Overview Compare Bus Ferry via Caye Caulker
Important COVID-19 Update: Belize has opened its borders to foreign tourists and locals. You only have to show your proof of vaccination, but a negative COVID test is still required for unvaccinated tourists. Staying in Gold Standard accommodations and bookings to be presented upon entry are no longer required. Belize Travel Health Insurance that costs 339 MXN ($18.00) is no longer mandatory, but it is highly recommended for tourists. For updated information, you can check the Travel Belize website.
How to get from Chetumal to Belize
Belize City is the former capital of the homonymous country in Central America. The city serves as an important port and a stop for many cruise ships visiting Latin America.
You can visit most of the sights within Belize City in a day but it’s highly recommended to extend your stay. There are many exciting activities to enjoy the tropical air around the city — cave networks, jungle expeditions, diving spots, Mayan ruins, just to name a few.
Belize City is also a popular base camp for those who want to go on a day trip to renowned sites like the Altun Ha, Xunantunich, and Lamanai Mayan archaeological sites, the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, and Caye Caulker.
For serious divers, it’s a must to explore The Great Blue Hole of Belize – a one-of-a-kind diving site located 100 km off mainland Belize. To get the best Caribbean experience, try out the coconut drinks sold around Belize City. Either soft or alcoholic, these are tasty and refreshing. If you want to take it a level further, join a rum tour where you’ll learn about the manufacturing process of Belize’s famous rums.
3 ways to get from Chetumal to Belize
The best way to travel the 160 km (100 miles) road distance from Chetumal to Belize is a 4 to 5.5-hour direct bus that costs around 20 BZ$ ($10). Alternatively, you can take a 5-hour indirect bus via Corozal or a 4.5-hour boat via Caye Caulker.
The only direct transport from Chetumal to Belize is the bus. ADO buses haven’t resumed their operations yet for this route, but local “chicken” buses are available with fares from 20 BZ$ ($10). It takes 4 to 5.5 hours to reach Belize.
If you don’t mind making a stopover, then you can take a boat via Caye Caulker. This option is quite expensive with fares from 1,820 MXN ($96), but it’s a good alternative when travelling from Chetumal to Belize.
There are no railways connecting these two destinations and even though Chetumal has a small airport, there are no direct flights from Chetumal to Belize.
Indirect flights are available but have at least two stops – one in Mexico City and another one in Panama City. Taking a flight from Chetumal to Belize doesn’t make sense because it takes at least 24 hours and is quite expensive with fares from $440.
Why we don’t recommend the indirect bus route via Corozal
We recommend the direct bus over the indirect bus as it’s safer, more comfortable, and more convenient. The direct buses are well-equipped and only make authorized stops. They also wait for you while you have your passport stamped at the border.
The indirect bus option from Chetumal to Belize via Corozal requires many stops. You will have to take a taxi to the border, cross it on your own, and look for a taxi or microbus from the border to take you to Corozal.
Once in Corozal, the local buses to Belize City are not always reliable and change the schedule often. Mainly used by locals, these buses are also slow and make many stops on the way so the journey can take much longer.
Itinerary from Chetumal to Belize
Chetumal to Belize by Bus
The bus is a direct way to travel from Chetumal to Belize. Travel time takes 4 to 5.5 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. We discuss both options below.
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. If you’re staying in the city centre, you need to take a 10-minute taxi to the bus station. Rates start from 50 MXN ($2.60).
The estimated travel time from Chetumal to Belize is 4 hours. But it may take up to 5.5 hours because the buses make several stops along the way, including Corozal and Orange Walk.
You can choose between Fe Wu Transport and Silva’s Bus Line. Bus tickets to Belize cost 20 BZ$ ($10).
Local bus schedule from Chetumal to Belize*
Note that online booking is not available for these local buses, so you need to arrive early at the bus station to buy your tickets.
In Belize City, the arrival station is the main bus terminal, also known as Novelo’s. This bus stop is 5-10 minutes away from downtown Belize and the main port. The easiest way to move around is by taxi with rates from 5 BZ$ ($2.50).
Option 2: ADO Bus*
*COVID-19 UPDATE: The last time we checked (March 2023), ADO buses from Chetumal to Belize 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 ($26.50).
The ADO bus departed from its ADO Chetumal Centro in the city centre. There were two departures every day: one at 05:15 and another at 13:30.
It took 4 hours from Chetumal to Novelo’s Bus Terminal in Belize, including the immigration checks at the Mexico-Belize border.
ADO bus schedule from Chetumal to Belize*
We will update the post once ADO resumes its operations. In the meantime, you can check ClickBus to see if departures are available again. You can also reach out to ADO via their Facebook page for the latest updates.
Crossing the Mexico-Belize border
The border between Mexico and Belize is marked by the Hondo River. To get from one country to another, you must cross the bridge at Santa Elena, a small bordering town 20 minutes away from Chetumal.
The bus will stop at the immigration office on the Mexican side and wait until you finish having your passport stamped. Once you’re done, the bus will cross the river and take you to the Belizean Immigration Office.
Your bus will be waiting for you outside the immigration office to take you straight to Belize City. It is not allowed to pick up passengers at the border.
Border crossing when taking the indirect bus
If you took a bus or taxi only up to the border crossing, you will have to walk on your own from one immigration office to the other.
After you finish your paperwork in Belize, you need to go to Corozal Bus Terminal, located some 15 km southeast of the border. You can find taxis and microbuses waiting in front of the casino near the Belizean border.
At Corozal Bus Terminal, you can transfer by bus to Belize City with BBOC or Valencia’s Bus Line with fares from 11 BZ$ ($5).
Chetumal to Belize by Ferry via Caye Caulker
Another option when travelling from Chetumal to Belize is via ferry. This option can be quite pricey but 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 operates 4 boat trips from Chetumal to Caye Caulker every week. These boats are available on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.
A boat ticket costs 1,400 MXN ($74) and travel time is around 3 hours 15 minutes.
You are 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.
Boat schedule from Chetumal to 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 (before the last ferry bound for Belize departs at 15:30).
San Pedro Belize Express operates four water taxi trips daily from Caye Caulker to Belize City. A ticket costs 420 MXN ($22) and travel time is around an hour.
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.
Boat schedule from Caye Caulker to Belize City
There are limited slots for water taxis. We advise booking your tickets online beforehand via BookAway to secure a seat on your desired date and time.
About the author(s)
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.
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!