Airplane, Belize City

If your goal is to get to Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker just as fast as you can, instead of taking a water taxi/ferry, try Maya Island Air* or Tropic Air* which should put you on the island in about 15 minutes whether living from Goldson International Airport or Belize City Municipal Airport.

For those in no rush, and who like being on the water, water taxis are moderately inexpensive, running around $10 for adults; children 5 - 10 are half price. If you couldn't live without bringing your furry companions, large or caged pets are $2.50. Tickets can be purchased at the Maritime Museum located at the foot of the Belize Swing Bridge in Belize City where the water taxis leave from.

Most people who arrive in Belize by air land at the Belize International Airport in Ladyville which is only 10 miles outside of Belize City. If you want to take a taxi into Belize City from the airport, expect to pay around $20 USD.

If you take the rental car option, car rental offices are just outside the airport terminal and you will find other locations around town as well.

For those whose final destinations are Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker, or if you are interested in visiting these tourist spots for the day, daily excursions by water taxi will get you there and leave from the Swing Bridge at Haulover Creek. Departure times are between 8am and 5:30pm. Round trip fare to Caye Caulker is currently $15 US and to Ambergris Caye is $22.50 US roundtrip. You'll find the Swing Bridge at the foot of Queen Street/Albert Street on Haulover Creek.

You'll most likely begin your trip to Belize by flying into Belize City (actually its suburb, called Ladyville), unless you're a cruise ship passenger. This airport appeared a little more organized this time around than it did on our first trip here in 1996, when it was a total cattle call at the Tropic Air ticket counter - no lines or anything, just a crowd of people pressing up to the counter.

Be aware that there's an exit tax that must be paid in cash when you leave the country - some airline tickets include this tax in the ticket price, some don't. It was $35US. When you arrive, it's about a half hour taxi ride into the city, for a set rate of $20US. Or, if you're not staying in Belize City, you can transfer to one of the local airlines, Tropic Air or Maya Air, to continue on to the cayes or elsewhere within the country.

There's a little ice cream counter across from the ticket counters that sells ice cream mixed with several different fresh fruits. Or if you prefer refreshments of another kind, there's a bar once you pass through the metal detector.

We flew American Airlines. Be advised that meals may not be served on airlines so plan ahead and bring something to munch.
Blackbird Caye Resort had a driver drove us from the airport to Princess Marina. The Blackbird's boat took almost 2 hours in the dark and driving rain to safely land at the resort. Great driving by Jr., our boat Captain.

Mopan River Resort picked us up at Princess Marina for the 2 hour drive to the resort through rural countryside.

Cost of transportation is included in these excellant resort prices.

Fly into the airport. It is a $20+ taxi ride into the Belize City.
There is a vast network of busses that travel the rough roads that traverse Belize. Mant ore old American school buses