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Latest update: 9 March 2023
Many places in Belize (Caye Caulker, Ambergris Caye, Sarteneja, and more) are easily accessible by boat. What options are there? What is the best way to travel by boat?
Make reservations or not?
You do not need to make a reservation for the boats between the Cayes and Belize City. You can just show up and catch the next boat. For the other boats, it is better to book in advance – mainly for peace of mind. These go less often, so if you miss the boat, you might end up waiting for the next one for one or two days even!
Which boats are there in Belize?
There are a few water taxis in Belize. I have outlined the routes below and how long the boat takes approximately. I refer you to the water taxis websites or Facebook pages for the current prices and schedules.
- Hokey Pokey Water Taxi – doesn’t even have a website! Go to the office.
- San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi
- Caribbean Sprinter / Ocean Ferry Belize
- Thunderbolt
By boat to Caye Caulker
You can travel to Caye Caulker by boat from three different places. One of them is Chetumal in Mexico. Many backpackers take advantage of that option because Belize is an expensive destination. So they only visit Caye Caulker and maybe one other place in Belize before crossing the border again. A shame, if you ask me.
From Chetumal to Caye Caulker
San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi – 2 hours and 10 minutes
From Belize City to Caye Caulker
San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi – 45 minutes
Caribbean Sprinter / Ocean Ferry Belize – 45 minutes (you can book this)
From San Pedro/Ambergris Caye to Caye Caulker
San Pedro Belize Express – 1 hour
Caribbean Sprinter / Ocean Ferry Belize – 45 minutes (you can book this)
►► Find out what to do on Caye Caulker.
By boat to Ambergris Caye
Ambergris Caye harbor is in San Pedro. This is also where all the hotels are.
From Belize City to Ambergris Caye/San Pedro
San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi – 1.5 hours
Caribbean Sprinter / Ocean Ferry Belize – 1.5 hours (you can book this)
From Caye Caulker to Ambergris Caye/San Pedro
San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi – 1 hour
Caribbean Sprinter / Ocean Ferry Belize – 1.5 hours (you can book this one online)
From Corozal to Ambergris Caye/San Pedro
Thunderbolt – 1.5 hours
From Sarteneja to Ambergris Caye/San Pedro
Thunderbolt – 1 hour
From Chetumal (Mexico) to Ambergris Caye/San Pedro
San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi – 1 hour 40 minutes
►► Find out what to do on Ambergris Caye.
By boat to Sarteneja
The Thunderbolt boat only stops in Sarteneja upon request. It is smart to buy a ticket the day before and make your wishes clear. The Thunderbolt boot is terrible, by the way. Just so you know. The boat bounces like crazy, smells like gasoline, is cramped, leaks water, and is stuffy. You don’t do this for fun.
From Corozal to Sartaneja
Thunderbolt – 30 minutes
From San Pedro/Ambergris Caye to Sartaneja
Thunderbolt – 1 hour
►► Find out what to do in Sarteneja.
By boat to Corozal
The Thunderbolt (the boat in which you are almost guaranteed to get seasick) sails between San Pedro and Corozal, via Sarteneja. The services are irregular, so drop by the office or check the Facebook page for the current timetable.
From Sarteneja to Corozal
Thunderbolt – 30 minutes
From San Pedro/Ambergris Caye to Corozal
Thunderbolt – 1.5 hours
►► Find out what to do in Corozal.
By boat to Belize City
If you want to go back on land from the Cayes, you are more or less obliged to travel via Belize City. This is the most dangerous city in Belize. So take a taxi to the bus station. The road between the port and the bus station is known for violent robberies against tourists. So please avoid that part.
From Caye Caulker to Belize City
San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi – 45 minutes
Caribbean Sprinter / Ocean Ferry Belize – 45 minutes (you can book this)
From San Pedro/Ambergris Caye to Belize City
San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi – 1.5 hours
Caribbean Sprinter / Ocean Ferry Belize – 1.5 hours (you can book this)
By boat to Placencia
A small water taxi runs between Placencia and Independence. You mainly use the water taxi if the bus connections are not convenient. You buy your ticket directly at the water taxi (Google Maps location).
From Independence to Placencia
Hokey Pokey Water Taxi – 20 minutes
►► Find out what to do in Placencia.
By boat to Independence
The water taxi between Placencia and Independence runs several times a day. Buy your ticket directly at the office (Google Maps location).
From Placencia to Independence
Hokey Pokey Water Taxi – 20 minutes
By boat to Chetumal
If you want, you can take a boat to Mexico in one go. The other option is to cross the border by land at Santa Elena. Which is very doable.
From San Pedro/Ambergris Caye to Chetumal
San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi – 1 hour 40 minutes
From Caye Caulker to Chetumal
San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi – 2 hours and 10 minutes
More Belize travel inspiration?
Useful links for your Belize trip
- Accommodation. All-time favorite is Booking.com. Book hostels via Hostelworld.
- Activities. You book the best tours and activities with GetYourGuide and Viator.
- Bus. Book buses in Belize through Busbud, Omio, or 12Go.
- Car rental. My go-to car rental companies are EasyTerra and Sunny Cars as they have all-inclusive / worry-free offers. You could also use Discover Cars to compare prices.
- Flights. Compare all your options! For sure check Momondo, Skyscanner, and Kiwi.
- Money. Your debit and credit cards may not get accepted everywhere. You could opt for a Revolut card as an additional card when you travel.
- Package deals. Rather go on a catered trip? Not many Dutch travel companies offer trips to Belize: try Sawadee or Shoestring.
- SIM card. Beware of unexpectedly high calling and internet costs. Buy a local SIM card when you arrive, or arrange one online via Airalo.
- Travel gear. Buy your gear at Bever or Decathlon, or simply at Bol.com.
- Travel guides. I love the practical guidebooks by Lonely Planet. You can buy them at Bol.com and Amazon.
- Yoga retreat. Or, book a lovely yoga retreat in Belize!
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First published: October 2018. The article has been updated since.
