Grand Caribe Belize: A Tropical Paradise Just A Short Journey From The Airport

Grand Caribe Belize is located on Ambergris Caye, the largest island in Belize and its primary tourist destination. The resort is just two miles north of San Pedro Town, the only town on the island. The closest airport is Philip Goldson International Airport (BZE), located on the mainland. From the airport, it is a quick 10-15 minute flight to Ambergris Caye, or you can take a water taxi, which takes about an hour and a half. Alternatively, for a more scenic route, you can take a helicopter tour of the Belize Barrier Reef and/or the Great Blue Hole before arriving at the Grand Caribe Heliport.

Water taxi from the airport

To get to Grand Caribe, Belize by water taxi, you will first need to fly into Philip Goldson International Airport (BZE). From there, you can take a taxi to the water taxi terminal. The taxi fare for 1-2 people is $25 USD, and $5 USD for each additional person.

Water taxis from Belize City to Ambergris Caye take approximately 1.5 hours. The trip can be quite thrilling, with wind, sea spray, and roaring engines. There are five water taxi departures per day, and trips depart about once every hour, so you'll have plenty of opportunities to grab a quick cup of coffee before you board.

Two companies, San Pedro Belize Express and Ocean Ferry Water Taxi, operate the water taxi service. The water taxis are a safe option for travel, but tourists should exercise caution and common sense, just as they would in any other destination.

If you prefer a private boat charter from the mainland, Grand Caribe can help you arrange this.

Domestic flight options

If you're travelling to Grand Caribe, Belize, you'll arrive at Philip Goldson International Airport (BZE). From there, you can take a domestic flight to Ambergris Caye, the island on which Grand Caribe is located. The domestic carriers operating this route are Maya Island Air and Tropic Air. The flight lasts between 10 and 15 minutes, and you can enjoy views of the historic old capital and the ocean.

Grand Caribe's concierge service can arrange your municipal flights to the island, as well as taxi transfers to the resort. All you need to do is email them your itinerary and names. If you want to arrive in style, you can even opt for a helicopter transfer with Astrum Helicopters, either directly to the resort or with a tour of the Belize Barrier Reef or the Great Blue Hole.

If you're travelling from the United States, you can find direct flights to BZE from Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Miami, and Newark. Carriers that offer these flights include American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Airlines, and U.S. Airways. Southwest Airlines also offers flights from Houston's Hobby Airport to Belize, with tickets as low as $127 one way.

Helicopter tours

Grand Caribe Belize is located on Ambergris Caye, a few miles east of mainland Belize. The closest airport is Philip Goldson International Airport.

There are several options for getting from the airport to the resort. One option is to take a water taxi, which takes about an hour and a half, with trips leaving every hour. Another option is to fly with a domestic carrier such as Maya Island Air or Tropic Air, which takes around 10-15 minutes.

Grand Caribe Belize has also partnered with Astrum Helicopters to offer helicopter tours of the Belize Barrier Reef and the Great Blue Hole. These natural attractions are within a few miles of the resort and offer breathtaking views. The helicopter tour ends with a circle back to the resort's on-site helipad.

Astrum Helicopters

Astrum Helicopters offers exclusive private helicopter tours of the Great Blue Hole and the Belize Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Their pilots have extensive experience in the aviation industry, and the company holds a $10 million USD insurance policy on all helicopters. The tour offers excellent camera shots from either side of the helicopter as the pilot circles a mysterious shipwreck and the multi-coloured barrier reef.

Chaa Creek

Chaa Creek offers helicopter transfers from Belize International Airport to their lodge. There are two route options: the direct "Blue Route" over Macklehanny and Cox Lagoons, the Belize River, and several villages; and a route via the Maya Mountains and 1000 ft Falls, which includes sights such as the Sibun River, the forests of Belize, and Caves Branch.

Viator

Viator offers a range of helicopter tours in Belize, including transfers from the airport to San Ignacio Town, and excursions to various attractions such as Caye Caulker, Xunantunich, Altun Ha, and Caracol.

Private boat charters

There are several companies that offer private boat charters to the resort. One option is to contact the resort directly, as they can help arrange private boat transfers from the mainland. You can also explore companies like Getmyboat, which offers a range of boat rentals with local captains and boat owners. Their listings include catamarans, powerboats, and fishing charters, with capacities ranging from 6 to 25 guests.

For a truly luxurious experience, consider Belize Sailing Vacations, a family-run, full-service yacht charter company. They offer all-inclusive sailing vacations with state-of-the-art yachts, an experienced crew, and tailored itineraries. Their charters can include activities like snorkelling, scuba diving, fishing, and kayaking, as well as inland excursions to Mayan temples, cave tubing, and zip-lining.

If you're an experienced sailor, Sunsail also provides bareboat charter holidays in Belize. You can explore the country's exotic coastline, which includes coral reefs, pristine beaches, and lush rainforests. However, note that to charter a boat without a skipper in Belize, you must obtain a temporary Certificate of Competency from the Belizean Port Authority.

Golf carts for rent

Golf carts are the most popular mode of transportation on Ambergris Caye. There are several companies that offer golf cart rentals on the island, with prices ranging from $25 USD for 4 hours to $35 USD for 8 hours and $45 USD for 24 hours.

Aviz Golf Cart Rental

Aviz Golf Cart Rental offers free delivery of your rental to any of the San Pedro Hotels, Resorts, or vacation rentals. They also provide free daily cleaning services for carts rented for more than a day. Their golf carts feature fold-down back seats, which can be useful for moving large items or groceries. Additionally, they have built-in ice chests, perfect for picnics on the beach. Aviz Golf Cart Rental guarantees the best prices for golf cart rentals on Ambergris Caye.

Carts Belize

Carts Belize offers competitive prices and friendly staff. They provide the option of delivering the cart to your hotel or resort, and you can simply leave the cart at the airport for them to pick up when you depart.

Mark's Golf Cart Rentals

Mark's Golf Cart Rentals offers the lowest daily rates on the island and guarantees the best customer service. They provide free pick-up and drop-off services anywhere on the island, including the airport, Maya Island Air Airstrip, Tropic Air Airstrip, and all major water taxi terminals. Their golf carts are brand-new and well-maintained, ensuring a reliable and comfortable experience for your travels around Ambergris Caye.

Getting to Grand Caribe, Belize

Now that you know about golf cart rental options, let's talk about how to get to Grand Caribe, Belize. The resort is located on Ambergris Caye, a few miles east of mainland Belize. There are three main ways to get to the island and the resort:

• Water Taxi: You can take a taxi from Philip Goldson International Airport to the water taxi terminal in Belize City. From there, it's about a 1.5-hour taxi ride to Ambergris Caye, with departures every hour.
• Domestic Flight: Catch a connecting flight from the international airport to Ambergris Caye with either Maya Island Air or Tropic Air. The flight lasts around 10 to 15 minutes, offering breathtaking views of the ocean and historic old capital.
• Helicopter: Arrive in style with a helicopter tour of the Belize Barrier Reef and/or the Great Blue Hole before landing at the Grand Caribe Heliport.

Once you're on the island, renting a golf cart is an excellent way to explore Ambergris Caye and get to the Grand Caribe Resort, located about two miles north of the main town of San Pedro.

Frequently asked questions