Central America - Belize City to Ambergris Caye - best way to travel

We are heading to Belize for the first time over Xmas and need to get from Belize City Int'l Airport to San Pedro Town on Ambergris Caye. Has anyone made this trip before?

By the sounds of it, the short flight is far more desireable than a 30 minute cab ride and a 75+ minute water taxi trip.

*If the flight arrives in Belize City from Houston at 15:43, do I have enough time to catch a 16:40 flight or do we need to wait for the 17:40?

We are heading to Belize for the first time over Xmas and need to get from Belize City Int'l Airport to San Pedro Town on Ambergris Caye. Has anyone made this trip before?

By the sounds of it, the short flight is far more desireable than a 30 minute cab ride and a 75+ minute water taxi trip.

*If the flight arrives in Belize City from Houston at 15:43, do I have enough time to catch a 16:40 flight or do we need to wait for the 17:40?

Even if you have checked bags, it will only take you 30 minutes tops to clear immigration and customs. Faster if you are sitting up front and exit the plane first.

Book the 16:40, and if you make it, it awesome. If not, they will put you on the next flight. Not a big deal. It's Belize time.

I have a place on AC and have made this trip over a 150 times. You made the right choice to fly Tropic.

HP

Ah, but the boat trip is so much fun :)

EmailKid

Even if you have checked bags, it will only take you 30 minutes tops to clear immigration and customs. Faster if you are sitting up front and exit the plane first.

Book the 16:40, and if you make it, it awesome. If not, they will put you on the next flight. Not a big deal. It's Belize time.

I have a place on AC and have made this trip over a 150 times. You made the right choice to fly Tropic.

HP

I have heard that bringing alcohol into Belize can be a pain at customs. Is that true?

I have heard that bringing alcohol into Belize can be a pain at customs. Is that true?

You can bring with you one liter of wine or spirits, free of customs duty.

As a side note, the price at duty free at BZE when you arrive for scotch is very good ( at least in relation to the us price, and they are sold in 1 liter bottles, not 750ml)


HP

Ah, but the boat trip is so much fun :)

EmailKid

So if one wants to experience the boat and plane- which one should I do first? Arriving mid-day on Delta, so either should allow enough time; and traveling with another pax, so splitting the taxi cost to the port or muni airport will be reasonable. Was thinking of taking the plane to Caye Caulker first, and the boat back so there won't be baggage issues (as the Cessna seems to be fairly limited and I'll probably bring home more then I take there).

So if one wants to experience the boat and plane- which one should I do first? Arriving mid-day on Delta, so either should allow enough time; and traveling with another pax, so splitting the taxi cost to the port or muni airport will be reasonable. Was thinking of taking the plane to Caye Caulker first, and the boat back so there won't be baggage issues (as the Cessna seems to be fairly limited and I'll probably bring home more then I take there).

There are no Baggage restrictions on Tropic air. Everyone i know that have taken the boat have only taken it once. You will be sitting next to a crying baby on one side and a feeding baby on the other.lol...Make the most of your time and fly.

Land Taxi is $25 us each way.

There are no Baggage restrictions on Tropic air. Everyone i know that have taken the boat have only taken it once. You will be sitting next to a crying baby on one side and a feeding baby on the other.lol...Make the most of your time and fly.

Land Taxi is $25 us each way.

Cool- thanks for the info- reminds me of 7H in Alaska ;) with luggage strapped down in seats next to you...

Cool- thanks for the info- reminds me of 7H in Alaska ;) with luggage strapped down in seats next to you...

lol, The airline I work for is top notch. We operate Cesna Grand Carivans. Since I have been here They have bought one new a year over the past three years and two this year. all state of the art. lots of cool videos on the web.

We took a trip in early Jan this last year -

Started on Caye Caulker - spent 5 days there - on one day - we took the boat back to Belize city for a landside trip - the boat was an experience....however - the boat from Caye Caulker is quicker to the mainland than the boat from San Pedro (same boat - but 1 stop closer!).

The boat was an experience - I however would not want to take it if i had any fragile dive gear - as i saw a bunch of bags being tossed around during loading....without bags however, it was fun.....(you are stuffed inside the cabin - there are very little places to be "outside" on the boat).

On our trip - we flew from Caye Caulker to San Pedro to continue our trip - 5 days in San Pedro, and then flew back from San Pedro to BZE.

I vote hands down to fly - Tropic Air was our choice and they were top notch.

Other folks haven't mentioned it - but be careful as Tropic flys in daylight only - we got nervous as our flight was late coming into BZE< and we were scheduled for one of the last flights - but they get you there - it is definatly not the same as flying in the US...

Planes are well maintained - they also usually fly with only 1 pilot - so if you a flying buff - ask to sit in the co-pilot seat....a great experience!

Enjoy the flights - they are short, and scenic -

Side note to any divers - If you are still within your no-fly limits - i heard that the pilots will fly at low altitude to keep you safe - i believe they will fly around 1000foot.....super fun!

Boats outside of Canada and US in this part of the world do not have to meet any of the safety standards that are taken for granted in US and Canada. I've taken many boats in Central and South America including liveaboard dive boats, and all I can say is choose carefully and wisely, and hope weather is kindly to you. An aircraft will get you there much faster, and the pilot is trained/licensed and wants to get there as much as you do.

Planes are well maintained - they also usually fly with only 1 pilot - so if you a flying buff - ask to sit in the co-pilot seat....a great experience!

Enjoy the flights - they are short, and scenic -

Side note to any divers - If you are still within your no-fly limits - i heard that the pilots will fly at low altitude to keep you safe - i believe they will fly around 1000foot.....super fun!

nevermind