Despite having just three main all-weather roads - the one unpaved
major road, the Southern Highway, will be fully paved during the next
couple of years - Belize is well served by public transport . The main
roads, and even most unpaved side roads, are generally kept in good
repair and are usually passable except in the very worst rainstorms.
Anywhere you can't get to by bus, you can generally reach by water-taxi
or light aircraft, which can be less expensive than you might expect.
Buses
Regular bus services connect all towns in Belize, but for villages off
the main highways you'll have to rely on slower local services, often
with just one bus a day and running Monday to Saturday only. The
majority of buses are ...
Regular bus services connect all towns in Belize, but for villages off
the main highways you'll have to rely on slower local services, often
with just one bus a day and running Monday to Saturday only. The
majority of buses are second-class , but on the main highways there are
a few luxury express buses , which stop only in the towns, while regular
buses will pick up and drop off anywhere along the roadside. The
Hummingbird and Southern highways, to Dangriga, Placencia and Punta
Gorda, are not quite so well provided for, though there are at least a
dozen daily buses to Dangriga, two to Placencia and eight to Punta
Gorda. On all of these routes tickets can be bought in advance from the
offices in Belize City; pay the conductor if you get on along the route.
Fares are very reasonable (roughly US$3.50 from Belize City to the
Guatemalan border, US$6 to Chetumal and US$12 to Punta Gorda).
Taxis
All taxis in Belize are licensed and easily identifiable by their green
number plates. They operate from special ranks in the center of all
mainland towns and, particularly in Belize City, drivers will call out
to anyone they suspect is a...
All taxis in Belize are licensed and easily identifiable by their green
number plates. They operate from special ranks in the center of all
mainland towns and, particularly in Belize City, drivers will call out
to anyone they suspect is a foreigner. There are no meters, so you'll
need to establish the fare in advance, though within the towns a US$2.50
fixed rate should apply.
Driving and hitching
Driving in Belize is subject to the same limitations as bus travel. The
Northern, Western and Hummingbird highways offer easy motoring and
smooth roads, as does much of the Southern Highway, but off these
highways roads can be rough. If you want to...
Driving in Belize is subject to the same limitations as bus travel. The
Northern, Western and Hummingbird highways offer easy motoring and
smooth roads, as does much of the Southern Highway, but off these
highways roads can be rough. If you want to head off the beaten track
you'll need high clearance and 4WD. Unleaded petrol is easily available,
but expensive at US$3.15 per gallon. Insurance (around US$7-10 a day for
your own car) is available from an agent just inside either of the land
border crossings or in Belize City. Under Belize's seatbelt law you'll
be fined US$12.50 for not belting up.
All the main car rental companies offer cars, Jeeps and 4WDs for between
US$75 and US$125 a day, plus up to US$15 per day for insurance. You'll
usually have to be over 25 and will need to leave either a credit card,
travellers' cheques or a large cash deposit. Many outfits do not offer
comprehensive insurance, so the renter is likely to be held liable for
any damage to the vehicle, however caused. Note that some companies
consider driving a car on minor dirt roads (especially in the south) to
be taking the vehicle "off-road", which may invalidate your insurance.
Check carefully before signing anything.
In the more remote parts of Belize the bus service will probably only
operate once a day, if at all, and unless you have your own transport,
hitching is the only option. The main drawback is the shortage of
traffic, but if cars or, more likely, pick-up trucks, do pass they'll
usually offer you a lift, though you may be expected to offer the driver
some money.
Cycling
Seeing Belize from a bike is fairly straightforward and you'll find
repair shops in all the towns. Bikes are increasingly available for rent
, especially in San Ignacio and Placencia. Few Belizean buses have the
roof racks that are...
Boats
Most boats you're likely to use will be fast skiffs , usually open boats
with two powerful outboard motors (though some are covered, it's
advisable to carry a light raincoat just in case). Carrying about 25
passengers, skiffs run...
Seeing Belize from a bike is fairly straightforward and you'll find
repair shops in all the towns. Bikes are increasingly available for rent
, especially in San Ignacio and Placencia. Few Belizean buses have the
roof racks that are such a familiar sight in Guatemala; if there's room,
the driver might let you take your bike onto the bus.
Most boats you're likely to use will be fast skiffs , usually open boats
with two powerful outboard motors (though some are covered, it's
advisable to carry a light raincoat just in case). Carrying about 25
passengers, skiffs run from Belize City and mainland destinations out to
the cayes , and also cover international routes from Punta Gorda to
Puerto Barrios and Lívingston in Guatemala and from Belize City,
Dangriga and Placencia to Puerto Cortés in Honduras - times and
destinations are covered in the text. Services are fast, reliable and
safe; all registered boats should carry lifejackets and most also carry
marine radios. It's worth buying your ticket the day before for early
departures from the cayes and on international services if you want to
be sure of a place, though there's usually plenty of room.
Planes
Maya Island Air (tel 223-1140, www.ambergriscaye.com/islandair ) and
Tropic Air (tel 223-4851, www.tropicair.com ) offer a scheduled service
from Belize international airport and Belize City's municipal airport to
all...
Maya Island Air (tel 223-1140, www.ambergriscaye.com/islandair ) and
Tropic Air (tel 223-4851, www.tropicair.com ) offer a scheduled service
from Belize international airport and Belize City's municipal airport to
all the country's main towns (except Belmopan and San Ignacio) and out
to San Pedro and Caye Caulker; there are also several charter airlines .
A flight from Belize City Municipal Airport to San Pedro or Caye Caulker
costs around US$27; to Punta Gorda, US$79; flights from the
International Airport to all destinations are US$15 more. The domestic
airlines also have several daily flights to Flores in Guatemala (for
Tikal) and there are daily departures to regional destinations such as
Guatemala City, San Salvador, San Pedro Sula and Roatán in the Bay
Islands, Honduras, although currently there are no scheduled flights to
Mexico. |
