r/Belize Mar 29 '23

😎 SUPER HELPFUL 😎 Belize Transportation Sticky

41 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.Β  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. Β 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!

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 May 13 '25

😎 SUPER HELPFUL 😎 Expats vs. Immigrants

87 Upvotes

NEW RULES

Show one another some grace please.

Anybody who's rude, hostile, accusatory, unfriendly, counterproductive, or in any way a jerk about this topic will get a warning, and then banned. I'm sick of people derailing legitimately useful questions and answers to prove how right they are. Many times, they're not right.

The arrogance surrounding people's responses when they correct someone simply seeking information, or the thinly veiled assumption of racism or classism based on the usage of a single word is unacceptable.

We always assume the best about people here until proven otherwise. This is not your soapbox to educate people on their usage of the terms expat or immigrant, both of which are misused constantly in the media, by many of you, and travelers in general. The misuse of this word will not magically be corrected by a snarky comment on r/Belize.

For those keeping track:

Expat does not equal immigrant. They're two different things and country of origin or the development of that country has nothing to do with it.

Expats are people visiting another country long term but not permanently moving there, often for work or seasonal trips.

Immigrants are people moving to another country that intend to live there permanently, literally to immigrate.

1st, 2nd, or 3rd world are thrown about by people to indicate a level of development or economy of a country when in fact, the terms stem from political alignment following the Cold War.

Thank you for coming to my TED Talk 🀝


r/Belize 2h ago

🌴 Daily Life 🌴 Caye Caulker and a marijuana referendum

23 Upvotes

I just learned about an upcoming referendum on Caye Caulker about legalizing marijuana and, personally, I'm very curious to see what happens!

As a soon to be resident of Belize, and an aficionado of fine weed, I'll be hoping this passes and spreads nationwide. The obvious benefits from taxing it alone make it seem like a good idea to me. Plus, if I ever go back to San Pedro I'd rather run into a bunch of stoned Americans than drunk Americans, every day.. lol..

I'm wondering how the current citizens and residents of Belize feel and think about this..

https://www.breakingbelizenews.com/2025/09/04/government-ministers-weigh-in-on-caye-caulker-marijuana-referendum/


r/Belize 1d ago

🌴 Daily Life 🌴 Spider monkey at xunantunich Mayan temple

84 Upvotes

r/Belize 4h ago

🏝️ Relocation Info 🏝️ Question on bringing in pantry items

2 Upvotes

As we race to our early October relocation, I was looking at my pantry today. We are shipping goods via container but I was looking for experiences in what worked to ship and what not to bother with.

As an example, flour/ sugar/ coffee / spices????? We are flying in with our cats so we will also have 2 suitcases - but felt like that was more for clothes and other things we need until the container arrives.

Appreciate any thoughts or experiences!+


r/Belize 1d ago

🌴 Daily Life 🌴 Good Morning From Cayo

84 Upvotes

r/Belize 12h ago

🧭 Activities πŸš£β€β™‚οΈ Really need input/thoughts on Tikal & super early wake extra drive

5 Upvotes

Hi y’all, I’m going to post proposed two week itinerary for input which I DESPERATELY need but first have question about Tikal - coming in mid April with my 21 year-old son. First time coming to Belize. I know it’s hard to estimate without the rest of my itinerary or knowing my story/situation - but I got dazzled with stories of Tikal being seen by sunset & then by sunrise the following morning: the sounds of the jungle, possible mist/clouds on canopy just before sunrise with the howler monkeys & wildlife making a ruckus. My quandary is this: I have a health issue which makes heat plus humidity a bit β€œextra”. I did two weeks on the Big Island & Maui like a pro May of β€˜24, including hiking at VNP, loads of hiking, etc. But I will need ac at night especially since I understand mid April can be quite warm & humid in Belize & Guatemala. (I’m used to Los Angeles weather.) So our only choices for lodging are an hour drive from Tikal meaning we would have to get up at 3:45 am to get there & climb the temple before sunrise.
Is it worth it?
I know because of various factors, that I will never get to South America or Central America again. We’d be doing ATM on a Monday, driving into Guatemala the next morning & leaving our stuff at one of the lodges with ac before driving an extra hour to get down to Tikal for 3-6 pm to tour & taking it in with less crowds & the sunset. Hour to lodge for dinner and bed early. Up at 3:45 to get there in time, stay until 8ish, back to lodge for shower & sustenance, check out then drive back to IC by 2ish. It’s kind of an all inclusive β€œis it worth it” considering this will be our only opportunity to experience something like this down there but also If y’all say yes - then we will do it & I’ll be grateful for the advice. If y’all think no, we won’t go & I’ll be grateful for the advice. We will be continuing to Hopkins, possibly Placentia then Caye Caulker after our time in the IC area.
Thank you for any & all thoughts!!!


r/Belize 18h ago

πŸ€” Unique Question πŸ€” Shipping rum back to the US

3 Upvotes

Hi, all. I stopped at duty free when I landed in Belize yesterday and got myself a nice bottle of rum. I'm here for 9 days before I fly to Mexico for a few days, then back to the US. I'm now thinking I'd rather ship the rum back to the US so I can enjoy it over time with friends from home. Is this possible, and is it legal? I'm in San Ignacio with a car now, so it's probably best for me to deal with it here tomorrow if I'm gonna do this. If not, I want to crack it open tonight so I can have a much of it [responsibly!] before leaving it with the AirBnB.


r/Belize 1d ago

🌴Trip Report 🌴 Loving every minute in San Ignacio

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152 Upvotes

r/Belize 18h ago

🧭 Activities πŸš£β€β™‚οΈ Budget friendly travel tips🀿

0 Upvotes

Hola, as a couple we want to visit Belice, more precisely San Pedro soon from Guatemala. Are there any tips on how to find good snorkeling tuors budget friendly? Also any other tips on what you can do for little money. Thanks in advance✌️


r/Belize 1d ago

🎫 Travel Info 🧳 First Time Trip

2 Upvotes

I leave tomorrow for an 8 day trip. 4 days at Chaa Creek lodge outside San Ignacio with some Maya ruin visits planned then 4 in Placencia. Any advice for driving from international airport to San Ignacio…we’ve heard of the speed bumps…how hard are they to notice? Should we pack TP for our trip to Tikal? We’ve got a few food trips scheduled in Placencia - any other suggestions?? Looks like there’s a parade for 9/10 celebrations.


r/Belize 1d ago

🏝️ Relocation Info 🏝️ Craving Culture

11 Upvotes

Hello! I am 28yo male- I am quite simply, looking for awesome, honest and unique people to connect with while I am in Belize in October. I want to form actual human connections with people. I am moving to Belize from the United States early 2026. I would love to share as much time with local people as possible.

If anyone wants to chit chat hit me up! Or if anyone has any recommendations for cultural immersive activities or experiences. I will be seeing just about every part of Belize while I am there in October!


r/Belize 2d ago

🌴 Daily Life 🌴 Good Morning From Cayo

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26 Upvotes

r/Belize 1d ago

🌴 Daily Life 🌴 Equine vets?

3 Upvotes

Hi all! I'm wondering if anyone here has info about who the equine vets are in Belize. I'm sure there must be some good ones, but finding folks online can be trickier than asking the community! Thanks so much.


r/Belize 2d ago

🧭 Activities πŸš£β€β™‚οΈ Chasing Waterfalls

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50 Upvotes

Chasing Waterfall Not A Problem... We Chase All The Waterfalls In Belize.


r/Belize 2d ago

🎫 Travel Info 🧳 Belize in November

6 Upvotes

Are we crazy for going to Belize first week of November?!?! HONESTY PLEASE. We know it’s the end of rainy season but fortunately/ unfortunately for us, this is the best time for us to get away.

We are thinking about 2 days in San Ignacio for the β€œjungle” experience and Mayan ruins. Open to other suggestions.

Then will stay in San Pedro for 4 days, visiting Caye Caulker via boat.

Is this feasible? Suggestions please!

If you think this isn’t a good time of year to go, we aren’t trying to have our one vacation ruined by rain, we can look elsewhere. Really just looking for a relaxing trip with some planned activities!


r/Belize 2d ago

🏝️ Relocation Info 🏝️ Real estate agents?

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I’m looking to relocate long term to Belize from the UK, initially looking to rent for a few months before buying. All my searches have either provided short term holiday rentals or real estate agents with 6 or fewer properties for long term.

Can anyone recommend a good real estate agent that has listings countrywide as I am yet to decide on a specific area.


r/Belize 3d ago

🌴 Daily Life 🌴 Good Morning From Cayo

47 Upvotes

r/Belize 2d ago

🎫 Travel Info 🧳 restaurants near Parrot's Cove in Hopkins

5 Upvotes

Hi, there. I see several restaurants on google maps that are near Parrot's Cove Lodge. Could anyone give some personal recommendations near there? Thanks.


r/Belize 2d ago

🏝️ Relocation Info 🏝️ Ticking down

9 Upvotes

I am amazed at how quickly time moves. From when I made the decision and set the ball in motion to now be making my way to Belize for an extended stay seems both like the blink of an eye and the longest of days.

It has now come to the question of where. I have researched nearly every inch. Including all of my previous visits, I have driven from the top, to the bottom and trekked places in between. I have stayed at resorts and I have stayed with locals. I have spent many days inland and coastal but only a few on the islands.

I love the color, smell and sounds of the beautiful Caribbean sea, but I equally enjoy the palms and green lush hills and rocky craggs and outcrops of the mountains. Cayo is pulling me, Stan Creek is tugging at me all the while Corozal is whispering softly in my ear.

My initial thoughts were to buy land and build on a small part for me and family and keep the rest development free and untouched. Yet the more I thought about it, the more it sounded like a compound. A place to separate me and society and that is not how I want to live. (as a former teacher, I can't shake the habit of being overly concerned with having positive society and social vibes). I don't want to be an expat, or have any title, just want to live an included Belize life. In time, my mission is that I will be off grid, immersed in a botanical nature filled hideaway. For now, it is only just a dream to build a never ending system of decks with hammocks and plants. All near an outdoor shower and outdoor cook area connected to a cheap shell house. Maybe I will get lucky and find a lot above water 75% to 80% of the year for cheap where I can walk around almost naked on stilts. But I guess I will have to be civilized and find the environment to call home where I have to keep my clothes on and minus the stilts.

This trip will be to lock in my final location, talk to rental agencies and hopefully snag a place for the relocation. I have decided that I would prefer Cayo so I will be there for a few days checking it out again and then I was going to take a look at Hopkins again. I figured I would round off with a brief drop to San Pedro because la Isla bonita. It's not on the list of relocating but I can't pass on visiting this trip.


r/Belize 3d ago

🧭 Activities πŸš£β€β™‚οΈ Looking for a small group or private snorkeling tour in Caye Caulker

4 Upvotes

Hubs and I will be in Caye Caulker Dec 11-18. This is our first visit to Belize. We're experienced and enthusiastic snorkelers but we do not like big group tours or crowds. We're fine going somewhere less well known if the snorkeling is excellent and there are few or no other people. We also prefer tours that are eco-conscious, if possible.

Also, I know that the reef is about a mile out from shore but has anyone gone out on their own, by kayak, for instance, to snorkel there or is that just not a thing? (possibly too much boat traffic?)

TIA!


r/Belize 2d ago

πŸ€” Unique Question πŸ€” Money transferring apps

1 Upvotes

Hi, what are money apps (example, cashapp, zelle, ect) that actually work in Belize for a person that does not have an american credit card?

Context: my family and I have a cat rescue. I work with Americans and I have told them about it and they follow our Facebook and Instagram for our cat rescue and they want to donate, but via apps like cashapp but those don't seem to work for me. Paypal doesnt work either. And well from what I can tell, Americans don't like to do wire transfer. Not sure why. Anyways, what app could work. I tried Wise, Payoneer, revolt, chime but those don't work unless I have an american card. Please help, my cat rescue is low on funds and we now have 46 cats. So the help is truly needed.


r/Belize 3d ago

🌴 Daily Life 🌴 Hi All! Any suggestions on where to watch NFL games Thursday - this weekend on ambergris caye? Thank you!

8 Upvotes

r/Belize 4d ago

🌴 Daily Life 🌴 Good Morning From Cayo

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54 Upvotes

r/Belize 4d ago

🌴 Daily Life 🌴 Good morning from Hopkins

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93 Upvotes

Beautiful sun rise from the calm beach of hopkins. An early walk on the calm waves Sipping A cup of freshly brewed. Priceless!


r/Belize 3d ago

🌴 Daily Life 🌴 Progress Report on our Maya Beach build

3 Upvotes

r/Belize 4d ago

🧭 Activities πŸš£β€β™‚οΈ Placencia Belize, Silk Caye Snorkeling

93 Upvotes

Snorkeling Silk Caye, Placencia, Belize πŸ‡§πŸ‡Ώ β™₯️ ✨️. Mother Nature is Beautiful.