Belize To Mexico Border Crossing 2025: Avoid Extra Fees

Crossing from Belize to Mexico? You’ve got three options: by land, ferry, or plane. The ADO bus is the most convenient way to get across without the usual border hassles.

I’ve done this crossing many times, so I’ll walk you through exactly how it works, what to expect, and how to prepare for potential scams. For the cheapest way across, public bus wins — with shared shuttles coming in as a close second.

If you’re after a more scenic or comfortable ride, the ferry and plane are solid alternatives. Just keep in mind this border is one of the priciest in Central America thanks to exit fees and Mexico’s tourist tax — but I’ll show you how to potentially save up to $50 USD.

And while this guide focuses on the Belize to Mexico crossing, I've also included Mexico To Belize via bus for travelers doing the reverse.

Here’s how to make the crossing as easy (and cheap) as possible.

Border Essentials

Belize Border Hours

6:00AM—10:00PM

Mexico Border Hours

6:00AM—10:00PM

Belize Exit Fee

$20.00 USD

Border Crossing Time

1 Hour

Cheapest Way To Cross

By Public Transport

Belize Mexico Border Route Map

Border Crossing Requirements

1. 🛂 Valid passport: with at least 6 months beyond intended stay
2. 🎫 Visa Entry: review if your passport has visa-free entry
3. 💵 Local Currency: travel with some U.S. dollars just in case

Beware Of Mexican Tourism Tax Scam

You may have heard about the infamous Mexican Tourism Tax. It comes in so many names. Some call it exit tax, entry tax and of course many call it bribery. It's none of these of course.

The Tourism Tax is basically a fee you pay for being in Mexico for 7 days as a tourist. The only way of bypassing this tax is by showing proof that you flew in to Mexico and showing the breakdown of your flight ticket upon arrival to Mexico. This won't work if you didn't fly into Mexico.

It will be labeled as Mexico - Tourism Tax (Derecho No Immigrate) (UK). I have confirmed this with a Mexican Immigration while exiting through the Old Border of Belize.

Now the tricky part about all this is that the Mexican Immigration Officers at the New Border (Official Border) are taking advantage of fee payment and asking everyone to pay, but you need to stay firm with your stance.

It's a relatively hefty fee of approximately $45.00 USD, so it warrants some attention. To be safe, print out your flight breakdown and be prepared to pass the border with the confidence of a lion.

Remember that while you may have all the proof, it's all dependent on the Immigration Officer that attends you. I've been dealt good cards and bad cards myself.

Border Crossing Options

While there are 3 main ways of crossing the border — bus, shuttle and ferry. As a bonus I included the coach bus and plane option.

Border Crossing Tips

1. 📸 Screenshot your flight ticket breakdown: tourism tax is included in your flight ticket if you flew into Mexico. Have a screenshot of the ticket with an itemized receipt from the airline clearly showing the tax to show immigration.
2. 💰 Be prepared to pay Mexican Tourism Tax (DNI): if you don't have a flight ticket to prove your tax is paid, you will have to pay $45.00 USD if exiting Mexico. This is an obligatory payment if you spent more than 7 days in Mexico.
3. 🔎 Watch out for Mexican Immigration scams: if you are crossing from Mexico to Belize to get your Mexican Visa extended, prove to immigration officers with a sample travel itinerary.
4. 👀 Keep an eye on your bus/shuttle while crossing: there have been instances where the bus or shuttle company forgets passengers or leaves passengers because of lengthy border processes.
5. 💵 Change money at the border: to avoid being stuck with currency you can't use, I highly recommend changing all your left-over cash at the border where men with fanny packs will ask if you need to convert money.

Crossing By Bus

While taking public transport is relatively easy, I would definitely recommend taking the ADO Bus, a coach bus, if you value time and can spare the extra budget.

ADO has offices in Belize at the Belize City bus terminal and offices at Chetumal in Mexico. Check the ADO Mexico page to see if there's a bus that lines up with your schedule.

Belize City To Chetumal By Bus

1. From the Novelo's Bus Station in Belize City, take the local bus all the way to Corozal (Border Town). $6.00 USD
2. From Corozal, go to this Belize Border Bus Stop (under a tree) where you can take combis to the old border (Belize Side) which you can walk across. These worker vans run till 5:00PM. $1.50 USD
3. Prepare to pay the Belize Exit Tax. $20.00 USD
4. From the Old Border in Belize, walk across the Old Border (Mexico) to this Santa Elena Bus Stop and wait for a colectivo labeled Santa Elena Chetumal. This will drop you off on the street in front of Plaza Las Americas. $1.50 USD25 MXN Pesos
5. From Plaza Las Americas you can take a 15-minute walk to Chetumal ADO Bus Terminal or take a taxi. Travelers normally head to Bacalar, Tulum or Cancún.

Chetumal To Belize City By Bus

1. From Chetumal Bus Terminal, take one of the Belize buses to Belize City. $8.00 USD
2. Prepare to pay the Mexico Tourism Tax (DNI). Your flight ticket breakdown should include this fee which you can show to the immigration official. 45.00 USD
3. After crossing the border on the local bus, your final destination is at Novelo's Bus Station in Belize City where you can continue your trip.

Crossing By Shuttle

For the most stress-free border crossing, grab a shuttle across the border. If you stay at hostels, they normally have daily shuttle services as well. Tour agents are also well-known to offer the daily shuttle service.

As usual, I advise most travelers to shop around and go with shuttle services that have a good track record.

Crossing By Car

There are only a few requirements:

1. Border Crossing Permit (From Car Rental) - Free
2. Fumigation Fee - $5.00 USD
3. Car Permission Fee - $15.00 USD
4. Car Insurance (1 Week) - $15.00 USD

Some important notes about the border crossing:

• Car insurance is mandatory (Insurance of Belize Corporation building)
• US Dollars are accepted at both Belize & Mexico Borders
• MXN Pesos only accepted in Mexican Border & BZ Dollars in Belizean Side

Crossing By Ferry

Two companies run between Chetumal & San Pedro — International Island Ferries & Belize San Pedro Express. The boat also goes to Caye Caulker. The ferry schedules for both companies compliment each other, so you can expect a trip available daily.

I've written all the details concerning the Mexico Belize Ferry which has updated schedules, fares and info.

Crossing By Plane

One way of getting from Cancún directly to Belize at the moment is by flying. Tropic Air is a Belize airline that runs between Cancún & Belize City daily and only takes 1 hour 30 minutes.

Official Belize Borders

There are two official crossings between Mexico & Belize:

1. Old Border: bridge can be crossed by foot (short route)
2. New Border: can only be crossed by car/bus (long route)

The New Border is used for both entering and exiting Belize while the Old Border can only be used to exit Belize. The old border is very convenient for exiting Belize on a budget since the route is shorter.

Mexico / Belize Border Fees

There are two fees to be aware of when entering and exiting Belize:

Fees Payment Method

While both Mexico and Belize accept cards, it's highly advisable to take USD or have local currency to pay your fees. The border will have people that do money exchange upon crossing.

Mexico Tourism Tax (DNI)

If you were in Mexico for more than 7 days, you will be required to pay a DNI Fee (Derecho de No Inmigrante) of $45.00 USD.

What is DNI Fee?

DNI is an entry fee that must be paid to the Mexican Government by all foreign nationals, including Belizeans who enter Mexico by air, road or sea, in the following cases:

1. Tourists staying in Mexico more than seven (7) consecutive days.
2. Transit travelers with destination to a third country regardless the time need for their transit. This includes those who enter Subteniente Lopez, Chetumal, by road and whose purpose is to board a flight in Cancún to travel to another country, as well as those arriving to Cancún towards Belize.
3. Holders of the border card FMVL (Forma Migratoria de Visitante Local) that remain more than 3 (three) consecutive days in Mexico. This fee is payable in addition of a sanction for violating the permitted period allowed under the FMVL status. FMVL holders are reminded that they can only stay in Quintana Roo for no more than 3 (three) consecutive days.

Final Thoughts

Besides the pain of having to pay exit fees and tourism tax, the process of crossing Belize & Mexico is relatively easy. The most convenient way of crossing is definitely the ADO Bus which takes away guessing.

The cheapest way of crossing is using the Belize public bus along with Mexican colectivos. But I only recommend this if you have a good command of Spanish.

Concerning the taxes, I would definitely recommend trying to get your airline ticket breakdown if you flew into Mexico. That would save you a hefty amount of cash.

Lastly, always make sure you check the amount of days the Immigration officer gives you on your visa just in case.

Actually, I would recommend writing down the last day on your calendar.

About Author

Everything written on this blog is based on first-hand experience or knowledge as a local living in Belize. No fluff, just honest information.