Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker by Water Taxi

cayecaulker-belize
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When most people think about Belize, they immediately picture the Great Blue Hole, and the countless islands and atolls that dot the Belizean coast. This has led many travelers who are coming from Mexico or Guatemala by land to skip inland destinations in Belize for the popular beaches of Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye.

The cayes can be cheaply and easily reached using Belize City as the focal point since there are two highly dependable water taxi services that leave each hour. Also available to individuals who are in Chetumal (Mexico’s border city to Belize), is direct water taxi transfers to Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye via the San Pedro Water Taxi.

Water Taxi from Belize City to the Northern Cayes

Belize Water Taxi
Water Taxi Dock in Belize City

There are two water taxi services leaving from Belize City to the northern cayes of Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye: the San Pedro Belize Express, and the Ocean Ferry. The water taxis leave from downtown Belize City and take approximately 1 1/2 hours to Caye Caulker and 2 hours to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye.

1. Getting to Belize City from Northern Belize

Corozal, the northernmost district is connected to Belize City by the Northern Highway. The Northern Highway starts immediately after leaving the Mexican border, enters Corozal town and passes through Orange Walk town before arriving in Belize City.

The bus from Corozal to Belize City takes 3 hours. And Orange Walk to Belize City it takes about 2 hours. If you’re traveling by private vehicle, you can half the bus times.

2. Getting to Belize City from Western Belize

In the western part of Belize, travelers in Cayo use the Western Highway to go to Belize City. The highway starts in Benque Viejo del Carmen, which is the first town after leaving Guatemala. The next big community is the twin towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena and then there are several small roadside villages before arriving at the Capital City of Belmopan. From Belmopan, continuing east takes you past other small roadside villages, then the Belize Zoo and later, Belize City.

The bus from Benque to Belize City takes about 3 hours. From San Ignacio to Belize City it takes about 2.5 hours. And from Belmopan to Belize City it takes about 1 hour. If you’re traveling by private vehicle, you can half the bus times.

3. Getting to Belize City from Southern Belize

The Southern Highway connects Toledo, the southernmost district of Belize to Stann Creek, and the Hummingbird Highway connects Stann Creek to Belmopan, where the Western Highway starts.

The bus from Punta Gorda to Belize City takes about 6.5 hours. From Placencia to Belize City it takes about 5 hours. From Independence/ Mango Creek to Belize City it takes about 4.5 hours. From Dangriga to Belize City it takes about 3 hours. And from Belmopan to Belize City it takes about 1 hour. If you’re traveling by private vehicle, you can half the bus times.

Inside Scoop

If you want to save $10 on your water taxi trip, buy a round-trip ticket instead of just a one-way ticket. From my experience, it is best to take the San Pedro Belize Express as the boats are newer, they have great customer service and it makes better speed.

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  1. martin says

    hi there my flight arrives on the 11th jan at 138pm from montreal….do you think i will have enought time to grab a taxi and make to the harbor for the last boat ride at 530 ?? thanks and love your blog

  2. Nicky says

    FIrst time going to Belize. How many days in each island would you suggest? do we get around when on the island?

  3. Ashley says

    Are there any water taxis that will take you between Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker? We would like to stay a few days on each island and it would be easiest to just go straight from one island to the next island. Thank you.

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