AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums Belize by District Cayo Tikal to Belize

We will be in Tikal at the beginning of Feb. and are thinking of going by surface to Belize City and then on to San Pedro. In the past I have read about robbery and theft on the highway. Is it now safe to travel by land in this area?

Since I first went to Tikal, about 10 or 11 years ago, the level of safety has gone up and down. Sometimes there are a lot of incidents at Tikal and on the road from there to the Belize border; at other times few incidents. I don't think there's any way to predict it. Basically, while something could happen, the chances of being in a traffic accident are probably a lot higher.

--Lan Sluder

We went from San Ignacio, BZ to Tikal a couple of years ago. We went with a small tour (about 8 people). After we crossed the border into Guatamala we hooked up with 5 Guatamalan soldiers who escorted us in their truck the rest of the way to Tikal and then back to the border. We didn't have any problems, but we could sure tell they were definitaly concerned about "bandits". I felt more comfortable with the soldiers accompanying us. By the way, Tikal is fabulous! Amazing! I'm glad we made the trip.
Anita

I think it's important to note that the most dangerous part of the journey you mention is the part in Guatemala...rather than Belize. I went from Cayo, Belize to Tikal a year ago and there were no problems though I have heard of more recent attacks at Tikal itself and on the way there. The only reason I felt safe when we went was that I trusted our driver and he made us feel safe (a big guy!) and inconspicious.

Just do the Guatemala to the Belize border section in the daytime.

everythings cool on the belize side.

Take a plane if it makes you more comfortable.
You get to spend a lot more time there that way.
Jim

It's a much easier trip from Belize City to Flores than vice-versa. Guatemalan tour mini buses leave the Belize Marine Terminal every morning at 10:00am. The ticket price is $20.00US and the trip takes less than 4 hours and is quite pleasant.

Unfortunately, the return journey on the same mini bus means you have to get up early...the mini buses leave Flores at 5:00am.

If there are 2 or more of you you can get a taxi van from Flores to the Belize border for well under $100.00US and then just grab one of the many frequent buses from the border to Belize City.

I do NOT recommend taking the "chicken bus" from Flores to the Belize border and unfortunately to the best of my knowledge there is no "Pullman" (Guatemalan first class bus) between those destinations.

The Belizean "Chicken buses" are much nicer and less crowded.

Chris www.waterfallcourt.com