Omari Gates
The Belize-Mexico border is a 250km-long international border that separates Belize from the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. The modern boundary was agreed to in 1893 and finalised in 1897.
The border crossing between Mexico and Belize officially opened back up in August 2021 after being closed during the Covid-19 pandemic. As of 2024, there are still some Covid-related restrictions in place. For example, when transitioning from Mexico into Belize, you will need to take a mandatory $50 Covid test at the border and show proof of accommodation.
The border is known to be a hotspot for drug trafficking due to its relative isolation. However, bilateral agreements between the two countries have been made to combat this issue.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Border length | 250 km (160 mi) |
| Border type | Land |
| Border countries | Belize, Mexico |
| Border cities | Chetumal, Quintana Roo (Mexico), Santa Elena, Corozal District (Belize) |
| Border crossing by | Bus, car, taxi, ferry, plane |
| Border crossing time | 7-9 hours |
| Border crossing cost | $30-35 USD |
| Border crossing requirements | Passport, accommodation proof, COVID test, cash |
What You'll Learn
Border crossing from Mexico to Belize by rental vehicle
The Mexico-Belize border crossing at Chetumal/Santa Elena is a popular route for travellers. The border crossing spans 250 kilometres (160 miles) and separates Belize from the Mexican states of Quintana Roo and Campeche.
When crossing the border from Mexico to Belize, you will pass through the border cities of Chetumal, Quintana Roo (Mexico), and Santa Elena, Corozal District (Belize).
Rental Car Options
If you are renting a car to cross the border, you will need to find a company that allows for border crossings. One such company is America Car Rental, which has several locations in Quintana Roo, including Cancun.
When making your reservation, you can request a border-crossing permit for Belize, which is free, and for Guatemala, which costs $180 USD.
Documents
When crossing the border, you will need to bring the appropriate documents to enter Belize from Mexico. For the most part, you will need a passport that is valid for at least six months after your intended stay period. Citizens of most countries can enter Belize for 30 days, visa-free.
Additionally, you will need immigration papers/visa (if needed), a driver's license, car rental documentation, and a plane ticket receipt showing that you have already paid the DNI (Mexican tourist) tax.
Additional Fees
Upon crossing the border, you may be subject to additional fees such as car fumigation (30 BZD/ $15 USD) and Belize liability insurance (30 BZD/ $15 USD). Car insurance is mandatory in Belize.
When leaving Belize, you will need to pay a departure tax of 40 BZD or $20 USD.
Cost
Renting a basic car from America Car Rental for a month will cost approximately $700 USD, including insurance to drive in Mexico and a permit to bring the car into Belize. Gas will cost anywhere from $3 to $4 USD per gallon in Mexico and $5 to $6 USD per gallon in Belize.
Process
To cross the border by rental vehicle, follow these steps:
- Get to Chetumal from Bacalar or take a taxi to the new border in Chetumal.
- Have your travel documents ready for both border checks.
- Prepare for the Belize border process, including paying any necessary fees.
- Finish the Belize border process and continue your journey into Belize.
Alternative Transport Options
In addition to rental vehicles, you can also cross the border by public bus or taxi. ADO and Marlin Espades are popular bus companies that offer routes between Mexico and Belize. Alternatively, you can hire a taxi to take you across the border, but this option can be more expensive and subject to Covid-19 regulations.
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Border crossing from Mexico to Belize by public bus
The public bus is a popular option for crossing the border from Mexico to Belize. The bus will take you from various cities in Mexico to Belize City. The main bus companies that operate this route are ADO and Marlin Espades.
ADO
The ADO bus is the most popular option for the Cancun to Belize City route, which makes stops in Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Corozal Town, Orange Walk Town and finally, Belize City. The ADO bus is clean and has comfortable seats, video screens, USB/AC outlets, bathroom facilities, and air conditioning. The price for this bus is 960 pesos or approximately $50 USD and tickets can be booked on their website. The Cancun to Belize City route operates twice a day, at 7:30 am and 10:15 pm. The trip will take you anywhere between 8 and 9 hours from Cancun. The Cancun Bus Station is the city's transportation hub and relatively easy to get to. You can view its location here.
Marlin Espades
Marlin Espades departs from Chetumal. The price for this bus is $40 USD. It's charged in two parts. The first payment is made in Belize City, and the second payment is paid when you arrive in Bacalar. The bus runs twice a day, at 11 am and 7:30 pm. The trip to Cancun is around 7 hours. The Belize City Bus Station is sometimes referred to as Novelo's and can be found here.
Local Belizean Buses
You can also take local Belizean buses from Corozal to Chetumal. These buses only run between these two cities, so you will have to transfer a few times to get to your final destination. The local buses are known as "chicken buses" and are old, re-converted American school buses. They are a very affordable option, costing around $8 USD.
Border Crossing Process
- Get to Chetumal from Bacalar or take a taxi in Chetumal to the New Border. Your taxi driver will know which border you need to cross—it's the new border, not the old one. They are very near each other, but some guidebooks and blog posts will tell you to visit the old one.
- Have your travel documents ready for both border checks. When exiting Mexico, you will be asked if you have already paid the tourism tax. This is a soft scam—it's legal and the border officials will ask for proof, so you must show them your receipt. But if you flew into the country, it was included in your airfare. Download your itemized receipt from the airline that shows this fee and screenshot it to show to the officials.
- Get to the Belize border. Your taxi will cross the bridge to the Belize Customs Control area. This is where you will say goodbye to your Mexican taxi driver and pay them around 250-500 Mexican pesos, unless you've booked a shuttle that takes you through the entire process stress-free.
- Prepare for the Belize border process. You will pass through Belize Customs and get your stamps.
- Finish up the Belize border process. The driver will wait for you on the other side for you to finish the entire immigration process. From there, you are free to head into Belize!
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Border crossing from Mexico to Belize by taxi
Step 1: Getting to the Border
First, you need to get to the border between Mexico and Belize. The border crossing is located between Chetumal, Quintana Roo (Mexico) and Santa Elena, Corozal District (Belize). You can take a taxi directly to the border or to the nearby "Nuevo Mercado" bus terminal, where you can catch a bus to the border.
Step 2: Crossing the Mexican Border
When exiting Mexico, you will need to show your passport and may be asked for proof of the Mexican tourism tax payment. This tax is known as the Derecho de No Inmigrante (DNI) and costs approximately 575 Mexican pesos or $35 USD. If you haven't paid it upfront, you will have to pay it at the border. Make sure to get a receipt to avoid being charged twice.
Step 3: Crossing the Belize Border
After crossing the Mexican border, you will need to walk or take a taxi to the Belize border. At the Belize border, you will need to present your passport and may be required to show proof of accommodation in Belize. There is also a departure tax of 40 Belize dollars or $20 USD when leaving Belize.
Step 4: Entering Belize
Once you have completed the border crossing process, you can enter Belize by taxi. It is important to note that Covid-19 regulations may change, so it is recommended to check for updates before travelling.
Important Considerations:
- Always carry cash when crossing the border to pay for any unexpected fees or taxes.
- The border crossing can be confusing, so it is recommended to have a good sense of the process and your destination beforehand.
- Some border agents may try to charge additional fees or taxes, so be prepared to negotiate or pay small amounts to avoid complications.
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Border crossing from Belize to Mexico by rental vehicle
The border between Belize and Mexico is 250km long and separates Belize from the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. The border crossing between the two countries officially opened back up in August 2021.
Crossing from Mexico to Belize by Rental Vehicle
To cross the border from Mexico to Belize by rental vehicle, you will need to bring the following documents:
- Immigration papers/visa (if required)
- Driver's license
- Car rental documentation
- Plane ticket receipt showing you've already paid the DNI (Derecho de No Inmigrante) tax
Upon crossing, you may be subject to additional fees such as car fumigation (30 BZD/ $15 USD) and Belize liability insurance (30 BZD/ $15 USD per week).
One rental company that allows their vehicles to be taken outside of Mexico is America Car Rental. They have locations in tourist hotspots like Tulum and Cancun. A basic car from America Car Rental costs around $700 USD per month, including insurance to drive in Mexico and a permit to bring the car into Belize.
Border Process
When transitioning from Mexico to Belize, you will pass through two border cities: Chetumal, Quintana Roo (Mexico) and Santa Elena, Corozal District (Belize).
As of 2024, you will need to take a mandatory $50 USD COVID test at the border and show proof of accommodation in Belize. Citizens of most countries can enter Belize visa-free for 30 days. If you wish to extend your stay, you can stay for up to 6 months, as long as your passport is restamped by an immigration official for $25 USD per month.
Mexico charges visitors a departure tax when they leave the country, known as the DNI. If you haven't paid this upfront, you will have to pay it when you leave Mexico and enter Belize. It costs approximately 575 pesos or $35 USD.
Alternative Transport Options
Public Bus
There are day and night buses that can bring you from Cancun to Belize City. The main bus companies are ADO and Marlin Espades. The ADO bus costs around $50 USD and makes stops in Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Corozal Town and Orange Walk Town.
Taxi
If you are entering Belize from Mexico by taxi, you will have to pay a fixed, non-negotiable fee of $180 USD. You are not allowed to share a taxi with a stranger, but you can share with someone who you are travelling with.
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Border crossing from Belize to Mexico by public bus
The border between Belize and Mexico is 250km long and follows the course of the Hondo River. The modern boundary was agreed to in 1893 and finalised in 1897.
There are two official crossings:
- The New Border is used for official crossings.
- The Old Border can only be used to exit Belize. However, some travellers have entered through this route recently.
The New Border is about 4km long and you are not allowed to cross this bridge by foot. The Old Border is only 1km long and the bridge can be crossed by foot.
Belize is in the Central Time Zone and does not observe daylight savings time. Mexico's Quintana Roo state is in the Eastern Standard Time Zone and does not observe daylight savings time. This means that Mexico is one hour ahead of Belize.
There are three ways of exiting Belize to Chetumal via land:
- By bus: Belize to Chetumal Buses now run around five times daily.
- By foot: If you're on a tight budget, the cheapest way of exiting Belize is by foot. Exit via the Old Border and then take a Mexican bus from the Santa Elena Taxi Station to the centre of Chetumal for 20 MXN Pesos.
- By taxi: Starting from the Corozal bus station, take a shared van (colectivo) to the Belize Border. These small vans take employees to the Free Zone for $2.00 USD per person. A private taxi will cost around $12.50 USD per person.
There are two fees to be aware of when entering and exiting Belize:
- Mexico Tourism Tax (DNI): If you were in Mexico for more than 7 days, you will be required to pay a DNI Fee (Derecho de No Inmigrante) of $30.00 USD (600+ MXN Pesos).
- Belize exit fee: There is a fee to exit Belize, currently 40 BZD / $20 USD per person. You must pay in cash, but it can be in BZD or USD.
To cross the border from Belize to Mexico by public bus, follow these steps:
- Water taxi to Belize City: From Caye Caulker, you can take a water taxi to Belize City. They run frequently throughout the day.
- Walk or taxi to Novelo Bus Station: From the ferry terminal, you can walk or take a taxi to Novelo Bus Station.
- Buy tickets to Corozol/Border: At the bus station, buy tickets to Corozol or the border. Buses leave frequently throughout the day.
- Chicken bus to Border: The chicken bus will take around 4 hours to reach the border.
- Exit Belize and pay exit tax: At the border, exit Belize and pay the exit tax.
- Taxi across no man's land: It is not allowed to walk across no man's land. You must take a taxi.
- Enter Mexico and pay tax: Enter Mexico and pay the entry tax.
- Taxi onward to Chetumal: Take a taxi to the ADO bus station in Chetumal.
- ADO bus to Bacalar: From the ADO bus station, you can take a bus to Bacalar or onward to Cancun.
The whole journey will take most of the day.
Belize-Mexico Border: Is It Safe to Cross?
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Frequently asked questions
The Belize-Mexico border is generally considered safe to cross, but there have been reports of drug trafficking in the area. Travellers are advised to exercise caution and be aware of their surroundings, particularly at night.
It is recommended to carry cash, avoid walking or driving at night, and be vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs. It is also important to not physically resist any robbery attempts and to avoid displaying signs of wealth, such as expensive jewellery or watches.
When crossing from Mexico to Belize, travellers need a passport that is valid for at least six months after their intended stay. Most countries' citizens can enter Belize visa-free for up to 30 days. However, some countries' citizens may need a visa, so it is important to check before travelling. Additionally, there may be COVID-19-related requirements, such as proof of accommodation and a negative COVID-19 test.
When crossing from Belize to Mexico, travellers need a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date of entry. Most foreign nationals can stay in Mexico for up to 180 days with the Forma Migratoria Multiple (FMM), which costs 575 Mexican pesos ($35 USD). This form must be completed online and approved before arrival.
When crossing the border by rental car, it is important to ensure that the rental company allows cross-border travel. Additionally, travellers will need their immigration papers/visa (if required), driver's license, rental car documentation, and proof of payment of the Mexican tourist tax. There may also be additional fees, such as car fumigation and liability insurance.
