Thanks all for the great and informative posts. I have sat glued to my seat reading the endless posts for the last three nights. Today, I finally booked an AC vacation between August 5th through the 9th. Since this is my first trip to Belize, I really value suggestions and tips from this forum. The question that is bugging me all day is how do you get from the International Airport to San Pedro? We're a little squeamish flying in small airplanes, so I would be going by the water route. What do you do when you get off the big airplane? Take a taxi to where to catch what? Large ferry, small water taxi or something in between? What is the length of time by water from Belize City to San Perdo? Do you book in advance or pay before boarding? Any comments would be greatly appreciated, and I can finish putting the vacation puzzle together.

Take the plane, honey, take the plane.

It's not that I don't understand, because I do. My first trip over, I was exactly like you and didn't want to take the small plane. It was OK. On the way back, my friends had to force load me.

But since then I've been back and forth, many, many times . . and I've also taken the boat. I'm tellin' ya. Take the plane. You will learn to love it. In fact, if you can arrange it, get them to seat you in the co-pilot seat and if you can't get that seat, then sit in the very back.

Seriously . . don't be afraid. Try it, you will like it and there's *nothing* in the world like you will see looking out of the window. Nothing and I've been lots of places in this world.

In complete agreement with Seashell: Plainly, the plane!

A friend went with us last year & she was exactly like you.."Scared to death" , later she commented that was one of the many highlites of her first trip to AC... Now she can hardly wait to go again...Like most I highly recommend the plane....That's just more time for you in "PARADISE>>>>>>>>>IMHO...Johnboy

Airatomic -

I agree the flight is much better than the boat ride. However, I also understand you having a fear of small planes. I am not afraid of flying in small planes, but do have a phobia that people have been telling me all my life to just not be afraid. Sometimes it is just not that easy.

The information I have included here can be found at this address:

//ambergriscaye.com/pages/town/quick.html


"Visitors to the Caye can also take a water taxi or ferry from Belize City to San Pedro. The trip, mostly on fast open boats with twin outboard engine seating 20 or 25 people takes about 75 minutes. On a sunny, calm day, it's a great introduction to Belize; on a rainy, windy day the trip can be wet and rough.

Several fast boats ferry passengers back and forth between Belize City and San Pedro, including Thunderbolt, Andrea and Triple J. Probably the most accessible boats are those in the Caye Caulker Water Taxi Association. These leave from the Marine Terminal near the Swing Bridge in Belize City. The Marine Terminal has a waiting area and two small museums to visit while you wait. Boats to San Pedro leave at 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m., with a brief stop at Caye Caulker. Fares are US$12.50 one-way to Ambergris Caye. You disembark at Sharks pier in the middle of town. Fares just to Caye Caulker are US$7.50, and boats depart at 9, 10:30, noon, 1:30, 3 and 5. Children 5 to 10 go at half price; under 5 free. You can make reservations, but service is more likely to be first-come, first-served. A cab to down Belize City from the International Airport is about 20 minutes and US$17.50 for up to five people.

This is the cheapest way to Ambergris, approximately $15.00 U.S. one way. There are several to choose from, ask anyone when you arrive in Belize to direct you or take a cab. Everyone knows these boats. The ferry is is first come first served. The Andrea leaves at 3 PM. It is the latest ferry.

To get to the ferry from the airport, take a taxi from International Airport to Belize City. Taxis are available from the airport and in all towns. Rates are generally not posted in taxis. The airport is located nine miles from the city and is about a 15-20 minute ride."


However you decide to get to San Pedro I am sure you will have a great time and will want to return.

Hope this helps. Kathy

Take the plane! I too was deathly afraid the first time. It was 10 yrs ago and it was a 4 seater plane (+ the pilot and a pilot amigo seat). I didn't even know about the little plane trip as it was a surprise to me where we were going; surprise honeymoon trip from hubby. Anyway, just do it. You will be so glad you did. I recommend sitting in the seat just behind the pilot, this is where I sit and I find it comforting to watch the pilot. He feels completely at ease and I think about how many times a day/week/month he takes these trips. Besides this, I have heard the boat trip is very anticlimactic (that spelling looks wrong but ???) Additionally, the plane ride is VERY short. Before you know it you are there.

By the by, you are getting this advice from someone who, when really afraid of something, passes out and has seizures from the fright. I didn't do that here. All was A OK.

I've been on the planes and the water taxis and have found both can be rewarding experiences.
Just make it part of the adventure and you will likely never be disappointed. It is always good to see how the people in the country live and travel.
Richard

Two things to think about if you chose the boat. If your International flights arrive later than 3pm (take into account delays) you may well miss the last boat as it is leaves at 4:30pm. That will mean overnight in the City unless you can get back to the Municipal before 5:30 when the last flight leaves there. Secondly I think that all the boats are open nowadays so be prepared, be that rain or shine.

To all who responded!

Thank you for all your input. Looking forward to my August 5-9th AC vacation. Looks like flying is the way to go. Thanks again! PRS

The water taxi info is a bit old, the prices have risen slightly due to the cost of fuel. So have taxi prices from International to the the Marine Terminal. Many of the boats are covered also. I live on Caye Caulker and I have no choice, since our airstrip is closed right now for repairs (which is going along just fine in case you are asking) so I have to take the boat to and from. But my advice is... take the plane to San Pedro. If you still want the water taxi experience, (which isnt as bad as the drama queens say) take it on the way home. Most of the water taxi customers have come into Belize by land and the ratio of Caye Caulker vs San Pedro customers is 3:1 for the boat. It is a long ride, but a pretty one, and yes, part of the experience.
--Lee
www.caribbean-colors.com
www.cybercayecaulker.com