How to get from Chetumal to Belize

There are 3 ways to travel the 160 kilometres (99 miles) from Chetumal to Belize City. You can choose between the bus, minivan and ferry via Caye Caulker. The journey takes 3 hours to 4 hours 15 minutes and the quickest way is by ferry via Caye Caulker. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 20 BZD ($10).

The bus is a direct way to travel from Chetumal to Belize City. Travel time takes 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours by bus. This includes the waiting time at the border to get your passport stamped on both the Mexican and Belizean sides.

The last time we checked (March 2023), ADO has not yet resumed its operations for this route. The available option is the local “chicken” bus from Chetumal to Belize City. We discuss both options below.

Bus options from Chetumal to Belize

The local “chicken” buses are colourful, non-airconditioned buses mainly used by locals. You can find them at Nuevo Mercado Bus Station. A 10-minute taxi ride from the city centre to this bus station costs 50 MXN ($2.70).

The estimated travel time from to is 4h. But it may take up to 5.5 hours because the buses make several stops along the way, including Corozal and Orange Walk.

You can choose between the two local bus companies Fe Wu Transport and Silva’s Bus Line. Bus tickets to Belize cost 20 BZD ($10).

*IMPORTANT UPDATE: The last time we checked (March 2023), ADO buses from Chetumal to Belize City were unavailable. We suggest taking the local bus or the ferry via Caye Caulker instead.

ADO, one of Mexico’s main bus companies, was the primary choice for tourists before the pandemic. Its buses were equipped with AC, reclining seats and a toilet, making for a comfortable ride. Tickets were about 500 MXN ($26.50).

The ADO bus departed from its ADO Chetumal Centro in the city centre. There were two departures every day: one at 05:15 and another at 13:30.

It took 4h from Chetumal to Novelo’s Bus Terminal in Belize, including the immigration checks at the Mexico-Belize border.

A minivan ride from Chetumal to Belize City costs around 120 BZD ($61). The minivan journey takes about 4 hours, depending on traffic.

Adrenalina Tours operates on this route.

Minivan options from Chetumal to Belize

Another option when travelling from Chetumal to Belize City is by ferry. This option can be quite pricey, but it will give you the chance to explore the island of Caye Caulker, located some 40 km northeast of Belize City.

Note that ferries operating this route are not available daily.

Water Jets International operate four boat trips from Chetumal to Caye Caulker every week. These boats are available on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.

A boat ticket costs 125 BZD ($61) and travel time is around 2h 15m - 3h 30m.

You’ll need to board the ferry at Chetumal Marine Terminal on the southern edge of Chetumal city centre.

Ferries arrive at the EZ Boyz Dock in the centre of Caye Caulker.

You can stay in Caye Caulker for a few days, overnight or just for a few hours. If you want to leave on the same day, keep in mind that the last ferry to Belize City departs at 15:30.

San Pedro Belize Express operates four water taxi trips daily from Caye Caulker to Belize City. A ticket costs 46 BZD ($23) and travel time is around 45m.

Boats depart from the San Pedro Belize Express Terminal in Caye Caulker city centre. They will drop you off at the Water Taxi Port in Belize City centre, just 500 m south of the Museum of Belize.