How can I get a bus from Mexico to Belize?
You can get a nice, clean, air conditioned bus with rest rooms and reclining chairs (maybe even a bar and TV!) that run non stop between Cancun and Chetumal.
Here’s a link for scheduling:
https://www.ticketbus.com.mx/ticketbus/eng/index.jsp
To get to Ambergris Caye from Cancun or Playa del Carmen by bus or car, take the 1st class bus from Playa (cost approx $20 U.S) and it takes 4 and a half hours to get to Chetumal. I usually take the 9:15am which leaves the Playa bus terminal and arrives at 2pm at Chetumal, I then have a Belizean taxi driver (approx cost $25 U.S) meet me at the Chetumal bus station who escorts us through the border to Belize into Corozal.
From there you can fly directly to Ambergris Caye for about $35-40, leaving at 3:30 and again at 5or so.
You can do the same on the way back, flights leave Ambergris for Corozal at 7am and 3pm.
NOTES:
* 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 del Carmen to Chetumal 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 you can take the ferry.
By the way, Corozal Town is a nice little place. 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.
Also you can check with George And Esther Moralez at http://gettransfers.com or the Menzie’s at http://belizetransfers.com . They can help you.