Belize City To The Cayes: A Quick Island Escape

Belize is a breathtakingly beautiful Caribbean nation with over 239 miles of coastline and the longest barrier reef in the western hemisphere. With over 200 islands or cayes, it can be hard to decide which ones to visit. Ambergris Caye, Belize's largest island, is 35 miles east of Belize City and can be reached by boat in 1.5 hours or by plane in 15 minutes. Caye Caulker, its smaller, less-visited sister island, is located just a few miles off the coast of Belize City and can be reached by boat in about an hour or by plane in 15-20 minutes.

Travel options: by air or boat

The distance between Belize City and the Cayes is approximately 32km (20 miles) or 18.2km (11.3 miles) depending on the source.

By Air

Belize City International Airport is a central location for easy transport to the country's beaches, jungles, and Mayan temples.

Belize's two airlines, Maya Island Air and Tropic Air, fly more than a dozen daily flights between San Pedro, Caye Caulker, and Belize City. The flight from Belize City to San Pedro takes about 15 minutes and costs $125 round trip. Flying in and out of Belize City's municipal airport is much cheaper ($25 each way), although you'll need to catch a taxi from the international airport to get there.

You can purchase tickets in advance by booking online or at the ticket counters at the airport. The ticket counters are located in the adjacent building after you clear customs.

By Boat

Water taxis, or ferry boats, are also available to take you from Belize City to the Cayes. Two companies, Ocean Ferry and San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi, provide scheduled water taxi services between Belize City and the islands. The latter offers more daily departures between Belize City and Ambergris Caye, a 75-minute ride that costs $14.50-$20 one-way. The ride to Caye Caulker is about 45 minutes and costs $9.50-$15 one-way.

The water taxi terminals are about a 20-minute drive from Belize International Airport. A taxi ride between the airport and the water taxis costs $30 USD for 2 people.

Travel time: 15 minutes by air, 1-1.5 hours by boat

Belize City is the country's major travel hub, with all international travellers arriving and departing from the nearby Philip S.W. Goldson Airport. The city also has a municipal airport for domestic flights to the south and to the cayes.

The cayes are a very popular destination for visitors to Belize. The largest and most developed of these is Ambergris Caye, which is about 20 miles east of the mainland. It is a quick and easy trip from Belize City to Ambergris Caye, with a flight time of just 15 minutes.

There are two airlines that service the route: Maya Island Air and Tropic Air. Fares vary, with some travellers reporting a cost of $61 round trip, and others paying $88 or $109. It is worth noting that there is a departure fee when leaving Belize of approximately $35, which some airlines include in the ticket price and some do not.

For those who prefer to travel by boat, the water taxi is a good option. The journey takes between one and 1.5 hours, depending on weather conditions. The water taxi is also a more affordable option, with a round trip costing around $21.

St. George's Caye is another option for those seeking a peaceful getaway. It is just a 20-minute trip via water taxi from Belize City and offers luxurious accommodation, as well as activities like kayaking and diving.

Cost: $25-$125 by air, $20.50-$36.50 by boat

Belize City is a great starting point for travellers wanting to explore the cayes. The cost of travelling between Belize City and the cayes varies depending on the mode of transport and the specific destination.

By Air:

The cost of flying between Belize City and the cayes depends on which airport you fly from/to. Flights from Belize City Municipal Airport to San Pedro Airport are cheaper, costing around $25 each way. However, you will need to take a taxi to get to the municipal airport from the international airport. Flights from Belize City's international airport to San Pedro Airport cost around $65-$130 one-way and take about 15 minutes.

By Boat:

There are two companies that provide water taxi services between Belize City and the cayes: Ocean Ferry and San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi. The latter offers more daily departures and free Wi-Fi on board. A one-way ticket from Belize City to Ambergris Caye with San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi costs between $14.50 and $20, and the journey takes about 75 minutes. Alternatively, you can opt for the Ocean Ferry, which costs between $30 and $75 one-way and takes about 1 hour and 35 minutes.

Transport on Ambergris Caye: golf cart, bicycle, taxi, or boat

Ambergris Caye is the largest island in Belize and is a popular tourist destination. It is 25-26 miles long and about 2 miles wide. The island is a mix of cobblestone, concrete paved, and dirt roads. The main town, San Pedro, is small and easily navigable by foot.

Golf Cart

Golf carts are the most popular mode of transport on Ambergris Caye. They can be rented at various locations on the island, with prices ranging from $25 USD for 4 hours to $45 USD for 24 hours. Some companies offer free delivery to your hotel, resort, or vacation rental, as well as to and from the airport.

Bicycle

If you're feeling adventurous and want to cover more ground, bicycle rentals are also available. Some hotels provide complimentary bikes for guests, while others charge a small fee. You can also purchase a bicycle at a hardware store if you plan on staying for a longer period.

Taxi

Taxis are readily available outside the Tropic Air baggage claim area and the water taxi terminal. A ride to anywhere south of Victoria House Resort will cost around $15 BZD, while a trip north of the bridge will be approximately $35 BZD or more.

Boat

Water taxis are another option for getting around Ambergris Caye and offer stunning views of the island. A water taxi ride from Belize City to St. George's Caye, a peaceful island with luxurious resorts, takes just 20 minutes.

Ambergris Caye and the surrounding cayes offer a variety of transportation options to suit different needs and preferences. Whether you choose to explore by golf cart, bicycle, taxi, or boat, you're sure to have a memorable experience on these beautiful islands.

Attractions: scuba diving, snorkelling, sailing, windsurfing, fishing, bird watching

The Belize Cayes are a collection of around 450 islands and islets that stud the Belize Barrier Reef, the world's second-longest. The largest of these is Ambergris Caye, with the busy village of San Pedro as its biggest settlement. The more isolated cayes offer a deserted island experience, while Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker are popular with tourists.

Scuba Diving

Scuba diving is one of Belize's top attractions, with the Belize Barrier Reef designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The Great Blue Hole, a giant marine sinkhole near Lighthouse Reef, is one of the best dive sites in the world. The Blue Hole is a circular sinkhole with steep-walled depressions, showcasing a contrast of dark blue deep waters and the turquoise of the shallow reefs. It was made famous by Jacques Cousteau in the 1970s.

Other top dive sites include Half Moon Caye, Glover's Atoll, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, and Shark Ray Alley. Half Moon Caye is one of the most beautiful islands in Belize, with white sand and palm trees. Glover's Atoll is known for its isolated location and clear waters, attracting manta rays, eagle rays, and dolphins. Hol Chan Marine Reserve is a protected area with thriving marine life, including elkhorn coral, brain coral, barracuda, and grouper. Shark Ray Alley is a popular spot to swim with harmless nurse sharks and stingrays.

Snorkelling

Belize is also a great destination for snorkelling, with most spots located on the barrier reef or the offshore atolls. Ambergris Caye is a popular starting point for snorkelling trips, with easy reef access. Popular snorkelling spots around Ambergris Caye include Shark Ray Alley, Hol Chan Cut, Tres Cocos, and Mexico Rocks.

For those seeking less touristy spots, the Belize Cayes south of Ambergris, such as Rendezvous Caye, Colson Caye, and Pompion Caye, offer great snorkelling opportunities.

Sailing and Windsurfing

The Belize Sailing Center in San Pedro offers rentals and lessons for various watersports activities, including sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and kiteboarding. They are based on the beach at Caribbean Villas Hotel.

Fishing

Fishing charters and tours are also available in San Pedro, with options for reef fishing and cookouts.

Bird Watching

The South Water Caye Marine Reserve offers bird watching opportunities, with the chance to spot birds such as the brown booby and the magnificent frigatebird. Laughing Bird Caye, a National Park, is another spot for bird watching, with breeding colonies of magnificent frigatebirds and red-footed boobies.

Frequently asked questions