Expert: Jamie Rivers - 10/11/2009

Question
Hello, We are planning to arrive from London at the beginning of January to Belize to start a seven country trip, ending in Panama with a return flight to London.
Belize
The original plan included a car hire from the airport, dropping it off at the border near San Ignacio. This seems to be difficult to achieve, as the companies I have approached require the car to be returned to source . Now, we are thinking of taking a quick bus to the border. Can you please advise us on the rental scene and bus connections, including crossing over to Guatemala.
We also need help in connection with other countries, which I shall ask by others in your website.
Many thanks in advance
Peter and Norbert


Answer
Hi Peter and Norbert!

I apologize for the delay, my internet has been inconsistent.

Yes, as far as I know all rental car companies in Belize require that you return the rental to it's original location. I believe the reason is that they are small companies rather than large chains so they don't have locations in multiple cities where you could drop it off.

Do you plan on staying in San Ignacio overnight? I ask because I think your best bet would be to arrange a shuttle rather than a bus if you wanted to make it a quick trip to the border. The international airport in Belize City is actually about a 20-30 minute drive outside of Belize City. In order to catch a bus you would need to take a taxi (about $20 US last time I was there) into the city to the bus station and take a bus from there.

If you book a hotel in San Ignacio see if they can arrange for a shuttle for you-most will probably pick you up for an extra $20-$30 US or direct you to a local operator who will. If not check out: http://www.belizeshuttlesandtransfers.com/San-Ignacio-Shuttle.php

If you decide to take a bus, buses from the Belize City terminal to the Cayo District (where San Ignacio is located) leave very regularly and you shouldn't have to wait long to catch one. While the local buses are inexpensive and make for fantastic people watching, in my experience they get super crowded and hot-especially with backpacks. I would think this route in particular is busy because you're heading the way of the capitol. Local buses also stop for anyone who wants to get on or off so it will make the 90 mile trip about 3 1/2 hours. If you take an Express bus it will be a dollar or so more and you may have to wait longer for it, but it should be significantly less crowded and faster. Also, just as a heads up, Belize City is pretty sketchy and the bus stop isn't in a great area.

I assume if you are heading from the airport to Cayo, you're headed on to Tikal? I think San Ignacio is worth a stop because it's a cool area, but Linea Dorada (www lineadorada.info) runs straight from Belize City to Flores (Tikal). It only runs once a day in the morning so you'd have to stay in Belize City overnight and catch it the next day. I've never stayed in Belize City overnight but I think I would try to avoid it.

I've never crossed into Guatemala from San Ignacio, but most travelers in that area are going to or from Tikal so I'm sure it's really easy to get across the border. I've been to Tikal as well and spent a month in Antigua, so if you are headed that way I would be more than happy to try and answer any questions you may have about those areas as well. I'm leaving for Costa Rica tomorrow and won't have internet access, but if you do have questions about Guatemala I'll be back October 24th. Your trip sounds great, have fun!

Jamie