Belize: Getting there & around

The Philip Goldson International Airport is located at Ladyville, 18km (11mi) northwest of Belize City's center. Airlines flying to and from Belize include American, Continental, Delta, Grupo TACA, Maya Island, Tikal, Tropic and US. Most flights enter the country via the USA and some Central American capitals.

By land, there are two official crossings on the Belize/Mexico border: Subteniente López/Santa Elena, which is more frequently used, and La Unión/Blue Creek. The only crossing on the Guatemalan border is a mile west of Benque Viejo del Carmen, in Belize.

Bus passengers crossing land borders must disembark and carry their luggage through immigration and customs.

To bring a car into Belize, obtain a permit at the border - you must also have proof of ownership and Belizean car insurance.

The only scheduled boat services into Belize are from Puerto Cortés, Honduras; Puerto Barrios, Guatemala; and from Lívingston, Guatemala.

Belize's domestic airlines, Maya Island Air and Tropic Air, are efficient and reasonably priced. They use the international airport and the Municipal Airstrip, 19km (12mi) apart. Beyond Belize City, there are domestic airports in Caye Caulker, Corozal, Dangriga, Placencia, Punta Gorda and San Pedro.

Novelo's bus line travels regularly on the country's major roads (Corozal to Belize City, Benque Viejo del Carmen to Belize City, and Belmopan to Dangriga) - they're old US school buses which will stop anywhere to drop people off or pick them up. James bus line is another domestic long-distance service. A variety of smaller companies also serve villages around the country.

Cars and motorbikes can be rented in Belize City if you're at least 25 years old and have a valid driver's license from your home country.

Most of Belize's roads are pretty flat, so cycling is an option. Bicycles can be hired.