Getting from Flores to Belize City is easier than it’s been in years. Thanks to the direct public buses resuming their service between Guatemala and Belize after a 3-year break.
As well as intercity public buses, there’s also the option to fly indirect or take a shuttle. And you can also travel the route using a string of local bus connections and a short-distance taxi.
Getting to Belize doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, it can be done for as little as 10 USD!
So whatever your budget, this guide on going from Flores Guatemala to Belize City is for you. Find out more about the routes, journey times, costs and how to book…
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How to get from Flores to Belize City: Overview
You have 5 different transportation options for getting to Belize City, which include flights, buses and shuttles. The main difference between them is cost, as they all take pretty much the same amount of time.
Once you reach Belize City, you might be heading out to the Caribbean island of Caye Caulker. Or continuing to Bacalar or further north from Belize to Cancun in Mexico.
But if you’re doing this journey in reverse – from Belize City to Flores – you might next be heading to Palenque in Mexico. Or from Flores to Lanquin for Semuc Champey. There’s also San Pedro Sula in Honduras that acts as a gateway to Utila, Roatan and Lake Yojoa.
And remember, if you’re just planning on travelling straight through Belize, it is actually possible to go directly from Flores to Bacalar without getting off in Belize City.
| OVERVIEW |
| Flying *Most Expensive* via Guatemala City | 220+ USD Jump to this section |
| Shuttle 5 hours | From Isla Flores | 35 to 60 USD Jump to this section |
| Public bus *Cheapest direct option* 6 hours | From Santa Elena Bus Terminal | 20 USD Jump to this section |
| Public bus *Most convenient* 5 hours | From Isla Flores | 25 USD Jump to this section |
| Local buses (plus short-distance taxis) *Cheapest option* 7 hours | From Santa Elena Bus Terminal | 10 to 23 USD Jump to this section |
Quick-Fire FAQs
Most journeys take 5 to 6 hours depending on how quickly you get through the border. Flying is a little quicker (4 hours).
5 to 6 hours – probably closer to 6 in reality.
If you use local buses on either side of the border, you can do the journey for 10 USD. But this includes walking a lot. Or, direct public buses cost 20 to 25 USD.
Not directly. The only available route is via Guatemala City.
Flying from Flores Guatemala to Belize City
Currently, there are no direct flights between Flores Airport and Belize – despite what Skyscanner might tell you.
Flying indirectly makes the journey longer. And if you miss your connection you’ll actually be further from Belize than you were when you started the journey!
Remember, you’ll arrive into Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport, which is around a 45-minute drive from the centre of Belize City. Factor this travel time and cost into your decision.
Available Routes
If you want to fly, your only option is to go via Guatemala City with TAG Airlines.
They operate one flight a day, leaving Flores at 7.20 am.
Most commonly, your journey will take 3 hours 40 minutes – arriving into Belize City BZE airport at 11 am.
But sometimes, this cuts down to 2 hours 10 minutes – arriving at 9.30 am. However, this does require a tight and speedy 15-minute layover in Guatemala City.
Cost & How to Book
Prices start at 220 USD one-way for the lowest fare class. This includes carry-on only with a weight limit of 10 pounds (4 kg), additional luggage comes at an extra cost.
For the best price, book online directly on the TAG Airlines website.
Shuttle to Belize City Water Taxi Terminal from Flores Island
In my opinion, shared shuttles on this route to Belize City are overpriced. And they offer no benefits over the direct bus routes below.
But, shuttle buses are an option, so it’s only fair to let you weigh them up when making your decision.
Departure Times & Journey Length
The Flores to Belize City shuttles leave at 6 am and 7 am each day. They arrive in Belize City – at the water taxi terminal – approximately 5 hours later.
The shuttles leave from next to the I heart Peten (Yo Amo Peten) sign, by the bridge.
Border Crossing
The shared shuttles pass through the Guatemala-Belize border at Melchor de Mencos. This is a popular and well-traversed international line with very few reports of issues.
You’ll first pass through Guatemalan immigration where you’ll collect your exit stamp. Then you’ll walk across to the Belize side of the border.
Here, you may be asked questions about your stay such as where you’re going, how long you’re staying for etc. Then you’ll collect your entrance stamp and leave the building.
Don’t be surprised if your luggage isn’t scanned. And don’t worry, it’s also pretty common to have to change vehicles here.
Price & Booking
A shuttle bus from Flores Guatemala to Belize City costs between 35 and 60 USD per person. Mostly, this depends on which agency you book through.
But don’t be fooled, pretty much all the agencies are selling tickets for the same shuttle.
Shop around with companies such as Bookaway, Adrenalina Tours and gottoGo.
Public Bus from Flores to Belize City (SANTA ELENA BUS TERMINAL to Water Taxi Terminal): Fuente del Norte
This is the cheapest direct option to Belize City. But, the bus leaves from Santa Elena Bus Terminal – and not the island of Flores where most visitors stay
To get to the bus station, you’ll need to walk for around 2 km and 30 minutes. Or you can get a tuk-tuk or taxi for a few Quetzales.
This does make it slightly more inconvenient – which is why the next route below might be better.
Departure Times & Journey Length
The Transportes Fuente de Norte bus leaves the Santa Elena Bus Station at 6 am each day.
And it arrives in Belize around 6 hours later at midday. You’ll be dropped off next to the San Pedro Water Taxi Terminal – perfect for getting a boat from Belize City to Caye Caulker or San Pedro.
Melchor de Mencos Border
The bus passes through the border at Melchor de Mencos. You’ll need to get off and pass through both Guatemalan and Belizean immigration on foot.
Make sure you have both an exit stamp and an entry stamp before getting back on the bus.
Price & Booking Tickets
The Fuente del Norte bus costs 131.25 Quetzales or 18.75 USD when booked online directly through their website. Payment is possible with most cards.
Bus from Flores to Belize City (Flores Island to Water Taxi Terminal): Marlin Espadas
I’d consider this the best value and most convenient option for getting from Flores Guatemala to Belize.
Moreso than the Fuente del Norte bus above, because this one picks you up on Flores Island. This means you don’t need to get a tuk-tuk or taxi to the bus station early in the morning.
Departures & Journey Time
The Marlin Espadas 28-seater bus leaves from in front of the Green Monkey Hostel – near the southwest tip of the island.
It leaves every day at 7 am and arrives at the San Pedro Water Taxi Terminal in Belize City at midday. The journey is estimated to take 5 hours but can be longer if there are delays at the border.
Melchor Border Crossing
On this route, you’ll pass through the Guatemala-Belize border at Melchor de Mencos. And sometimes you may need to change bus, but this isn’t a problem as you have to carry your luggage and belongings through immigration anyway.
First, you’ll go to Guatemala Immigration to collect your exit stamp. This is usually a pretty smooth process.
Then you’ll walk across to Belize Customs and Immigration to begin entry formalities. You might be asked where you’re going, your itinerary and how long you want your stamp to last – not all nationalities automatically get 30 days.
Once you have your entry stamp, head out of the building and get on the bus to Belize City.
Price & How to Book
Tickets cost 25 USD per person for the trip from Flores Island to Belize City.
A lot of agencies sell tickets for the Marlin Espadas bus but at a higher price so they can take a commission. You’ll get the best price by booking online through the Marlin Espadas website.
Local Buses To Belize City via Melchor (Guatemala) and Benque (Belize)
If you’re really on a shoestring budget, then you can also get to Belize City using local bus connections. You’ll need two buses plus either a 3 km walk or a taxi in the middle.
Route, Bus Times & Cost
In 4 simple steps, the route is:
- Get to the Santa Elena Bus Terminal from where you’re staying in Flores (walk/tuk-tuk/taxi)
- Take the bus to Melchor de Mencos
- Cross the border and then walk 3 km or take a taxi to Benque Viejo Del Carmen
- Hop on a bus to Belize City
A tuk-tuk will likely cost 10 to 20 Quetzales to Santa Elena, and a taxi may cost a little more.
Next, the buses from Flores to Melchor de Mencos leave every 15 to 30 minutes and cost 40 Quetzales (5 USD). This journey takes at least 2 hours depending on how many stops it makes.
After crossing the border on foot, you’ll need to get to Benque. This is because no buses run from the actual border, only this small town 3 km away.
Because of this, taxis are pretty overpriced given the other option is to walk in the tropical heat. Expect to pay between 3 and 10 USD to get to Benque. Shared taxis might be available, so it’s good to ask around at the border.
In Benque, you can get a bus direct to Belize City for 10 Belize Dollars (5 USD). The buses run from the early hours until mid-afternoon – check the latest bus timetables here.
Without a tuk-tuk in Flores or a taxi to Benque, the cost is 10 USD. But, with them, the total cost is 15 to 23 USD – similar to the direct bus above.
Crossing the Border
Once the bus drops you off in Melchor de Mencos, the border is just a couple of hundred metres away across the river. And crossing by foot is easy.
Pass through Guatemalan immigration first, it’s on the right-hand side of the road. Once you have your exit stamp, you’ll walk for another 100 metres or so to Belize immigration.
Typical questions on entry include what your rough itinerary is, how many days you’ll stay in Belize and how you’re getting to your first destination. Once you have the stamp, head out of the building and into Belize.
Taxis will be waiting outside. There’s a small money exchange, ideal for exchanging Quetzales into USD or Belize Dollars. Shared taxis to Benque supposedly leave by the tree and are the cheapest option – other than walking.
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.
More Guatemala & Belize Travel Guides…
BELIZE: Caye Caulker Snorkeling: An Underwater Paradise (Need to Know)
GUATEMALA: Guatemala Volcano Hikes: The 5 Best Options (Complete Guide)
ANTIGUA: Acatenango Hike: Complete Volcano Trek Guide
LAKE ATITLAN: Indian Nose Hike Guide (Watch Sunrise Over Lake Atitlán)
PACIFIC COAST: El Paredon Guatemala: Ultimate Travel Guide