The short journey from Belize City to Caye Caulker by plane or boat is absolutely worth it. This small Caribbean island is a place like no other.
It’s the kind of place you visit for a couple of days and stay for a week. The laidback lifestyle, fantastic food, wonderful weather and sensational snorkelling all add to the Caribbean charm.
And this guide has all the information you need to plan your journey and book tickets for the best price from either Belize City or Belize City Airport to Caye Caulker. Including how to avoid extra add-on fees, find out more below…
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How to get from Belize City to Caye Caulker: All Options
There’s just 2 ways to get to the island of Caye Caulker Belize: by air or by sea.
Flights are quick on small propeller plans that give you incredible views of the stunning barrier reef. One that I highly recommend you visit on a Caye Caulker snorkelling tour!
The other option is to take a ferry – called a water taxi in Belize. Although these are more a cross of a speedboat and a ferry. If the weather’s good, sit on the upper deck and feel the wind on your face.
| Boat | Flying | |
| Companies | San Pedro Belize Express, Caribbean Springer | Tropic Air, Maya Island Air |
| Time | 45 mins | 10 mins |
| Price | From 21 USD one-way | From 60 USD one-way |
MOST POPULAR: Book your tickets for the boat from Belize City to Caye Caulker
Belize City to Caye Caulker Ferry (Water Taxis)
Many people don’t know this but there’s actually 2 companies running boats to Caye Caulker from the capital – not just 1. The 2 companies are San Pedro Belize Express (the most popular) and Caribbean Sprinter (previously known as Ocean Ferry).
Each has its own terminal. But they’re located on the same road, just 200 metres apart, with Caribbean Sprinter next to the swing bridge.
So although most transport into Belize City will drop you off at the San Pedro Water Taxi Terminal. You can just walk up the road to Caribbean Sprinter if you need to.
Flying into Belize City and want to get to the water taxi terminal? Taxis cost around 30 USD for the 30-minute journey or shared shuttles are also available at the airport.
Water Taxi Schedule
Between 8 am and 5.30 pm, 13 Belize City to Caye Caulker ferry services run. Schedules do change, so make sure to check before you travel – especially if you’re planning to get the last water taxi of the day.
| Departure times | |
| San Pedro Belize Express | 8.00 am 9.00 am 10.30 am 12 midday 1.30 pm 3.00 pm 4.30 pm 5.30 pm |
| Caribbean Sprinter | 8.00 am 10.30 am 1.30 pm 3.00 pm 4.30 pm |
Prices & How to Book
The main difference between the two companies is the price of the tickets, with Caribbean Sprinter more expensive.
San Pedro Belize Express water taxis
- One-way tickets: 21 USD
- Return tickets: 37 USD
If this isn’t your first time reading a post on this website, you’ll know I’m a big advocate of getting the best price. And this usually means booking direct rather than going through agencies and third parties.
But in this case, Belize Express charge an additional 6 USD in fees to buy a ticket through their website. So, it’s actually cheaper to book through a travel comparison site – and I recommend gottoGo. Unless you want to wait until you’re at the terminal and buy them in person.
Book your tickets for the water taxi from Belize City to Caye Caulker (with no extra fees!)
They’re a Central America-based travel site bringing local businesses online so travellers can book tickets in advance with a secure payment system and the best prices. Saving you time and money to enjoy the rest of your trip.
Also, while it’s technically cheaper to buy a return ticket (for 37 USD). The fees actually make this more expensive than buying two singles on the gottoGo website. And since you have you choose in advance the date and time service you want to return on, booking singles is best for those wanting flexibility in their trip.
Caribbean Sprinter water taxis
- 28 to 30 USD one way
- 37.50 USD return
These can be booked online through the Caribbean Sprinter website (no additional fees) or in person at the terminal.
More posts you might be interested in:
- Flores to Belize City: 5 Routes (From as little as 10 USD!)
- Cancun to Caye Caulker: The ADO Bus is Back + Other Options!
- Bacalar to Caye Caulker Belize: Routes & Prices
- Palenque to Flores (Via El Ceibo): Stress-Free Journey Guide
- Getting from Flores to Semuc Champey (All Routes Explained)
Flying to Caye Caulker from Belize City
Two companies fly from Belize Airport to Caye Caulker: Tropic Air and Maya Island Air. Expect small, propeller planes seating around 10 people.
Both of these companies fly from the international airport – located about a 30-minute drive outside of Belize City. As well as from the local, municipal airport located close to the centre of the city.
The International Airport is best if you’re flying into there from somewhere else. Whereas the local airport is good if you’re already in Belize.
Sure, this isn’t going to be in everyone’s budget. But it’s an option – an option with spectacular views over the barrier reef at that!
Flying from Belize International (BZE – Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport)
| Flight times | |
| Tropic Air (From 99 USD) | 8.40 am 10.40 am 12.40 pm 2.40 pm 4.40 pm 5.40 pm |
| Maya Island Air (From 84 USD) | 12.40 pm 2.40 pm 4.40 pm |
Tropic Air offer cheaper tickets if you book a return (from 153 USD). Maya Island Air don’t, so a round trip with them costs 168 USD.
Booking directly on either the Tropic Air or Maya Island Air website is simple and easy. But you might find it helpful to compare available flights and whether there’s any discounts through online travel agents by using Skyscanner – a flight comparison site.
Flights from Belize Municipal Airport (TZA – Sir Barry Bowen Municipal Airport)
| Flight times | |
| Tropic Air (From 60 USD) | 7.30 am 8.30 am 12.30 pm 2.30 pm 4.30 pm 5.30 pm |
| Maya Island Air (From 56 USD) | 8.30 am 12.30 pm 2.30 pm 4.30 pm |
If you’re planning on returning to Belize City, you can save some money by booking a return trip. With Tropic Air, this will cost 106 USD.
Maya Island Air don’t have discounted return tickets. But two one-way flights will cost from 112 USD.
You can book directly on either the Tropic Air or Maya Island Air website. But you might find it helpful to compare available flights and whether there’s any discounts through online travel agents by using Skyscanner – a flight comparison site.
Baggage Allowances
The lowest fares for Tropic Air include 1 personal item (15 pounds max, no bigger than 18x14x18 inches) and 1 checked bag.
And for Maya Island Air, the cheapest tickets include 2 checked bags only (50 pounds max, no bigger than 27x21x14 inches). More expensive fares allow you to additional have a carry-on (15 pounds max, must fit under seat) and/or personal item.
If you have any questions or want any more information, drop a comment below and I’ll get back to you!
Information is correct as of September 2023 but is subject to change in future.
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