Belize City To Tikal: A Journey Through Time And Distance

Tikal is a famous ancient Maya city located in Guatemala, close to the Belize border. The distance between Belize City and Tikal is approximately 97 miles, with a road distance of around 141-142 miles. There are several ways to travel between the two places, including by bus, car, shuttle, or plane. The journey time can vary from around 3 hours 30 minutes to 6 hours, depending on the mode of transport and the route taken.

Flying from Belize City to Tikal

The distance between Belize City and Tikal is 97 miles, but the road distance is 141.7 miles. Flying is a quick and convenient option to cover this distance. Here is some essential information about flying from Belize City to Tikal:

Airlines and Airports:

There is only one airline, Tropic Air, that operates flights between Belize City and Tikal. Tropic Air is a Belize-based airline that offers daily flights between the two destinations. Flights depart from Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) in Belize City and arrive at the airport in Flores, which is the closest airport to Tikal.

Flight Schedule and Duration:

Tropic Air's flights from Belize City to Tikal depart daily around 4:30 pm and arrive in Flores approximately one hour later. The return flight from Flores to Belize City usually departs around 8 am the next morning.

Ticket Pricing:

The cost of a one-way flight with Tropic Air is approximately $150-200 US. Round-trip tickets are available for around $304. It is recommended to book directly on the Tropic Air website.

Ground Transportation:

Upon arriving at the airport in Flores, you will need to arrange ground transportation to Tikal. It is advised to reserve a reliable driver or tour operator in advance. The drive from Flores to Tikal typically takes about an hour.

Border Crossing:

When travelling from Belize City to Tikal, you will be crossing the border between Belize and Guatemala. Ensure you have your passport and necessary visas, as well as any required fees, such as the exit tax and conservation fee, when crossing the border.

Driving from Belize City to Tikal

Step-by-Step Guide to Driving from Belize City to Tikal

Step 1: Rent a Car in Belize City

You can rent a car from companies like Crystal Auto Rental, which is located at Mile 5, Northern Highway, Belize City. The rental cost starts at US$65 per day, and they are one of the few companies that allow you to take the rental vehicle into Guatemala. Remember to inquire about insurance, as taking the car across the border may incur additional charges.

Step 2: Drive from Belize City to the Border

The drive from Belize City to the border crossing is approximately a 2-3 hour journey. You will need to take the Western Highway, which you can pick up in Belize City or Hattiesville. The drive is straightforward until you reach Santa Elena.

Step 3: Cross the Border into Guatemala

At the border, park your car in the lot before the border crossing building. All passengers must exit the vehicle and go through the immigration process. You will need to pay the Belize exit fees (BZ$37.50 per person) and get an exit visa stamped in your passport.

After the Belize exit process, the driver can return to the car and drive through the Belize inspection station. The passengers will need to exit towards Guatemala.

Step 4: Enter Guatemala and Drive to Tikal

As you enter Guatemala, you will need to pay a small fee (less than US$6) to have your car's wheels and underside sprayed. You will also need to provide your license plate number, rental papers, and a photocopy of your passport and driver's license.

After getting your Guatemalan entry stamp, you will need to go through a separate process to register your vehicle. This involves filling out forms, paying a fee (around US$40), and receiving a window sticker for your car, which serves as a temporary registration.

Once you have completed the border crossing process, the drive to Tikal will take around 2 hours. The road is unpaved and bumpy for about 15 miles before turning into a paved road with many potholes. Keep an eye out for pedestrians, animals, and other obstacles.

As you approach Remate, follow the signs directing you to Tikal. This section of the road is in better condition and will take you directly to the Tikal entrance.

Alternative Transport Options

If you prefer not to drive, there are alternative transport options available:

• By Air: Tropic Air offers daily flights from Belize City's Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport to Flores, which is the closest airport to Tikal. The flight costs approximately US$150-200 each way.
• By Bus: There are no direct buses from Belize City to Tikal. You would need to take a bus to Benque Viejo del Carmen or San Ignacio and then transfer to another bus or taxi to Tikal. This option can be time-consuming and may involve waiting for connections.
• By Shuttle: Shuttle services are available from Belize City to Tikal, offering a more comfortable and direct journey. Prices start at around US$25-30 per person for a one-way trip.

Taking a shuttle bus from Belize City to Tikal

The distance between Belize City and Tikal is 97 miles, but the road distance is 141.7 miles. The best way to get from Belize City to Tikal without a car is to take a shuttle bus, which takes around 6 hours and costs $40-$75.

There are several shuttle companies that organise land transport to Flores, as well as across Belize and on to Mexico. Most offices are at the same centre where you catch the express water taxi to San Pedro. This is a popular backpacker centre on Belize's Ambergris Caye.

One company that offers shuttle services is Mondo Maya Travels, which offers a 44-person shuttle from Belize City to Santa Elena (Flores/Tikal) for around $25-30. They will get you to your final destination if anything happens or the shuttle breaks down.

Another option is to take a shuttle from San Ignacio to Tikal. You can get to San Ignacio by bus from Belize City.

If you want to save money, you can get a one-way ticket to Flores from Belize City, and then get your return ticket in Flores, which costs around $17 instead of $25.

If you are flying into Belize City, you can take a taxi or shuttle from the airport to the city centre. These are heavily regulated by the government and are required to charge a flat fee of $25 for the first two passengers, and $5 for any additional passengers.

When taking a shuttle from Belize City to Tikal, you will need to cross the border. After getting off the vehicle, proceed to the green Belize Immigration building. You will have to pay the Border Departure Fee and the Environmental Fee, which can only be paid in Belizean or US dollars. You will then need to go through immigration and get your passport stamped. After this, you will be in 'no-man's land', so be aware of people trying to sell you things or scam you. Neither Belizean nor Guatemalan Immigration requires any further payment by foreigners after the official immigration counter.

Proceed past the sanitary bay, where you’ll find Guatemalan Immigration in a big open shed structure on your left. Go to the Entrada line for document check and to get your Guatemalan stamp.

Taking a public bus from Belize City to Tikal

The distance between Belize City and Tikal is 97 miles. The road distance is 141.7 miles. There is no direct connection from Belize City to Tikal, but you can take the public bus to Tikal by following these steps:

From Belize City to Benque Viejo Town

From the W Collet Canal St/King St Bus Terminal, you can catch a bus to Benque Viejo Town. This is the closest point to the Guatemalan border by public bus. The bus costs $5 for regular service or $5.50 for express service.

From Benque Viejo Town to the Border

From the Benque Viejo Town terminal, take a taxi to the border. This will cost between $2.50 and $5.00.

From the Border to Santa Elena

After crossing the land border into Guatemala, you can take a 2-hour public taxi (publico) to Santa Elena, which will cost about $13.

From Santa Elena to Tikal

From Santa Elena Bus Terminal, you can take a tuk-tuk or publico for about $2 to Flores Island.

Additional Information

The bus ride from Belize City to the Guatemalan border takes about 2-3 hours. You will have to pay the Border Departure Fee and the Environmental Fee at the Belize Immigration building. They only accept Belizean or US dollars. After getting your Guatemalan stamp, you can rejoin your group or head to your vehicle.

Taking a tour bus from Belize City to Tikal

The distance between Belize City and Tikal is 97 miles, and the road distance is 141.7 miles. There is no direct bus connection between the two places. However, there are several ways to get from Belize City to Tikal by bus:

• You can take a shuttle bus from Belize City to Tikal. This is the quickest way to get to Tikal without a car, taking approximately 3 hours and 56 minutes, and costing $40-$75.
• You can take a bus from Belize City to San Ignacio, and then drive to Tikal.
• You can take a bus from Belize City to Benque Viejo el Carmen, and then drive to Tikal.
• You can take a public bus (also known as a "chicken bus") from the W Collet Canal St/King St Bus Terminal in Belize City to Benque Viejo Town, the closest point to the Guatemalan border by public bus. From there, you can take a taxi to the border and then a public taxi to Santa Elena in Guatemala.
• You can also take a bus to Flores, get off at the crossroads in Ixlu, and then wait for another bus heading north to El Remate or Tikal. However, the wait for the second bus could be long, as the schedules are not published.
• There are several tour companies that offer buses heading directly to Flores and Tikal from Belize City, such as S&L Travel Tours and Atlanta Tour Express Bus Service. The journey to the border takes about 4.5 hours, and it is generally safer to arrange a ride with a recognised guide than to go it alone.

Other Options for Getting from Belize City to Tikal

• You can fly from Belize City's Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport to Tikal's only airport, in Flores, with Tropic Air. The flight leaves daily around 4:30 pm and takes about an hour, costing approximately $150-$200 each way.
• You can drive from Belize City to Tikal. This is the cheapest option, costing $45-$70, and takes approximately 3 hours and 37 minutes.
• You can also take a shuttle or taxi.

Frequently asked questions