Belize City to San Pedro
International flights land at Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) outside Belize City. From there you have two ways onward to San Pedro on Ambergris Caye.
The flight is the easy one: Tropic Air and Maya Island Air run small planes on a frequent schedule, and the hop takes around 15–20 minutes over the reef. It's one of the better short flights anywhere — sit on the right for the water.
The water taxi is the cheaper one. San Pedro Belize Express runs from Belize City's terminal; expect roughly 90 minutes on the water, plus a taxi from the airport to the dock. It's a good option if you're arriving early and not in a hurry.
| Option | Time from BZE | Best when |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic flight | 15–20 minutes plus check-in | Late arrivals, families with luggage, tight connections |
| Water taxi | About 90 minutes plus transfer to the dock | Budget trips and early-afternoon arrivals |
Golf carts, taxis and boats
There are essentially no rental cars on Ambergris Caye. The golf cart is the island vehicle — street-legal, gas or electric, and rented by the day, week or month. You'll want a valid driver's licence, and you'll want to remember that the beach road is shared with pedestrians, bikes and dogs, especially after dark.
In and around San Pedro Town, taxis are cheap and plentiful, and many visitors staying in town skip the cart entirely. If you're north of the bridge, a cart stops being a convenience and becomes essential.
For longer distances up the coast, boats beat roads. Water taxis run north from town, and tour operators pick up from many resort docks, so you can start a snorkel trip without ever getting in a cart.
The bridge, and what 'north of the bridge' means
The Sir Barry Bohbe Bridge crosses the channel at the north end of San Pedro Town, and it's the reference point everyone uses for location. South of it is town; north of it is the beach road running up past the resort communities toward Secret Beach and beyond.
There's a small toll for golf carts crossing north, and the road surface improves and deteriorates in stretches as you go. Allow more time than the distance suggests: a property 'seven miles north' is a solid 25–30 minutes from town by cart.
Practical arrival notes
- ◆English is the official language of Belize; no translation needed anywhere on the island.
- ◆Belize uses the Belize dollar, pegged at BZ$2 to US$1. US dollars are accepted almost everywhere on the island, and prices quoted on this site are in US dollars.
- ◆Book the domestic hop with enough buffer after your international arrival to clear customs — an hour is comfortable.
- ◆Last domestic flights leave in the late afternoon; a delayed international arrival can mean an unplanned night in Belize City.
- ◆We arrange airport transfers, dock pickups and cart rentals for our guests before they land — just ask when you book.
Common questions
- How do you get from Belize City airport to Ambergris Caye?
- Either a 15–20 minute domestic flight to San Pedro on Tropic Air or Maya Island Air, or a taxi to the Belize City terminal and a roughly 90-minute San Pedro Belize Express water taxi.
- Do you need a golf cart on Ambergris Caye?
- If you're staying north of the bridge, yes — it's the practical way to reach town, restaurants and groceries. If you're in San Pedro Town, taxis and walking cover most of what you'll do.
- Can you drive a golf cart with a regular driver's licence?
- Yes. Rental companies require a valid licence and will go over local rules with you. Carts are driven on the right, as in the US.