How do i get to San Pedro by ferry or water taxi?
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.
When you walk out the door of the airport, just smile, relax, get a taxi and tell the driver you want to go to the Marine Terminal or just say to the water taxis. The cab is US$25 total (not per person), and it’ll take 20 or 25 minutes to get there. No problem using U.S. cash. The fare is fixed, no bargaining.
It’s a nice drive, with some interesting views of the Belize River, the northern "suburbs" and then downtown Belize City. Some of the drivers are real characters and some are all business. They won’t rip you off. There’s no need to tip the driver beyond the $25 unless you have a lot of luggage, but some people do tip.
The water taxi terminal is sorta in the heart of downtown, next to the famous Swing Bridge. The area is a little funky, but safe in the day time, though there may be some street guys who’ll make a comment or two. Go in and buy your tickets to San Pedro at a little cage inside the building.
If you’ve arrive pretty close to departure time, you’ll see people giving their bags to guys who will put them on the boat, in the bow and also stand them up in the center of the boat. Or if there’s more time before the boat leaves, the luggage is sorta stacked up in a roped area. The boats, generally open with outboard motors, seat maybe 35 people in a U-shape.
If you have extra time, you could walk around a little on Front St. or go to the Image Factory, which is near the Marine Terminal and one of the best places to see and buy contemporary serious art in Belize. There is also a small Maritime Museum in the Marine Terminal. Or you could just grab something to drink and sit and wait in the terminal (not air-conditioned, though).
It’s about a 75 minute ride out to San Pedro. On a nice, sunny day it’s a pleasant trip. Nearly all the boats stop briefly at Caye Caulker and also on demand at Caye Chapel.
You come in at a pier on the front (east) side of San Pedro, more or less in the middle of town. You can walk (if your hotel is in town and nearby), or take a taxi, or your hotel will have arranged to meet you. You should tell your hotel you are coming in by water taxi and ask what you should do.
Several fast boats ferry passengers back and forth between Belize City and San Pedro.
There are scheduled daily departures to and from Belize City, Caye Caulker and San Pedro, Ambergris Caye.
- Belize City Terminal: #10 North Front Street at the Foot of the historic Swing Bridge
- Caye Caulker: At the Main Pier
- San Pedro: Texaco Marina in San Pedro
Thunderbolt (https://www.facebook.com/Thunderbolt-Water-Taxi-532625906838707/. Email: thunderbolttravels@yahoo.com. Contact number: 501 610 4475) is now offering a service between San Pedro and Corozal, leaving each at 7am and 3pm headed for the other. So San Pedro to Corozal at 7am and 3pm, and Corozal to San Pedro also at 7am and 3pm.
Websites for the water taxi companies operating between Belize City & the cayes:
a) San Pedro Belize Express:
http://www.sanpedrowatertaxi.com
b) San Pedro Water Jets Express:
http://www.sanpedrowatertaxi.com
Q: Are there any private water taxis to San Pedro? There are 3 couples and would like to see if options exist.. A: The water taxi company Coastal Xpress will do private runs… Check with them at their dock downtown...
what is a good website to find out more about the ferry? Also, is there any outside seating on the water taxi....any group discounts on either water taxi or ferry? Hi Judy, Coastal Xpress (http://www.coastalxpress.com) runs routes on Ambergris Caye, Belize Express (http://www.belizewatertaxi.com) and Ocean Ferry (http://www.oceanferrybelize.com) run between the islands and to the mainland. Thunderbolt Water Taxi (https://www.facebook.com/Thunderbolt-Water-Taxi-532625906838707/) runs between the Corozal area and San Pedro. They do have outside seating. You would need to ask the companies about discounts. Hope this helps...
Can I buy water taxi tickets before I get to Belize? No need to do that. You will have no problems getting tickets once you arrive.
Is there a rough cost estimate for the ferry from belize city to san pedro? I’m having some difficulty navigating the ferry sites. Thank you. ================ Hi Jessica, its around $20us. peek here: http://www.belizewatertaxi.com/book-now
Hi, If your looking for a more personalized service in the hectic Christmas season, check oit the private water taxi, Nautilus. www.nautiluswatertaxi.com They picked us up as we exited customs in complimentary shuttle and transported us direct to our dock on Ambergis. Hassle-free service for our family of 8.
my plane lands at 4:35.Belize International. Will I be able to catch a 5:30 water taxi to san Pedro? ==== Yes no problem, even if you are late, shuttle flights run to the island ever few minutes, and you can take a later one....
I have had motion sickness on open water. Do you recommend Dramamine on the ferry? -I have used it for scuba diving, I sometimes get ill when getting into the boat after diving, so I think it would probably work for the ferry. Try eating it the night before...
Is there anyway to get from the Belize marina to San Pedro if you arrive late in the afternoon, say after 5 PM? Hi, you can take a flight from Belize City to San Pedro, otherwise spend the night and go in the morning...
SAN PEDRO BELIZE EXPRESS WATER TAXIhttp://www.belizewatertaxi.com/
Thank you for this helpful information.Just curious... Are kids under 5 allowed to take the water taxi? Thanks! YES THEY ARE!
We just moved to Belize and decided to take a taxi to the marine terminal. Our taxi ride was $35 US (but we had a TON of luggage). To read our story of our trip see: http://www.akingslife.com/2011/11/first-time-in-first-class/If you have 3 or more people, the $25-$35US taxi is worth it. If you are just 2 or 1...it would be more economical time and moneywise to fly.Thanks for the post.
Good and useful info. Marty, appreciate it and thnx.
love the way you keep it simple yet still give lots of very helpful information! i was wondering if there was any coverage from the sun during the water taxi ride to san pedro, the photo of the water taxi answered my question, lol!
Always a pleasure to save money. For a family of four this over flying saves a bundle. Great option!!!!
Thank you so much for this article! I’m visiting Belize for a few days in March, and this just made the planning 50% less stressful. Very helpful.
Very helpfull article, ThanX guys
Thanks! We’re also going in February (tomorrow actually!)
thank you for this info,finaly i know what to do about getting to san pedro and back,now still the bus or cab from Chetumal (mexico) to Corozal(belize)
This is very helpful information - thank you! We’re planning a trip to Belize in Feb, and this is such an excellent resource!