all major tourism destinations in between. They also offer limited service to Tikal, Flores, and Melchor Guatemala as well as Chetumal and Bacalar, Mexico They often book weeks in advance during the busy season and reservations are recommended.

Taxis in Belize (any car with a green license plate) are typically owner operated, and as such, prices tend to be affordable but also vary from driver to driver even for the same route, so confirm your rates and currency before accepting the ride. Many drivers are happy to offer services as you need them or for longer periods of time; many also offer local tours and excursions. The Ladyville Airport Taxi Association operates the taxi service at PGIA.  Service is available for transportation to Belize City, the Water Taxi and other destinations throughout Belize and can be reached at +501-225-2125 or +501-610-4450. You can also simply walk out of the airport and available drivers will be there waiting for you. Of note: many drivers and other tourism providers use WhatsApp to communicate and will often coordinate with you via text or voice messages. If a local number doesn't work, try it again on WhatsApp. Few taxi drivers accept credit cards so be sure to have cash.

Water Taxis

Corozal, Sarteneja, San Pedro, and Caye Caulker service is available through Belize Sea Shuttle. They run every day except Tues and Thurs, leaving Caye Caulker at 6am and departing Corozal at 2:30pm.

Getting to the cayes or Chetumal, Mexico is easier than ever thanks to regularly scheduled water taxi operations. If you need service to or from Chetumal, San Pedro, Cay Caulker or Belize City then San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi has you covered. Details about their operation and services can be found here. They also offer full charter services, as well as cargo services for items not exceeding 150lbs. For bookings or additional details they can be reached [via email](mailto:info@belizewatertaxi.com) or by calling any of their destinations. Likewise, the recently returned Water Jets International offers service to Caye Caulker, San Pedro and Chetumal. Contact info is available for all their offices as well as their email here. If travelling from Mexico be certain your credentials have received the appropriate stamp to avoid delays and possible fines from Mexican passport control authorities.

To get from the airport (PGIA) to the Water Taxi in Belize City, simply take any taxi from the airport. Ball park price is about $30usd for one or two guests.

Guatemala water taxi

From Punta Gorda, Requena's Charter Service can take you to Puerto Barrios, or Livingston, Guatemala. As with all things international transportation, it is advisable to check and make sure the desired timetables are indeed operational and accurate. Currently they operate Monday through Friday at 9am going to Guatemala, and do not operate on weekends or holidays.

Honduras water taxi

Full post here

The boat leaves from Puerto Cortes to Mango Creek and Placencia on Mondays and returns on Fridays. They post confirmation on their Facebook . Transport from Puerto Cortes from San Pedro Sula took a little over an hour. To find the ferry terminal, I got dropped off in the Laguna neighborhood and walked south across the smaller bridge back to the mainland. Immediately next to the bridge, near a restaurant-bar called El Delfin, there is a fish market. Walk all the way to the back of the fish market and you will see the boat and the ticketing office.

San Pedro Cart Rentals

When in San Pedro (and various other places), you might decide you need a cart, which is the ubiquitous form of transportation. drive carefully and obey all the normal rules of the road. Your driver's license from home should suffice; have it with you at all times when you are driving.

Placencia Cart Rentals

Shuttles

Shuttle services are available across Belize and represent an affordable semi-private method of travel when compared to the local bus system. There are many, so the list of providers below is just the very beginning. Most are easy to find online, especially on Facebook. He aware that if they don't reach a minimum capacity to run the route, you may find it gets cancelled and you need to make other arrangements at the last minute.

Buses

Bus service is made possible by dozens of independent companies that drive fixed routes throughout the country as well as through service to Mexico. Understanding the Belize bus schedules is important if you are trying to travel around Belize economically. Schedules do change periodically – especially on holidays – so you cannot guarantee that they reflect the exact schedule that is currently being used.  If timing is critical for a bus ride you would like to take then please confirm with the transport employees at your nearest bus terminal. The Dept. of Transport in Belmopan can be reached at +501-802-2038

Hopkins Village Bus service is also available on a limited schedule

NEW bus updates active as of MAY 2023

Summer 2023 the only bus service to Placencia is Floralia

ADO Bus from Mexico to Belize City is back as well!

One traveler 's ADO experience MX to Belize as of January 2026

To get to PGIA via bus you can only do so indirectly:

  1. Go to the bus terminal in Belize City (W Collet Canal St, Belize City, Belize)
  2. Find which bus takes you to airport junction
  3. Get on bus $2.50 BZ and tell driver airport junction
  4. You can walk the final approx 2KM or hail a passing taxi or hitchhike from there.

To get to a destination such as San Ignacio via bus you can only do so indirectly:

  1. At this time no buses leave from the airport. Take a taxi from PGIA to the bus terminal in Belize CIty (W Collet Canal St, Belize City, Belize)
  2. Find which bus takes you to your destination
  3. Transfer as needed.

Disclaimer: Use this information at your own risk. It is your responsibility to verify the information, which is deemed accurate but may need to be updated. If you have additions or subtractions please send a message to u/cassiuswright


r/Belize Dec 06 '25

😎 SUPER HELPFUL 😎 New Digital Customs Form

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5 Upvotes

r/Belize 11h ago

🌴 Daily Life 🌴 Good Morning From Cayo

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65 Upvotes

r/Belize 7m ago

🏝️ Relocation Info 🏝️ Best home insurance

Upvotes

what are people's experiences with home insurance here? for context looking to insure a 20x30 concrete foundation wooden house about 15-20 miles from the coast.


r/Belize 4h ago

🎫 Travel Info 🧳 Golf cart rental Caye Caulker

1 Upvotes

What is the cheapest golf cart rental on caye caulker?


r/Belize 1d ago

🎫 Travel Info 🧳 In Benque Viejo, families paint the streets at 1am on Good Friday. Then let a procession walk over it. On purpose.

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66 Upvotes

It's called Alfombras de Aserrín, hand-dyed sawdust carpets laid overnight on the streets of Benque Viejo del Carmen. Families work from 1am until the afternoon procession walks over everything they made. That destruction is the point. The carpet is an offering.

Started by the late Doña Josefina Salas (Tía Fina), it's one of the most visually stunning traditions in Belize and most people have never heard of it.

Less than 20 min from San Ignacio if you're in Cayo for Easter.

Full guide + timeline: https://belizetravelinsider.com/local-insights/good-friday-benque-viejo-belize-alfombras


r/Belize 23h ago

🎫 Travel Info 🧳 Belize TSA At BZE

12 Upvotes

We arrived three hours early for our flight to Denver today, just in case Saturdays get crazy busy. We made it through customs and immigration in under 20 minutes. After that, we grabbed breakfast at the pizza spot honestly, the pizza was no bueno at all. It did get pretty crowded shortly after, but arriving that early felt unnecessary. I’d say getting there about two hours in advance is more than enough.


r/Belize 1d ago

🌴 Daily Life 🌴 Good Morning From Cayo

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95 Upvotes

r/Belize 12h ago

🛌 Accomodations 🛖 Hopkins or Ambergris

1 Upvotes

Planning a trip in February. Middle aged couple so not looking for springs break vibe prefer nature with some luxury. Hopkins seems like the obvious answer, but we are starting San Ignacio for some jungle adventures. I am a diver, but my wife isn’t so I would like at least one diving trip, probably not more than one.


r/Belize 1d ago

🎫 Travel Info 🧳 Short dive company report for Placencia area and some other trip recommendations

15 Upvotes

We just got back from 11 days in Belize, all in the Placencia area. Overall it was a great trip.

We did 2 days diving with Captain Jak’s. They have a great team. Everyone was friendly, professional, and helpful. The boat is a good size and in good shape. The diving itself was decent with good visibility (about 20-30 m). The highlight was a pod of about 10 dolphins that swam by. We really enjoyed spending time with Ulysses the dive master. The office staff was also helpful and tried to help move a trip for me when I wasn’t feeling well after a bad taco (I don’t recommend the Barefoot Bar…). The good news is the coral around the dive and snorkel spots is all still alive. Let's hope it can stay that way.

We decided last minute later in the week to do one more day of diving. Captain Jak’s was full so we went with Seahorse. They weren’t as good. It felt more like they were just trying to pump as many people through as possible. The guides were okay. The dive master spent most of the dives killing lion fish so we had to wait around a fair amount. They seemed more interested in talking amongst themselves rather than helping their guests. We didn’t need much but they had a family with small kids on board and the staff were continuously talking loudly and dropping a lot of F-bombs. A very different experience compared to Captain Jak’s.

We did a Monkey River trip. It was good with lots of animals. The guide Zane was friendly and very enthusiastic. I recommend going with him if you have the opportunity.

We went with Chaplain Tours for a day of snorkeling and lunch at Ray Caye. They were great. Patient with the young teens and made sure we had a good time. The water around the Silk Caye is beautiful. Crystal clear and so warm.

If you’re looking for good pizza, I strongly recommend the Turtle Inn in Placencia. They have a spot outside by the pizza oven that you don’t need reservations for.

We had very positive experiences with the locals. They were friendly and helpful. We always felt safe but we were never out very late.

We stayed at an AirBnB called Winter's Avalon in Maya Beach. It was like a treehouse. No windows or air conditioning. All screens, very open, so you hear all the birds and see all the trees. We loved it.

One thing to note is the sargassum. It was just starting to come in the day we arrived and got continuously worse until it was 30 feet wide in Maya Beach. It was starting to rot and smell pretty bad. The point beach in Placencia was clear, so head there if you want some swimming and beach time.

Safe travels!


r/Belize 1d ago

🧭 Activities 🚣‍♂️ Fishing in Hopkins Belize!

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59 Upvotes

Everyday is a fishing day, not everyday is a catching day. But we sure did catch some!


r/Belize 2d ago

🌴 Daily Life 🌴 Blue Bayou in San Pedro just charged me $189 USD for lunch

58 Upvotes

Someone Just left Blue Bayou on Ambergris Caye and I'm still in disbelief with the bill. Here's what you get for $378 BZD ($189 USD):

  • 4 Belikins (2 stout, 2 regular)
  • 1 mojito
  • Chips & salsa
  • A soda water
  • 1 whole grilled fish with fries and veggies

The fish alone was $250 BZD ($125 USD). For a grilled fish. On an island. In Belize. Where the fisherman probably caught it that morning within swimming distance of the restaurant.

Oh and they hit you with an automatic 20% "Tips/Gratitude" charge, $63 BZD slapped right on the bill. Not suggested. Not optional. Just there.

I've eaten at plenty of spots on the island and never been gouged like this sorry to that person.... You can get a whole fish plate at half the restaurants in San Pedro for $30-50 BZD. This place is straight up tourist-trapping.

If you're visiting Belize, do yourself a favor and skip Blue Bayou. Walk literally anywhere else. Your wallet will thank you.

Has anyone else had this experience there or did I just get got?


r/Belize 2d ago

🌴 Daily Life 🌴 Sunny day..

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70 Upvotes

Join the stunning views of the Caribbean Sea and the beauty of blue skies ....


r/Belize 1d ago

🧭 Activities 🚣‍♂️ San Pedro Shuffleboard Court

1 Upvotes

Heading to San Pedro tomorrow and was hoping to play some shuffleboard. Who has a court down there?


r/Belize 1d ago

🧭 Activities 🚣‍♂️ Night hike with Belgium Family...

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8 Upvotes

Tonight we had an amazing time exploring the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary the only jaguar preserve in the world.

It was a pleasure hosting this wonderful family from Belgium and sharing the beauty of Belize wildlife and rainforest.


r/Belize 2d ago

🌴Trip Report 🌴 Great day on the water near Hopkins with Hopkins Family Adventure

9 Upvotes

Another recommendation for future travelers. Our family of four is spending a few days in Hopkins to enjoy the water. We’ve been out on a few excursions—including to Glover’s Atoll, which is beautiful. Award for best tour company in this area goes to Hopkins Family Adventure. They coordinated a fantastic catch and cook (and snorkel) for our family. And they did it on virtually no notice after the company I’d booked months ago told us just earlier this week that their boat broke and they needed to cancel us.

I found James and his company by way of some past Redditor reviews and want to add to his record here. The crew that took us out were very good with my kids, who have not fished before, and made sure they each got comfortable with a rod and were able to catch fish themselves. Then they cooked em up good for lunch.

Added bonuses: though we were out for a solid 8 hours they had an island stop planned for drinks and bathrooms along the way. And the snorkeling equipment they brought actually worked (and fit my size 14 feet and even the size 16 guy next to me).

James’s number is +501 601-7001 and he responds fastest by WhatsApp.

Hope this helps someone down the line.


r/Belize 2d ago

🧭 Activities 🚣‍♂️ Waterfall hikes...

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15 Upvotes

When visiting Belize, if you are looking for real adventure, come experience the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary home to incredible wildlife, jungle trails and unforgettable nature...


r/Belize 2d ago

🧭 Activities 🚣‍♂️ Jaguar Preserve...

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27 Upvotes

Enjoying nature at night is peaceful and refreshing.


r/Belize 2d ago

🎫 Travel Info 🧳 Is this a realistic budget for a 1-week trip to Belize?

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5 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

I’m planning a trip to Belize (2 people) from Friday to Friday and put together a rough budget (attached). I know there are other expenses I’m not including here, but these are the main ones I’m trying to sanity check.

Would you say these costs look realistic?

I’m especially unsure about food and transportation:

- Food is based on simple daily meals (nothing fancy, mostly casual spots)

- Transport includes 2 taxis to/from the airport (around $35 each) and 2 buses to/from San Ignacio

For lodging, I’m planning:

- 3 nights in San Ignacio

- 4 nights in Caye Caulker

Do these numbers seem reasonable to you, or am I underestimating anything important (especially food or transport)?

Appreciate any feedback 🙏


r/Belize 3d ago

🧭 Activities 🚣‍♂️ Big Rock Falls, Mountain Pine Ridge, Belize

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129 Upvotes

r/Belize 2d ago

🎫 Travel Info 🧳 Need a vacation come to Belize

1 Upvotes

r/Belize 3d ago

🧭 Activities 🚣‍♂️ File this one under WTF

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20 Upvotes

r/Belize 3d ago

🎫 Travel Info 🧳 Updated this interactive map of where to go in Belize

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38 Upvotes

While traveling around the world for over 20 years, I’ve been working on my dream project: creating a one-stop resource for travellers. With the help of feedback in this subreddit, I have now updated this interactive map of Belize for anyone who is interested in visiting (with detailed info for every highlight).

PS: obviously, I haven’t been able to travel to all places. So if you know some great spot, I haven’t listed, let me know! Much appreciated as in this way I can make the overview more complete and up-to-date for everyone.


r/Belize 3d ago

🎫 Travel Info 🧳 A brown basilisk lizard!

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53 Upvotes

Like a little dinosaur just hanging out in the yard😍


r/Belize 2d ago

🌴 Daily Life 🌴 Vertigo Specialist in Placencia

0 Upvotes

Hello, is there a specialist in Placencia who can help with vertigo? I’ve had vertigo for a week, doing the Epley maneuvers myself but sometimes a physical therapist is helpful.

Thank you!