3 ways to get from Chetumal to Belize City
There are 3 ways to travel the distance of 160 kilometers (99 miles) from Chetumal to Belize City by bus (3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours), minivan (4 hours) and ferry via Caye Caulker (3 hours to 4 hours 15 minutes). The journey duration ranges between 3 hours to 4 hours 15 minutes and the quickest way is by ferry via Caye Caulker. The lowest priced tickets start from 20 BZD ($10) for the bus.Chetumal to Belize City by Bus
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
Option 1: Local Bus
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 ($2.60).
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).
Note that online booking is not available for these local buses, so you need to arrive early at the bus station to buy your tickets.
In Belize City, the arrival station is the main bus terminal, also known as Novelo’s. This bus stop is 5-10 minutes away from downtown Belize and the main port. The easiest way to move around is by taxi with rates from 5 BZD ($2.50).
Option 2: ADO Bus*
*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).
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.
We will update the post once ADO resumes its operations. In the meantime, you can check ClickBus to see if departures are available again. You can also reach out to ADO via their Facebook page for the latest updates.
Crossing the Mexico-Belize border
The border between Mexico and Belize is marked by the Hondo River. To get from one country to another, you must cross the bridge at Santa Elena, a small bordering town 20 minutes away from Chetumal.
The bus will stop at the immigration office on the Mexican side and wait until you finish having your passport stamped. Once you’re done, the bus will cross the river and take you to the Belizean Immigration Office.
Your bus will be waiting for you outside the immigration office to take you straight to Belize City. It is not allowed to pick up passengers at the border.
Border crossing when taking the indirect bus
If you took a bus or taxi only up to the border crossing, you will have to walk on your own from one immigration office to the other.
After you finish your paperwork in Belize, you need to go to Corozal Bus Terminal, located some 15 km southeast of the border. You can find taxis and microbuses waiting in front of the casino near the Belizean border.
At Corozal Bus Terminal, you can transfer by bus to Belize City with BBOC or Valencia’s Bus Line with fares from 11 BZD ($5.50).
Vice-versa route: How to get from Belize to Chetumal by Local Bus
The same local bus companies offer bus trips the other way around, from Belize to Chetumal. The only bus departures are both in the morning, at 05:00 and 06:30. See the schedule below:
Local bus schedule from Belize to Chetumal (the way back)*
Chetumal to Belize City by Minivan
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
Chetumal to Belize City by Ferry via Caye Caulker
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.
Step 1: Chetumal to Caye Caulker by Boat
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.
Step 2: Caye Caulker to Belize City by Water Taxi
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.
There are limited slots for water taxis, so we advise booking your tickets online beforehand via BookAway to secure a seat on your desired date and time.
Frequently Asked Questions about Chetumal to Belize City
What is the distance from Chetumal to Belize City?
The distance from Chetumal to Belize City is 160 kilometers (99 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Chetumal to Belize City?
The fastest way to get from Chetumal to Belize City is by ferry via Caye Caulker and takes 3 hours.
What is the cheapest way to get from Chetumal to Belize City?
The cheapest way to get from Chetumal to Belize City is by bus with ticket costs starting from 20 BZD ($10).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Chetumal to Belize City. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Hello please can you tell me the times that the chicken bus does the journey in reverse – Belize city to Chetumal?thanks
Hey Jacob, we reached out to Fu We Transport Service and they only have one bus trip from Belize City to Chetumal daily, departing at 05:00. The other journey we found was via Silva’s Bus Line’s Facebook post from March 2023. Their bus leaves at 06:30. Travel time to Chetumal is about 4 hours, but it still depends on the waiting time for passengers at the border crossing.
Hola alguien tiene información si es peligroso o dificil ir a belice en coche, soy de cancun
Hi Fernando, unfortunately, we don’t have first-hand experience driving from Cancun to Belize, but we gathered some info for you. Firstly, it’s best to travel during the day, especially since you’re driving this route for the first time. Some of the things that you also need to be mindful of on this route are police checkpoints, speed bumps, and potholes.
Prepare your documents for immigration at the new border crossing, including your vehicle documents. Note that Mexican and Belizean car insurance are both required as well. Lastly, ask for a receipt if you’re being asked to pay a tourism fee or exit fee to avoid being charged twice. I hope this helps you on your road trip!
PD: Esta respuesta está escrita en inglés para que sea útil para los viajeros de todo el mundo. Recomiendo usar Google Translate para traducir esta respuesta al español.
Hi! Due I am arriving by air to Chetumal airport and from there going to Belize right away, I would take the indirect bus option. After crossing the border into Belize: the cheapest option is to take a microbus to Corozal? Where can I grab that transport?
Hi Rene, we read on this website that microbuses and taxis wait in front of the casino near the Belizean border. You can easily find them once you cross the border.
If you’re planning on taking a taxi from Chetumal Airport to the border, you can ask the taxi driver to drop you off at Corozal instead. The taxi will wait for you to cross the border.
Hola chicos pasaré de Guatemala-belice-chetumal la opción más barata es hacerlo con el chicken bus y haciendo varias paradas verdad?
Hi Fernanda, the local (chicken) bus is indeed a very cheap way to travel overland in Latin America. Given the distance between Guatemala, Belize, and Chetumal, you’ll need to make several transfers, which will have varying wait times between buses. You’ll definitely save money by taking this bus, but be prepared for a longer journey.
PD: Esta respuesta está escrita en inglés para que sea útil para los viajeros de todo el mundo. Recomiendo usar Google Translate para traducir esta respuesta al español.
Any update (Jan 2023) on whether there is a bus from chetumal to Belize city?
Hi Vincent, as of January 2023, we have confirmed that local chicken buses have resumed their operations from Chetumal to Belize, but the more comfortable ADO buses have not. We’ve updated the route with the most recent information on these buses. Have a safe trip!
Hallo, weten jullie of het nog steeds niet mogelijk is om met een directe openbare bus de grens van Belize en Mexico over te gaan? of is dit ondertussen veranderd?
Groetjes,
Flory
Hallo, weten jullie of de bussen nog steeds niet rijden over de grens van Mexico en Belize of is er al verandering?
Hallo Flory, volgens de Facebook-pagina van ADO zijn hun busreizen van Chetumal naar Belize nog steeds opgeschort. De beschikbare optie op dit moment is per veerboot naar Caye Caulker en vervolgens een watertaxi naar Belize.
Hi ,the bus is still working?
Because I can’t find the way when I try to use the ado app
Thanks for the answers.
Hey Liron, unfortunately, ADO buses are currently not operating from Chetumal to Belize. For now, the only way to travel this route is by taking a ferry to Caye Caulker and then a water taxi to Belize. We’ll update the page once we confirm that the buses are available again!
Hi, is dit nog steeds het geval of is dit ondertussen veranderd?
groetjes,
Flory
Falta info, la pagina linekada para comprar pasajes solo vende pasajes nacionales en mexico
Hello, Guillermo. Based on our recent communication with companies operating from Chetumal to Belize, public bus and van services are still suspended (as of September 2022).
But if you’re interested in entering Belize via Caye Caulker, you can take a boat for $70. These boats are operated by Water Jets International. You can book a ticket directly through their website.
From Caye Caulker, you can then take another ferry (1-hour) to Belize City. A ticket costs $21 when you book with BookAway.
Thank you and have a safe trip!
hello, i am traveling with my girlfriend and we are looking for ways how to get from bacalar to belize city. Can you help us? best regards fabian and esther
Hello, Fabian! We checked your concern with the bus company ADO and the van company Marlin Espadas. From what we understand, public transportation is not yet allowed to cross the border from Bacalar to Belize City. However, you might be able to take a private vehicle. For more info, you can also try to contact the Belize Tourism Board. We hope this helps and let us know how your trip went! Safe travels!
At the moment the only really viable way to cross by organised transit in one go is to take the boat from Chetumal to Caye Caulker. It’s a bit steep at 1400mxn but doesn’t take too long and the alternative options are a bit sparse
What about the option to go from bacalar to belize city and then take the ferry to Caye Caulker.
Hi Jessica! Great question. This route — Bacalar-Belize City-Caye Caulker — was another option pre-pandemic, with ADO buses operating every day between Bacalar and Belize City. As per our latest communication with ADO, though (September 2022), they have yet to resume operations for this route as well.
But if you really want to travel this route, you can try Travel Mundo Maya, which offers one daily shuttle bus trip from Bacalar to Belize City. From Belize City, you can then take a water taxi to Caye Caulker. Note though that we tried to contact Travel Mundo via e-mail just this October, but we have yet to receive any reply, so we cannot confirm whether they are currently operating.
We hope this answers your inquiry. Do let us know if you know of any other alternative! Safe travels!