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How do I get to the Toledo District?

First Published: 2024-02-17

Description: We discuss transportation options.

Author: Nate

Map of Belize with Toledo district highlighted

Attribution:

How do I get to Toledo?

How do you get to Belize’s Unforgettable District? As is the case with so many things, it depends.

Here are the options:

  1. Flying
  2. Driving
  3. Marine vessel

Which one you choose depends on several things:

  1. Where are you coming from?
  2. What is your budget?
  3. Timing?

Let’s break it down:

  1. Air - most international travelers arrive by air and will arrive at the Philip S.W. Goldstein International Airport (BZE) outside of Belize City. From there you can either drive or fly.
    1. Flying south out of BZE - After going through Immigration in BZE, you can take a Tropic Air regional flight all the way to Punta Gorda. I’ve personally done this many times. It’s the fastest way to get between the two parts of the country. It’s also, in my opinion, the most fun.
    2. Driving
      1. There are car rental options at, or near, the airport but if you intend to rent a car, please make the arrangements in advance of your trip. The drive to Toledo takes about 3 hours if you take the shorter route, which makes use of the relatively new coastal highway. It will take more like 3hrs 45mins if you take the longer route via the popular hummingbird highway. Both take you through some pretty spectacular scenary so it really depends on your preferences.
      2. You can hire a shuttle service to pick you up at the airport. We would be happy to assist you in making those arrangements by connecting you with reputable, properly licensed, and insured services in the area.
      3. Take the bus! Depending on the day, the timing of your arrival, and the bus line, you may need to take a taxi to the nearest pickup location. It’s about a 6.5 hour journey by bus from Belize City to Punta Gorda (if you’re coming to stay with us you don’t go all the way to PG) and it will cost you around US$15. Your best bets are Floralia and James Bus. Be sure to check schedules ahead of time. I would also recommend reaching out via WhatsApp or email ahead of time to make sure you understand the logistics of reaching pick up location.
  2. Land
    1. Driving into Belize from Guatemala - You’ll leave Guatemala from Melchor de Mencos and you’ll enter Benque Viejo del Carmen on the Belize side. This is the only place to cross the Guatemalan border into Belize. From there it’s about 3 hours 45 minutes to Toledo.
    2. Driving into Belize from Mexico - You’ll cross from Chetumal Mexico into Santa Elena Belize. After crossing the border it’s roughly 5 hours driving to Toledo.
  3. Sea - For non-commercial marine vessels there are ports of entry in Belize City, Placencia, and Punta Gorda. More information at Belize Port Authority

Links and sources of information:

Toledo

Transportation

Flights

Driving