Shared Belize Airport Transportation
If you would like to travel between the International Airport or Belize City and San Ignacio town, but don’t want to pay the private shuttle price, then you can reserve your seat with
Belize Ground Shuttle, the only truly shared shuttle service in Belize.
They offer scheduled daily runs between San Ignacio and the Philip Goldson International Airport at an affordable price starting at $35. Note that service directly to your hotel is an additional fee. Sometimes it's worth the extra, and sometimes you can get off at their downtown drop off and walk to your hotel.
Check out their schedule
here. You may need to wait a while at the airport, but you'll save a few dollars in the process. Unlike most shuttle services in Belize, they have brand new comfortable and spacious vans as shown in the pictures below.
2. Domestic Flights
Domestic flights, sometimes called hopper planes or puddle jumpers, are one of the fastest and most convenient ways to travel in Belize especially when heading to destinations like San Pedro and Caye Caulker from the international airport.
In Belize, domestic flights are operated by Tropic Air and Maya Island Air, both offering frequent daily routes across the country.
Flights are very easy to book directly through each airline’s website. However, if you prefer a smoother experience, our team at Belizing.com can assist with booking your flights and coordinating your itinerary, especially when combining transfers, tours, or accommodations.
Ticket prices vary depending on the route.
Popular routes include:
Tip: If you're going to Hopkins village from the International Airport, you can take a flight to Dangriga and book a private shuttle with Julian Transfers for your 30-minute drive to your Hopkins area resort.
3. Water Taxi
Water taxis are one of the most popular and affordable ways to travel from mainland Belize to the islands. Departures are from Belize City, near the Fort Street Tourism Village, with terminals for both major operators located within walking distance of each other.
The two main providers are San Pedro Belize Express and Caribbean Sprinter Water Taxi, offering similar schedules and pricing throughout the day.
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Most Popular Routes
Travel time is typically:
- 45 minutes to Caye Caulker
- 1.5 hours to San Pedro
Both companies run multiple daily departures, so availability is generally flexible.
🚖 Getting to Your Hotel on the Island
Once you arrive in San Pedro or Caye Caulker, you’ll need a short taxi ride to reach your hotel or accommodation.
During your water taxi booking, you’ll have the option to add a hotel transfer on the island, with pricing based on your hotel location and group size.
This makes your arrival much easier, especially if you're staying further from the dock or traveling with luggage.
📅 Schedules & Booking
Schedules between operators are very similar, and boats run frequently throughout the day. It often comes down to whichever departure is next.
Explore all available options and schedules here: Water Taxi
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Getting There from the AirportIf you're arriving at the Belize International Airport, you'll need to travel about 20–30 minutes to Belize City to catch the water taxi.
To make this part of your trip seamless, you can pre-book an airport shuttle directly to the water taxi terminal.
Our team at Belizing can assist with:Airport pickup → water taxi terminal transfer
Coordinating your shuttle with your boat departure
Full travel planning across islands and inland destinations
This is especially helpful if you're arriving later in the day, traveling with luggage, or want a smooth, stress-free connection.
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Airport Shuttle Options👉 Choose the option that works best for your trip:
Tip: They also offer rides to Chetumal from Caye Caulker and San Pedro and from Chetumal to Caye Caulker and San Pedro.
Watch this YouTube Video to see what the experience is like.
Caribbean Sprinter Water Taxi
Caribbean Sprinter is the second largest water taxi operator in the country. They also offer boat rides to Caye Caulker and San Pedro from Belize City and vice versa. You can contact them here.
Thunderbolt Water Taxi
This water taxi company offers boat rides to San Pedro from Corozal and Corozal to San Pedro. Find them
here to ask about price and availability.
Coastal Express
4. Public Bus
Buses in Belize run on a daily basis. The schedule and price varies depending on whether it is a regular or express bus, to and from where you’re going, and the day of the week.
Note: Express buses cost more than regular buses and they do not stop until they have arrived at the destination.
According to the Belize Department of Transport in Belmopan, Belize’s bus schedules are split into these categories:
Tip: You can identify where the bus is heading by a sign that is placed in the windshield of the bus.
🆕 Upcoming Update: National Bus Company
The Government of Belize is currently working on introducing a National Bus Company System, aimed at improving public transportation across the country.
At this time;
There is no official website or centralized schedule available yet.
👉 We will update this section as soon as official schedules and routes are released.
Contact Information:
If you would like to contact a bus company in Belize, here is the local phone number for the Belize Bus Line: National Bus Company Ltd:
(+501)828-9001
5. Rentals/Charters
Rentals offer the most flexibility, but are often also the most costly. It certainly makes sense if you are traveling as a group. If you are traveling in a large group, you can also charter buses or boats/water taxis. There are several options for rentals/charters depending on where you are and what your preference is.
Can you use your drivers license in Belize? Yes, you are allowed to use a foreign driver license in Belize for up to three months. Don't forget your drivers license. You'll need it to get your rental, and you'll also need it for the various check points you may encounter along the road.
Tip: Book from a non-airport provider and ask them you meet you at the airport with the vehicle. You may be able to save a few dollars by doing this.
Here are the different rental categories:
Vehicles
Depending on the size of your group, you have options from large passenger vans to SUVs. Crytal Auto Rentals are the most well known and most reliable vehicle rental company. You can also find the brand name chains at the airport such as Budget rentals, AVIS, Hertz, Dollar / Thrifty, and other.
If you rent a vehicle from the airport, you will pick up your vehicle in the rental services building in the parking lot just across the arrivals exit door. You can also rent vehicles in each major town from local rental providers. Don't expect brand new shiny vehicles for your rentals. Most rentals will be older used vehicles, so it's not uncommon to have your rental break down....keep the rental company's phone number handy.
If you want to drive your vehicle into Guatemala to visit Tikal, you will need some additional paperwork. Check with your rental company first if this will be allowed. One of the few companies that we know to allow this is
Crystal Auto Rentals.
In San Ignacio, check out
Cayo Auto Rentals or
Premium Rentals. Local rental companies are sometimes cheaper than airport rentals, and for a small fee they will deliver or pick up your rental anywhere in the country. Most bookings for local rentals are done via email by filling out a contact form on their website.
Driving from the Airport
If you will be driving a rental car in Belize, we recommend downloading an offline map to your phone. Google Maps works well in Belize allowing you to download the map and use it without internet access.
A new airport access road, known as the Airport Link Road, was opened in 2020 to improve traffic flow from the Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport. This is the recommended route when exiting the airport, especially if you are traveling inland or to southern Belize.
If you are heading to western Belize, including Belmopan or San Ignacio, follow the Airport Link Road onto the Philip Goldson Highway and continue west via the George Price Highway.
For southern destinations such as Dangriga, Hopkins, or Placencia, continue to Belmopan and then drive along the Hummingbird Highway, which is the most commonly used and scenic route.
While the Coastal Highway has been upgraded and is now paved, it is more remote with limited services. Most travelers still prefer the Hummingbird Highway for a smoother and more accessible journey.
Travel Tip: Roads in Belize can be narrow, so drive carefully and watch for speed bumps and pedestrian crossings along highways and in villages.
Golf Carts
If you are in Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker, then renting a golf cart to get around the island is your best option.
Tip: Book your golf cart rental before you arrival to ensure your cart is reserved for you. Ask them to meet you with the cart at the airstrip or boat dock as you arrive.
Motorcycles
On the mainland, if you are a solo traveler or traveling with a partner and would prefer getting around in motorcycles, you can do so as well.
Bikes
For backpackers, there are bike rentals available in Belize. For getting around town or the village, is an affordable option for yourself or your group.
Note: Be on the lookout for potholes, speed bumps, pedestrian crossings, roundabouts. Roadways in Belize are notorious for speed bumps (without sufficient road signage). Many of the roads are also unpaved. You must always stay on the right-hand side of the road. Drive safely and cautiously.
Here are the different charter options:
Boat Charters
To charter a boat, you and your group will be taken to your destination by a designated driver. You can charter a water taxi from San Pedro Belize Express, Ocean Ferry or other companies in Belize.
Bus Charters
Similarly to chartering a boat, chartering a bus is the same, except on land. You can contact The National Bus Company Ltd:
(+501)828-9001
6. Taxi Cabs
Taxi cabs are convenient modes of transportation in Belize, especially within town or city limits. However, don't expect a brand new car or a smooth ride...or even A/C all the time. Taxi rides are also shared, so don't be surprised if your driver stops along the way to pick up more passengers. It's a fun way to meet new people in Belize.
How much does taxi cost? Taxi fares vary depending on the distance of the trip and the taxi association. The fare schedules are typically set by the taxi association in each jurisdiction. Ask for the fare before getting in....there are no fare meters. For instance, in Belize City, the average price for a taxi ride is about $15 BZD while in the Twin Towns of
San Ignacio and
Santa Elena in the Cayo District, the average price would be $7 BZD.
Note: Some taxi organizations charge per passenger, usually $5 to $8 BZD, while others charge a set price per drop or group. For example, a taxi fare from the International Airport to Belize City is a per-group charge of USD$25.
You can find taxi cabs parked at specific areas of the town or city – usually there would be a sign marking the taxi association, and you'll notice the cars lined up with green license plates. You can also catch a taxi that’s passing by on the side of the road. In the towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena, there are over 900 licensed taxis.
Tip: All taxi cabs have green license plates.
7. Good O’l Fashion Walking
One of the perks of being in Belize is that almost everything is in walking distance, especially in the towns or villages. You can get to grocery stores, restaurants, cafes or farmers’ markets easily from your Airbnb rental, hotel, hostel, or guesthouse.
Uber ride sharing in Belize?
Belize does not have Uber, Lyft or any similar ride sharing service. Your exisiting ride sharing apps will not work. Don't worry, we have multiple cost-effective transportation options available throughout the country.
Summary: This is your comprehensive guide to transportation in Belize. In general, ground transporation options for travel between towns and major destinations in the mainland consist of Public Bus, Private or Shared Shuttle, and Rental Cars. The cheapest option is to take the public bus (aka chicken bus), which is an adventure all on its own.
The most expensive option is renting a car, but it's also the most convenient and flexible option. Booking a shuttle is a good compromise between cost and convenience. Besides, once you get to your destination you can use local taxi service or just walk to where you need to go. In many cases, you'll find that a rental car is overkill.
While you're in town, taxi cabs are easily accessible. Almost all the locals have their favorite taxi driver phone number handy. Keep in mind that all official taxi cabs have green license plates. Don't get in if it does not have a green plate, and only get in after you have clarified what the fare will be.
Lastly, you should know that fuel prices in Belize are usually high. Keep that in mind if you go for a rental. On average, expect to pay between $12 to $15 Belize dollars per gallon, or a little over $6 US dollars per gallon. This is one of the main reasons why you will find that some transportation options are a bit expensive, especially if you need to travel a long distance.
As you now know, although Uber, Lyft, or other ride sharing apps have not made it into Belize yet, we have plenty of other options to get around. We hope that getting out and about in Belize is easier with knowledge of the different options. You can choose and refuse from the various transportation options for your next Belize Trip. #letsgobelizing