Belize City Transportation Tips by Jase1177

Bus to Guatemala Busses Review

If you are looking to head west into Guatemala, Belize City offers several bus companies that head that way. Buses leave from the Water Taxi Station in the heart of the city. Inside the station a 2-3 stands advertise buses going to several places, including Flores or Tikal, Guatemala. I chose the San Juan, as I had seen it referenced in other travel tips. I was staying at one of the hotels adjacent to the Tikal Ruins, so I chose the trip all the way to Tikal, which would have gone to Flores and tranferred me to a smaller bus; however, the bus passed one of its smaller shuttles between Flores and Tikal and quickly pulled over and rushed me out to the minibus (the driver knew he had one going to Tikal). The bus was a rather old bus with ratted seats and curtains, as well as inadequate shocks. Also, there is NO air conditioning on the bus, so if you are going slow (especially in the Guate section) or are stopped, you will get warm quickly. The other bus company passed us with much better speed and looked much more comfortable. So, if you can find the name of the other company, I may recommend taking that one instead of San Juan.

Cost: $15-20 US
Departure Time: 9.30AM
Travel Time: about 3hours to the Bze-Guat border and then <2hours to get to Flores/Tikal.

Border Crossing: The exit from Belize was easy, taking only a few short minutes. It cost 30$BZ ($15US) for the departure tax, as well as 7.50$BZ ($3.75US) for a conservation fee. I did not have to pay the conservation fee for some reason: I thought it may have been because I was in Belize less than 24hrs. After leaving the Belize side, you simply walk a couple hundred meters (if that much) to the Guatemala border patrol. It cost $2US to enter.

Mode: TO

Type: Bus

Taxis

Once you get off of a bus at the main station in Belize City, you will be swarmed with drivers trying to get you in their vehicles, some with various cars and others with vans. They all seemed relatively safe, as mine was. Just tell a driver where you want to go and if they know it. Most of the places in Belize City that travelers go seem to be known by the drivers. To go from to my hotel along the water a little bit out cost 7$BZ ($3.50US).

Also, from my hotel to the city center at the water taxi station, it cost the same amount of money.

Mode: AROUND

Type: Other

Bus from Chetumal Busses Review

If you are going into Belize via Mexico, you will likely take a bus from Chetumal. At the bus station in Chetumal, you can take Premier Line. This appeared to be the only bus offering this service, although I believe there may be others that were not apparent or departing from this station. The ticket booth, as well as one of its reps, is located near the main entrance of the station. You will likely hear him ask you if you are going to Belize or Belize City, especially if you appear to be a backpacker or looking around. The bus was pretty comfortable. It was similar to Greyhound buses used in the US during the 1990s, so you should not feel worried about comfort level. There are several buses during the day, as it takes less than 3.5 hours to get to Belize City, with brief stops at Corozal and Orange Walk. They stop in the main Novelo's bus station away from the downtown water taxi station.

Cost: $9 US
Travel Time: <3.5 hours

Border Crossing from Mexico and Belize were relatively easy. It took less than 10min and $10 US to exit Mexico and then less than 15min to go through the Belize Immigration and Customs for our entire bus.

Mode: TO

Type: Bus