Belize Water Taxi: Book In Advance Or On The Spot?

Belize is a popular tourist destination, known for its sandy beaches, cerulean seas, and island living. To get to Belize, you can take a water taxi, small plane, land taxi, or rental. Many travellers opt for the water taxi, which is an efficient and relatively inexpensive means of transportation. The San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi is the lead provider of water transportation in Belize, offering daily trips to Caye Caulker and San Pedro and bi-daily trips to Chetumal, Mexico. While you can purchase tickets at the ferry terminal, it is recommended to book your ride in advance online.

Pros and cons of booking in advance

Pros and Cons of Booking Belize Water Taxis in Advance

Pros

• It saves time at the ferry terminal. Several travellers have mentioned that booking in advance allowed them to avoid queues at the ticket counter.
• It guarantees you a seat on the ferry.
• It can be part of a package deal. For example, one traveller mentions that they booked a shuttle from the airport as well as a water taxi to San Pedro in advance.
• It can save you money. One traveller mentions that they were charged US$51 for a round trip from Belize City to San Pedro, whereas the local rate was US$30.

Cons

• There is a 10% surcharge for booking online.
• The ferry may be late anyway. Several travellers mention that their ferry was late, despite having booked in advance.
• You may still have to queue to collect your physical ticket.
• You may be charged extra for luggage.
• The ferry may be crowded and uncomfortable.
• The ferry may not leave on time because it is waiting for other passengers.

How to book

The San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi is the lead provider of water transportation in Belize. It offers a transcendent service and an impressive fleet to cater to your every travel need. The water taxi travels daily to Caye Caulker and San Pedro and now travels to Chetumal, Mexico, every other day.

Where to Book

You can book the water taxi online via sites such as Expedia and Tripadvisor. You can also book directly through the San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi website.

When to Book

It is recommended that you book your water taxi in advance. You can also book a shuttle from the airport, and the land taxi will be waiting for you at the airport with your name on a sign.

What to Expect

The water taxi is an efficient and relatively inexpensive means of transport from Belize City to San Pedro. The trip takes approximately 1.5 hours and is generally on time. The water taxi is clean and has a bathroom on board. You can sit inside the boat or outside at the back, although the latter can be very windy and wet. Staff are reported to be friendly and professional.

Other ways to get to San Pedro

There are a few different ways to get to San Pedro from Belize City. The first option is to take a ferry. This is the cheapest option, costing between $29 and $70, but it is also the most time-consuming. The journey takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. There are two water taxi services that run regularly from Belize City to San Pedro: San Pedro Belize Express and Caribbean Sprinter.

Another option is to fly. Although this is the fastest way to get to San Pedro, taking only 15 minutes, it is also the most expensive, costing between $65 and $130. Maya Island Air and Tropic Air are the two airlines that fly this route.

A third option is to take a water taxi from the Belize City International Airport to Ambergris Caye. Nautilus Water Taxi Service offers this service, which costs $100 one way and $150 round trip. The journey takes about an hour if you are heading to San Pedro Town, and 10-20 minutes longer if you are going further north on the island.

San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi schedule

The San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi offers daily trips to Caye Caulker and San Pedro, and travels to Chetumal, Mexico, every other day. The trip from Belize City to San Pedro takes about 90 minutes, and the round trip costs $50 BZE.

The water taxi has a varied schedule, with trips running from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The schedule is as follows:

7:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m.

11:00 a.m.

1:00 p.m.

3:00 p.m.

5:00 p.m.

6:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

8:00 p.m.

9:00 p.m.

10:00 p.m.

On Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, there are additional late-night runs at 12:00 and 2:00 a.m.

The San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi is the lead provider of water transportation in Belize and offers unmatched service and an impressive fleet to cater to travellers' needs. It is recommended to book the water taxi ahead of time, especially if you require a land transfer as well.

Other water taxi companies

While the San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi is the most well-known water taxi company in Belize, there are other options for water taxis in the country.

One alternative is Ocean Ferry Belize, which has been praised for its wonderful service. In addition, there is another water taxi company that is reportedly cheaper and faster than San Pedro Belize Express. However, the name of this company is unclear.

When choosing a water taxi company, it is important to consider factors such as price, speed, comfort, and reliability. It is also worth noting that water taxis in Belize often have different prices for locals and tourists, with locals typically paying a lower fare.

Frequently asked questions