Country Guides
Belize
Getting Around
Getting Around
Belize
Getting Around by Air
Local airlines connect Belize City with the main towns and cayes. Flights leave from both the international airport and the municipal airstrip. The main carriers are Maya Island Air (www.mayaislandair.com) and Tropic Air (www.tropicair.com). Be aware that Belizean airlines have been classified as category two, meaning they do not meet the ICAO safety standards.
Getting Around by Water
There is a scheduled boat service from Belize City to Ambergris Caye, Caye Chapel and Caye Caulker. Boats also depart from Placencia to Honduras and from Punta Gorda to Guatemala.
Getting Around by Road
There are four paved highways in Belize: the Northern Highway between Belize City and the Mexican border town of Chetumal; the Western Highway between Belize City and the Guatemala Border; the Hummingbird Highway from Belmopan to Dangriga; and the Southern Highway down to Punta Gorda. All other roads are unpaved single- or double-lane highways that get washed out during torrential rains. Local driving standards are extremely poor and road traffic accidents are a common occurrence. Traffic drives on the right.
Bus: There are inexpensive daily bus services to most towns and villages, and to the Mexican and Guatemalan borders. Travel is usually in hot and overcrowded old US school buses, with many delays due to breakdowns. There are some air-conditioned express services but service is intermittent.
Car hire: Many international and local firms operate in Belize City as well as in Ladyville (Belize Airport), Dangriga and San Ignacio. Visitors usually need to be 25 years old to hire a car. 4-wheel drive vehicles are recommended for excursions south of Belize City.
Regulations: The speed limit is 90kph (56mph) on highways and 40kph (25mph) on most other roads. Seat belts are compulsory. You must purchase car insurance. At police checkpoints, officers have the authority to ask to see proof of your insurance and may arrest you if you don't produce the proper documentation.
Documentation: A national driving licence is acceptable for three months, after which an International Driving Permit is required.
Journey Times
The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Belize City to other major cities/towns in the country.
Air
Road
Sea
Belmopan
0.20
1.00
-
Corozal Town
-
2.00
-
Punta Gorda
0.55
4.00
-
San Pedro, Ambergris
0.15
-
1.30
Getting Around by Air
Local airlines connect Belize City with the main towns and cayes. Flights leave from both the international airport and the municipal airstrip. The main carriers are Maya Island Air (www.mayaislandair.com) and Tropic Air (www.tropicair.com). Be aware that Belizean airlines have been classified as category two, meaning they do not meet the ICAO safety standards.
Getting Around by Water
There is a scheduled boat service from Belize City to Ambergris Caye, Caye Chapel and Caye Caulker. Boats also depart from Placencia to Honduras and from Punta Gorda to Guatemala.
Getting Around by Road
There are four paved highways in Belize: the Northern Highway between Belize City and the Mexican border town of Chetumal; the Western Highway between Belize City and the Guatemala Border; the Hummingbird Highway from Belmopan to Dangriga; and the Southern Highway down to Punta Gorda. All other roads are unpaved single- or double-lane highways that get washed out during torrential rains. Local driving standards are extremely poor and road traffic accidents are a common occurrence. Traffic drives on the right.
Bus: There are inexpensive daily bus services to most towns and villages, and to the Mexican and Guatemalan borders. Travel is usually in hot and overcrowded old US school buses, with many delays due to breakdowns. There are some air-conditioned express services but service is intermittent.
Car hire: Many international and local firms operate in Belize City as well as in Ladyville (Belize Airport), Dangriga and San Ignacio. Visitors usually need to be 25 years old to hire a car. 4-wheel drive vehicles are recommended for excursions south of Belize City.
Regulations: The speed limit is 90kph (56mph) on highways and 40kph (25mph) on most other roads. Seat belts are compulsory. You must purchase car insurance. At police checkpoints, officers have the authority to ask to see proof of your insurance and may arrest you if you don't produce the proper documentation.
Documentation: A national driving licence is acceptable for three months, after which an International Driving Permit is required.
Bus: There are inexpensive daily bus services to most towns and villages, and to the Mexican and Guatemalan borders. Travel is usually in hot and overcrowded old US school buses, with many delays due to breakdowns. There are some air-conditioned express services but service is intermittent.
Car hire: Many international and local firms operate in Belize City as well as in Ladyville (Belize Airport), Dangriga and San Ignacio. Visitors usually need to be 25 years old to hire a car. 4-wheel drive vehicles are recommended for excursions south of Belize City.
Regulations: The speed limit is 90kph (56mph) on highways and 40kph (25mph) on most other roads. Seat belts are compulsory. You must purchase car insurance. At police checkpoints, officers have the authority to ask to see proof of your insurance and may arrest you if you don't produce the proper documentation.
Documentation: A national driving licence is acceptable for three months, after which an International Driving Permit is required.
Journey Times
The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Belize City to other major cities/towns in the country.
| Air | Road | Sea | |
| Belmopan | 0.20 | 1.00 | - |
| Corozal Town | - | 2.00 | - |
| Punta Gorda | 0.55 | 4.00 | - |
| San Pedro, Ambergris | 0.15 | - | 1.30 |
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