Belize Border Crossing Requirements: What You Need To Know

To enter Belize from Mexico, you'll need to cross the border at Chetumal, Mexico, and Santa Elena, Corozal District, Belize. You'll need to bring the appropriate documents to enter Belize from Mexico, including a passport that's valid for at least six months after your intended stay period. Citizens of most countries can enter Belize for 30 days without a visa. However, you should check if your home country meets these criteria so there are no surprises when you get to the border.

Passport requirements

To enter Belize from Mexico, visitors must possess a passport valid for a minimum of 30 days after their arrival. This is only if the person is not travelling in transit to a third country that requires six months' validity and is returning to their country of origin immediately after visiting Belize. This is the case for most North Americans.

In addition to a valid passport, visitors must have a return ticket and sufficient funds to cover their stay. Visitors are given a one-month stay, after which an extension can be applied for with the Immigration Department. This extension is given in one-month increments, for up to six months. Visitors must pay an additional fee for every additional month they wish to stay. For visits longer than six months, visitors may need to provide further documentation to the local immigration office explaining the reason for their extended stay, and they may need to pay additional fees.

Citizens of the United States and its territories, Canada, the United Kingdom and its territories, the European Union, the Caribbean, and Central American countries do not require a visa to enter Belize. However, citizens of other countries should check whether they meet the visa-free criteria before reaching the border.

For visitors driving or boating into Belize from Mexico, a temporary importation permit must be secured at the point of entry. Vehicle and vessel permits are valid for 30 days and must be extended every 30 days.

Visa requirements

Citizens of most countries can enter Belize visa-free for stays of up to 30 days. However, it is important to check if your country is included in this list. For visits exceeding 30 days, you will need to apply for a 'Belize Visitor's Permit Extension' at an Immigration Office.

If you are a Mexican citizen, you do not need a visa to enter Belize for short-term stays of up to one month. However, you must hold a Mexican passport that is valid for six months beyond the intended stay in Belize. Additionally, you must provide proof of onward travel from Belize.

If you are entering Belize by land from Mexico, you will need to obtain a temporary importation permit for your vehicle at the point of entry. This permit is valid for 30 days and can be extended by applying to the Customs Department. To obtain this permit, you must present travel documents, identification, proof of ownership (vehicle registration), proof of insurance, and rental documents if applicable.

As of 2024, there are COVID-19 regulations in place at the Mexico-Belize border. All travellers are required to take a mandatory $50 USD COVID test at the border and show proof of accommodation in Belize, including the hotel's name and full address.

It is recommended to carry cash when crossing the border, as Mexico charges a departure tax when leaving the country. This tax, known as the Derecho de No Inmigrante (DNI) or the Mexican tourist tax, costs approximately 575 pesos or $35 USD. It is usually included in the ticket price for those flying into Mexico, and paid upfront for those entering by land. However, some border agents may still charge this fee even with proof of payment, so it is advisable to pay it again to avoid any issues.

When crossing the border by rental vehicle, ensure that you have the necessary documentation, including immigration papers/visa (if needed), a driver's license, car rental documentation, and proof of payment of the DNI tax. Additional fees may apply, such as car fumigation ($15 USD) and Belize liability insurance ($15 USD).

For those crossing the border by taxi, there is a fixed, non-negotiable fee of $180 USD. Sharing a taxi with strangers is not allowed, but you can share with someone you are travelling with. You will not be able to leave the taxi until you reach your hotel.

Travel costs

By Air

There are several direct flights from the US and Canada to Philip Goldson International Airport (BZE) in Ladyville, Belize. The airport is nine miles north of Belize City. Carriers offering flights include American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, Copa Airlines, Air Canada, and WestJet.

By Land

If you're travelling by land from Mexico, you'll be passing through the Santa Elena border, which separates Belize from the Mexican states of Quintana Roo and Campeche.

#### By Rental Car

If you're renting a car in Mexico, be aware that most rental companies don't allow their vehicles to be taken outside the country. One company that does is America Car Rental, which has locations in tourist hotspots like Tulum and Cancun.

Before you leave for the border, make sure you have the following:

• Immigration papers/visa (if needed)
• 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).

America Car Rental offers discounts for monthly rentals. A basic car is approximately $700 USD for the month, including insurance to drive in Mexico and the permit to bring the car into Belize. You'll also need to factor in gas, which is anywhere from $3 to $4 USD per gallon in Mexico and $5 to $6 USD per gallon in Belize.

#### By Public Bus

There are day and night buses that can bring you from Mexico to Belize City. The main bus companies are ADO (departs from Cancun) and Marlin Espades (departs from Chetumal).

The ADO bus is the most popular option for the Cancun to Belize City route, with stops in Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Corozal Town, Orange Walk Town, and Belize City. The bus has comfortable seats, video screens, USB/AC outlets, bathroom facilities, and air conditioning. The price is 960 pesos or approximately $50 USD, and tickets can be booked on the ADO website. The trip takes between 8 and 9 hours.

#### By Taxi

If you're entering Belize from Mexico by taxi, you'll need to show Mexican officials your accommodation documents and 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 is travelling with you. You also won't be able to leave the taxi until it gets to your hotel.

By Sea

There is a regular schedule of water taxis travelling between Belize City and Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, Caye Chapel, and St. George's Caye. Water taxi companies include San Pedro Belize Express and Belize Ocean Ferry. There is also a ferry from Corozal Town to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, and Chetumal, Mexico.

Hotels and resorts located on the other cayes either have private water taxis or can arrange transport for guests.

Border crossing options

There are several options for crossing the border between Mexico and Belize. The two countries are separated by the Santa Elena border, which spans 250 kilometres (160 miles). The closest towns on either side are Santa Elena in Belize and Subteniente Lopez in Mexico. The border crossing between the two countries officially opened in August 2021.

By Rental Vehicle

If you want to rent a car and drive across the border, one of the few companies that allow their vehicles to be taken outside of Mexico is America Car Rental. They have locations in popular tourist destinations like Tulum and Cancun. Before leaving Mexico, make sure you have the following:

• Immigration papers/visa (if needed)
• Driver's license
• Car rental documentation
• Plane ticket receipt showing you've already paid the DNI (Derecho de No Inmigrante) tax

Upon crossing the border, you may be subject to additional fees such as car fumigation (approximately $15 USD) and Belize liability insurance (approximately $15 USD).

By Public Bus

There are day and night buses that can bring you from Cancun, Mexico, to Belize City. The main bus companies that operate this route are ADO and Marlin Espades. ADO is the most popular option, making stops in Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Corozal Town, Orange Walk Town, and Belize City. The ADO bus is comfortable and has amenities such as video screens, USB/AC outlets, bathroom facilities, and air conditioning. The trip from Cancun to Belize City takes between 8 and 9 hours and costs approximately $50 USD.

By Taxi

Crossing the border from Mexico to Belize via taxi can be a bit more complicated due to COVID-19 regulations. You will need to show Mexican officials your accommodation documents and pay a fixed fee of $180 USD for the taxi. You are not allowed to share a taxi with a stranger, but you can travel with someone you are declaring as a travel companion. You will not be able to leave the taxi until you reach your hotel in Belize.

By Water Taxi/Ferry

It is also possible to cross the border by water. There are water taxis and ferries that run from Corozal, Belize, to Chetumal, Mexico. There is also a ferry from Chetumal to the Belizean islands of Caye Caulker and San Pedro.

Onward travel

There are several ways to travel from Mexico to Belize, and vice versa. The most common route is the Santa Elena border, which separates Belize from the Mexican states of Quintana Roo and Campeche. This route spans 250 kilometres (160 miles) and can be crossed by rental car, public bus, or taxi.

If you're travelling by rental car, you will need to prepare the following:

• Immigration papers/visa (if needed)
• 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).

If you're crossing by public bus, you can choose between ADO (departs from Cancun) and Marlin Espades (departs from Chetumal). The ADO bus is the more popular option, with comfortable seats, video screens, USB/AC outlets, bathroom facilities, and air conditioning. The route operates twice a day, at 7:30 am and 10:15 pm, and costs 960 pesos or approximately $50 USD.

If you're crossing by taxi, you will need to show your accommodation documents to Mexican officials and 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 is travelling with you.

Border Crossing Fees and Requirements

There are high fees and taxes when crossing the border between Mexico and Belize, so it's important to budget accordingly. Here are some of the costs you may encounter:

• Mexico charges visitors a departure tax when they leave the country. This is known as the DNI or The Mexican tourist tax and costs approximately 575 pesos or $35 USD. If you flew into Mexico, it's usually included in your ticket price.
• Belize charges an exit fee of 40 BZD / $20 USD per person, payable in cash (in BZD or USD).
• When entering Mexico, you may be required to pay a tax if you're staying for more than seven days. This tax is included in your departure flight if you've already booked one. The cost is 687 MXN / $37-38 USD per person and can be paid by credit card.

In addition to these fees, you will need to present the following documents when crossing the border:

• A valid passport with a minimum of six months' validity and at least two empty pages.
• Proof of pre-booked accommodation, including your name, the hotel's name, and their full address.
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover the cost of your stay.

Other Things to Keep in Mind

• It's recommended to always carry cash when crossing the border, as there are limited ATMs and credit cards may not be accepted everywhere.
• The two countries are in different time zones, so keep this in mind when planning your travel. Mexico's Quintana Roo state is one hour ahead of Belize.
• There is only one land border crossing between Belize and Mexico, but it's also possible to travel by boat. Water taxis run from Caye Caulker and San Pedro islands in Belize to Chetumal, Mexico.

Frequently asked questions