navigating belize logistical and practical support...ado bus from cancun to belize city o ado bus...

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NAVIGATING BELIZE

Logistical and Practical Support

Wade HahnExpat Liaison

Wait, where am I?

At 8,867 square miles, Belize is about the

same size as the U.S. state of

Massachusetts.

180 Miles North to South

70 Miles East to West

3,500 Feet at its highest

450 Cayes

Population = ~386,800*2019 UN estimates

Belize Mass.

Am I saying that correctly?

Cay… key? Gris… gree?San Ig... what?

Caye = “KEY”

San Ignacio = “Ig - nah - see - oh”

Ambergris = “Amber - GRIS”

Xunantunich = “Shoe - naan - too - nitch”

Placencia = “Pla - sense - ee - ahh”

Garifuna = Gar - ahh - FOO - na

Getting To, From, & Around

Belize

FROM:

Miami, Dallas,

Charlotte, and L.A.

www.aa.com

American Airlines

FROM:

Atlanta

and Los Angeles

www.delta.com

Delta Airlines

FROM:

Houston, Denver

And Ft. Lauderdale

www.southwest.com

Southwest Airlines

FROM:

Houston, Newark,

and Chicago

www.united.com

United Airlines

Direct Flights To & From the USA

FROM:

Minneapolis

*Started 12/22/2018

www.suncountry.com

Sun Country Airlines

FROM:

Toronto and

Calvary

www.westjet.com

WestJet Airlines

Direct Flights To & From Canada Direct Flights To & From Central America

FROM:

Panama City

Panama

www.copaair.com

Copa Airlines

www.avianca.com

Avianca Airlines

FROM:

San Salvador

El Salvador

FROM:

Toronto

*Started 12/14/18

www.aircanada.com

Air Canada

www.aeromexico.com

AeroMexico

FROM:

Mexico City

Mexico

Coming Through Cancun

Many flights to Cancun from all over the world.

Usually less expensive than flying directly into BZE.

Fly from Cancun to Belize

Tropic Air ($250.00-$400.00 USD)

Take the Overnight ADO Bus

Cancun to Belize City ($46.00 USD)

ADO Bus from Cancun to Belize City

o ADO Bus ticket is approximately $46.00 USD and can be

purchased at the Cancun Airport.

o Buses depart Cancun at 7:30PM and 10:15PM,

lasting roughly 8 ½ hours. (Driving time)

o The bus arrives at the Belize border around 6 hours in.

Here, you will make two stops:

o Mexico-side - Submit Departure Record and pay

Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM) tax

(if applicable).

o Belize-side - Submit Immigration Form and get

stamped. Walk your items through

Customs and submit the Customs

Declaration Form.

www.ado.com.mx

Getting Around Belize

o Bus (Most common w/ locals)

o Taxi

o Rental Car

o Private Van/Bus

o Water Taxi

o Domestic Flights

o Golf Cart (Mostly on the

Cayes)

The Four Main Highways

o Phillip Goldson Highway (Northern Hwy)

o George Price Highway (Western Hwy)

o Hummingbird Highway

o Southern Highway

Rental Cars o Rates can vary from $60 -$120 USD per

day.

o Many Auto-Rental agencies to choose

from.

(Hertz, Crystal, Budget, Avis, & more)

o Safe Driving in Belize o Road Conditions Vary

o Asking for directions

o Buses and Trucks Drive Fast

o Dogs, Kids, Horses and whatever else!!!!

o Police Check-points

o Speed Limits and Speed Bumps

o Gas Stations (Gas ~$5.00 USD / gallon)

(Butane ~$2.50 USD / gallon)

Taxis

o Licensed Taxis have GREEN License Plates. Ask to see credentials.

o Taxi Fare from Phillip Goldson International Airport to Belize City = $25.00 USD Standard

Fee

o Short Taxi rides in and around the city = ~$8.00 - $10.00 BZD

o Taxi Drivers are a great source of information and usually proud to show you around.

o Some Drivers will do long distance trips.

o Usually very easy to find a Taxi.

Private Van and Tours

o There are many "Tour Guides” in Belize. They are licensed by the Belize Tourist Board. They will show their license.

o Many Tour companies own or have access to a van and offer transfers and/or tour services.

o This is also a great way to see the country!

o See me for recommendations.

o Buses are a common form of transportation in Belize. However, bus schedules, fairs and routes can be confusing at first.

o There is a main bus terminal in each district.

o The “Regular Bus”= Makes frequent stops to pick up passengers at bus stops.

o The “Express Bus”= Only stops in main Towns. (Recommended Option)

o Signs indicating intended destination are posted in the front window.

o Expect to be a little confused. Can be crowded. Keep your luggage within sight.

o Fares are often collected by a “Conductor” once you board the bus.

• Belize City to Belmopan = $2.50 USD• Belize City to Punta Gorda = $12.00 USD • Belize City to San Ignacio = $5.00 USD

Buses in Belize

Water Taxiso Belize City to Caye Caulker -and- Belize City to San

Pedro (~$28.00USD round trip) (~$38.00USD round

trip)

o San Pedro to Chetumal, MX (~$100.00 USD round trip)

o Daily trips to the Cayes on/around the hour.(Starting at 6:00AM until 6:15PM)

o Commuter Boats. Okay to bring your luggage, dog, bike.

Domestic Flights

www.tropicair.comwww.mayaislandair.com

o Small Cessna Planes (14 passenger)

o Multiple daily flights to popular destinations around Belize.

o Tickets can be purchased online or at airline office.

o Tickets Prices range from $50-$100USD one way.

o More expensive than Water Taxi.

o Much quicker and great aerial perspective of Belize!

Internet Service Local Phone

o Most places have Wi-Fi. Just ask for the password.

o FaceTime, WhatsApp and Skype are great ways to communicate in-country AND internationally.

o Usually at least two main Cable/Internet providers in each town.

o About $50.00 USD per month.

o Service throughout most the country.

o Stop into any BTL or SMART office. o They are in every town.

o Purchase a SIM card for approximately $20.00USD.

o Pre-paid or Post-paid Plan

WaterBWS – Belize Water Service

ElectricBEL – Belize Electric Limited

BanksScotiaAtlanticAtlantic International Belize Bank LimitedATMs

Buy it when you see it! It may be gone when you come back.

Look in the deep freezers.

Look for local products (peanut butter, tortillas, jams, bread, dairy products).

Generally more Options in Belize City.

Grocery Shoppingo Brodies (BC and Belmopan)o Chinese Super Marketso Publics (not Publix)o Save Uo Vegetable Stands and Markets

Household Goodso MIRABo COURTSo A&Ro DIBARY o Boutiques o Brodies

Hardware Stores o Bennyso Farmers Trading Center (Spanish

Lookout)

o Habet & Habeto Builders Hardware

Shopping

Dining Out

Fry Jacks

Rice & Beans

Marie SharpsPepper Sauce

Belikin Beer

Get Connected

Facebooko Belize Buy, Sell, Tradeo Placencia What’s Happeningo Expats in Belize

The Local Newso The Amandala Newspapero The Reporter Newspapero The Guardiano Chanel 7 o Chanel 5

Organizationso Rotary Clubo American Chamber of Commerceo Belize Sailing Association o Various Expat Groups

Popular Events

FebruaryPlacencia Sidewalk Art FestivalSan Pedro Carnival Valentine Cycling Classic

MarchBaron Bliss Day La Ruta Maya Canoe Race: 4-8th

San Ignacio Easter FairBelmopan Trade/Livestock Show

MayNational Agriculture & Trade ShowCayo ExpoCashew Festival Crooked Tree Chocolate Festival PG

JuneBelize Tourism ExpoLobster Festivals (CC, SP, Placencia)

JulyBelize International Film FestivalBelize Archaeology Symposium

AugustCosta Maya Festival San Pedro Tres Pescado Fishing Tournament

SeptemberCarnival September Celebrations 10th & 21st

OctoberWorld Indigenous Music Festival

NovemberGarifuna Settlement Day

DecemberThe“End of the World” Marathon

Wade HahnExpat Liaison

wwadehahn@gmail.com

USA #: +1 [850] 519-0057

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