Getting to Belize
Belize’s location at the north of Central America makes it an easy destination to get to from anywhere in the world.
For North Americans, the main carriers are Delta, SouthWest, TACA, United and American Airlines. Unless you live in Houston, Miami, New York or Atlanta, expect to have to transfer at one of these major cities. Occasionally you may be able to catch a connection in either Los Angeles or Chicago.
Unfortunately, because of how large North America is, the time to your destination varies greatly depending on where you’re located. While a direct flight out of Miami is only 2.5 hours, Toronto travelers can expect a four to five hour trip with WestJet which operates seasonally from November to April every year. Even so, no matter where you depart from or who you depart with, you’ll always end up at the Phillip Goldson International Airport in Belize City.
Should you want a cheaper way to travel that takes a bit longer, nothing beats going by land. Try Mexico’s ADO bus line, taking visitors to Belize City from Cancun and Playa del Carmen. There are also the Guatemalan Linea Dorada buses that travel from Flores, Peten and Guatemala City to Melchor de Menchos, a small Guatemalan town on the border of Belize.
Travel within Belize is a Breeze!
If you’ve ever been to a foreign country and had a tough time getting around after you arrive, Belize requests the pleasure of your company. In-country travel is so easy and effortless, we call it breezy. Approximately the same size as the state of Vermont, Belize is small enough to make sure you see everything you wish to see, because instead of traveling to and from attractions and sites, you can spend all of your time “being there.” The following ground and air options should cover all of your in-country needs, and unlike other Caribbean destinations, you can travel seamlessly from place to place by bus without ever having to share the ride with noisy crowds and squawking chickens!
Travel by car
Come and go when you please by renting a car while you’re in Belize; especially if you are skilled at map reading and have a good sense of direction. That said, frequent Belize visitors rarely take this option because they know that their resort hosts specialize in getting guests where they want to go, so you can avoid car rental fees and driving strange roads. That stated, if you are the independent sort and require a car, choose between two recommended resources: Roam Belize www.roambelize.com (phone: 011-501-630-7870) and Barefoot Rentals and Services http://barefootservicesbelize.com/ (011-501- 629-9602) to get the best rates during your stay. Use BELIZEHUB coupon to get a discount.
Travel by air
Whether you’re in a rush to get from place to place or love flying, two Belize airliners service a limited number of cities and offer convenience and time savings. There are plenty of north-south routes ready to deliver you to these small airports expeditiously: Ambergris Caye, Belize International, Belize Municipal, Big Creek, Caye Caulker, Caye Chapel, Corozal, Dangriga, Placencia and Punta Gorda. Down the line, things will get even easier once Ambergris Caye’s little runway turns into an international airport. Service from Belize is fairly inexpensive at around $68 USD one way. Your in-country carrier options are Maya-Island Air www.mayaregional.com (Belize: 011-501-223-1140; USA: 1-800-225-6732) and Tropic Air www.tropicair.com; (Belize: 011-501-226-2012; USA: 1-800-422-3435).
Travel by bus
Belize bus fares and schedules change frequently to service busy routes, but what never changes is the fact that you won’t find a more affordable way to get around! This is the primary transportation method for people throughout the nation, and at any given time, eight bus lines service residents and tourists alike. Your resort host will be a font of information if you need bus service to get where you’re going, but http://www.guidetobelize.info/en/travel/belize-bus-timetable-route-guide.shtml, is a terrific resource for getting information on bus times, locations and fares.
Travel by cab
As you can imagine, taxis are easy to find in this thriving tourist mecca, so if you prefer not to go by bus and don’t mind paying more, taxis could become your favorite form of travel while you’re in Belize. Drivers eager to help offer helpful information in hopes their tips increase, but if you’re already paying a premium price to travel long distances (Belize City to San Ignacio, for example, could set you back $125 USD!), you can probably afford to tip generously. While the government posts rates at Belize City’s international airport, taxi companies often use that day’s gas prices as their rate-setting guide. Look for green license plates and once you flag one down, ask how much your driver charges to transport you to your destination before you get in to show him how Belize-savvy you happen to be!