Belize: Flying Into San Pedro

To get to San Pedro in Belize, you'll need to fly into the Philip Goldson International Airport (BZE) in Ladyville, which is 20 minutes away from Belize City. From there, you can either fly or take a boat to San Pedro. By air, it's a 15-20 minute flight, and the boat trip takes about 75 minutes. Maya Island Air and Tropic Air fly directly from the International Airport to San Pedro. The cheapest one-way flight from Belize City to San Pedro is currently $93 with Maya Island Air.

Flying from Belize City to San Pedro

If you're looking to fly from Belize City to San Pedro, you're in luck! The flight time between Belize City and San Pedro is a quick 10 to 21 minutes, depending on your choice of airline. Maya Island Air and Tropic Air are two popular airlines that offer nonstop flights from Belize City to San Pedro.

When it comes to finding the best deals on flights, consider booking your trip for earlier in the week, as Mondays and Thursdays tend to offer the cheapest airfares. February is typically the cheapest month to fly, while July and December are the most expensive.

• $82 one-way on Tropic Air, found on KAYAK
• $47 one-way, $118 round-trip on Orbitz
• $93 one-way, $174 round-trip on Expedia
• $129 one-way, $257 round-trip on Travelocity

Keep in mind that flight prices are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates. It's always a good idea to book in advance and be flexible with your travel dates to find the best deals.

Tropic Air and Maya Island Air

Belize City is the gateway to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. The island is a top dive destination, with the largest coral reef of the Americas just off its shore. To get to San Pedro, you must fly or take a boat from Belize City.

Belize City has two airports: the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) and the Belize City Sir Barry Bowen Municipal Airport (TZA). Maya Island Air and Tropic Air offer direct flights to San Pedro from both airports. The flight time is around 20 minutes, and the fare is approximately $44 one-way from the international airport and $23 from the municipal airport. Maya Island Air offers 11 daily flights from Belize City and three from Corozal to San Pedro. The cheapest one-way flight from Belize City to San Pedro with Maya Island Air is $93. Tropic Air offers non-stop flights from Belize City to San Pedro, with the cheapest round-trip flight currently at $167.

Both airlines fly Cessna planes, which seat about a dozen passengers. The San Pedro airstrip is the only one on the island and is located in downtown San Pedro. From there, you can easily find a taxi or be met by your hotel or lodging.

International Airport vs Municipal Airport

To get to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, you'll need to fly into Belize City. There are two airports in Belize City: the Philip Goldson International Airport and the Belize City Municipal Airport.

International airports are publicly owned airports that have at least 2,500 passenger boardings each year and receive scheduled passenger service. They tend to be quite busy, with flights coming in from all over the world on a 24-hour basis. They are also where a lot of transfers and connections to other international destinations occur.

Municipal airports are typically run by municipal or county governments. They are smaller in size and scope of service than international airports and tend to serve smaller places.

In the case of Belize City, the international airport is located just outside the city, while the municipal airport is a small airstrip in the city itself. The municipal airport is a good option if you're looking to save money, especially if you're travelling in a group. However, if you're looking to save time, it's easier to fly into the international airport and walk over to the domestic terminal to catch your connecting flight to San Pedro.

The flight from Belize City to San Pedro is a quick 20-minute trip, and it offers beautiful views of the mainland, the cayes, and the barrier reef. Maya Island Air and Tropic Air offer flights from both the international and municipal airports in Belize City to San Pedro.

Getting to Ambergris Caye

Ambergris Caye is an island off the coast of Belize, so you'll need to take a plane or boat from the mainland. The island is 35 miles east of Belize City and 14 miles north of Caye Caulker. The closest international airport is Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) near Belize City. From there, you can either take a domestic flight or a water taxi to the island.

Domestic Flights

Taking a domestic flight to Ambergris Caye is the most direct option. Both Belizean airlines, Maya Island Air and Tropic Air, offer flights to San Pedro in Ambergris Caye from across Belize. From the BZE airport, a flight to San Pedro costs approximately US-$80, and you'll be treated to a 25-30 minute flight with fantastic views of the barrier reef and neighbouring islands.

Maya Island Air offers 11 daily flights from Belize City and 3 from Corozal to San Pedro on Ambergris Caye. Tropic Air has a more reliable service with a computerized system, and also offers flights from San Pedro to Belmopan, providing quicker access to the Cayo District. Maya Island Air sometimes offers 50% discounts on cash purchases, so be sure to ask if a discount is available.

The flight from Belize City to San Pedro takes about 15-20 minutes and costs around US-$25-44 each way. Flying in and out of Belize City's municipal airport is much cheaper than the international airport, although you'll need to catch a taxi to get there.

Water Taxi

Water taxis to Ambergris Caye depart daily from the Belize City harbour. Boats leave for San Pedro on an hourly basis from 8 am to 5:30 pm. The boat ride takes about 1.5 hours and costs US$30.50 one way or US$56.50 return.

Two companies provide scheduled water taxi service: Ocean Ferry and the San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi. The latter offers more daily departures and the ride costs US$14.50-20 one-way. Both companies provide free Wi-Fi on the boat.

In Belize City, the Ocean Ferry Water Taxi Terminal is on North Front Street next to the Swing Bridge, and the San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi departs from the Tourism Village. In San Pedro, boats depart from the pier across from Doc'ks Tiki Bar.

Water taxis from Belize City

To get from Belize City to San Pedro, you can either fly or take a water taxi. While flying is faster, water taxis are a cheaper option.

There are two water taxi services that run regularly from Belize City to San Pedro: San Pedro Belize Express and Caribbean Sprinter. Both companies have terminals on the water in Belize City, about 12 miles from the Philip Goldson International Airport. To get to the terminals from the airport, you can take a taxi, which costs $25 US, with an additional $5 US fee often added per extra passenger. The taxi ride can take anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic.

The water taxi ride from Belize City to San Pedro takes about 1.5 hours. The boats are generally covered but open-air, with limited seating on top. The back of the boat provides the smoothest ride, while the front can be bumpier. The water taxis go from Belize City to Caye Caulker and then on to San Pedro. The ride from Belize City to Caye Caulker is about an hour, and the total ride to San Pedro is 1.5 hours.

The last boats from Belize City to San Pedro leave at 5:30 pm sharp, so make sure to plan your trip accordingly. The water taxis are generally on time, but there have been reports of delays, so it is recommended to build in some extra travel time.

The water taxis are considered safe, and the staff are usually friendly and helpful. However, the boats can get crowded, and there have been reports of overloading. The water taxis are also not very comfortable, especially if you are sitting at the back, as you may get wet from the spray and wind.

The cost of the water taxi varies, with some reporting a round trip price of $50 BZE, while others were charged $51 USD. Locals say that the rate is usually $30 USD, so it is recommended to shop around and compare prices with other water taxi companies.

Overall, the water taxi is a good option for those looking for a cheaper alternative to flying. It offers a beautiful ride and is generally efficient and reliable, but it can be time-consuming and uncomfortable.

Frequently asked questions