Getting Around

Getting Around Belize

The International Airport in Belize is the Philip S W Goldson International Airport (BZE). Domestically local airlines connect Belize City with the main towns and cayes and flights leave from both the international airport and the municipal airstrip with the main carriers being Maya Island Air and Tropic Air. Travellers should be aware that Belizean airlines have been classified as category two, which means they do not meet the ICAO safety standards however domestic flights are generally pretty reasonable, and most flights are in small Cessnas that seat around 8-15 people.

Most of the roads in Belize are unpaved single or double lane highways that are usually washed out during torrential rains. The exception to this are four paved highways. These include the Northern Highway between Belize City and the Mexican border town of Chetumal, the Western Highway between Belize City and the Guatemala Border, the Hummingbird Highway from Belmopan to Dangriga and the Southern Highway down to Punta Gorda. Travellers should be aware that road traffic accidents are a common occurrence due to local driving standards being extremely poor. In Belize traffic drives on the right.

Inexpensive daily bus services are available to most towns and villages, and to the Mexican and Guatemalan borders. Generally there are many delays due to breakdowns and travel is usually in overcrowded and old US school buses.

Many international and local car hire firms are available in Belize City as well as Ladyville (Belize Airport), Dangriga and San Ignacio. To hire a car, drivers need to be 25 years old and if travelling south of Belize City 4-wheel drive vehicles are recommended.

The speed limit is 90kph on highways and 40kph on most other roads and seat belts are compulsory. Car insurance is compulsory when hiring a vehicle. An International Driving Permit is required if driving longer than three months otherwise a national driving license is acceptable.