Belize Zoo: A Quick Guide To Getting There

The Belize Zoo is located roughly midway between the cities of Belmopan and Belize City, about 29 miles from Belize City on the George Price Highway. There are several ways to get to the zoo from Belize City. The fastest and cheapest option is to drive, which takes around 41 minutes and costs $9-$14. You can also take a shuttle bus or a combination of buses. Alternatively, if you are arriving on a cruise ship, you can book a guide or a taxi once you disembark.

By bus

To get to the Belize Zoo by bus, you can take a westbound bus from the Belize City bus terminal. The final destination will be displayed in the front window of the bus and will say either 'BENQUE' or 'BELMOPAN'. Buses depart every half hour. Once you've boarded, store your luggage in the overhead racks or at the back of the bus. Keep an eye on your luggage as passengers often use the rear emergency door to enter and exit the bus. The conductor will collect your fare once the bus is moving.

The Belize Zoo is located at Mile 29 on the George Price Highway, roughly halfway between Belize City and Belmopan. It will take about 45 minutes to get there by bus from Belize City, and the fare is around BZ$4.00.

If you are travelling from Belmopan, the bus from Belmopan to Belize City will stop at the zoo if you request it (it's not a scheduled stop), so be sure to tell the driver or conductor. The fare is around BZ$4.

By car

The Belize Zoo is located at Mile 29 on the George Price Highway (formerly the Western Highway), roughly halfway between Belize City and Belmopan. It is about a 30-minute drive from Belize City or the international airport, and a 20-minute drive from Belmopan.

If you're driving from Belize City, head west on the George Price Highway for about 29 miles (or 28.7 miles according to another source). The zoo is located in La Democracia Village and the drive should take around 41 minutes to one hour.

The zoo is open Monday to Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last visitors admitted at 4:15 p.m. On Sundays, the zoo is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with the last admission at 3:30 p.m. The zoo is closed on Good Friday and Christmas Day.

Admission costs $15 for adults and $5 for children aged 3 to 12. The estimated time for a tour of the zoo is about two hours, but you can take additional time if you desire a more leisurely experience. There are also a few extra tours that can be done at the zoo, including a guided nocturnal tour, nature walks, a tapir encounter, and a jaguar encounter.

It's recommended that you wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes and bring insect repellent, a hat, sun protection, and plenty of water. The zoo has a large parking lot, and parking and locker storage cost $30 BZ for adults and $10 BZ for children.

By shuttle

The Belize Zoo is located at Mile 29 on the George Price Highway (formerly the Western Highway), roughly halfway between Belize City and Belmopan. It is about 29 miles from Belize City and can be reached by shuttle bus from Mahogany Heights. Belize Local Bus operates a shuttle from Mahogany Heights to Belize City three times a day, and the journey takes approximately one hour. This is the best way to get to the zoo from Belize City without a car.

To get to the zoo by shuttle, you can take a shuttle bus from Belize City to Mahogany Heights. From there, you can take the Belize Local Bus shuttle to the zoo. The Belize Local Bus shuttle runs three times a day and takes about an hour.

The zoo is also accessible by public bus from either Belize City or Belmopan. The public bus system stops at the zoo's entrance, and buses run roughly every half hour from either direction. However, on Sundays and holidays, the buses are less frequent.

The Belize Zoo is open Monday to Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last visitors admitted at 4:15 p.m. On Sundays, the zoo closes at 4:30 p.m., with the last admission at 3:30 p.m. Admission costs $15 for adults and $5 for children ages 3 to 12. The zoo is home to over 40 species of native Belizean animals, including jaguars, keel-billed toucans, scarlet macaws, and tapirs.

By taxi

The Belize Zoo is located at Mile 29 on the George Price Highway, roughly halfway between Belize City and Belmopan. It is a 30-minute drive from Belize City or the international airport, and a 20-minute drive from Belmopan.

Taxis from the international airport or water taxi and cruise ship terminals offer chartered transport to and from the zoo. The cost of a taxi from Belize City to the water taxi terminal is around $10 BZE.

A taxi from San Ignacio to the zoo and then on to the Belize City water taxi is possible but expensive. It should cost around $100 to $150 USD. You could also try hailing a taxi on the highway to Belize City.

A taxi from the zoo to Belize City should cost between €8 and €13 and take around 41 minutes for the 46.3km journey.

By cruise ship

The Belize Zoo is located roughly midway between the cities of Belmopan and Belize City. It is approximately a 45-minute drive from the main cruise ship terminal at the tourism village in Belize City.

If you are arriving by cruise ship, you will come ashore at the Tourist Village in Belize City. There will be tour guides waiting with signs advertising their tours. You can book a guide once you get off the ship, or you can rent a car and drive yourself. The zoo is a 45-minute drive from the cruise ship terminal.

Alternatively, you can walk a little further from the village and hire a taxi. Taxis do not have meters, and fares to the zoo are negotiable. You can expect to pay around BZ$80-150 (US$40) each way per taxi, not per passenger.

Another option is to take a taxi or walk to the bus terminal and get a bus. At the bus terminal, look for a westbound Regular bus with BENQUE or BELMOPAN displayed in the front window. Buses depart every half hour. The zoo is at Mile 29 (BZ$3-4) and the journey takes around 45 minutes.

The zoo is open from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, with the last admission at 4:15 pm. A tour of the zoo can take between one and two hours. The zoo is wheelchair accessible and has a large parking lot, a picnic area, a playground, and complimentary storage lockers for guests.

Frequently asked questions