Mexico To Belize: Crossing By Bus, Ferry & Plane [2024]
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.
Three ways of crossing from Mexico 🇲🇽 to Belize 🇧🇿 are by bus, ferry and plane. As of July 2023 ☝️, the ADO bus is running between Cancun and Belize City.
The ADO bus is now the most stress-free method of traveling between Mexico & Belize - no more complicated taxis or shuttle connections.
Here is a map showing Mexico to Belize crossing options.
ADO Belize
- ADO bus tickets are sold at the Belize City Bus Terminal
- Buses leave Cancun at 7:00AM and reaches Belize at 5:30PM (Belize Time)
- Buses leave Belize City at 7:00PM and reaches Cancun Airport at 7:00AM
- Children get half price (Below 10 years of age)
- Credit cards accepted in Cancun and Chetumal
- Contact ADO Belize Facebook Page
- ADO Bus contact number: +501 625-5900 (They don't answer Whatsapp sadly)
ADO Bus Cost
Mexico To Belize
With covid restrictions lifted, there are several ways of getting to Belize now. To simplify things, I included the three most popular routes.
Cancun to Belize City
Chetumal to San Pedro
Cancun to Belize City
Route 1
Cancun to Belize
The ADO bus from Cancun to Belize City has resumed service as of July 24th, 2023. This is by far the safest and most cost-efficient way to travel.
Route 2
Chetumal To San Pedro
There are many ways of doing this trip but the easiest is taking a direct ferry with Water Jets International. The cost is $74.50 USD, it lasts 1hr 30 mins, and it travels four times weekly.
Water Jets International runs between Chetumal & San Pedro. It also goes to Caye Caulker for an additional $5.00 USD. This ferry only runs on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and leaves Chetumal at 10AM.
Route 3
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.
$275USD
Direct flight from Cancun to Belize City
Official Belize Borders
There are two official crossings between Mexico & Belize:
- Old Border
- New Border
The New Border is used for official crossings but the Old Border can only be used to exit Belize at the moment according to Belize Tourism Board. But some travelers have entered through this route recently.
Belize To Chetumal
There are three ways of exiting Belize to Chetumal via land:
- By bus: Belize to Chetumal Buses now run around five times daily.
- By foot: if you're on a tight budget, the cheapest way of exiting Belize is by foot. Exit via the Old Border and then take a Mexican bus from the Santa Elena Taxi Station to the center of Chetumal for 20 MXN Pesos.
- By taxi: starting from the Corozal bus station, take a shared van (colectivo) to the Belize Border. These small vans take employees to the Free Zone for $2.00 USD per person. A private taxi will cost around $12.50 USD per person.
Mexico / Belize Border Fees
There are two fees to be wary of when entering and exiting Belize:
$30USD
Mexican Tourism Tax
$20USD
Belize Exit Tax
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 $30.00 USD (600+ 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:
- Tourists staying in Mexico more than seven (7) consecutive days.
- 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.
- Holders of the border card FMVL (Forma Migratoria de Visitante Local) that remain more that 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. Covid tests and travel insurance are no longer a requirement.
Is the Cancun to Belize City bus operational?
The ADO bus service has resumed as of July 24th, 2023.
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.