Exploring Cozumel To Belize: Travel Options

There are several ways to get from Cozumel to Belize, with the quickest option being a 4-hour plane journey. Airlines that operate direct flights from Cozumel to Belize include Avianca, Maya Island Air, Mayair, and Tropic Air. Alternatively, you can take a bus, with companies such as ADO and Autobuses Mayab offering tickets from around $49. The bus journey takes around 10-12 hours.

Travel by plane

If you want to travel from Cozumel to Belize by plane, there are a few airlines you can choose from. These include Avianca – Aerovías del Continente Americano S.A., Maya Island Air, Mayair, Tropic Air, Transportes Aéreos Guatemaltecos, Hahn Air Technologies, Volaris, and AeroMéxico. Flights can be direct or have one or more stops.

The quickest way to get from Cozumel to Belize City is by plane, with the flight time lasting around 4 hours. The distance between the two locations is approximately 222 miles.

You can fly from Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Belize City Municipal Airport (BZE) or Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport. The quickest flight from San Pedro Airport to Belize City Municipal Airport is a direct flight that takes 15 minutes.

Prices for flights from Cozumel to Belize City start at $311 for a one-way trip and $756 for a round trip. However, some sources suggest that flights can cost upwards of $340 one way and $800 round trip.

Travel by bus

Travelling by bus from Cozumel to Belize is a viable option, with several bus companies offering services between the two locations. The journey by bus will typically take around 10-12 hours and involve transfers. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you plan your trip:

Step 1: Take a Ferry from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen

First, you will need to take a ferry from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen. This ferry ride will be the first part of your journey and will provide beautiful views of the Caribbean Sea.

Step 2: Take a Bus from Playa del Carmen to Tulum or Felipe Carrillo Puerto

Once you arrive in Playa del Carmen, you will need to take a bus to either Tulum or Felipe Carrillo Puerto. These are common stops along the route to Belize and offer connections to other destinations.

Step 3: Take a Bus to Bacalar or Chetumal

From Tulum, you can take a bus to Bacalar, and from there, another bus to Belize City. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Felipe Carrillo Puerto to Chetumal and then on to Belize City. These routes offer flexibility in your travel plans.

Step 4: Take a Bus to Belize City

The final leg of your journey will be from Bacalar or Chetumal to Belize City. This bus ride will take you directly to your destination in Belize.

Bus Companies and Amenities

There are a few bus companies that service this route, including ADO (Autobuses de Oriente) and Autobuses Mayab. ADO offers different classes of buses, including first class (ADO), luxury class (ADO GL), and platinum class (ADO Platino), each with varying levels of comfort and amenities such as reclining seats, blackout curtains, air conditioning, and onboard Wi-Fi.

Tickets and Frequency

The average cost of a bus ticket from Cozumel to Belize is around $49 USD. There are typically 4 buses departing daily from Cozumel to Belize, with a total of 33 buses per week.

Alternative Routes

While the above route is the most common way to travel by bus from Cozumel to Belize, there are a few alternative routes you can consider:

• Ferry from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen, followed by a shuttle bus to Chetumal and then a bus to Belize City.
• Ferry from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen, bus to Bacalar, and then another bus to Belize City.
• Ferry from Cozumel to Calica, followed by a drive to Belize City.

These alternative routes may offer different experiences and allow for more exploration of the surrounding areas.

Travel by ferry

To get from Cozumel to Belize by ferry, you can take a passenger ferry from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen, which is the primary gateway to the mainland of the Yucatan Peninsula. The ferry ride takes about 45 minutes, and ferries depart almost every hour, 365 days a year, weather permitting. From Playa del Carmen, you can take a shuttle bus to Chetumal, and then a ferry to San Pedro in Belize. This ferry ride lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes and is operated by the San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi Limited.

Alternatively, you can take a ferry from Cozumel to Calica, and then drive to Belize. This option is the quickest way to get to Belize, taking 7 hours and 47 minutes in total.

Another option is to take the ferry from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen, and then take a series of buses to Belize City. This journey will take around 9 hours and 25 minutes and is the cheapest option, costing between $35 and $190.

When travelling from Mexico to Belize, there are two border fees to be aware of: the DNI Mexican Tourism Tax and the Belize Exit Fee. The DNI fee is $45 USD and the Belize Exit Fee is $20 USD.

Travel by car

The quickest way to get from Cozumel to Belize City is by car ferry and driving, which takes around 7 hours and 47 minutes and costs $120-$180.

First, take the car ferry from Cozumel to Calica. From Calica, it's a 296-mile drive to Belize City, which takes around 9 hours and 50 minutes. The road distance is mostly along Highway 307, which is a fairly good road, but in some places, it narrows to a small two-lane road with no shoulders, so drive carefully and never at night. You will share the road with semi-trucks and buses, and there is also construction in many areas as the highway is being widened.

When you cross the border into Belize, you will enter the small town of Corozal. There is not much to see there, and it is recommended that you do not travel further south on the mainland due to warnings of serious crime against tourists in the areas around Belize City.

Instead, you can take a small plane from Corozal over to Ambergris Caye Island, which is a true tropical island and only a 15-minute flight away.

Remember to keep your tourist card with you for your entire trip, as you will need it to cross back into Mexico from Belize and when you fly out. Also, have pesos on hand to pay the exit fee when leaving Mexico (around $20 or less).

Be prepared to stop at military/police checkpoints along the way, and expect the border crossing process to take longer than you think, especially if you don't speak much Spanish. However, you will probably be fine with English, and Belizeans in general, speak English, so you shouldn't have much of a language barrier.

Travel by cruise ship

Belize is a popular cruise destination often included as a port of call on Western Caribbean itineraries. The country boasts impressive natural wonders, including lush rainforests, ancient ruins, and some of the best diving spots in the Caribbean.

Cruises to Belize offer a convenient and comfortable way to explore the country's natural and historical attractions. Here's what you need to know about travelling to Belize by cruise ship:

Choosing a Cruise Line

Several cruise lines offer itineraries that include Belize as a port of call, including Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, and Norwegian Cruise Line. These cruise lines typically depart from ports in the United States, such as Tampa, Galveston, New Orleans, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale.

Shore Excursions and Activities

Belize offers a variety of shore excursions and activities for cruise passengers. Here are some popular options:

• Exploring Ancient Ruins: Belize has the highest concentration of Mayan sites in Central America. Popular ruins to visit include Xunantunich, Altun Ha, and Caracol. These sites feature impressive temples, palaces, and pyramids, offering a glimpse into the ancient Mayan civilization.
• Diving and Snorkelling: Belize is renowned for its impressive reef system, which forms part of the second-longest reef in the world. Popular diving and snorkelling spots include the Blue Hole, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, and Shark Ray Alley, where you can swim alongside nurse sharks and southern stingrays.
• Cave Tubing: Belize is known for its extensive network of limestone caves. You can float down rivers on inner tubes, passing through ancient Mayan ceremonial sites and admiring the stalagmite formations.
• Rainforest Adventures: The dense rainforests of Belize offer opportunities for hiking, zip-lining, and mountain biking. Keep an eye out for the diverse wildlife, including tropical birds, howler monkeys, toucans, and kinkajous.
• Beach Relaxation: Belize boasts breathtaking coastline and tiny islets called "cayes." Popular beaches include Ambergris Caye, Placencia Peninsula, and Hopkins Village Beach, where you can relax on the sand, swim in the warm Caribbean waters, and enjoy the vibrant marine life.

Practical Information

• Currency: The local currency is the Belize dollar, but US dollars are widely accepted in shops, restaurants, and tourist areas.
• Language: English is the official language and is spoken by most locals.
• Transportation: Cruise ships typically dock in Belize City port, and passengers are tendered to shore. Certified taxis can be identified by their green license plates, and water taxis or ferries are also available for travel to the outlying cayes.
• Shopping: The Tourism Village in Belize City, where most cruise ships dock, offers duty-free shopping, local crafts, and artisanal jewellery.
• Safety: While Belize offers a range of exciting adventures, it is important to exercise caution, especially in Belize City. Avoid walking around the city after dark, and be aware of your surroundings.

A cruise to Belize promises a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural experiences, and exciting adventures. With its diverse attractions and convenient accessibility from the cruise port, Belize is an ideal destination to explore by cruise ship.

Frequently asked questions