Travel Guide: Puerto Barrios To Belize City

There are several ways to travel from Puerto Barrios, Guatemala, to Belize City, Belize. The most cost-effective way is to take a ferry to Punta Gorda, followed by a bus to Belize City. Alternatively, you can take a ferry to Punta Gorda Municipal Pier, then a bus to Dangriga, and finally, a ferry to Belize City. The quickest way to travel between the two places is to drive.

Ferry from Puerto Barrios to Punta Gorda

There are several ways to travel from Puerto Barrios, Guatemala, to Belize City, Belize, including by ferry, bus, car, or plane. The quickest way to get to Belize City is to drive, which takes around seven hours. However, if you are specifically interested in taking the ferry, here is some more information:

There are at least two daily boats from Puerto Barrios to Punta Gorda in Belize. The ferry takes around one to one-and-a-half hours, depending on wind and sea conditions. The boats depart Puerto Barrios at 9:00-9:30 am and 2:00 pm and cost around $25-$30 USD one way. From Punta Gorda, boats depart at 10:00-10:30 am and 3:00-5:00 pm.

Once you arrive in Punta Gorda, you can take a bus to Belize City. The bus from Punta Gorda to Belize City takes around six hours and costs $12 USD one way.

Alternative Route

Alternatively, you can take a ferry from Puerto Barrios to Punta Gorda Municipal Pier, then take a bus to Dangriga, and finally, take another ferry from Dangriga to Belize City. This route will take longer, approximately nine hours, but it may be a good option if you prefer to travel by water for a more significant portion of the journey.

Things to Keep in Mind

Please note that the boat service from Punta Gorda to Puerto Barrios might run less frequently during the low season (July/August). Also, be prepared to pay an exit fee when departing from Punta Gorda to Guatemala or vice versa.

Additionally, English is not widely spoken in Puerto Barrios, so you may need to communicate in Spanish during your travels.

Attractions in Puerto Barrios

If you have some time to explore Puerto Barrios, there are a few attractions worth considering. Las Escobas is a popular bathing spot located near the city. It features crystalline water in the middle of the jungle and is easily accessible by road or on foot. Another place to visit is the local market, where you can find fresh fruits like papaya, mango, and pineapple.

For those interested in history and culture, the city has two parks: Tecun Uman, located in the old part of Puerto Barrios, and Reina Barrios, which features an outdoor theatre called "La Concha Acústica."

Puerto Barrios also offers a variety of culinary delights, including traditional dishes like tapado, a soup made with coconut milk, seafood, and plantains.

Bus from Punta Gorda to Belize City

There are a few options for travelling from Punta Gorda, Belize, to Belize City. The distance between the two is around 106 miles, and the road distance is about 194 miles.

Bus

The most cost-effective way to travel between the two places is by bus, which costs $8 to $15 and takes 6 hours and 30 minutes. There is a direct bus that departs from Punta Gorda and arrives at Belize City. Services depart hourly and operate every day. The bus company that operates this route is James Bus Line, and the buses depart from Punta Gorda station.

Other Options

If you prefer other means of transportation, you can also take a bus and then a ferry, which takes around 6 hours and 31 minutes and costs $40 to $60. Alternatively, you can take a bus to Dangriga and then drive to Belize City, or take a bus to Dangriga and fly to Belize City Municipal Airport.

Driving route from Puerto Barrios to Belize City

Driving is one of the best ways to get from Puerto Barrios, Guatemala, to Belize City, Belize. The distance between the two places is 126 miles, but the driving distance is 303 miles. The drive will take approximately 7 hours.

To drive from Puerto Barrios to Belize City, you will first need to get to the Puerto Barrios-Belize highway. The fastest route to get there passes through the centre of Puerto Barrios. Once you are on the highway, continue northwest until you reach the town of Santa Cruz.

From Santa Cruz, continue along the highway as it turns west, following the coast. You will pass through a number of small towns, including La Unión and Santa Rita. After approximately 100 miles, you will reach the town of Dangriga. Here, you will need to turn north and continue on the Hummingbird Highway for approximately 50 miles until you reach the town of Belmopan.

From Belmopan, continue north on the Western Highway for approximately 50 miles until you reach the town of San Ignacio. From San Ignacio, continue east on the George Price Highway for approximately 30 miles until you reach the border with Belize.

After crossing the border, continue east on the Western Highway for approximately 20 miles until you reach the town of Orange Walk. From Orange Walk, continue east on the Philip Goldson Highway for approximately 50 miles until you reach Belize City.

Things to Keep in Mind:

• Make sure you have all the necessary documentation for crossing the border, including a valid passport, proof of sufficient travel funds, and proof of onward travel.
• International driving permits are recognised but not required in Belize if you have a valid licence from your country.
• Driving in Belize is on the right-hand side of the road.
• Be prepared for potential delays at the border crossing, and ensure you have any necessary visas or other documentation.
• The weather can be a factor, with heavy rains during the rainy season, so check forecasts before starting your journey.
• There are options to take public transportation or a taxi between the two locations if you do not want to drive the entire route.

Flying into Belize from Guatemala or Honduras

There are a few options for flying into Belize from Guatemala or Honduras. The most common route from Guatemala to Belize is from La Aurora International Airport (GUA) to Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) in Belize City. This route is served by several airlines, including TAG Airlines and Copa, and offers both direct and connecting flights. The flight time is approximately 1 hour, and prices for a one-way ticket start at $172.

Another option for travelling from Guatemala to Belize is to take a bus or drive to Puerto Barrios, and then take a water taxi to Punta Gorda in Belize. From there, you can take a bus to Belize City. This journey can take around 8-9 hours, including transfers, and costs around $65-$75.

When flying from Honduras to Belize, the most popular route is from Juan Manuel Gálvez Airport (RTB) in Roatan to Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) in Belize City. This route is served by Tropic Air and usually takes 1 hour. The average price for a round-trip ticket is US$696.

There are also direct flights from Ramón Villeda Morales International Airport (SAP) in San Pedro Sula to Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE), which take around 1 hour. Additionally, there are flights from Juan Manuel Gálvez Airport (RTB) in Roatan to Caye Caulker Airport (CUK) in Belize, which take around 2 hours and 20 minutes.

Taking a boat from Guatemala to Belize

If you're in Guatemala and want to travel to Belize by boat, you can cross the border at Punta Gorda in Belize to reach Livingston or Puerto Barrios in Guatemala.

First, you need to get to Punta Gorda. If you're not already there, you can take a bus or "chicken bus" from Dangriga or Belmopan. You may have to change buses, but this is easy: just tell the ticket seller when he comes to collect your money, and he'll tell you where to get off.

There is no official stop in Punta Gorda, so ask to be dropped off near the centre or the ferry terminal. You may have to stay overnight in Punta Gorda, as the ferry only runs two or three times a week, leaving around 9 or 10 am.

Buy your ticket from one of the men outside the immigration office/ferry terminal. They will have official-looking tickets and will ask for your passport number. Ticket prices are listed on the board outside the immigration entrance, so you will know if they are trying to overcharge you.

Arrive at the ferry terminal half an hour early to go through immigration. The ferry ride to Livingston takes around an hour and can be bumpy, but it's quicker to get to Puerto Barrios. On arrival, you will be approached by touts, or you can walk up the main drag to find a hotel.

Belize to Guatemala by Boat

If you're travelling in the opposite direction, from Belize to Guatemala, you can also cross the border by boat. The only land border crossing between the two countries is at Benque Viejo del Carmen (Belize) and Melchor de Mencos (Guatemala).

From San Ignacio in Belize, it takes around 3.5 hours to reach Flores in Guatemala by taxi, foot and colectivo (minivan). This costs just under $9, plus the Belize departure tax of $20.

Alternatively, you can take a shuttle from Belize City to Flores for $30. The shuttle leaves between 12:00 and 12:30 pm daily and will pick you up from your hotel or hostel in San Ignacio.

Border Fees and Exchange Rates

The Belize exit fee is $20. Guatemala has no entry or exit fees. It's best to exchange money at the border, as it will be hard to find money exchange shops for Quetzales in Belize and vice versa.

Frequently asked questions