Ruth Haines
Belize City Airport, also known as Philip Goldson International Airport, is located outside of Belize City, which is around 25 miles away from Ambergris Caye. You cannot drive directly to Ambergris Caye from the airport, but there are several transport options available to get there. You can take a local hopper flight, a water taxi, or a combination of taxi and water taxi. The flight takes around 15 minutes and costs $125 round trip, while the water taxi takes around 75 minutes and costs $14.50-$20 one way.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Distance | 35 miles from Belize City |
| Travel options | Plane, water taxi, taxi |
| Time | 15 minutes by plane, 75 minutes by water taxi, 2.5 hours in total from Belize City |
| Cost | $125 round trip by plane, $14.50-$20 by water taxi |
| Airlines | Maya Island Air, Tropic Air |
| Water taxi companies | Ocean Ferry, San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi, Caribbean Sprinter |
| Taxi companies | Amber Isle Taxi, Felix Taxi, Island Taxi |
| Booking | No need to book in advance, can book on the spot |
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What You'll Learn
Getting to Ambergris Caye from Belize City: fly or take a water taxi
Ambergris Caye is Belize's largest island, situated 35 miles east of Belize City. San Pedro Town, on the southern tip of the island, is the most-visited destination in Belize. There are two ways to get to Ambergris Caye from Belize City: by plane or by water taxi.
Flying to Ambergris Caye from Belize City
Belize City's international airport is located 35 miles west of Ambergris Caye. The flight to San Pedro Airport (SPR) in the downtown area of San Pedro takes about 15 minutes and costs $125 round trip. Maya Island Air and Tropic Air are the two airlines that fly this route. Maya Island Air offers flights for $80 each way, and Tropic Air is also a reliable option. It is possible to book a flight on the spot, but it is recommended to book in advance to avoid waiting.
Water Taxi to Ambergris Caye from Belize City
Taking a water taxi is a cheaper but longer option to get to Ambergris Caye from Belize City. The water taxi ride takes around 75 minutes and costs between $14.50 and $20 one-way. There are two companies that provide scheduled water taxi services between Belize City and Ambergris Caye: Ocean Ferry and the San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi, with the latter offering more daily departures. Coastal Express is another water taxi service provider that offers private charters starting at a minimum of three people.
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Pros and cons of flying vs taking a water taxi
To get from Belize City Airport to Ambergris Caye, you can either fly or take a water taxi. Here are the pros and cons of each option:
Flying
Pros:
- Quick: The flight from Belize City to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, takes approximately 15 minutes.
- Convenience: You can book flights easily at the airport or online, and you don't need to leave the airport to board.
- Beautiful scenery: Flying offers stunning views of the Caribbean Sea and the Belize Barrier Reef.
- Frequency: Flights are available every hour, or more frequently during busy periods.
- Reliability: Maya Island Air and Tropic Air, the two airlines serving this route, are considered reliable.
Cons:
- Cost: Flying is relatively expensive, with round-trip tickets priced at around $125-$175. This can add up, especially for larger groups.
- Delays: If your international flight is delayed, you may miss your connecting flight to Ambergris Caye.
Water Taxi
Pros:
- Cost: The water taxi is a more affordable option, with fares ranging from $9.50 to $20 one-way.
- Comfort: For those with a fear of flying, the water taxi may be a more comfortable choice.
- Experience: Taking the water taxi allows you to see more of Belize City as you travel to the water taxi dock.
Cons:
- Time: The water taxi journey takes around 75 minutes, and there may be limited departures (only 6 trips per day, according to one source).
- Logistics: You will need to arrange ground transportation from the airport to the water taxi dock, adding to the overall travel time.
- Availability: If your international flight arrives late in the day, the water taxi may not be an option.
Ultimately, the decision between flying and taking a water taxi depends on your priorities regarding time, cost, convenience, and personal preferences.
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Booking a flight to Ambergris Caye
To book a flight to Ambergris Caye, you'll first need to fly into Belize's only international airport, the Phillip Goldson International Airport (PGIA), which is located outside of Belize City. From there, you can take a local hopper flight to Ambergris Caye. Maya Island Air and Tropic Air are the two airlines that operate flights from PGIA to San Pedro Airport (airport code SPR) on Ambergris Caye.
You can book your flight with either of these airlines on their respective websites, or you can go directly to their booking counters after you pass through customs at the PGIA airport. It is recommended to book your flight in advance, especially during the high season, to ensure you get a spot on the flight you want. However, it is also possible to book your flight on the spot, as these airlines offer frequent daily flights, sometimes as often as several times an hour.
The flight from Belize City to Ambergris Caye is short, usually taking less than 30 minutes, and costing around $80 each way or $165 one-way and $364 for a round trip. The views from the sky as you fly over the Caribbean Sea and the Belize Barrier Reef are incredible.
If you are looking for a cheaper option, you can consider taking a water taxi to Ambergris Caye. This option takes longer and costs a bit less than flying. You can easily get a taxi from the airport to the water taxi dock in Belize City.
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The water taxi experience
First, you'll need to get a taxi from the airport to the water taxi dock. These taxis are licensed to carry up to five passengers and their luggage. The ride should take around 25 minutes and the taxis will be waiting right outside the airport.
There are two water taxi companies that provide scheduled services between Belize City and Ambergris Caye: Ocean Ferry and San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi. The latter offers more daily departures and takes around 75 minutes, costing between $14.50 and $20 one way. The Caribbean Sprinter, operated by San Pedro Belize Express, docks in San Pedro at the Caribena Pier by Cholos Bar. The San Pedro Belize Express docks at the municipal pier in San Pedro Town. You can book directly with the water taxi provider via their websites, and you will need a valid ID, such as a passport, when purchasing tickets and boarding.
Water taxis are also a great option if you're arriving late at night, as the last water taxi to Ambergris Caye is at 5:30 pm, and you can also book a private water taxi if you're arriving after this time.
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Transport options on Ambergris Caye
Ambergris Caye is an island off the coast of Belize, so to get there from Belize City, you'll need to travel by plane or boat. There are no ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft in Belize.
Plane
The quickest way to get to Ambergris Caye is by plane. Local airlines Maya Island Air and Tropic Air operate flights from Belize City's international airport to San Pedro Airport on Ambergris Caye. The journey takes about 15 minutes and costs $125 round trip. You can also fly from the municipal airport for $25 each way, although you'll need to take a taxi from the international airport to get there. During the high season, it's best to book in advance.
Boat
A cheaper, but longer, option is to take a water taxi from Belize City to Ambergris Caye. The journey takes about 75 minutes and costs between $14.50 and $20 one way. There are two water taxi companies: Ocean Ferry and the San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi. To get to the water taxi terminal from the airport, you'll need to take a taxi.
Once you're on Ambergris Caye, the most common way to get around is by golf cart. You can rent golf carts from several outlets on the island, including Cholo's Golf Cart Rental and Carts Belize. There are also taxis available, which can be called by your hotel or found at the airport.
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Frequently asked questions
No, you can't drive to Ambergris Caye as it is an island.
You can either fly or take a water taxi.
The flight from Belize City to San Pedro Airport on Ambergris Caye takes about 15 minutes.
Flights cost around $125 round trip.
You can get a taxi from outside the airport to the water taxi terminal.
