How to Get From Chetumal to Belize City
Bus · Minivan · Ferry via Caye Caulker
%2Cpin-s-a%252B356151(-88.2870849%2C18.5320017)%2Cpin-s-b%252B8B4513(-88.1744%2C17.52)%2F-88.23074245000001%2C18.02600085%2C7%2F560x280%402x%3Faccess_token%3Dpk.eyJ1IjoiZ2Vja29yb3V0ZXMiLCJhIjoiY2plc2p0NmQ4MHh1cDJ4bXI3aWlraGh3YyJ9.ftb9bE1kUJiddMRbmZblQQ&w=3840&q=75)
Belize City is the country's biggest settlement and main gateway to the Caribbean cayes. It sits about 110 kilometres (68 miles) down the coast from Chetumal near the Mexican border. The bus is the cheapest way to get from Chetumal to Belize City at $10 (20 BZD), taking 3h 30m - 4h. A ferry also runs by way of Caye Caulker if you'd rather arrive by Water.
Distance from Chetumal to Belize City
Chetumal and Belize City are about 110 km (68 miles) apart, and the overland-and-sea journey covers around 160 km. Depending on the option, the trip takes between 3h and 4h 15m.
3 ways to travel from Chetumal to Belize City
There are three ways to travel from Chetumal to Belize City. You can choose between the bus, minivan, and ferry. The journey takes 3h–4h and the quickest way is by ferry. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $10 (20 BZD).
Reach out to our Community
10hello, 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 (belizetourismboard.org). 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!
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 this still the case or has this changed in the meantime?
greetings,
Flory
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 (facebook.com) 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 (facebook.com) 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.
Hello, does anyone have information on whether it is dangerous or difficult to go to belice by car, I am from 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 (goo.gl), 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 (belizebus.wordpress.com) 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.
Hi guys, I will be going Guatemala-belice-chetumal, the cheapest option is to do it with the chicken bus, making several stops, right?
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!
Hello, do you know whether the buses are still not running across the border between Mexico and Belize, or has anything changed yet?
Hello Flory, according to ADO's Facebook page, their bus journeys from Chetumal to Belize are still suspended. The available option at the moment is by ferry to Caye Caulker and then a water taxi to Belize.
Hello, do you know whether it is still not possible to cross the border between Belize and Mexico by direct public bus? or has this changed in the meantime?
Best wishes,
Flory
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 (sanpedrowatertaxi.com). 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 (bookaway.com). Thank you and have a safe trip!
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Chetumal to Belize City, roughly 110 kilometres (68 miles) apart. In all, there are 3 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $10 (20 BZD). The quickest trip takes 3h.
Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the distance from Chetumal to Belize City?
The distance from Chetumal to Belize City is 110 kilometres (68 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Chetumal to Belize City?
Journey times from Chetumal to Belize City overlap: bus 3h 30m - 4h, minivan 4h, ferry via caye caulker 3h - 4h 15m. Depending on the departure, no single option is always the fastest.
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.
About the Author
Senior Travel Writer
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.
Affiliate Disclosure
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep Gecko Routes free and up to date.
Ferry Schedule Notice
Ferry schedules can change due to weather, sea conditions, or seasonal adjustments. We recommend confirming departure times directly with the operator, especially during monsoon season.