The Coastal Commute: Exploring The Distance Between Chelem And Belize

Belize is located in Central America, on the Caribbean coast of northern Central America, north of the equator and west of the Prime Meridian. To the north of Belize is the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico, to the west and south is Guatemala, and to the east is the Caribbean Sea. The land border crossing with Mexico is at Chetumal City. The distance from Belize City to Chetumal is 177.5 km.

Travel options from Chetumal to Belize

There are several ways to travel from Chetumal to Belize, including by plane, bus, car, or rideshare. Here are some detailed instructions and tips for each option:

By Plane

The fastest way to travel between Chetumal and Belize is by plane, which takes approximately 47 minutes and costs between $70 and $170. You can fly from Corozal to San Pedro.

By Bus

There are direct buses from Chetumal to Belize City that take about 5 hours and cost between $8 and $22. OTillett Busline operates two bus trips per day. Alternatively, you can take a local "chicken" bus, which costs around $10 and takes about 4 hours. These buses are colourful and non-air-conditioned, mainly used by locals. You can find them at the Nuevo Mercado Bus Station in Chetumal. Keep in mind that the journey may take up to 5.5 hours due to stops along the way. At the border, the bus will wait for you to get your passport stamped on both sides.

By Car

Driving is another option, with a distance of about 100 miles between Chetumal and Belize City. The drive takes approximately 2 hours and 26 minutes.

By Rideshare

You can also use ridesharing services like Venancio Shuttle Service, which offers private and shared shuttle services between Chetumal and various destinations in Belize. This option can be convenient and affordable, especially if you're travelling in a group.

Other Options

Additionally, there is a ferry option via Caye Caulker, which takes about 4 hours and 15 minutes. Water Jets International operates boat trips from Chetumal to Caye Caulker, and from there, you can take a water taxi to Belize City. This option can be pricey, but it offers the opportunity to explore Caye Caulker.

Border crossing process

The land border crossing between Mexico and Belize is located at Chetumal City. The closest towns on either side are Santa Elena (Belize) and Subteniente Lopez (Mexico).

There are two ways to cross the border: by water taxi or by bus.

Crossing by Water Taxi

There are several water taxis running from Caye Caulker and San Pedro islands in Belize to Chetumal, Mexico. You will go through immigration at the ferry terminal in Chetumal.

Water Jets International is currently the only boat company that offers the route from Caye Caulker and San Pedro to Chetumal, Mexico. The downside is they do not operate every day.

From Caye Caulker: 12:45 pm on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday only. Costs $148 BZD / $74 USD. Takes 3 hours 15 minutes (including 1 hour wait at San Pedro).

From San Pedro/Ambergis Caye: 2:30 pm on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday only. Costs $138 BZD / $69 USD. Takes 1 hour 30 minutes.

You can purchase tickets online or at EZ-BOYZ on Caye Caulker or San Pedro International Ferry Terminal on Ambergis Caye.

Crossing by Bus

The bus route involves taking a ferry to Belize City, walking or taking a taxi to Novelo Bus Station, taking a chicken bus to Corozol/border, taking a taxi across no man's land, and taking an ADO bus to Bacalar, Tulum, Cancun, or any onward travel.

At the Belize immigration building, you will pay an exit tax of 40 BZD / $20 USD.

There is a "no man's land" between Belize immigration and Mexico immigration. It is mandatory to take a vehicle across this area. You can take a taxi for this part of the journey.

At Mexican immigration, you will be granted a certain number of days in Mexico and will have to pay a Mexican tax. This tax is somewhat of a scam, because if you already have a departure flight then you’ve already paid this tax.

Border Fees

There are high fees at this border, so you should plan to have cash on hand in both BZD and USD.

The Belize exit fee is 40 BZD / $20 USD per person. You must pay in cash, but it can be in BZD or USD.

The Mexican entry fee is 687 MXN / $37.15 USD per person.

Travel Requirements

• Cash in BZD and USD
• Pre-booked accommodation
• Printed Mexico departure flight itemized receipt
• Six-months passport validity
• Check entry requirements for your nationality
• Check health requirements

Transport options in Belize

Belize has a range of transport options for getting around the country. Here is some information on each mode of transport:

Air

Belize has an expansive domestic air service, with flights being the fastest and most convenient way to get around the country. Local airlines fly small Cessna aircraft to the major towns in the six districts of Belize. Flights usually last around 20 minutes on average, or 40 minutes at most if travelling from an island to inland Belize. Some airlines also offer regional flights to Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras.

Bus

Belize has a good, inexpensive, and reliable bus system, which is how the locals tend to get around. Buses can be caught at bus terminals or flagged down at the roadside. However, buses are often jam-packed and slow, and there are no reliable online resources for bus schedules. The major bus stations in the country are in Belmopan, Belize City, San Ignacio, Benque, Dangriga, Placencia, and Punta Gorda.

Boat

Water taxis and boat charters are the main way to get around Belize's cayes (islands). There are two major water taxi companies in Belize City, with daily services to Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, and St George's Caye. There are also daily charters between Guatemala and Honduras and Belize.

Car

Renting a car in Belize is a great option for self-guided travel, as the country has a well-planned highway and road system. All of Belize's mainland cities, towns, and popular attractions can be reached by car. Car rental agencies can be found in Belize City, as well as at the international airport and other tourist destinations such as San Ignacio and Placencia.

Taxi

Taxis are another prevalent and affordable option in Belize. They can be found at bus stations, water taxi terminals, and in downtown areas. Golf carts can also be used as taxis on the islands.

Shuttle services from Chetumal to Belize

There are shuttle services from Chetumal, Mexico, to Belize City, Belize, that will take approximately 2.5 hours for the journey. The distance between the two cities is about 95 miles.

Jets Shuttle Belize offers a private shuttle service for $200 for two passengers, with each additional passenger costing $25. The shuttle includes air-conditioned vehicles, cold drinks, and complimentary stops at points of interest. They also offer assistance with processing at the Mexico-Belize border, VIP service, and security detail upon request.

Chetumal Tours provides a shared shuttle service from Chetumal Airport to Chetumal, Bacalar, Mahahual, the Ferry Terminal, and the Belize Border. The shuttle costs 350 MXN per person to the border, with the option to pre-book to avoid long waits at the airport. The service is inclusive, flexible, and offers a fixed fare with no additional costs for luggage or intermediate stops.

There are also shuttle services from Belize City to Chetumal, such as those offered by Adrenalina Tours. These shuttles are 22-seater Toyota Hiace buses that make one change at the border after Mexican migration and stop in Chetumal before ending in Bacalar.

Distance from Chetumal to Belize

The distance between Chetumal, Mexico and Belize City, Belize is around 62 to 101 miles, or 99 to 160 kilometres. The air travel distance is 70 miles or 113 kilometres.

There are several ways to travel from Chetumal to Belize City. The fastest way is to fly, which takes 37 to 47 minutes and costs $70 to $170. The cheapest way is to take a bus and rideshare, which costs $11 and takes 3 hours and 48 minutes.

There are also direct buses from Chetumal to Belize City, which take around 5 hours and cost $8 to $22. There are four buses a day, operated by OTillett Busline, Mundo Maya Travels (MayanOz), and Silva's Bus Line.

It is also possible to drive from Chetumal to Belize City, which takes around 2 hours and 26 minutes.

Frequently asked questions