Mexico–Belize Border Crossing: Complete Guide 2025

Three ways of crossing between Mexico 🇲🇽 & Belize 🇧🇿 are by bus, ferry and plane. The ADO bus is the most convenient way 👌 of getting across without any of the usual hassles.

Having done this border crossing many times myself, I can give detailed yet straigthforward tips that can help you avoid scams and enter a new country smoothly.

Here's what this guide includes: 👇

Choose your route below: 👇

Border Opening Hours

The border is opened daily at both the Belizean and Mexican side.

Border Crossing Options

While there are 3 main ways of crossing the border — land, ferry & plane — I included all options available by land as well which includes chicken bus, coach bus and private shuttle.

Choose one that fits your budget and travel style:

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 (700 MXN Pesos) 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.

Border 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

Mexico To Belize

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 USD700 MXN Pesos
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.

Chetumal To San Pedro By Ferry

International Island Ferries runs between Chetumal & San Pedro. It also goes to Caye Caulker. This ferry only runs on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and leaves Chetumal at 10AM.

Check out Belize Ferry Schedule for updated schedule, fares and info.

Cancun To Belize City By Plane

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

Belize To Mexico

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. $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. $1.00 USD20 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 Cancun.

San Pedro To Chetumal By Ferry

International Island Ferries runs between San Pedro & Chetumal. It also goes to Caye Caulker. This ferry only runs on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and leaves San Pedro at 2:30PM.

Check out Belize Ferry Schedule for updated schedule, fares and info.

Belize City To Cancun By Plane

One way of getting from Cancun directly to Belize at the moment is by flying. Tropic Air is a Belize airline that runs between Belize City & Cancun 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 (700 MXN Pesos).

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 Cancun to travel to another country, as well as those arriving to Cancun 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.

Frequent Questions

What fees do I have to pay at the Mexico Belize border?

There are two main border fees, the DNI Mexican Tourism Tax and the Belize Exit Fee.

What is the fastest way of getting from Cancun to Belize?

A direct 1.5 hour plane ride with Tropic Air is the fastest way of getting to Belize from Mexico.

What is the cheapest way of getting from Mexico to Belize?

The cheapest way of getting to Belize is by taking a Belizean bus from Chetumal to Belize.

Resources

• Mexican Entry Information

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Plan Your Next Trip

• Belize Destinations
• Belize Attractions
• Belize Festivals
• Belize Transportation
• Belize Budget Guide

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Leave A Comment 👇

Have you done this border crossing recently or still have questions?