Getting To Belize

Know What Time It Is

Belize is always on Central Standard Time. No Daylight Savings Time here! Mexico uses DST and changes with the rest of the world (except the USA) on the First Sunday in April and the last Sunday in October.

If you don't see the Belize and Mexican times above, you need to install Adobe Flash Player and/or enable Java Script

---

Traveling by Air

Most visitors travel to Belize by air, but you can also get here by road or boat. International flights to Belize are via Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, Houston, Miami or Los Angeles.

An other option is to fly into Cancun on one of the many airlines that service that Mexican resort city. I personally always fly to the USA via Cancun. It is a lot cheaper. I drive my own vehicle, about a 4 hour drive, and leave it at the Cancun Airport.  Tourist can catch an express bus south to Chetumal (New ADO Cancun/Belize busses now available). See below for details.

Driving From Cancun

Rental rates in Mexico are a little cheaper then in Belize, so if you were planning to rent a car in Belize, you might be better off renting one in Cancun and driving down to Belize. Several Mexican car rental companies allow their vehicles to be driven across the border. Weekly rentals start at about US$300 per week for a small car and go up to $1200 per week for a full size van.

We know people who have used Caribbean Rent A Car, also called American Rent A Car with good results. One person forgot to check that they had the cross-the-border permission in writing and were not allowed to bring their rental car into Belize. Everyone else had no problems.

You must also purchase Belize auto insurance before reaching the Immigration/Customs building on the Belize side. Atlantic Insurance has a shack in the Free Zone, across from the Princess Casino.

Be sure you have written permission to take the rental car into Belize!

---

By Road From The USA Through Mexico or Guatemala:

Private Auto

Driving to Belize from the USA can be a challenging experience.  This is not the recommended method for a tourist to visit Belize. It is time consuming and can result in unfortunate and expensive misunderstandings. A well maintained vehicle (preferably diesel), insurance and positive attitude will make the trip less stressful. Speaking Spanish helps a lot.

After crossing the border into Belize from Mexico or Guatemala, you will be required to obtain a temporary importation permit for your vehicle at the border station. These permits are valid for 30 days but can be extended by applying to the Customs Department. To get a permit, you will need:

• Travel documents and identification
• Proof of ownership (vehicle registration)
• Proof of Belize insurance
• Rental documents (if a rented car)

There are many articles on the internet written by people who have made this trip. Most relate a pleasant, exciting journey. Some had a few problems along the way. Call Belize Customs  for current requirements and do a lot of other research before you attempt this journey.

Mexican Road Signs: Translations of most of the road signs you will see when driving through Mexico

---

Notice about Belize Auto Insurance

Insurance is required to drive in Belize. Most people opt for the "Road Act" insurance. It runs about Bz$380 per year. This is the least expensive but remember, it is 3rd party only. It doesn't cover you, your passengers or your vehicle. You also should be aware that there are a lot of Private Roads in Belize. For example, all the roads in Consejo Shores are private. Regular "Act" insurance will not cover you on any private roads. "3rd Party Private" coverage is only about Bz$40 per year more and is probably a good investment.

---

New ADO Belize/Cancun Busses Now Available

ADO Group of Mexico is now offering daily direct busses from Belize City to Merida and/or Cancun. One bus is on schedule to leave from the bus terminal in Belize City to Merida at eight every night, arriving in Marida at six fifteen the following morning. A second bus to Cancun leaves the bus terminal in Belize City at eight fifteen each night arriving at Cancun at seven the following morning.

The bus runs will not be affecting the services provided by local transport providers. People can board the busses from Belize City, Orange Walk and Corozal only if their final destinations are Merida or Cancun in Mexico. Anyone wishing to travel within Belize will not be able to take these busses. Pickup Times and locations for Orange Walk an Corozal were not announced.

The ADO bus company has designated five buses and a total of ten experienced drivers to make the runs. The buses are first class grade, air conditioned with forty-four seats and a toilet.

ADO signed a ninety day contract with the Belize Transport Department last week and made the first run on Friday August 28th. So far runs have transported between sixteen to twenty passengers and the company expects the numbers to go up quickly. One way tickets from Belize to Cancun are for seventy-nine dollars; to Playa Del Carmen, sixty three dollars; Merida, seventy nine dollars; and Tulum, fifty-five dollars. The prices are in Belize dollars. Tickets can be bought directly from one of the company's personnel at the bus terminal in Belize City.

Bus Into Chetumal

Traveling by Bus from Cancun into Belize is comfortable, relatively fast, and inexpensive. Mostly good all-weather highways connect this Mexican resort city with the border city of Chetumal. From there, regularly-scheduled buses make runs into Belize with stops in the Northern towns of Corozal and Orange Walk on their way to Belize City.

One of the best is Mexican bus lines is ADO/GL. Here is their current (Aug. 2006) Cancun to Chetumal schedule. Prices are in Pesos, so divide by 12 for the approximant price in USA dollars. Their web site is very informative, but is no longer available in English.

Mexican Bus Schedule - Cancun to Chetumal

Departs	M	T	W	T	F	S	S	Price	Duration	Bus
16:30					x		x	$250	06:00 hrs.	VOLVO
17:45	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	$250	05:00 hrs.	BUSSCAR
23:59	x	x	x		x		x	$250	06:00 hrs.	VOLVO

* Prices are in Mexican Pesos. Schedules and fares are subject to changes without warning

BELIZEBUS is a very informative blog listing all bus schedules for Belize and much needed information on many other modes of travel within Belize.

Safe and regular bus connections from Guatemala City are another reasonable and exciting way to get to Belize. This option holds special appeal for travelers who want to tour the Petén Region before entering Belize via the Western border, near Benque Viejo del Carmen Town. From there, buses run to San Ignacio, the capital city of Belmopan, and Belize City.

---

By Boat

With 175 miles of protected coastline along the North West Caribbean Sea, hundreds of off-shore cayes, and the Belize Barrier Reef, the waters of Belize are a unique treasure in the sailing world of today.

GPS Maps

If you have a Garmin GPS, you can download the freely distribute GPS maps of Central America produced by the open source CenRut Project. The maps cover El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, Belize and Panama. Visit The CenRut Project for more information and to download the map files. Whether or not you use this open source product (if you are sailing or flying in Central America you should defiantly give it a try), the developers would very much like to include any waypoints you may have collected in Belize. Send your waypoints or other feedback by email to David Krause at CenRut.

Private Vessels and Ports of Entry

Those coming on their own boat should have updated and detailed charts and GPS chips that clearly mark the conditions of the reef. Due to the shallow seas in some areas, it is advised that mono-hulls with a keel be equipped with a depth meter.

All boats coming to Belize must check in with the Belize Port Authority. The communications center monitors V.H.F. radio channel 16 and H.F. radio channel 2182 and will direct boats as necessary upon their arrival. There are two Belize Port Authority offices in the country--one in Belize City and one in southern port of Big Creek. Visitors arriving by boat to either Belize City or Big Creek will need to report directly to the Belize Port Authority office, located within close proximity to Immigration and Customs. Those arriving at any other port-of-entry can handle all necessary procedures with the Belize Port Authority through Immigration.

Immigration offices are located throughout the country, allowing for flexibility in planning one's port-of-entry. The following locations serve as ports-of-entry for boats coming to Belize: Belize City, Corozal, San Pedro, Dangriga, Big Creek, and Punta Gorda. It is required that all boats are cleared through immigration, customs, health, and currency upon arrival. To do this, visitors must have clearance from the country that they are coming from, a valid passport, and visitors coming from certain countries will need a visa. To learn more about the policies of customs and immigration in Belize, proceed to: www.customs.gov.bz/traveller_info.html

Fuel and Supplies

Fuel is available at all ports-of-entry. Fuel docks, however, are not accessible at all locations by keelboats. Jerry cans will come in handy when looking to refuel.

An up-to-date cruising guide will be a necessary trip-planning tool for boats coming to Belize. Do not expect to purchase boat parts, equipment or supplies for your sailing vessel. Such items are not readily available. Food and basic provisions, however, can to be found anywhere.

Sailing Conditions and Protected Areas

Clear waters average a comfortable 75° to 84° F while favorable winds blow February through June. During these months the trade winds run at 12 to 20 knots and above, 70 % of the time. Throughout the rest of the year, expect winds around 6 knots. The mean annual temperature of Belize is 80° F.

The country takes great measures to protect its environmental treasures and as such has many designated marine Reserves. While cruising Belizean waters, you should be aware of the location of these areas and that most charge a usage fee.

To maintain sustainable populations of marine life and to protect species that are at risk, the following regulations are strictly enforced:

Up-to-date information is available from the Immigration office upon arrival.