AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums Belize by District Corozal Cancun/Playa Del Carmen to Ambergris by Bus or Car

Anyone know if this is possible and how much time & money it takes? We will probably be in Playa so if we could catch a bus there, that would be best. Do we have to go all the way to Belize City to come back to Ambergris? Also, how safe would it be to take a rental car across the border and then leave it wherever when going to ambergris?

Thanks.

When we were in Akumal a few years back, we were told that no rentals could be taken across the border (From Mexico). Best bet is the bus. I think it is pretty cheap, but I don't know exactly how much.

Hi there

It is possible to get to Ambergris from Playa

Take the 1st class bus from Playa (cost approx $20 U.S) takes 4 and a half hours to get to Chetumal I susually take the 9.15am which leaves playa bus terminal and arrives at 2pm at chetumal, I then have a belizean Taxi driver (approx cost $25 U.S) meet me at chetumal Bus station who escorts us through the border to Belize into Corozal.

from there you can Fly directly to Ambergris Caye $60 I think Leaves at 3.30 and again at 5 if My memory serves.

You can do the same back flights leave Ambergris for Corozal at 7am and 3pm

best regards

Gaz Cooper
Playa Blanca Dive & Beach Club www.playablancabelize.com

I posted a trip report about 2 weeks which covered my bus trips from Cancun to Corozal (I then flew to San Pedro from there). I believe that particular detail is Part 1. You can't take rentals into Belize and there are no "one way" rentals. If you need further details just post.

Nate

Crystal Auto Rental will rent cars to go to Tikal so maybe they will rent cars to go to Mexico.

Is it possible to get to San Pedro without flying and without going down to Belize City to catch a water taxi? We are trying to get there and back fairly cheaply and flying adds quite a bit to the costs for a roundtrip.

Not unless your car will float a long time. San Pedro is on Ambergris Caye, which is an island.

Thunderbolt water taxi leaves form Corozal daily at 3pm or 3.30 not sure but its $45 Bze one way and takes an hour and a half

regards

Gaz Cooper
Playa Blanca Dive & beach Club www.playablancabelize.com

You can take a boat from Corozal (which was mentioned before) the only problem is that it only leaves twice a day and it takes 1 1/2 hours. That leaves you a small window (3:30 PM departure)if you are trying to get there from Playa del Carmen. The boat ride is only going to be about $15 US cheaper and the flight is only 25 min. (with the small Cesna). The last flights out are Maya Airlines at 5 PM and Tropic Air at 5:30 PM and there are several flights earlier in the day.

Nate

I've done the Playa to Belize trip by bus several times, most recently in June. Here are a few tips not covered yet in other postings:

* You take an ADO (Autobuses de Oriente) bus from Playa to Chetumal, but note that there are now TWO ADO terminals in Playa. The older one, near the ferry landing, is NOT the one you want. The newer one -- it opened earlier this year -- is a taxi ride away.

* Buses from Playa to Chet leave about every two hours during the day. It takes about 4 1/2 hours with one stop. I think the last trip I paid about US$17, but it varies depending on the exchange rate and where you buy it. Buses are fairly modern, with A/C, reserve seats and videos.

* In Chetumal, you will arrive at the main terminal. Most buses to Belize -- Novelo's dominate this route -- leave from the New Market terminal BUT they stop briefly at the main terminal, so you can catch them there. It's about US$2 to Corozal Town. The bus is a big help in getting you across the border, as it stops first at the Mexican check point, where you may have to pay your Mexican tourist fee if you haven't already (about US$20) but don't have to take your luggage. You then reboard bus and cross the bridge to Belizean customs and immigration, where you do have to take your luggage. Then reboard the bus to go into Corozal (the whole process from Chetumal to Corozal takes less than an hour usually). The driver's assistant will assist you with luggage and may help with Mexican officials.

Also keep in mind the difference between Mexican and Belize time (!) For one thing, Belize doesn't follow Daylight Savings Time.

In Corozal, you can fly (Tropic or Maya Island) direct to San Pedro. The airstrip is just south of town. One-way to San Pedro is US$35-$40. Or as Gaz says you can take the ferry. Lady Lowe ferry no longer runs to San Pedro, but Thunderbolt does.

By the way, Corozal Town is a nice little place. Not a whole lot to do, but it's safe, friendly and an enjoyable place to just look around. The setting on Corozal Bay is beautiful. And hotels and restaurant prices are a fraction of what they are in San Pedro. At best restaurant in town, Cafe Kela, you can get a great meal for US$5, or for really cheap Mexican-style food try Cactus.

A few car rental places in Cancun/Playa will let you take the vehicle into Belize, but if you are going to Ambergris Caye I don't really think it's worth the expense and hassle to rent a car, pay for Belize insurance and then leave it on the mainland.

--Lan Sluder
Belize books and publications by Lan Sluder:
Belize First Magazine (http://www.belizefirst.com)
Fodor's Belize & Guatemala Guide (new 4th edition coming this summer)
Adapter Kit: Belize (the first and only comprehensive guide to living, retiring, working and investing in Belize -- a best-seller on Amazon.com)
San Pedro Cool (the first and only visitor guide to Ambergris Caye)
Belize First Guide to Mainland Belize
UpClose Central America
Belize Book of Lists