Belize is a small country located in Central America. It shares land borders with just two countries, Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the west and the south. The Caribbean Sea and the maritime border with Honduras are east of Belize. The country measures 170 miles in length and 68 miles in width at its widest point.
There’s a good range of ways to get to Belize, making it a very accessible country. While most visitors come by road or fly, an increasing number choose to arrive or depart by boat. Here’s an overview of how to get to Belize by each mode of transport.
Road – There are several border crossings into Belize, with the Northern Highway to Mexico and the Western Highway to Guatemala the most commonly used. The northern border crossing is between Subteniente Lopez in Mexico and Santa Elena in Belize. A lesser-used crossing is also on the northern border between La Unión in Mexico and Blue Creek Village in Belize. The western border crossing is between Benque Viejo Del Carmen in Belize and Melchor de Mencos in Guatemala. Both borders accept domestic and international visitors, and the routes are well-served by public and private vehicles. A host of buses runs between Belize City and Chetumal, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, and Cancun in Mexico. There are also regular services from Belize City to Flores in Guatemala.
Boat – A daily boat service connects Belize City, Caye Caulker, and San Pedro in Belize with Chetumal in Mexico. It’s a more expensive but quicker option than traveling overland by bus. There is now a boat service in the south between Punta Gorda in Belize and Livingston in Guatemala. It departs 2 to 3 times per day, crossing the Amatique Bay. Neither of these ferry services can carry vehicles.
Air – There is only one international airport in Belize. It is located 10 miles outside Belize City in Ladyville and is known as Goldson International Airport. The airport offers direct services to North and South American destinations, although there are no direct flights to Europe.
You can drive in Belize as long as you are 18, have a valid driving license or international driving permit, and have the correct supporting paperwork. If you’re from the U.S., you can use your state license to drive in Belize, while most other nationalities require an international driving permit.
If you plan on bringing your vehicle, you must bring the original title and registration documents. You will also need to purchase insurance at the border. If you plan on renting a vehicle, you must be at least 21 years old, have a license or international driving permit, and have a valid credit card.
Like all other countries in Central America, vehicles drive on the right-hand side in Belize. Speed limits are stated in miles per hour (mph), and the maximum speed is 55 mph. Road conditions can be mixed, so be vigilant once you turn off the main highways.
Belize offers a good mix of things to do, particularly for a country of its size. It’s home to excellent Mayan historical sights, pretty offshore islands (Cayes), and some amazing nature.
Caye Caulker – This laidback island 20 miles north of Belize City is a mecca for snorkellers and scuba divers. It has some good surrounding reefs and is a great base for day trips out further afield. The island has no paved roads, so it has a very relaxed and Caribbean feel. There are also a few decent beaches on the island to kick back on, plus plenty of bars.
Blue Hole – This amazing natural phenomenon features in every glossy tourist promotion for Belize. This giant marine sinkhole is over 100 meters deep and over 300 meters across. It’s a popular spot for all kinds of water sports, from snorkeling and diving to parasailing and paddle boarding.
Xunantunich – This is our pick of the Mayan ruins in Belize to visit. Situated just outside of the town of San Ignacio, it’s famous for its large temple known as ‘El Castillo’. The site is believed to date back to the 8th or 9th century AD. The core site covers around 1 square mile, but plenty of ruins are also on the periphery. Just be careful not to stumble into Guatemala, which lies just 0.6 miles west of the site.
Cave Tubing – Belize has a rich network of caves, and one of the best ways to experience them is by taking a cave tubing tour. The site at Nohoch Che’en Caves Branch is one of the best in Belize, and the tour includes a zipline through the jungle. After the adrenaline rush of the zip line, the cave tubing is more relaxing and sedate. The tour of the caves takes around 1.5 hours, and it’s a great way to explore the caves and their unique ecosystem.
Belize enjoys a warm year-round climate with a distinct dry and wet season. The dry season runs from December through May, while the wet season runs from June through November. Undoubtedly, the best time to visit Belize is in the dry season. You’ll enjoy warm, sunny days with little or no rainfall during this time. Humidity is also considerably lower at this time of year. Inevitably, this period attracts more visitors, and it’s considered to be Belize’s peak tourism season, with higher prices to boot. The wet season, in contrast, experiences far fewer tourists but suffers from sporadic heavy downpours. While it’s not ideal conditions, there’s still plenty of sunny intervals to enjoy, albeit with higher humidity. The latter part of the wet season can also see hurricanes pass through.
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