Total Time
3.5-5.5 Hours
Total Cost
250 Pesos
This guide will help you through the cheapest way of getting to Belize through the Chetumal border of Mexico. Whether you are coming from Chetumal itself, Bacalar, or further up north like Cancun, Tulum and Valladolid, this guide is for you.
WHERE DOES THE BUS DEPART FROM? HOW LONG IS IT? HOW MUCH?
The bus crossing the Santa Elena land border into Belize departs from the “New Market” Mercado Lazaro Cardenas in Chetumal. It does not look like the most official bus station but trust the process. The busses leave at 10:30AM, 12:00PM, 12:30PM, 2:00PM and 2:30PM. We recommend taking the earliest bus in order to arrive in Belize City early. It felt unsafe to walk around past dark.
If you started your trip in Mexico, this is most likely going to be your introduction to “chicken busses”. They are old refurbished school busses used for public transport. They can be really crowded, sweaty, and slow (or way too fast) but they will get you to your destination for a ridiculously low price. The ride costs 250 pesos all the way from Chetumal to Belize City. The bus will wait for you at the border as you go through the immigration process.
The entire journey from Chetumal to Belize City takes between 3.5 to 5.5 hours.
If you are coming from Bacalar or other nearby towns, small van shuttles a.k.a “collectivos” run more or less every 20 minutes heading into Chetumal. Just head to the main highway and flag one down, no need to wait at an official stop.
If you are coming from further away like Tulum, Valladolid, Campeche, Merida, or Cancun, the easiest option is to get a longer distance public bus from the company ADO. Coming from these towns all the way into Belize would be a very long day and I would definitely recommend spending a night in Bacalar or Chetumal to get the journey into Belize started early. These buses go from 30-40$ USD.
(17.4936493, -88.1873809) This is about where the bus drops you off in Belize City. From here, it is close and safe enough to walk to the water taxis and main touristy area.
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