Belize Airport To Tikal: Travel Options Explored

There are several ways to get from Belize City to Tikal, depending on your budget and time constraints. The quickest and cheapest option is to drive, which takes around 3.5-4 hours and costs $45-70. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle bus, which takes around 6-7.5 hours and costs $40-80. If you're looking for a more scenic route, you can also take a combination of buses and taxis, which will cost around $20-40 but could take up to 9 hours. For those who prefer to fly, there is only one airline, Tropic Air, that offers flights from Belize City to Flores, with prices ranging from $150-300 each way.

Getting to Tikal by air

The closest airport to Tikal is in Flores, Guatemala. Tropic Air is the only airline that flies from Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport in Belize City to Flores. The flight costs around $150-$200 USD each way and takes about an hour. There is one flight per day, which leaves in the late afternoon and returns to Belize City early the next morning.

If you are landing in Belize City and want to get to Tikal the same day, flying may be your best option, as the land journey can be long and complicated. However, it is an expensive option, and you will still need to arrange transport from Flores airport to Tikal. Be sure to reserve a reliable driver or tour operator ahead of time for this part of the journey.

If you are not in a hurry, there are other, cheaper ways to get to Tikal from Belize City. You can take a bus or shuttle to Flores, which takes around 5 hours and costs $25-30. From Flores, you can then take a bus or taxi to Tikal.

Alternatively, you can rent a car in Belize City and drive to Tikal via the border. This option gives you more flexibility, but you will need to arrange insurance for driving across the border, and you will encounter police checkpoints along the way.

Getting to Tikal by bus

There are no direct buses to Tikal from Benque Viejo del Carmen on the Belize border. However, there are a few options for getting to Tikal by bus.

Firstly, you can take a "chicken bus" from the W Collet Canal St/King St Bus Terminal in Belize City to Benque Viejo Town. This costs $5 for regular service or $5.50 for express service. From the Benque Viejo Town terminal, take a taxi to the border, which will cost between $2.50 and $5. After crossing the border, take a public taxi to Santa Elena in Guatemala, which costs about $13. From there, you can take a tuk-tuk or public taxi to Flores for about $2.

Alternatively, you can 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 could be long as the schedules are not published. It is recommended to arrange a ride with a recognised guide rather than going it alone.

There are several tour companies that offer buses 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.

If you are already in Guatemala, you can take a bus from Flores to Tikal. These buses leave in the morning, with some sources stating that they depart at 7:30 am.

Getting to Tikal by car

If you're planning to rent a car to get from Belize City to Tikal, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Firstly, the driving distance between Belize City and Tikal is approximately 142 miles, and the journey will take around 3 hours and 37 minutes. The route involves crossing the border into Guatemala, so make sure you bring your passport and have the necessary exit tax and PACT conservation fee ready.

In Belize City, you can rent a car from Crystal Auto Rental, which is one of the only companies that allow their vehicles to be taken into Guatemala. Be sure to enquire about insurance, as taking the car across the border may cost extra. It is also important to inform the rental company of your intention to drive into Guatemala.

When driving to Tikal, you'll encounter several police checkpoints, so have your international driver's license and other legal documents readily available for inspection. The route will take you through San Ignacio in Belize and Flores in Guatemala, which is a common stop for refuelling and changing money.

If you're looking for a more organised option, consider booking a tour with a company like Pacz Tours, which offers daily trips to Tikal during the busy tourist season. This can save you the hassle of arranging the border crossing and entrance fees yourself.

Border Crossing

When crossing the border, you will first need to go through Belize Immigration to pay the Border Departure Fee and the Environmental Fee. These fees must be paid in Belizean or US dollars, as credit cards are not accepted. After getting your passport stamped, you will enter a no-man's land area where locals may offer you money exchange or transportation services. It is recommended to politely decline these offers and proceed to Guatemalan Immigration for document check and passport stamping.

Alternative Options

If you're considering other transport options, there are shuttle services and tour buses available from Belize City to Tikal. These are often competitively priced due to the number of companies operating this route. Alternatively, you can take a combination of buses and taxis, but this may involve longer travel times and potential waits at the border. Flying is also an option, with Tropic Air offering daily flights from Belize City to Flores, which is the closest airport to Tikal.

Getting to Tikal by shuttle

If you're looking to get from Belize City to Tikal by shuttle, there are a few options available to you. The journey from Belize City to Tikal takes approximately 4 hours by shuttle, and prices range from $25 to $75.

Shuttle Companies

Mondo Maya Travels is one company that offers shuttle services from Belize City to Tikal. The journey takes around 5 hours and costs between $25 and $30. They also offer a round-trip ticket, with the return journey from Flores to Belize City costing around $17.

Another company that provides shuttle services is Marlin Espadas. They offer a shuttle from Tikal to Melchor de Mencos, and then from there to Belize City.

Shuttle Routes

One shuttle route from Belize City to Tikal involves taking a shuttle from Belize City to San Ignacio, and then driving from San Ignacio to Tikal.

Alternatively, you can take a shuttle from Belize City to Benque Viejo el Carmen, and then drive from there to Tikal.

If you're travelling from Tikal to Belize City, you can take a shuttle from Tikal to Melchor de Mencos, and then another shuttle from there to Belize City.

Other Considerations

When travelling by shuttle, it's important to keep in mind that there may be additional costs along the way. For example, when crossing the border from Belize to Guatemala, you will need to pay a Border Departure Fee and an Environmental Fee. These fees can vary, but expect to pay around $16.

Additionally, when taking a shuttle, be prepared for possible breakdowns or delays. Some companies, like Mondo Maya Travels, will get you to your final destination if anything happens, while others will simply direct you to another shuttle.

Other Transport Options

While shuttles are a convenient option, there are also other ways to get from Belize City to Tikal. You can fly from Belize City to Flores, the base city of Tikal, with Tropic Air. This option is more expensive, with flights costing around $150-$200 each way.

You can also take a bus or drive a rental car from Belize City to Tikal, although these options may take longer and involve more border crossings and transfers.

Border crossing from Belize to Guatemala

The only land crossing between Belize and Guatemala is in the northeast corner of Guatemala and the western border of Belize. The two border towns are Benque Viejo del Carmen on the Belize side and Melchor de Mencos in Guatemala.

The most popular departure points for the border are San Ignacio in Belize and the island town of Flores in Guatemala.

Crossing from Guatemala to Belize

From the tourist town of Flores, a shuttle will take about two hours to get you to the border town of Melchor de Mencos.

Upon arrival, change your money before crossing the border, as Guatemalan quetzals are not accepted in Belize.

The immigration office on the Guatemalan side is open from 6 am to 10 pm daily. There are no exit fees to leave Guatemala; simply present your passport to get stamped, and then walk across the bridge to Belize.

On the Belize side, there are no entrance fees, but you will need to have your passport checked and stamped, and you may be asked questions about your stay in Belize. It is a good idea to book a place to stay on your first night, in case you are asked.

Once through customs, you are free to catch a taxi, shuttle, or colectivo (shared minivan) to San Ignacio and beyond.

Crossing from Belize to Guatemala

The border going into Guatemala is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, while the opposite direction is open from 6 am to 10 pm.

The first step is to get to the border town of Benque Viejo del Carmen. The easiest way to do this is by taking a taxi from San Ignacio. The ride will take about 20 minutes, and taxis are often shared to defray the cost (around 7 Belizean dollars or US$3.50).

Before you enter the immigration office, you can exchange your currency into Guatemalan quetzals, or you can wait until you are through and use the services of someone on the other side.

At the departure hall, officials will direct you to a desk where you will have to pay the departure fee of BZN$40 (about US$20), which includes various sub-fees relating to the border, conservation, and development.

Once you've paid, you'll need to show your passport and receive an exit stamp. You may be asked how long you were in the country. The whole process will likely take less than 20 minutes.

Now, walk across to Guatemalan border control. This should take just a few minutes, and it's unlikely you'll come across any lines. There is no daily limit to the number of visitors.

At the immigration office, you'll be asked to fill out an immigration form, which you will present along with your passport.

What You Need to Cross the Border

To enter Belize and Guatemala, residents of the US, UK, and EU must present a passport that will be valid for the entire length of their stay. In each case, having a blank page in your passport is required.

Residents of the US, Canada, UK, and EU do not require a visa to enter Belize (up to 90 days) or Guatemala (up to 30 days). Other nationalities can check Project Visa to see if a visa is needed for either country.

There are no fees required to leave Guatemala. However, you will pay a departure tax when leaving Belize of BZN$40 (about US$20).

You will get an exit stamp upon leaving both Belize and Guatemala. This will be handled at the immigration office.

In theory, US citizens are required to show proof of onward travel. However, it is doubtful that you will be asked for this when crossing through the land border. Nevertheless, it's always a good idea to have your itinerary and return air tickets handy if they want proof.

Neither side requires tourists to provide proof of economic stability.

There is currently no entry fee required to enter Belize or Guatemala.

It is quite helpful to have small denominations of the local currencies on hand. There are usually plenty of money changers near the immigration offices.

On the Belize side, they use Belizean dollars, while on the Guatemalan side, the currency is Guatemalan quetzals.

Frequently asked questions