Caye Caulker: A Quick Jump From Belize City Airport

Caye Caulker is located approximately 20 miles or 32 km north-northeast of Belize City. There are two ways to get from Belize City Airport to Caye Caulker: by plane or by boat. The plane journey is an 8- or 15-minute flight and costs between $80-90 USD per person. The boat option is a water taxi that takes around 45 minutes and costs $20-25 USD round trip.

Travel by plane

Flying is a quick and convenient way to get from Belize City Airport to Caye Caulker, with the flight taking around 8-15 minutes. There are two airlines that service this route: Tropic Air and Maya Island Air.

Tropic Air

Tropic Air offers daily flights from Belize City Municipal Airport to Caye Caulker. The price to fly one-way with Tropic Air is usually between $80-90 USD per person, but prices can fluctuate. The aircraft lands at the airstrip on the southern end of Caye Caulker.

Maya Island Air

Maya Island Air also operates flights from Belize City to Caye Caulker. They offer 152 flights per month and you can book a one-way flight for $86.

Tickets

You can purchase tickets for either airline online in advance or at the ticket counters at the airport. The ticket counters are located in the building adjacent to customs.

Luggage

If you are bringing any duty-free liquids, such as alcohol, on your journey, make sure to check them in with your luggage for the connection flight. You will have to go through security to enter the departure area.

Seating

There are no assigned seats on either airline, so you are free to sit wherever you like. The flights are mostly operated on 12-seater aircraft, but sometimes they use 4-seaters. If you're lucky, you might even get to sit in the co-pilot seat!

Views

The views from the flight are spectacular, with a bird's-eye view of small cayes and the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea.

Transport to/from Airport

To get to the airport from Caye Caulker, you can take a taxi. The going rate for most destinations on the island is $5 BZ ($2.50 USD) per person, but a trip to the airport will cost $10 BZ ($5 USD) per person.

Travel by boat

The distance between Belize City Airport and Caye Caulker is approximately 52km. The total journey time is around 1 hour and 30 minutes, depending on arrivals and departures. The journey can be broken down into two parts: a 20-minute taxi ride from the airport to the water taxi dock, and then a 45-60 minute ferry ride to Caye Caulker.

Taxis from the Airport to the Water Taxi Dock

Licensed taxis from the airport to the water taxi dock have a green number plate and wait outside the arrivals door. The standard rate for up to two people is $25-30 USD. The journey takes around 20 minutes, depending on traffic.

Water Taxi from Belize City to Caye Caulker

There are two water taxi companies that operate between Belize City and Caye Caulker: San Pedro Belize Express and Caribbean Sprinter (formerly Ocean Ferry). A return ticket from Belize City to Caye Caulker costs $37 USD. Tickets can be purchased at the terminal, and luggage is checked in at the entrance of the terminal. The boat ride takes around 45 minutes.

Alternative Options

For those who prefer flying, Tropic Air offers flights from Belize City Airport to Caye Caulker. The flight time is just 10 minutes, but it is more expensive, with return flights costing around $150-200 USD.

Taxi from the airport to Belize City

The distance from the airport to Belize City is approximately 14.5 kilometres, or 15 kilometres, and the taxi ride takes about 20 minutes in light traffic.

Taxi Options

There are a few options for taking a taxi from the airport to Belize City. Official taxis are available at the airport 24/7 and you can either take one of these or pre-book a private airport transfer for an on-time pickup. The average fare for a taxi from the airport to the city centre is around €30 (BZD 65.80) for 4 passengers, but the total fare will depend on factors like the operator, the exact drop-off location, and the number of passengers.

If you are travelling alone, you could share the ride with other travellers, which is common in Belize. Taxis in Belize City do not use taximeters, so be sure to ask how much the ride will cost before you get in. It is also recommended to carry cash in small bills to ensure you have change if needed. While tipping is not expected, you can round up the total fare if you are happy with the service.

Private Transfer Services

You can also book a private transfer service, which offers door-to-door service at competitive and affordable rates. These services are available 24/7 and can be booked online in advance, saving you up to 40% compared to a metered taxi fare. Private transfers include professional and reliable drivers and safe and comfortable vehicles.

Getting to the Taxi

To find a taxi, exit the arrivals hall of the airport and look for the taxi rank located in front of the main terminal. The taxis are usually lined up and waiting for customers, but if you want to ensure a quick pickup, you can call and book a driver in advance or ask your hosts to arrange a taxi for you.

Water taxi companies

Caye Caulker is located approximately 20 miles or 32 km north-northeast of Belize City. The best ways to get from Belize City to Caye Caulker are either by ferry or by air.

There are two water taxi companies serving Caye Caulker: Caribbean Sprinter (formerly Ocean Ferry) and San Pedro Belize Express. Water taxis leave from the mainland (Belize City) to Caye Caulker about every two hours for about $25 US round-trip.

The San Pedro Belize Express has more daily runs and a larger terminal in Belize City, which makes waiting for the next boat more comfortable. The cost for both is similar, if not the same. The ride to Caye Caulker takes around 45 minutes.

At the San Pedro Belize Express water taxi terminal, you drop off your suitcase in exchange for a luggage tag. You will get one tag for each piece of luggage. Once you have your luggage tags, move on to the ticket counter at the end of the terminal close to the boarding area. There you purchase your tickets and check in for the ride. No need to purchase your tickets in advance. If it is very busy, San Pedro Belize Express usually operates either a larger vessel or a second boat to get everybody to Caye Caulker safely.

Caribbean Sprinter (Ocean Ferry) operates from a terminal on North Front Street beside the Swing Bridge.

Travel time and cost

The travel time and cost to get from Belize City Airport to Caye Caulker vary depending on the mode of transportation chosen. The two most common options are by ferry (or water taxi) or by air.

By ferry

The water taxi terminals are approximately a 20-minute drive from the Belize International Airport. The taxi ride between the airport and the water taxis costs $30 USD for two people. The water taxi ride from Belize City to Caye Caulker takes around 45 minutes and costs around $20-$25 USD for a round trip. There are two water taxi companies serving Caye Caulker: Caribbean Sprinter (formerly Ocean Ferry) and San Pedro Belize Express.

By air

The flight from Belize International Airport to Caye Caulker is a quick 8-15 minute trip and costs between $80-$90 USD per person for a one-way trip. Tropic Air and Maya Island Air are the two airlines that service this route.

Frequently asked questions