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
