Bus to Belize??

[Beth&Scott]

I've always wanted to see Belize (possibly Corozal) and want to try to make it happen during our next trip to Mexico. Im hoping to at least spend one afternoon there if possible. (Site seeing, shopping, eating...) Were planning on staying for a week in Mexico- dont have all the details planned, yet our homebase will be in PDC and we also want to stay at least a couple nights in Punta Allen. Were budget travelers, used to taking the bus everywhere in the Yucatan- & cabs if need be. How am I going to make this work? I hear there is its about a 5-6 hrs bus ride from PDC to Chetumal and they offer a night bus trip (guess we could sleep on the bus), yet Im wondering if there are other ideas. What about ideas for transporting from PA to Belize?? Should I just resort to renting a vehicle to make this all work?

Also... what is there to do in Corozal? I hear Belize is very expensive. Is it worth it? Anyone have any other suggestions?

[Libby]

You'll need to take an ADO bus to Chetumal near the border with Belize. From the bus terminal there, you'll need to catch a Belizean bus. At the border, you'll have to exit the bus to deal with immigration/customs. Then you'll re-board the bus and head to Corozal or wherever. I haven't done it myself, bus this is what I've heard.

You can find the bus schedule for ADO here. I believe it only works in Internet Explorer and often times it doesn't work at all. I don't think any of the Belize bus companies have a website.

As I understand it, Corozal is a fine town, but not much to see or do. Michele is writing a trip report on her 2 weeks in Belize. She mentions Corozal in Days 1, 2 & 9. Actually, I seem to remember Michele also writing about her previous experience taking the bus into Belize. Take a look around her blog.

[JR_the_2nd]

I just noticed your post, and thought I might be able to contribute a little.

Last Feb., two of us made a spur of the moment trip to Belize. I will list our experiences, along with costs to the best of my knowledge.
ADO 1st class bus from Playa to Chetumal - 5 hrs, 180 pesos. Very comfortable.
Taxi from bus depot into Chetumal to Belize bus. (don't remember cost, but not much)
Belize bus ( old 52 passenger school bus ) to Belize City - 4 hrs, $12.00 Belize ( $6.00 US). NOT so comfortable!

You disembark at the border, and pay $100 pesos to cross the border.

They picked up passengers all the way to B.C., until there were at least 75 people on the bus.

Upon arrival in Belize City, we decided we didn't want to stay there, so took a water taxi to Caye Caulker - approx 1/12 hrs, $15 B.
This was a very enjoyable trip, the sun was just setting, and it was beautiful.
( Incidently, Belize City didn't impress us at all! I would be very interested in hearing other people's opinions of it.)

Key Caulker is a quiet, lovely little island. Very few motor vehicles, but many electric golf carts. CAUTION...when walking, you can't hear them coming up behind you! As we hadn't made reservations for lodging, we had to scramble to find something. We eventually found a condo on the beach, but had to pay $100 US for 1 night. I found almost everything in Belize cost more than what I was used to paying in Playa. Except Rum! It is very cheap.

The next day we took another water taxi to San Pedro on Ambergris Caye - $15 B, about 3/4 hrs. They were rebuilding all the streets in town, so it was dusty and noisy. We only stayed a few hours, then took another water taxi to Corozal. More than 2 hrs, $45 B.
We had been recomended a hotel named Las Palmas, so we went there. It is a pleasant hotel run by a man from Alaska. A nice room, 2 beds for $50 US. It is interesting, hotels are walled and gated. You have to show your room key to the security guard to be admitted.

Corozal is a pleasant town, but not a lot to do there. The bus from there back to Chetumal takes about 30 min, for $3 B., however the departure tax at the border was $37 B.

We didn't make reservations for the ADO buses, but probably should have. They were very full both ways, so we were lucky to get seats.

That's pretty much it. If you have any questions, I will do my best to answer them for you.

James