Taxi Fares In Belize: Unraveling The Cost Mystery

Taxis in Belize are a common mode of transportation for locals and tourists alike. They are typically ordinary cars distinguished only by their green license plates. The fare is usually set, with rides within Belize City costing around BZ$10, and you should expect to pay more for longer trips. For example, a ride from San Ignacio to the Guatemala border typically costs about $10.00 BZ per person. It's important to confirm the price in advance and have small bills or the exact fare ready, as taxi drivers rarely have change. Taxis can be hailed by standing on the side of the road and waving when a taxi with a free space honks or flashes its lights. They can also be booked in advance or called for pick-up, which is recommended for travel after 6 pm as taxis are hard to catch after dark.

Taxi fares in Belize City

How to Hail a Taxi

In Belize, taxis are usually ordinary cars with green license plates. To hail a taxi, stand on the side of the road in the direction you want to travel. A taxi with a free space will indicate this with honking or flashing lights. Wave at them, and they will stop for you.

Taxi Fares

In Belize City, taxis cost around BZ$10 for rides within the city. If you are travelling from one side of town to the other, expect to be charged a bit more. It is always best to confirm the price in advance with your driver.

Payment

Taxi drivers rarely have change for anything larger than BZ$20, so it is best to have small bills. It is also a good idea to have the exact fare ready to hand to the driver at the end of the trip.

Shared Rides

Belize taxis are shared, so the driver might pick up more passengers during your trip. The fare is usually set, and each passenger pays for themselves. For example, a ride from San Ignacio to the Guatemala border costs about $10.00 BZ per person, regardless of the number of passengers.

Courtesy

When you get into a taxi, greet everyone with a "Good Morning" or "Buenos Dias". You might be sitting quite close to other passengers, so try to stay within the boundaries of your own seat.

First Come, First Served

Give yourself some extra time to get to your destination in case a fellow passenger needs a detour. Usually, the driver will go in order of who gets in first, but if a later passenger's destination is before yours, the driver will probably take them first.

Catching a Taxi After Dark

It can be very hard to catch a taxi after dark. In many areas, drivers stop running services around 6 pm. It is best to plan ahead and, if necessary, arrange a taxi with your hotel or get the cell number of a driver to call when you need to be picked up.

Recommended Taxi Services

Recommended taxi services in Belize City include Abe Gutierrez Taxi Service, whose vehicles are reportedly spotlessly clean, and Elias Guerra Transfers Service, whose drivers are described as trustworthy, funny, and accommodating.

Taxi fares from San Ignacio to the Guatemala border

The cost of a taxi from San Ignacio to the Guatemala border varies depending on the specific location of the border crossing. Here is some information I found:

San Ignacio to Benque Viejo Del Carmen

According to a travel blog, the bus fare from San Ignacio to Benque Viejo Del Carmen, a town located 3 km from the Guatemala border, is $2.50 Belize dollars. The taxi fare for this route is not specified, but it is mentioned that buses are the only transportation option available.

San Ignacio to Melchor de Mencos Border Crossing

A travel blog details a journey from San Ignacio, Belize, to Flores, Guatemala, via the Melchor de Mencos border crossing. The blogger mentions that after walking across the border, taxi drivers will insist that there is no option but to take a taxi to San Ignacio for $20 USD. However, they clarify that this is not the only option. An alternative mentioned is to either walk or take a taxi to the bus station in Benque, and from there, take a bus to San Ignacio. The taxi from the border to Benque is estimated to cost $3 USD, and the bus fare from Benque to San Ignacio is $1 USD.

San Ignacio to Guatemala Border via Benque

Another travel blog provides information on travelling from San Ignacio to the Guatemala border. They suggest taking a public bus from San Ignacio to Benque for $0.75 USD, and then either grabbing a taxi for about $10 USD or hitchhiking. The blog mentions that taking a taxi directly from San Ignacio to the border crossing will cost $10 USD.

In summary, the cost of a taxi from San Ignacio to the Guatemala border can range from $3 USD to $20 USD, depending on the specific border crossing location and the mode of transportation chosen. It is important to note that some taxi drivers may offer higher prices, but there are often alternative options available.

Taxi fares in other Belizean cities

While exact prices are not widely available, it is possible to estimate the cost of a taxi journey in Belize. In Belize City, taxis cost around BZ$10 for rides within the city, with longer journeys across town costing a little more. This is comparable to the cost of travelling from San Ignacio to the Guatemala border, which is approximately BZ$10 per person.

Based on this information, taxi fares in other Belizean cities are likely to be in a similar range, depending on the distance travelled. It is always a good idea to confirm the price in advance with your driver, as some trips may incur additional costs due to tolls or other factors.

In addition to traditional taxis, golf cart taxis are also available on the Cayes, such as Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye. These unique taxi experiences offer a fun and bumpy ride to your destination.

When travelling in Belize, it is important to note that taxis are typically shared, and it is common for the driver to pick up additional passengers along the route. It is also customary to greet fellow passengers with a friendly "Good Morning" or "Buenos Dias" upon entering the taxi.

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How to hail a taxi in Belize

Belize is a beautiful country filled with amazing sights and friendly people. If you're staying on one of the islands, you might decide to get around on foot and enjoy the white sand beneath your feet. Some places, like Ambergris Caye, also have water taxis. Tourists can rent a car or bike. However, for many visitors, the best option is a taxi.

Taking a taxi is a great way to live like a local and rub shoulders with Belizeans, as taxis tend to be shared. Here are some tips on how to hail a taxi in Belize:

• Finding a Taxi: In Belize City, you can find taxis lined up near busy locations such as tourist attractions and the port. Alternatively, you can hail a taxi from the street or call one of the local operators for an on-demand taxi service. If you're near the coast or heading to a nearby island, you can also opt for a Belize City water taxi.
• Identification: Regular taxis in Belize are typically ordinary cars, and the only indication that they are taxis is their green license plates.
• Hailing a Taxi: To hail a taxi, stand by the side of the road in the direction you want to travel. Available taxis will either honk or flash their lights to indicate they have space for a passenger. Wave to signal to the driver that you would like them to stop.
• Fare Inquiry: Before getting into the taxi, ask the driver what the fare is to your destination to prevent any misunderstandings. The fare is typically a set fee per person, and it's best to have small bills or the exact amount ready, as drivers may not have change.
• Riding the Taxi: When you enter the taxi, greet the other passengers with a friendly greeting. Be prepared for a crowded ride, as it is common for multiple passengers to share a taxi. Respect others' space and allow for extra time to reach your destination, as there may be detours along the way depending on other passengers' drop-off points.
• Tipping: Tipping your taxi driver is not customary in Belize, so you don't need to worry about that.

By following these tips, you'll be able to hail and ride a taxi in Belize like a local. Keep in mind that taxis can be hard to catch after dark, so plan your travels accordingly.

Taxi courtesy in Belize

Flagging Down a Taxi

To hail a taxi in Belize, stand on the side of the road facing the direction you want to travel. A taxi with a free seat will indicate this by honking or flashing its lights. Wave at the driver to show that you would like them to stop for you.

Greeting the Driver and Other Passengers

When you get into a taxi, it is courteous to greet the driver and any other passengers with a "Good Morning" or "Buenos Dias". As taxis are often shared, you may be sitting quite close to other passengers. Try to stay within the boundaries of your own seat.

Knowing the Fare

Ask a local or the driver what the fare is for your trip before you get into the taxi. It is considered polite to have the exact amount ready to hand to the driver at the end of the trip.

First Come, First Served

Give yourself some extra time to get to your destination in case another passenger requires a detour. Usually, the driver will take passengers in the order they get into the taxi, but if a passenger who got in later is going to a closer destination, the driver will probably take them first.

After Dark

It can be very hard to catch a taxi after dark in Belize, as many drivers stop running services around 6 pm. If you think you will need a taxi after this time, plan ahead by asking your hotel to arrange one for you, or by getting the phone number of a driver and calling them directly.

Paying the Fare

Taxi drivers rarely have change for anything larger than a BZ$20 note.

Frequently asked questions